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Show AN EDITION OF THE YOUR TOWN, YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOUR NEWSPAPER THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 200$ 60 CENTS TOWN HALL: Arbor Day tree donated fay Kiwanis SCHOOLS: 'Pirates of Penzance' invades Timpanogos SPORTS: Refuse enhanced by wildlife education Business PEEL AWAY THE YEARS AT DELEON DAY SPA Reva Bowen NORTH COUNTY STAFF "Cautious optimism" is the watchword as Orem wrestles with issues related to its $73 million budget bud-get for Fiscal Year 2006-07. In a three-hour presentation to the Orem City Council Tuesday, City Manager Jim Reams said the city has been fortunate to have had a stronger economy the past two years after three or four previous years of "struggle." The strengthened economy is reflected re-flected in increased revenues from building permits, franchise taxes and sales tax. Sales tax revenues are up to 12.2 percent for the first seven months of Fiscal Year 2005-06, 2005-06, compared to the 9.4 percent rate for the same period last year. Twenty-two percent of Orem's budget revenues come from the sales tax, Reams said, compared to only 8 percent from property taxes. The council voted to accept the FY 2006-07 tentative budget, and it set a work session for June 6 at 5 p.m. at the City Center, and a public pub-lic hearing for June 13 at 6:20 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.' Reams said the city takes a conservative con-servative approach to budgeting by deliberately overestimating anticipated expenditures, and underestimating un-derestimating revenues. "We have a level of safety and security in our budget to deal with sudden declines," he said. No tax increases were recommended recom-mended in the budget, but a water rate increase of $1.75 per month for a 34-inch meter service, and proportionate increases for other sized meters, is suggested. Reams said that $1.50 of that amount will be for debt service on bonds issued for water main See BUDGET, Page 2 ?.:' ' ; & MARIO RUIZDaily Herald Josh Terry pitches a wiffle ball to his father Michael as his brother Jace stands in the outfield at Nielsen's Grove Park Saturday. The new park on Sandhill Road officially opened on Wednesday. 22-acre Orem park now open to the public Reva Bowen NORTH COUNTY STAFF A 22-acre historical park, described by city officials as "the crown jewel" of Orem's park system, is now officially open for business. A grand opening ceremony for Nielsen's Grove Park at 1931 South Sandhill Road on Wednesday capped what has been an almost 13-year journey to acquire and develop the land and facility. In City Council meeting Tuesday, Mayor Jerry Washburn described Nielsen's Grove as "probably one of the most beautiful public parks anywhere." It was September of 1993 when historian Brad Westwood was hired by the city's Historic Preservation Advisory Commission to perform a reconnaissance-level survey of historical features fea-tures in the southwest quadrant of the city. As part of the process, Westwood brought Nielsen's .Grove, a pioneer-era park, into the limelight. At the time, the land was being used for pasture and farming, and about all that remained of the original park was a pond encircled en-circled by aged trees. Westwood recommended the city purchase the property for a future park, which the city did, in 1995. In 2002, Nielsen's Grove was one of a number of recreation projects targeted for the use of $12 million in tax increment funds, and a groundbreaking was held. Full construction of the site began in June of 2002. Today's park replicates some of the features of Danish immigrant Jergen Nielsen's original park, which Nielsen constructed by painstakingly painstak-ingly clearing the land of sagebrush and planting plant-ing trees and gardens. There are historical rings that include a reflecting pool, fountain and swing; parterre gardens; and a bowery. An on-site museum is a replica of Nielsen's See PARK, Page 2 Rohbock re-enlists with the National Guard Olympic silver medalist and Orem native signs up for another four years Heidi Toth DAILY HERALD The sparking Olympic silver medal looks a little out of place against her camouflaged Army fatigues, fa-tigues, but Shauna Rohbock thinks they actually make a pretty good combination. "Definitely without the Guard, I wouldn't have a silver medal," the Orem native, Olympic bobsledder and Army National Guard specialist special-ist said just after she re-enlisted for another four years. Rohbock took the Guard oath surrounded by proud Utah National Nation-al Guard officers, reporters, cameras cam-eras and her brakeman, Valerie Fleming. She did it, she said, because be-cause the past six years of service have provided her with discipline, financial stability and a flexible schedule so she can perform her Guard duties and still train. Her re-enlistmeht period is timed to end right about the time the Vancouver Olympic Games in 2010 roll around; she plans to spend the next four years recruiting, making appearances for various sponsors and for the military, and training, so in four years she'll return "hopefully "hope-fully with a gold medal," Rohbock if '!v.y- sj3 -v Jf.t ..-5 1 U : ii nit i MATT SMITHDaily Herald Spc Shauna Rohbock takes the oath of reenlistment into the Utah See ROHBOCK, Page 2 National Guard, from Brig. Gen. Bruce C. Frandsen. WWW.HARKTHEHERALD.COMNORTHCOUNTY CALL 375-5103 TO SUBSCRIBE Oiremni happy wittDi sHrooiig economy Briefing NEW RECREATION DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR APPOINTED AP-POINTED Karl Hirst, a captain in Orem's Department of Public Safety, will be taking his administrative skills in a new direction. Hirst was sworn in as the city's new Recreation Department Depart-ment director at City Council meeting April 25, replacing Jerry Ortiz, who is retiring April 28. "I've been a policeman a long time," said Hirst of his 24 years with the Public Safety Department. He added that he has always believed recreation is an important component of city services, and that he wants to "continue "con-tinue the legacy of Jerry Ortiz." 1-15 LANE CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION - The Utah Department of Transportation has taken one more step toward completion of the carpool lanes in Utah County with the closure of the fourth lane along northbound north-bound Interstate 15 from Geneva Road in Lindon to 500 East in American Fork. The extra lane, which has been open as a general-purpose lane since November, was shut down Sunday and will remain closed until the Carpool Connection project is completed in early June. The closure is necessary for crews to adjust road striping strip-ing and install freeway signs along 1-15. "We look forward to providing congestion relief to .Utah County commuters with the completion of the Car-pool Car-pool Connection project," said Greg Searle, UDOT Resident Resi-dent Engineer. "This is the next big step in the process, and with the patience and cooperation of drivers, we will be able to open the carpool lanes ahead of schedule." For more information about this project or to receive project updates, visit the project Web site www.udot. utah.govi15carpool or call toll-free 1.877.838.POOL (7665). RETIREMENT HEALTH PROGRAM AMENDED - The retirement health savings program adopted March 28 by the Orem City Council was amended April 25. The ICMA VantageCare Retirement Health Savings (RHS) Program that was adopted combines out-of-pocket contributions from employees with city contributions. The amendment allows employees to proceed with their contributions to the RHS plan, while city staff members mem-bers develop "a funding mechanism for city contributions," contribu-tions," according to the meeting agenda. Administrative Services Director Jeff Pedersen said the city is trying to put together a "hybrid" system of calculating cal-culating the city's contributions based on both accrued sick leave and an employee's longevity with the city, in order to be more fair to all employees. :', i "jW J BEKY BEATONNorth County The snowy egret is in breeding plumage right now, accounting for the fluffy appearance produced by their long plumes. See Sports, page 6. ADAPTED T-BALL SIGNUPS - The Orem Recreation Department is now taking registrations for Adapted T-ball. T-ball. This program is for children with disabilities. The program teaches participants the basic skills of baseball with emphasis on fun and team work. There are three leagues for participants to register for. League 1 if for ages 5-12, league 2 is for ages 13-17, and league 3 is for ages 18 &up. Fee for the program is $27 and includes a team t-shirt, trophy and equipment for the games. Participants will need to bring their own glove. Registration is currently being taken at the Orem Fitness Fit-ness Center, 580 W 165 S, Orem. The program will begin on Saturday, June 3, with games being played at West-more West-more Elementary School, 1150 S. Main, Orem. If you would like a registration form mailed to you, please call 229-7158 and leave your complete name and address, including zip code and a form will be mailed to you. Volunteers are needed for this program. Come and have a wonderful experience with special needs children chil-dren as they enjoy a great recreation program. For more information about this and other adapted programs call 229-7158. 6 IH,61055"00050ml8 i rer Home, Au & Personal Lou p;m to all of Utah County: Once a member, always a member - no waiter where yu go. ATLf |
