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Show SOUTHWEST SECTION Silt Japan CEtjnmicU Michael Olson Santaquins Mayor Sandra Armstrong A VOICE reviews her first six months in office "Man may work from sun to sun, But woman's work done." is never Wfe of a former mayor, mother of an High School football player and another son who took state in discus this year, Sandra Armstrong would seem to have had about as much vicarious fulfillment as most women would desire. But vicarious is not her way. Sandra holds a position few women ever get a chance to try: she's mayor, of a city. Santaquin may be small as cities go, but it has plenty of challenges. In six months of what might be termed "active duty" since her installation in Sandra has shown January, herself to be equal to the task. Vtrk on the new school has begun after her administration took over the reins from the Bob Steele administration, which laid most of the eroundwork, but. which also had to leave a lot of and important negotiating decision-makinthat the present administration seems to have handled superbly, considering the magnitude of the project in relation to Santaquin's size as a city. Sandra is a unique individual. She is a perfect example of what an old phrase says a good leader should be: "firm but friendly." She combines strong will with good nature. She can make decisions and keep friends at the same time, because there is a sense of fairness- about her, and intelligence. Howard, Sandra's husband, one of Santaquin's most avid . , supporters, passed away in April, 1981, after a lingering illness. Through his experience as Santaquin's Mayor from 0, burden." Sandra admits that it does seem quite unique as a woman to be serving as mayor. In looking through a directory of mayors in Utah, she could find only one other woman mayor listed. And in Santaquin City government, it may be that only one other woman, Zaloma Coodall, a close friend, has served as an elected official. The Santaquin float made its debut at the Art City Days These extra services that the Parade in Springville Saturday city now provides, along with the morning; and there is no growth of the city the past few has to question that all the hard work managed change years, paid off. Santaauin was very well things in city government since the time Howard, her husband, represented. The float and the girls on it looked beautiful. served as mayor. "The budget The Indian motif designed into now, is about five times what the float by Daryn Coodall Howard had to work with," she carried part of Santaquin's , points out. "Our needs for down lot. Springville' s has For services history grown a .. instance, we used to have one thoroughfares, something that most floats don't do. Lori Butler man who would serve as animal was a strikirg a queen as any . control officer, policeman, and town could show off. don't maintenance man, all in one. It think you'll see a better tan than would be impossible to do that hers on a Sea and Ski now." commercial. Janet Will and Along with the realization that Malea Heelis were striking, too; the town has changed in its and all three looked majestic as needs has come an awareness does need that the city really a they stood so high above the crowd like still base. tax the along the roadside, "I larger because of the design of the idea of the town staying small," float. she says, "but there are things The Santaquin float is tall, that need upgrading; and that really making it stand out in a upgrading demands a larger tax base. We need the revenue; but parade. The loom on the back I'm not sure right now how we should go about getting it." Whether that means an industrial park is necessary or not is one of with the things people need to think the town is this council," she says. "The about far so about her candidly experience Besides these issues, Sandra council represents varied backhas some thoughts about the grounds and interests; and there more people to show up for the is respect for each other there. pool drive that has swimming few weeks a budget hearing ago. of the been couple really feel good about the past popular When no one showed up we idea terrific council." a think it's "I years. concluded the citizens either to aim high," she begins, "but I don't care what goes on or they And having a good council really think we need to put our trust us completely." She adds priorities in order. We need to would be necessary for any that neither case was good for see if there are other things mayor, she adds, stating that the town. "People need to get be should that ; more is a balance of interthere pressing involved," she emphasizes. worked for first." dependency among the city Part of the reason she would But although there are many leaders.. "I depend on the experlike to see more jnvolvement is ience of S herman J ones arid Walt because she feels strongly that' 'Issues that concern city government, the above just a few, Callaway, and each of us brings all parties should have their say. something special to the council Wien asked what she would like . Sandra feels she has a great council to work with. "I believe from our own backgrounds. feel to be remembered for after her service as mayor, she said. "I hope people will realize that I've tried real hard to represent everybody; that there has been no partiality to any special groups. hope people see me as someone willing to listen to everyone, someone who will hear people out." The fact that she is willing to listen, and even change her mind, is illustrated in the fact that she now favors establishing e law enforcement three officers in Santaquin. "We really offdo need three full-tiicers," she says. "We have a main highway through the town. We have many county residents nearby who are affected by our Since services. becoming directly involved with the law enforcement department, I've seen that the needs are greater had thought. hope we . than can make it work because we need a good professional department." . - full-tim- OPINIO- N- I g' 1966-197Sandra had a good background in the demands of the office before she decided to become a candidate last fall. And although she still had one son at home and was holding down a e job, Sandra felt it was time to do her part for the city. She explains that her decision to run partly came from the emphasis on involvement in the political process she received as a child. "Vfe were taught at home to be interested in politics and government," she says, "and to vote. VVfe were always told that it is a privilege, not a burden, to serve in political office; and although sometimes I feel there is more involvement than I can find time for, I still feel it is more a privilege than a IN THE WILDERNESS . Mayor Sandra Armstrong spoke in office. Sandra seems to enjoy that She feels the uniqueness. current work on the Santaquin float for civic celebrations symbolizes that uniqueness for the whole town. She points out that Santaquin has a woman mayor, it has a float that has been built entirely by donated money and effort, and a float that has a completely individual design which emphasizes ' the singluar history of Santaquin, a town that was once saved through the intervention of a friendly Indian chief. She especially appreciates the way float committee members have taken the task to heart and gone the extra mile in organizing and working. "I feel it's important that the city be represented well. I enjoy having people notice us: a small town with character and beauty of its own." But behind the image that the, float will project, Sandra sees ' Santaquin as a city with plenty of things to be concerned about. Among those things are an upgrading of the water system, i.tcluding looking at a pressurized irrigation system; balancing the budget, a goal that will probably be met this fiscal year 1982-8- 3 with the help of income from land transactions involved with the building of a. new elementary school; improving the streets, a project which may begin soon with improvement along Fourth North if a Special Improvement District j$ passed. Vfth these and oth$t projects to consider, Sandra Hopes jnore ' people will become Trwoly&jn the hearings and discuilphs that evolve at city- - cotihcil meetings. ' 'Ws . wouldr like, to have more input from the towns- people," instance, she saysXX'For' we expected a 'few I must stand fifteen or sixteen feet high. And it presents some added work for the float crew in tht it has to be dismantled for the long haul to a parade, the reassembly taking three or four men. The city of Santaquin can be proud that such a fitting symbolic representation of the town has been built through donations of time and money. Many of the larger cities hire their floats done. Ours has been a labor of love, even though it may have worn out a couple of people in the process. Congratulations to Daryn and Deanne Van Ausdal and all those who worked on the float the past month and a half. I'm not a have to parade fanatic, but admit to being moved by the sight of the tall Santaquin float, with its careful details, coming toward me down Fourth South in Springville Saturday morning. I the council respects my strong points just as respect theirs." I Sandra brings to her term as mayor, the ability to pull people together. Her overwhelming vote of confidence from citizens, even though she ran unopposed, shows that this is so. "The mayor needs respect and loyalty from the citizens and from city personnel," she firmly states. That Mayor Armstrong has that respect and loyalty from the majority is obvious from heard around . I I full-tim- I I -- As for other services provided the city, Sandra sees the as garbage pickup system working very well. "Anytime you provide a service to the public," she qualified, "you're bound to have some complaints, but overall our services are being provided with few problems." by Tg7;', Dont dig upany surprises. Youd be surprised how many hundreds of miles of telephone cables are buried all over this area. Sometimes theyre right where you plan to dig or grade or excavate. To avoid digging up any costly surprises that could disrupt telephone service to you or others, let us know 1 800 662-4- 1 II at least two first. Just dial (toll-freworking days before you dig. Well come to your site, locate our buried phone cables, and mark them. At no cost to you. So make a phone call before you dig whether its for major excavation and grading or just digging for a fence post, a garden or some landscaping. It could save time and trouble and money. And keep you from digging up something you didnt pN Mountain Bell for. bargain e) The Santaquin Float and royalty: Qten Lori Second Butler, First Attendant Janet Will, and drew many compliment Attendant Malea Heelis from observers at Springville's Art Gty Days Parade Saturday. Here they await the judging before the beginning of the parade. If youre calling from within the Salt Lake City area dial 532-500- s |