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Show Guardian of Your Community News Sentinel WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2010 • A7 The fight over Bridge demolition extreme fighting in Salem City Lindsay B. Wolsey STAFF W R I T E R Confusion reigned supreme at the Wednesday, March 3 meeting of the Salem City Council. Many citizens left the meeting scratching their heads, wondering just what happened. The room was full of concerned citizens on both sides of the fence concerning the ordinance on extreme fighting. When the council opened up time for citizens to address any concerns they had, tension in the room began to increase. Several residents spoke about the negative impact they felt that extreme fighting would bring to the community. "I think there is enough violence already. I think bringing more to Salem is a mistake," resident Ed Melzer said. Shelley Hendrickson asked for clarification on the ordinance, which would ban extreme fighters from staging fights in the town, but would allow athletes to train at the gym. Resident and extreme fighter Aaron Lewis spoke on the side of those wishing to train in Salem. "I think a lot of people think of the movies when they think of extreme fighting. I prefer to call it MMA (mixed martial arts). I've been training for years. The people that I train with are soldiers, fire fighters, police officers. It's not like Fight Club," Lewis said. Gym owner Yolanda Moser tried to clear up some of the confusion residents were receiving about the ordinance. "We have not proposed to bring any events. It's a personal preference. If you don't like extreme fighting, don't train for it. I don't like spin classes, so I don't go to them, but I don't think other people should be denied those classes," Moser said. "The training area is a small area upstairs. When they train they don't have violent outbursts. I don't see how anyone training could hurt anyone," she continued. Drew Daniels said that the trainers just want to train. His mother, Becky Daniels, agreed with him. Once the open comment portion of the meeting was closed, Mayor Stan Green held up a one-inch-thick stack of papers. "I've gotten a few emails about this ordinance," he said. "There were 111 against extreme fighting and 11 for it." Council Member Sterling Rees proposed the council adopt the new ordinance. Council Member Sidney Jorgensen seconded the motion. Council Member Todd Gordon abstained from voting, due to concerns that people view him as having a connection to the gym. Terry Ficklin voted against the ordinance. It takes three votes to pass an ordinance, so the ordinance change failed. Ficklin proposed tabling the ordinance vote until Council Member Lynn Durrant could be in attendance, making a full quorum. There was no second on the motion and the motion died. Citizens in attendance were confused at the failure of the council to make a decision. Several openly asked about what had happened. At the moment there is no ordinance prohibiting extreme fighting or training for it. "The council can put it on the agenda again," Baker said. After exiting the meeting rooms, discussions between citizens became heated enough that Chief James had to go out in the foyer to calm things down. Previous items of the agenda proceeded calmly. Police Chief Brad James brought Officer Blair Kerby to the council's attention. Kerby recently was awarded the Animal Control Officer of the Year award. "He has a deep love and care for the animals in this community," James said. "We're very pleased to have one of the best officers in the state when it comes to animal control." City Attorney Junior Baker presented the findings from the impact fees study done by Sunrise Engineering. "What we've found is with the slowdown of the economy and growth we don't need the infrastructure that we thought we would," Baker explained. Culinary impact fees for new residences or businesses went from $1,771 to $1,267. Sewage impacts fees dropped from $1,615 to $1,500. No discussion was needed for the council as they unanimously passed the change. COMING DOWN: On Wednesday, March 3, UDOT crews closed the free right turn bridge, called the Kinen Bridge, that has connected Spanish Fork Main Street and Arrowhead Trail since 1940. Demolition of the bridge began Thursday, March 4 as crews started removing pavement from the bridge. The project is scheduled to be completed this fall. Budget for the entire project is $7.8 million. Namon Bills / The Sentinel Scouts at The Sentinel IN THE! NEWS: Bear Den 1535 of the Oakview Ward visited The Sentinel to learn about different jobs in journalism and how a newspaper is put together. Pictured, left to right, are Lucas Silva, Matt Asay and Brent Huffman. Namon Bills / The Sentinel Mapleton City honors Leo Thomsen Jessika Hilton STAFF W R I T E R March 2 was officially proclaimed Leo Thomsen Day at the Mapleton City Council meeting held that night. Nominations for the Library Committee and the Economic Development Commission membership were presented, as well as consideration for a resolution to allow the police department to purchase six new laptops. A public hearing was held as Mary Fojtek requested approval of a rezoning of her property, and Rex Doman requested project plan approval for a nursery. Leo Thomsen served nine years on the Planning Commission Committee until he passed away this past month. His wife, sons and daughters were present as Mayor Brian Wall proclaimed March 2 as Leo Thomsen Day in honor of Thomsen and his service to the city. Nominations for the Library Committee were recommended and approved. Among those nominated were Lenis Grossbeck, Eina Harvey, Elane Carlson and April Clossen. Nominations for the Economic Development Commission were also recommended and approved, and Jacob Blake was one of the members approved and in attendance. Mary Fojtek brought forth a request to rezone her property from a lowdensity residential zone to a residential-agricultural zone. The home currently sitting on the property is being considered as a historic building, and Heritage Tree is another historic item on the property. The motion was made and passed unanimously. Rex Doman requested approval on his plan to allow a retail nursery on his property. Mark Van Wagner commented and voiced his concerns that the plan would not be carried out effectively. "I don't have any problems supporting the planning commission," he said. "Keep in mind we're on a different playing field." Mark Tippets from the planning commission said, "We've got a code and rules in place, so let's just stick to those." After the public hearing was held, the planning commission decided to continue the hearing and allow more time for the request to be amended. Mapleton City Council will convene again on Tuesday, March 16, in Mapleton City Hall. Emergency Landing Lynn Purcell of Tremonton was flying a single-engine plane from Colorado when his engine stalled and he had to make an emergency landing on Highway 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon Thursday, March 3. He was able to land the plane safely, without hitting or being hit by any cars. Spanish Fork fire fighters assisted Highway Patrol troopers in pushing the plane off the side of the road. 570 N. Main Spanish Fork Now serving Lunch & of Spanish Fork (801)798-9827 Dinner 2000 N. 300 W., Spanish Fork, across from the SF airport WWW.THEDEERHUNTERPUB.COM Come check out the Best Kept Secret in Utah County! ADVERTISE IN THE CLASSIFIEDS Call The Sentinel 794-4964 V Live Bands every Friday and Saturday Lunch served Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dinner served Tue-Sat 5-9 p.m. Must be 21 to dine in • Call 801 -798-8582 for takeout Free pool, darts, shuffle board I SAFETY AND EMISSIONS TESTS Ask about "ON THE SPOT" RENEWAL For Both I I Offers expire 4/30/3P10B 1^ •• |