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Show A-2 Wednesday, February 12, 1997 The Park Record 1 1 1 1 1 I Bell: Hispanic police officer is a top priority Two Hispanic reserve officers already in law enforcement system by Adam Elggren OF THE RECORD STAFF Hiring a full-time Hispanic police officer has been a priority for some time, said Park City's chief of police in response to recent comments that city law enforcement needs a Spanish-speaking Spanish-speaking officer. In fact, said Park City Police Chief Frank Bell, a Hispanic officer offi-cer would not necessarily have to speak Spanish to be an attractive candidate to his department. "In my estimation, a Hispanic officer would help bridge the gap between the department and the Hispanic community." said Bell. "He or she wouldn't even have to be fluent in Spanish." An estimated l() percent of the Park CitySnyderville Basin area is Hispanic. Both department personnel per-sonnel and representatives of the HispanicAnglo outreach group Conexion Amigo have said a Spanish-speaking officer is needed to improve law enforcement and the department's image within the Hispanic community. The chief said no full-time positions posi-tions are currently open in his department, though he expects that to change after a proposed two-year city budget is passed. The city council has made it clear in budget discussions that at least one more full-lime police officer is a priority. Bell said he would likely like-ly request money for more than one. "We have two Hispanic officers in our reserve program now." Bell added. "We're looking for a full-time full-time Hispanic officer, but they don't grow on trees." Reserve officers offi-cers typically are limited in the functions they can perform and in when their law-enforcement powers pow-ers are effective, said Bell. Currently, a US West phone service operator is used to translate trans-late foreign languages. "We have the ability right now to translate over a conference call in any language, whether it's Spanish. German or Swahili." said Bell. "The problem we have is translation on the street. You have reserves water SKi-in, Slil-oul, slii service i lm (. , Ml ;;- 4-"' ' V I J ' i - ' 1I SCOTT SINEPARK RECORD Josh Wysong uses a power screwdriver to make quick adjustments during a' recent ski demonstration day at Deer Valley. County Continued from A-1 County Commission Chairman Sheldon Richins stressed to the water district the importance of deciding allocation for the water in the near future. "We have definitely got to find a market for this water." Richins said, adding the county "has got to assess those water companies to see who needs what." Additionally. Clyde pointed out. selling the water shares as soon as possible will save purchasers money, as the price is expected to increase by $5 per square acre foot each year. The county's control over water allocation. Commissioner Jim Soter added, will be crucial in also controlling growth. Because development cannot occur without water permit approval, he added, the county can prevent all of the water shares from being purchased for Snyderville Basin development and. therefore, will not be used to "spawn more growth." Commissioner Eric Schifferli further commented that, while developers have considered their water shares as entitlements for increased density allowances in the past, the roles will now be reversed because the county will be controlling the water. . Actual development of the infrastructure necessary to distribute dis-tribute the Weber Basin water shares, Clyde said, will be determined deter-mined when the water district's research is complete. The water to have somebody who speaks the language to effectively handle that." To remedy that shortfall. Bell said the department has been speaking with an officer who currently cur-rently works for law enforcement in the Salt Lake Valley. "He has indicated some interest in full-time full-time employment, but he doesn't meet our requirements yet," Bell said. "We're making a concentrated effort to identify high-quality Spanish-speaking police candidates. candi-dates. It's certainly a high priority" priori-ty" Bell said he would not hire a Hispanic police officer simply to have somebody who speaks fluent Spanish on the department payroll. pay-roll. "The other side of this is. I can't discriminate against Anglo job applicants," the chief said. But the ability to speak fluent Spanish would certainly be considered consid-ered a desirable quality when evaluating eval-uating potential officers, he said. Bell said his budget proposal would likely be submitted to City Manager Toby Ross in early March, and would probably go before the council for approval in May. district, he added, will investigate whether to build a water treatment treat-ment plant with pipeline service, or to use the less expensive well system. "Nothing will be built until there's a demand and some revenue rev-enue financing," Clyde said. He added that a large development such as George Johnson's proposed pro-posed 6.400-acre Star Pointe Ranch could potentially help to finance the infrastructure for the project, especially if Johnson purchased enough water shares. Because plans to build the Smith and Morehouse water pipeline would include an easement across Star Pointe's property, Johnson may exercise some additional addi-tional political leverage with the county. Continued from A-1 required, and that CUP would go through the public hearing process before approval by the Park City Council. Though the project's fate is unknown, what is certain is who would own the restaurant should it be approved. "It's complicated," said Mark Young, who owns and operates McDonald's restaurants at Kimball Junction and in Heber City. "They McDonald's Corp. come in and find a site like Snow Creek and work with the local planning folks. When they have a deal, they license the restaurant to somebody like me." Young said he would be the licensee for a Park City location should the restaurant obtain a deal with the city. Native Elders to hold a sale Continued from A-1 "Because of the year, they only even more intensive, so we were anxious anx-ious to help." He noted the real estate company has sponsored the regular show in the past and was happy to provide pro-vide a venue for this impromptu sale. "I think it's a good cause, and it's for people who really need it," said Coleman. Although the Elders will not be present for this sale, their rugs will be available for purchase and all proceeds pro-ceeds will go directly to the Native Elders. Along with Prudential Coleman, Myers extends a special thanks to Dianne and intensive weather problems this Mark Prothro, Perkins Timberlake Co. and Bill made the (Navajo's) situation Ligety. NAN CHALAT-NOAKERPARK RECORD During a visit in September Native Elders gave demonstrations of their arts while raising money to help support their traditional lifestyles. Meeting to discuss user fees for Rail Trail Park Continued from A-1 upkeep and improvement. Mountain Trails would continue to serve as the liaison between the public and the state for the Rail Trail. The state could post donation boxes or "Iron Rangers" at various entrances to the trail, such as the Prospector Square trailhead near the Sand Creek condominiums. Such boxes are common on many state park trails, said Stump, but because they rely upon the largess of trail users, cannot be counted count-ed on for consistent funds. This option would also restrict how the money could be used. "It would have to be designed to be used for specific projects on the trail," said Stump. "For instance, we'd have to earmark $12,000 for a specific restroom." The Rail Trail could simply follow the state park fee schedule for 1996-97. ' Fees would be charged according state law, which requires $3-$5 per vehicle (with a maximum of eight visitors per vehicle) or $2 per person, and collected by state employees and volunteers. The money collected would go into the Division of Parks and Recreation's general fund. Sally Elliott, who was chair of the Park City Parks and Recreation Board when the railway won approval from the national Rails to Trails program for conversion into a trail, said she could support a fee system as long as the collection method was "unobtrusive" and the funds went directly back to the trail. "I've always resisted a fee." said Elliott, who said she is also an avid user of the trail. "I'd rather go out and raise funds. But user fees are just the sign of the times. I think we do have to figure out some way to pay for a portion of what that trail needs." Stump said if the board follows his recommendation recommenda-tion and chooses option one, fees would likely be nominal. He said other state trails, such as Slickrock near Moab, have had success in raising funds by charging only small fees. "Slickrock only charged $1 a head last year and brought in about $130,000," said Stump. According to the manager, 34,000 people used the Rail Trail last year. Fees could be collected by rangers, park volunteers andor the "Iron Ranger" boxes, he said. Mountain Trails volunteers would be enlisted to help collect the fees, and to solicit public opinion on how the funds should be used if the board chooses option one, said the organization's director, Troy Duffin. "State Parks didn't think they had the staff to handle it," Duffin said. "Of course, the question is, how does an understaffed, underfunded non-profit organization handle it?" Both Duffin and Stump are optimistic that the public will accept a fee system rather than let the quality of the trail deteriorate. But Duffin was adamant that the fees go directly back into the trail's upkeep, and that they remain largely voluntary. volun-tary. "It would be more in the sense of a donation," said Duffin. "We're really concerned about people taking fees as, 'Gosh, I won't be able to use the trail anymore.' If this doesn't work, if people don't like the idea of paying. ..then it probably won't continue." con-tinue." Stump said fees are already collected at Rail Trails across the nation. The trails are part of the national Rails to Trails program, which converts old railways into recreational trails. The Golden Arches could be spanning Park City if ATTENTION LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS Is your business making as much profit as it could? Are you growing and taking advantage of the local growth to increase your business profits? Are you working hard, or are you working smart? Call IAN J. DOWIE bsc acg. Business Consultant at 647-9202 mm Learn how to make more money by bringing the latest business techniques to your operation Over 25 years in business, including 12 years as a business consultant in the US and Canada. 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