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Show Utah Press Association 1521 E 3900 SSte 100 Salt Lake City UT 84124-1550 A N E D I T I O N O F P R I D E &F R O The Spanish Fork News M i O C A L L Y O W N E D A N D O P E R A T E D 50c VOL. 3 / NO. 28 SPANISH FORK, UTAH Tragedy Averted Kelsey Hall / Spanish Fork News CONSTANT CHANGE: The trailer park near North Park has been rezoned as commercial. Controversial zone changes considered Lindsay B. Wolsey STAFF WRITER Kirsten Reimschiissel / Spanish Fork News PRECAUTIONS PAY OFF: Joe Carrick survived a run-in with a Honda Accord thanks to his bike helmet. His bike didn't fare quite so well. Salem man's birthday has new meaning after auto-bike accident Kirsten Reimschiissel STAFF WRITER "It saved my life," he said. Carrick's injuries were most severe to his face. They included sigA bicyclist got hit from behind nificant head trauma, a fractured skull Wednesday, June 18, 2008 going behind his left ear, and 30 breaks southwest from Spanish Fork and to his right cheek. He also suffered was taken to the hospital with serious some broken ribs. Surprisingly, there injuries to the face. No one thinks it were no internal injuries or internal will happen to them, but sometimes bleeding, nor were there any leg or arm breaks. the unexpected takes place. It was a sunny day and Joe "I'm doing fine; it's amazing ... Carrick of Salem went out on his I'm doing really well," said Carrick. bike expecting nothing more than For all he has been through, Carhis normal morning training ride. rick and his wife are both grateful he He rides from his home in Salem is alive today and doing well. They through Payson and Spanish Fork, both feel extremely blessed. going by Peteetneet, past IFA to the "It's a miracle to be alive," said river bottoms, and back again. He Carrick. was about six or seven miles into Ironically, Carrick's birthday was his ride, going down Arrowhead July 3, exactly three weeks from his Trail by the rodeo grounds when accident. He said his birthdays usuhe was hit from behind. He doesn't ally aren't too big of a deal to him remember what happened after that now, but on this one he was reflecpoint. tive, considering he came close to not The driver was a 24-year-old in having one at all. He sees the fact that a Honda Accord. Police estimated he made it to another birthday as a the car was going approximately 40 triumph and a blessing. miles per hour when it hit Carrick, Carrick's doctors have instructed who was rushed to Mountain View him to avoid too much sun as sunHospital, then transported to Utah bums could negatively impact his Valley Hospital. Overall, he spent a healing. But as as soon as he can, total of six days in the hospital get- Carrick said he plans on getting back ting stitches, surgery and care. on the bike again — once he gets a Carrick said if it wasn't for his new one. helmet, he's sure he wouldn't be here "I'm a little nervous, but I'll do today. it," he said. He and his sons do the Salem Triathalon, which took place a few weeks ago. That's what he trains for, and will continue training for once he gets back in the saddle. Some may think that these kinds of accidents don't happen too often, but Chief Brad James of the Salem City Police Department said, "I used to say not very often, but not after this year ... It's unfortunate what happend to [Carrick]." Carrick said that many do not think bikes should be on the road and drivers honk or make rude guestures as he rides. He said one problem in Utah County is the lack of bike lanes and good shoulders to ride on, but he is a careful cyclist. Carrick is known as a sort of "safey police" when he rides with his sons or others, always telling them to be careful and watch. Chief James said according to law, "[Bicyclists] have the right to be on the road." He also gave this caution to everyone on the road, "Be more alert and aware of the traffic around you. Cars need to be more aware as well." James went on to say, "We live in such a face-paced world, we need to take time to slow down ... Just be more careful." As careful as Carrick was, the unexpected happened, and after all he's been through, he said he's just "glad to be alive." Salem emergency crews save life On July 1,2008 around 11 p.m. Salem City Police and volunteer Fire and Ambulance personnel were dispatched to a report of a car that had rolled over and trapped a person underneath it. When crews arrived, it was discovered that the driver was pinned beneath the car in about two feet of marsh and it was apparent that he might drown. Emergency personnel quickly determined that if they did not get him out immediately he would not survive. With no time to set up equipment to assist them, they decided to pick up the car on manpower alone. Everyone surrounded the car and lifted the car off of the patient. Salem Police, Fire and Medical personnel went above and beyond to save this person's life. Those involved were: Officers Dan Nielsen, Brad Bishop and Matt Bell; EMTs Mark Johnson, Vicki An- derson, Christine Argyle and Chris Reed; Firefighter/EMT James Ealey; Firefighters Chris Mattinson, Richie Wright, Brent Hancock, Chris Wright, Robert Thornock, Mike Halliday, Mike Anderson, Cory Grover, Lance Johnson, Phil Price and Brandon Scott. There's nothing like a proposed zoning change from residential to commercial to get citizens out to a planning commission meeting . At the July 2 meeting of the Spanish Fork Planning Commission, the majority of the meeting was consumed with two proposed zoning changes to adjacent properties. Dan and Claire White and Mayor Joe Thomas were separately requesting that properties east of the post office and south of the controversial North Park property be changed from residential zones to commercial zones. Commission member Shane Marshall brought up the fact that property owners were the ones asking for the changes. "These are requested changes," he said. "We need to consider the wishes of the property owners." Property owner Linda Collins repeatedly stated that she was opposed to commercial growth. "Why don't we look at properties on the other side of the freeway, and stop encroaching on the residential areas?" Collins asked. Mayor Joe Thomas said that he was requesting the zone change due to the cost of updating the existing trailer park. "We will be assisting trailer park residents in their move," Thomas said. There are no existing plans for the proposed commercial development, but there is a possibility of three commercial buildings being built on the lot. After much discussion, and dissension from neighboring property owners, the planning commission approved both requests. A deciding factor was that the area is transitioning into a commercial area. "With the commercial development in North Park, developers are going to look at the surrounding properties," Commissioner David Stroud said. Earlier in the meeting, the commission voted to approve American Leadership Academy's (ALA) request to change their zoning from R-30 to R-12, which would satisfy requirements for an already existing building on the property. Commission members weren't thrilled about changing the zoning after the fact, but recognized that it was making the best of the situation. Adjacent property owner David Isaac said, "Apparently the contractor who built the concrete bunker didn't pay attention to the zoning. Coming in and changing it after the fact isn't fair to the neighbors." ALA intends to use the concrete structure as a locker room for the football team. In the future, the school plans to build another level to the existing structure for storage and fan use during games. Part of the meeting was utilized by Horrocks Engineering to give a brief overview of the Transportation Master Plan. Part of the plan includes projections for transportation needs in the year 2030. Current pressing issues are the Main Street/I15 interchange, 1150 East and Center Street. Possible solutions are being considered. Within the next two or three months, Horrocks will present a formal plan to the city. One idea being considered is talking to the Utah Department of Transportation regarding an interchange between 1-15 and Center Street. On Saturday, July 19 at 5 p.m., the 10th Annual Flag '•Retirement Ceremony will be held at the outdoor arena at the Fairgrounds. The Maceys flag will be retired by the Utah National Guard and the American Legion with help from the local Boy Scout troops. There will also be a 21-gun salute and a fly over by Apache helicopters. Personal flags can be dropped off at the Crty Office the National Guard office in Spanish Fork. Also, scg troops may gather old flags to be retired them to the ceremony a half hour before, J3{; Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts should be jrT participate. For more information or Thad Jensen at 798-2374. |