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Show 0 liVliiD Orem's Weekly Newspaper Since 1930 500 Per Issue Geneva Printed Weekly Read Daily 71st yearNumber 32 2001, The Orem-Geneva Times WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2001 538 South State Stru t. ' r : IT s .58 sol 'J5 i MO uman Relations Advisory Commission worlcs to build common understanding BYREVABOWEN Times Reporter Orem has seen what Mayor Jerry Washburn termed a "tremendous growth in our ethnic eth-nic diversity" in recent years, and the city s reactivated Human Relations Advisory Commission (HRAC) is at work, seeking to build understanding understand-ing among citizens citi-zens of varying backgrounds. As evidence of the increasing ethnic diversity in Orem, Mayor Washburn cited census statistics that show a doubling dou-bling of the city's Hispanic population popula-tion up from 4 of the total population pop-ulation in 1990, to 8 6 now. "We feel this is reflective of other cultures moving in,' said, "and we feel reach out, and ' Washburn a need to bridge where there may be potential misun derstandings. We want to help newly arriving people, as well as the established residents, to understand the principles that will help make them good citizens." citi-zens." The HRAC is featured in the August . 2001 issue of Orem's newsletter, in the message from the mayor and council, and is charged with the responsibility of conducting educational programs pro-grams and carrying out activities activi-ties to, in the words of the newsletter, "increase the level of understanding of different peoples, customs, and cultures that exist within the city. Their the HRAC's goal is to work closely with the Neighborhood Councils and the Neighborhood Preservation officers to improve the quality of life for Orem citizens, and to help resolve cultural, social, reli gious, racial, health, business, and economic issues." Washburn said that problems prob-lems such as multiple families living in single-family residences resi-dences and illegal accessory apartments can be addressed with commis sion members working in an educational role, along with t h e Neighborhoods in Action (NIA) councils and Neighborhood Preservation officers. "We hope to educate people on what the city's ordinances ordi-nances are and what the requirements of citizenship are, and how we can all be good neigh-b neigh-b o r s , " Washburn said. "We have seen positive things happening. When people know what the law is, they want to make changes." Dennis Black, assistant director of academic advising at Brigham Young University, is the vice chairman of the HRAC. Other members include: Jim Cooke (chairman), David Dominguez, Karen Hahne, -Clyde Johnson, Robert Moore, Arturo Morales-llan, Maria O'Brien, Craig Rollo, Nancy Woods, Leah Wallen, and Merrill Hermansen. Public Safety Director Mike Larsen represents city staff on the commission, and Les Campebell is the city council liaison. Black, who had asked Mayor Washburn for an opportunity to serve, was appointed to the commission when it was reconvened recon-vened and held its first meeting in May of 2000. "We started from scratch," he said, "and had an open agenda. We still have Dennis Black, assistant director of academic advising advis-ing at Brigham Young University, is the vice chairman of the HRAC. an open agenda. We are looking to be in a position to make a difference." dif-ference." Initial activities of the commission com-mission have been to visit with Public Safety representatives to see if the commission members mem-bers could do anything to help ensure that people of all backgrounds back-grounds in the city are being treated appropriately. Mike Larsen assured the commission that the city's police officers are doing all within their power to accomplish that goal. Black said there was some discussion between Utah Valley State College and citizens of that area of the city, and progress has been made in resolving conflicts. The commission has looked at several neighborhoods, Suncrest in particular, that have programs to help the Latino population learn English. Of special value in enhancing communication are programs that teach both English and Spanish. During the last couple of months, Black said, his committee com-mittee has been looking at zoning zon-ing regulations in the city. In addition to working on the public pub-lic education angle of the issue, the HRAC has come up with a specific recommendation: that Orem adopt as a requirement a zoning disclosure form similar to one used by Provo. The form is used at the time of the sale of a house, so the realtor and buyer both know what the zoning zon-ing and zoning requirements are. Black said the mayor is having the city's legal and zoning zon-ing departments review the recommendation. Black believes the HRAC is well-represented in terms of diversity, and reflects the ethnic backgrounds found in the city. "We want everybody to feel respected," Black said. "It doesn't does-n't matter Latinos, blacks, whites we're all citizens of the community and need to know our input is helpful." Two other members of the commission, Morrales-llan and O'Brien, came by their appoint ments in a similar way. Both submitted applications for the city council vacancy that came open earlier this year with the resignation of Mike Thompson, who was elected to the state legislature. Karen McCandless was selected from a large field of applicants to fill the council position, but Mayor Washburn contacted Morales-llan and O'Brien, and asked them to serve on the commission. After a second contact, Morales-llan agreed to do so. "I think we are already making mak-ing a difference," Morales-llan said. "The issues we have been working on are defining the zoning, so buyers and sellers understand. We are working with business owners in Orem City, providing ethics training or training in customer relations, rela-tions, to improve the atmosphere atmos-phere and ways of doing business." busi-ness." Morales-llan said he is interested in being a voice for minorities in Orem. He has already fielded some complaints com-plaints and has been able, in some cases, to participate as a mediator. As a Hispanic woman who is a Democrat, a Catholic, and is not from Utah originally, but from California, O'Brien may be eminently qualified for her position as a member of Orem's HRAC. "My goal," she said, "is to have everybody realize we ar a'l part of the community, no matter what our background, back-ground, or where we came from. We want to help people to become part of the community, and to know that everyone is welcome, and all can participate partici-pate not just those who have lived here all of their In ives. O'Brien encouraged members of the Orem community commu-nity who may have trouble adjusting to contact the Human Relations Advisory Commission. "We may be able to help them to guide them to city services or resources that will help," she said. McGrath s Fish House offering the freshest seafood BY MARTIN HARRIS Times Reporter McGrath s Fish House opened July 25 to the people of Utah. The people responded by showing up in masses. This is not a national chain of seafood restaurants with fish caught days ago and left frozen in the back of the store. McGrath s started in 1980 with a higher ideal. We offer seafood freshly caught from the coasts of Oregon. Washington, California. Alaska and Canada and delivered to our restaurants daily. 1 doubt any seafood restaurant has fresher seafood than we do, said John McGrath, the owner and founder. We seli the highest quality of food at the best price for our guests, so families can enjoy a night at our restaurant. A variety of seafood options are available from halibut, cod, salmon, catfish, clains, crabs and lobster. However, McGrath s gives customers more than just the typical typi-cal seafood options. They developed devel-oped a chef s page, which offers a variety of constantly changing exotic dishes. Some dishes are for plates only made when a certain fish is in season. We have a fresh product prepared pre-pared in many different ways, McGrath said. McGrath s Fish House has succeeded suc-ceeded since it first opened in Salem, Oregon. He and his wife grew up on the coasts of Oregon and Washington. They lived off seafood and when John graduated with a restaurant management degree from Washington State starting a seafood restaurant was logical. We always had long lines and became extremely popular. We just kept opening one restaurant after another, said McGrath. John realizes more than the best food goes into a restaurant He offers his guests a beautifully designed place to eat and sen ile maintained at the highest standard. stan-dard. He hires top notch people including James Marshall and Randy Millet to develop the best customer service staff. E "I f , m a M t3& H - "i it'll I!' He also has come up with a menu for people who might not be in the mood for seafood. He oilers a full range of items from prime rib. chicken, pastas, sandwiches and salads. Customers can always find something to their liking. We wanted to have something for everyone. You never know w hen a party of four might be going out to dinner and everyone wants seafood except one We want to have something for everyone, said McGrath. In fact, a customer told me recently that we have the best prime rib No matter if it is seafood. chicken or prune rib, we find the best product for our guests. McGrath s Fish House is in Oregon. Washington and Idaho Tin- newly opened Orem -tore on University Parkway ad I-la onlv represents the beginning of McGrath s in Utah. 3 V J I. v Gordon Llghtfoot Canadian Singer Gordon Lightfoot to Perform at SCERA With a name like Lightfoot, one would almost expect a dancer. But when Gordon Lightfoot first presented his light artistic touch to a national nation-al audience, it was as an acoustic guitarist and a singer with a rich, vibrato-soaked baritone. The vocalist with such enduring hits as Carefree Highway, If You Could Read My Mind. Rainy Day People, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and Sundown will join the SUKRA's Shell Outdoor Theatre summer season when he appears in concert Tuesday. Aug. 21 at S p.m. (595) S State St., Orem. Tickets are $1S general gen-eral admission and $122-2 4 reserved and are available from 10-.r weekdays at SCKRA (715 S. State St.. Orenn or by calling (801) 225-25(9 or 225-ARTS. 225-ARTS. An artist who defies music classification, Lightfoot emerged from the folk scene of the early 19(Ois hut quickly bridged other elements of the music field, including main-si main-si ream and country. Often his music is characterized as adult contemporary. Not that any of this matters much to the artist. As he says. I feel like I'm part of a totem pole, a big totem pole . . I guess I'm in the middle somewhere, some-where, hut anywhere on a totem pole m this business is fine by me. Lightfoot began, as many singers do. trying out his apes in the church choir in nllia. Ontario. By the time he graduated gradu-ated from high school, he had taught himself to play the ;.ui tar and had written ln i'itm song. The singercompo-M - sav-much sav-much of his work is aaiohio graphical, and though many of his songs feat tire plac e - ,i-diverse ,i-diverse as the center of a to-est the middle of a city . ; . Lightfoot designs all his n , i - it-to it-to embody uplifting spirit md contain great meaning. Lightfoot has compo-e.i ,i catalog of classic hits including Carefree Highicuy. If You (tuhl Read My Mind. Rainy Da I'eople, Sundoii n . The Wiccl: ' the Edmund E:;.l' ';. l-'.ir,'. Morning Rain. Cation .li,n. Don Quixote Shcdnu s. lieautiful ', Alberta liuund. Ribbon of Darkness and Canadian Railroad Trilugx. Light lout'- career began m the early 19(i()is in the Toronto. Canada, folk cene, and hv 19(i5, he had an avid American following Since that tune he ha recorded 19 alhu!a. received five Grammy Awai t- and won 17 Juno Award- i:. In- native Canada His proud i ninpatriot.-. have given him ti.' prestigious Order of Canada i it.ition, and in 2000. he received the Governors Geiier.:! Award tin-highest tin-highest official Canadian honor, for lu c fhnt- in spreading spread-ing Canadian cuh ure Over the decides, lie has written hits recorded by such arti-ts as Barbri Streisand. Klvis Presley. Harry I'.elaf'onte. Glen Campbell. Anin Murray Peter. Paul and Marv. Richo Havens. Boh Dylan and Mart . Bobbins. Public hearings set Miss Orem McKenzle Moody and the Pacesetters welcome McGrath's to Orem at the Grand Opening on July 25. The Pacesetters are the welcoming arm of the Provo-Orem Chamber. The Orem City Council set two upcoming public hearings as part of its work August . 7. The hearings are held in the City Council Chambers of the City Center. The hearings were set for August 28, both at 6:15 p.m. One hearing is on heights and setbacks for commercial buildings. build-ings. The current city ordinance ordi-nance allows most commercial buildings to be up to 48 feet in height, and requires a setback from residential properties of at least ten feet. Staff proposes to increase the required setback from residential properties to a distance equal to the height of the building. A second sec-ond change, also proposed by staff, is to increase maximum building heights in the C2 and Highway Services zones from 48 feet to 60 feet, in anticipation of a time when higher buildings will be wanted in the city, particularly particular-ly as mixed uses are implement ed in the future. The incrt-asi-d setback requirement from residential resi-dential areas, if implement! d will lessen the impact of tal! r buildings. In the second hearing. th council will consider a reo: request for Alexander Place. 11 North 1 200 West, proposed t I rezoned from the medium -density R6.5 zone to the infill R5 A 25-unit Planned Residential Development (PRD) is propped for the property. Subscribe to the Orem-Geneva Times by calling 225-1340 - Only $16. per Year! (POOR COPY Ku,t ' i -in, .. jfsAi |