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Show SPANISH FORK Coveringwbat matters most A6 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2009 Mortgage woes HB 27 to protect ag production require planning Lindsay B. Wolsey . STAFF WRITER financial markets. The current real estate conditions have increased foreclosures, which is crippling David Miller home values and making A previous article fo- it difficult for people to cused on challenges fac- refinance and take advaning the local real estate tage of the great interest market in our community. rates. Christensen believes But what about mortgage some foreclosures can be a financing, and how has benefit to a community by this affected those who helping to keep real estate live in this community? values more consistent. Christensen said he Jon Christensen is a mortgage loan officer at Se- can't emphasize enough curity Home Mortgage. that the importance of Christensen said that cred- the first step in successit scores, appraisal values fully preparing to purand lending guidelines chase a home is to get have created obstacles for pre-qualified. Having a mortgage professional many homebuyers. Christensen said if you look at your income and hear of a good mortgage credit helps the buyers interest rate being adver- know what they qualify tised, be aware that does for. Christensen believes not necessarily mean you the first-time home buyer will qualify for that rate. stimulus recently passed Years ago, interest rates by Congress is a great were not affected so much incentive and motivator by your credit score as which will help get the real estate market movthey are now. Since new and exist- ing again and improve ing homes are not selling the flow of money. Of Spanish Fork, Chrisat the level seen in prior tensen said, "I have lived years, this has restricted here my whole life and, to the flow of money by decreasing the purchase of tell you the truth, I can't consumer goods which, in think of anywhere else I turn, has affected the city would rather live. Spanish government's ability to Fork is a great place to live receive revenue from tax- and the people here are the es. This can be a vicious best. Spanish Fork's motto downward cycle leading to is 'Pride and Progress' — a serious depression of the that sums it up." Business Here, Business Now Residents of rural Utah County have had a lot to take in over the last few months. With the possibility of Benjamin incorporating into a town, a solid waste station coming into Palmyra and a traffic corridor study in progress, it's no wonder farmers are a little uneasy. Agricultural producers can breathe a little easier, because on March 23, 2009 Governor Huntsman signed House Bill 27. HB 27 is a bill designed to protect agricultural producers from frivolous lawsuits relating to encroachment of housing and cities on agriculturalproducing activities. "What happens is, too often we see an ag producer who does not sell his facility and has hay or a dairy, and people move in knowing frill well the activity exists. Once homes are built, people complain about the smell or the noise or other activities, and some have even filed suits against the ag producers to limit their ability to continue to earn a living and to produce whatever they're producing," said Representative Mike Morley, the bill's sponsor. According to Todd Bingham, the Utah Farm Bureau Federation (UFBF) has been pushing this bill for over two years. Bingham is the vice-president of public policy for UFBF and is well-versed in dealing with frivolous lawsuits. CAUTION! Developers, Builders, And Buyers THIS IS A WORKING DAIRY!! It produces flies, offensive odors, and noises at all hours. This dairy Is Going t o b e here for a while, If you don't like the smell DONT build here. Lazy Acres Steve Hardman / Spanish Fork News HOW DO YOU REALLY FEEL? This sign posted at the Lazy Acres Dairy in Salem says it all. With the passage of HB 27, dairy farmers will and other ag producers will have added protection against urban encroachment. The catalyst for HB 27 was a lawsuit .filed over alfalfa blowing into a swimming pool during hay baling season. "As urban sprawl continues, especially in south Utah County, how do you meet the needs of the increasing population but also protect the rights of the farmer?" Bingham asked. "One concern people had was this would open an opportunity for someone to plop a dairy down in the middle of a city," said Morley. "This wouldn't happen because there are already zoning requirements in place for that. This is not looking at new ag producing facilities. This is to pro- tect already existing ag production from cities moving in around them." Bingham simply said,"If you're running a dairy, you have the right to continue to run your dairy." Morley explained that this bill provides protection for existing, normal agricultural activities. "Basically, HB 27 says if it's an existing activity being operated under normal ag procedure, there is a presumption that it is not a nuisance and not a health and safety concern. If that presumption can be overturned in the courts, it still leaves the possibility for appropriate judicial review," he said. In the end, people just need to give consideration to the area where they're planning to build and everything that may come along with it, Morley said. "I really think it's a common sense issue. Those who move in next to ag producers, just be aware that there are smells. There are some great benefits to living out in the open and in a rural setting, but along with those benefits there are some potential issues that should be considered before moving near an ag producer. Don't move in with the intention of suing to change the area. If you're sensitive to noise and smells, don't move next to it," he said. SF alum appointed to California Bench Business of the Month °-California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger this past week appointed Kelly Hansen, son of J Reed and Lois Hansen of Mapleton, as a Judge in the Riverside County Superior Court. Kelly, 44 of Murrieta Calif, has served as Chief Deputy District Attorney since 2007 and deputy attorney from 2002 to 2007 for the Riverside County's District Attorney's Office. Prior to that he worked for the San Diego County Attorney's Office where he served as a deputy district attorney from 1992 to 2002. Kelly attended schools in Spanish Fork and graduated from Springville High School then earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Brigham Young University School of Law and a Qy Kelly Hansen (801)318-7536 •Chamber of Commerce siness of the M Bachelor of Arts Degree from Brigham Young University. Kelly was the lead prosecutor in a number1 of high profile criminal cases in the San Diego area in late 90s. Kelly is married to Tally Pert of Logan; they are the parents of three children. Namon Bills / Spanish Fork News PHOTO GURU: On Monday, April 6, Spanish Fork/Salem Chamber of Commerce members turned out to recognize and congratulate Eric Melander of Photoguru Studios on being selected as the April Business of the Month. Pictured left to right are, Cary Hanks, Jean Duffield, Chamber President Creed Stephenson, Barry Dalton, Eric Melander, Mike Mendenhall, Susan Taylor, Dana Robinson, Easton Romero (with a Lincoln Portrait), Lana Hiskey, Karen Payne, Tracy Woodbrey and Steve Wilson. For your information... The Yellow Pages forgot our ad but we're still here and won't forget you. You paid for Insurance and you're covered. Ronald M. Pugh O.D. 321 West Center, Spanish Fork 801-798-7496 COME CHECK OUT Eat better. Feel better Shakes Smoothies Beverages Coffee Yumnif of the week Try our new Scoops After the accident you decide where your car is repaired. It's your choice. Don't be steered out of town. Think local, shop local, be local Two reasons why people choose Cary Robarge and his team: #1.99.75% customer satisfaction rating #2. They take the stress out of the insurance claims process Cherry Cheesecake • Brownie Sundae • Strawberry Shortcake • Caramel Praline . Your Choice $1.50 CARPET & FURNITURE (801)798.8777 77 EAST INDUSTRIAL PARK DRIVE, SPANISH FORK Breakfast Sandwiches and Wraps 747 North Plain, Spanish Fork SO I-798-1185 I www.Jaxies.com Exceptional Care, Collision Repair 798-1967 • 570.SOUTH MAIN S T . • ROBARGECOLLISION.COM |