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Show -NEWS- Spanish Fork A10 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2007 Covering what matters most SF winners: Veterans honored: From SF • A8 From VETERANS • A l Afton R. Haskell Afton R. Haskell enlisted in the Army when he was 20 years old. He completed 18 weeks of intensive training at Camp Roberts in California. After training, he boarded the U.S.S. General Howse and was sent to the Philippines where they immediately went to work in combat action. While in the Philippines, he was shot in the right hand and the left forearm. Afton said, "I am proud that I was able to go and protect the American people from such a horrible way to seek peace by the loss of many good American men." Haskell currently lives in Courtesy photos Payson. GREATEST GENERATION: Honored at the BYU football game were Afton Haskell, pictured above with his two granddaugthers, and Jim Priest, below. •;, Shirley Wilson Shirley Wilson was drafted for the war right out of high school. He chose to join the Navy. He served under Admiral B. J. Rogers, Commander of the 7th fleet communication outfit. They put together the orders for a full scale invasion of Japan. He was halfway between Okinawa and Japan when the atomic bomb was dropped. He was able to take part in the official surrender ceremonies of Japan. He was one of the first Americans to enter Hiroshima after the atomic bomb was dropped and witnessedfirsthand the damage from the bomb. Mr. Wilson currently lives in Payson. Levar Bateman Levar Bateman (Marine) went through training at Camp Pendleton. As luck would have it, he was healing from a broken hand when the rest of his friends were shipped to Iowa Jima. The broken hand probably saved his life. After completing training the second time, he was sent to Guam. There he was assigned to an Artillery Outfit. He was there when the bomb was dropped, ending the war. From there he was sent to Peking where they protected the American Embassy. Bateman lives in Lehi. Keith Hall escorted the honorees on the field. He was a Tech Sergeant of the 151st air refueling medical squadron at the Air Base in SLC. He served in Desert Storm and retired from the Air Force in 2004. Keith is a member of the Operation Hero Flight Committee. He is proud to serve his country and this "Greatest Generation", the WWII Veterans. those who gave him advice and financial support, as well as those who put lawn signs out in their yards. When asked what his top priorities are as a new councilman Dart, who had recently finished watching a city council meeting on television, said, "Most of the issues facing the city right now deal with growth management, and that's what I'm going to focus on right now.1' When it comes to ideas on how that growth is managed, Dart said he wants to make sure that everyone is represented. Dart said he feels it is important to represent both natives of Spanish Fork, as well as those who have recently moved to town. "I want to make sure that I represent all sections of town," he said, "I don't want any one section to be forgotten about." Dart said he looks forward to serving the community and said, "I just want to do all I can for everyone." Jens Nielsen When asked how he felt about his election to Spanish Fork City Council, Jens Nielson said simply, "I'm excited." Nielson admits that his excitement is somewhat reserved while he waits for the provisional and absentee ballots to come in, but said for the most part, he is both, "excited and optimistic." Nielson said his family is also excited, and that all of his children stayed up late to watch the results with him. Nielson said that after he voted, his six-year- old son asked him excitedly, "Who'd you vote for dad?" and knew all of the names of the other candidates. He.admits that while his children may not have a full understanding of his responsibilities as a councilman, it has been an educational experience for them none the less. Nielson said he would like to thank friends and neighbors for their support and for their help with his campaign, and noted that there have also been several businesses and individuals who have donated money towards the campaign. "I'd like to thank all of the voters too," he said. As for his first priorities, Nielson said the first thing he would like to do is to "get oriented about how things work, procedures, and all of the little things." Nielson said he wants to get caught up to speed on things before making any decisions, and said he is excited about being able to work on committees and other assignments as given. "I look forward to getting to know the community better and the other council members," he said. "If you think about it," he said, "there are so many good things going on right now in the city. It's not like we're coming into a city with problems of unemployment or high crime. The problems we have are good ones, like growth." Nielson said while there is always room for improvement, he feels that overall, "We [the new council members] have been handed a winner of a situation and just need to keep it going the way it's been going." 1 •Thank I'd like to take this opportunity to thank those who supported me in electing me to Spanish Fork City Council. I give a special thanks to those who gave financial contributions, displayed lawn signs, and/or gave advice and encouragement. '"':--';$S?f1 .^f-*.; J 5', 'r'. "I would like to thank all those who supported and voted for me at the city elections. I would aUo like to thank the people that contributed to my campaign, financially, letting me place signs on their property, and talking to citizen** on my behalf. And finally, I would like to thank my family andfriends for the many hours of support and love* " -Richard Davis Richard I enjoyed getting to know all the candidates and appreciate the positive nature of the campaign. All of the candidates are good Spanish Forker so sincerely care about our city. / - ^ ^ * I am excited to serve in this n e w position, and I take this responsibility very seriously. As I stated in my campaign literature, I genuinely love m y hometown and want what's best for the people of this city. I am anxious to learn more about the complexities of city government, and I will strive to be representative of the mainstream values, ideals, and expectations of Spanish Forkers. I pledge to be open minded and to listen to residents' questions and concerns and seek answers and solutions for the good of all Spanish Fork residents. I'm prepared to research and study various issues in order to make wise and informed decisions for the good of our community. I look forward to working with the mayor, council, staff, and citizens of Spanish Fork City. }•:*:'"' " Looking forward together to a great future it it it it it it it it • Sincerely, Rod Dart |