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Show Thursday, January 5, 2006 Page 2 AMERICAN FORK CITIZEN the U E W S AND NOTES Passing the pin lormer American lurk Muvor 7cc Burrut t tiecomes emotional uk tie takes u lupel pin oj t ts )ucket to give it to the cit s new mayor, Heber Thompson, us Thompson und three C i'v Council member were sworn into office Mondux JEREMY HARMON Commission now has 90 days to research Barbara Christiansen When someone purchases property in American fork and wishes to tear clown a historic structure, he or she will have to wait longer to receive u demolition demoli-tion ermit than in the past Previously, the individual would he able to pet a permit within one week of application. With action taken by the City Council on Dec. 20. that time period has teen extended to up to 90 days That will give time for the Historic Preservation Commission Commis-sion to pet a history of the build-inp build-inp and some documentation to po alonp with it. "It would be nice if down through the future we have pot something documented photos, pho-tos, the footprint or a small history." said former council-woman council-woman .Kiel Belmont. She said Drujier and Park Citv had similar provisions. iJuring that waiting period, the commission would also have u chance to show the applicant some ot the Itenefits ot restora NorthCounty NEWSPAPERS An)ei:.Hc. Fo' Kirk Parkinson 750 7669 ,!, , a 'e'rt cjw.trrt c.i"' Marc Haddock ?5f i !:! a tf:'''trt'C!evt!ti orr' Cathy Allred 7 7009 LC Saratoga Springs Pi Grove cai'iefi 'le'a'de'-.lra co"i Barbara Christiansen 75c 7669 M"ip'!i.'rf'" fw Aipme Cedar Hii's r)C"r'Stia"snia nerawxtra.com Chris Peterson 344 2558 Orem, Vmevard cpetersonheraiaextra.com Beky Beaton 756 7669 Spots bbeatonSmeraiaextra com Lane Dubois 756-7669 Aavens'ng Account Executive ldjDO!SMeraiaextra com NEWSSTAND PRICE: S0.50 SUBSCRIPTION RATE 1 yaar (in Utah County) - S36 40 Sunday, Thursday and holiday deliveries (which includes the week of Easter plus Memorial. Independence, Pioneer, Labor, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). 1 year (outside Utah County) - S45 40 1 year (in Utah County - Thursday only) - S36 40 TO KEEP YOU INFORMED AND INVOLVED tion instead of demolition, such as tax credits. They could also help the individual find grants, she said. CITY NOTES I Planning Commission to review proposal again American F ork's Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed and reluctantly reluc-tantly recommended to the City Council a site plan for a commercial com-mercial building at Timpanogos Plaza. 5W W. Pacific Drive. That was early in December. When the City Council had a chance to approve the plan, however, members sent it back to the planners for further revision. revi-sion. The plan is more than 20 years old and the concept was originally approved when Smith's grocery store was built. At that time, two outparcels were anticipated near the corner cor-ner of Pacific and State Street. When Smith's later expanded, city officials discussed changing the Pacific Drive access to the center lietween the two current Phone: 750 7069 Fax: 756-527J DAILY HERALD rUBllSEINO CO. Jennette Esplin 756 7669 Office Manager Chris Peterson 344 2558 DesignerCopy Editor Casey Rogers 344-2570 DesignerCopy Editor Rachel Rybicki 344 256 1 DesignerCopy Editor Jeremy Harmon 344 2585 Ptioto Technician g ,W 11111; drives, to match fi(i() West when that road was put through. Woodbury Corporation officials said they were not interested in having that provision pro-vision placed on the current approval. If the access were to lie changed, they would need to have approval from Smith's representatives. City staff has been asked to research whether the discussion was part of a formal motion or was a matter of discussion. They will report back to the Planning Commission, which was where the council members requested to plan be remanded. Both council members and planning commissioners said the issue was one of safety. Commission chair James Hansen Han-sen said. "There are so many potential conflicts in traffic you are asking tor a disaster. Somehow Some-how we have got to solve that." City planner Rod Despain echoed the sentiment. "A left turn from Smith's and a left turn from .r(i() (West) is a collision course." he said. Counciiwoman Juel Belmont agreed. New Year's Eve at the Apollo e spent New Year's Eve at the Apollo Hall looking for a few Osmonds. And we found them. too. Most of them just weren't the ones we were looking for. The night was a benefit event for the Utah Theater tor the Deaf, which has found a home at the Apollo this year. Virl Osmond, the oldest brother in the famous Utah performing family, lias taken over the dance hall and duhlied the Apollo the George and Olive Osmond Center for the Performing Arts, in honor of his parents. Virl. who is deaf himself, Ls one of the non-performing Osmonds, although lie spent part of New Year's Eve acting as Master of Ceremonies. His brother Tom. who is also deaf, was there as well. And apparently tlie room was full of Osmonds, mostly the non-famous kind children, grandchildren, grand-children, cousins and others. For the most part, we didn't know who was who. Two of the performing brothers were there. Alan, who doesn't perform any more since developing develop-ing Multiple Sclerosis, was in the audience. Merrill, who sings lead for the brothers when tliey perf orm as a group, was the headline act. His son played bass guitar in his back-up band. So we had two Osmonds on the stage. Patriarch George Osmond was also in the audience. audi-ence. In addition to his eight sons and one daughter, George has 56 grandchildren and more than 20 great grandchildren. Some of these, we were told, were scattered throughout the audience. This was, after all. a family fam-ily affair. It all worked out well for them. Alan had a chance to plug his One Heart Foundation aimed at strengthening families. A couple of corporate sponsors got to tout their products as well. 1 hope they paid well for the privilege. privi-lege. It is a good cause. Merrill Ls apparently no stranger to performing perform-ing solo. He has an act in Branson. Mo., where the brothers perf ormed for years, as well as touring tour-ing with the brothers. Tlie Osmonds have a tour planned for Great Britain starting in February, with Jimmy taking the place of Alan. "J really think this needs more planning." she said. "This is terrible an accident waiting wait-ing to happen." Woodbury representatives said they had taken safety into consideration and implemented some suggestions the planners made, including moving the building farther to the south to allow greater sight distance. There was concern expressed bv some council members and Mayor Ted Barratt that 560 West may not go through. If it did. Barratt said it would be too close to the intersection of State and Pacific to place a signal light at that location. Woodbury representative Andy Spencer said. "I don't know how we can be expected to repair the whole intersection." intersec-tion." Despain said the issue needed further review. "It is a more complicated issue is-sue today than it was then," he said. "The issue of dealing with 560 is more critical today." I Group changes meetings Recovery. Inc., a sell -help or Marc Haddock THE EDITOR'S COLUMN buildings mental health group dedicated to helping people who struggle with stress, anxiety, depression and other emotional problems has moved to a new location and time. The group meets Thursdays from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Community Presbyterian Church Education Center. 75 N. 100 East, American Fork. The group had been meeting in the American Fork Library. For more information, contact Sherry at 756-2698. I Library Board seeks members With the start of the new year, there are two openings on the Board of Trustees of the American Fork Public Library. The board meets once a month, usually the first Thursday. Thurs-day. Board members do not need specific qualifications, but should have an interest in the library. Anyone who would like more information or to apply, mav contact Library Director Sheena Parker at 763-3070. or at the library. 64 S. 100 East. American Fork. But on Saturday night, Merrill didn't seem to have any problem commanding the stage by himself. Sharon and 1 saw three of the brothers perform at Thanksgiving Point in 2004. 1 was kind of skeptical when she told me we were going to an Osmonds concert, but Sharon is a fan and was interested in seeing them on stage. Once she got me there, though, I was impressed. Whether you like their music or not (some of it 1 do. some 1 don't), all of the performing Osmonds clearly have stage presence developed from decades of entertaining large audiences. They are comfortable. They are charismatic. They are fun to watch. So the show was fun. And Merrill has plentv of talent, but holding the stage alone has got to be a challenge when part of your public persona is tied up in a family act. In 1970, when Paul McCartney released his first solo album, "McCartney," a friend bought the album al-bum and gave the following review: "It's about as fourth as good as a Beatles' album, which is still pretty good." That may be a little harsh, but it shows that for a great band, or even a good one, the whole is greater great-er than the sum of its parts. Still, we had a good time. The Apollo looked to be in great sliape. Virl Osmond has plans to put this grand old dance hall back on the map. In its heyday, the Apollo was one of the premier dance venues in the state. Garth Norman, a local archeologist who was at Saturday's event, told me that in the early days they would bring the train from Sah Dike to American Fork filled with people who wanted to dance. The famous spring -loaded floor is still in place, and still bouncing. The chairs around the outside have been replaced with theater-style seats from the Osmonds' theater in Branson. The inside has been spiffed up and plans are in the works to do more including six large plasma screen televisions televi-sions on the walls to engage the kids. The rest rooms need some serious refurbishing, but everything else looked pretty good. If all goes well, we can probably look forward to more events and activities in this historic building. build-ing. It would be great to bring tlie dancers back to downtown American Fork. Officers Continued from Page 1 "We ask that you participate in community events. We hope that you will volunteer your services and share your expertise and hope you have a willingness to resolve differences dif-ferences with the city in a friendly manner. We hope you will support your local "businesses." "We are anxious to build on the good work and accomplishments ac-complishments of the current administration." he said. Rodeback also paid tribute to the previous administration. administra-tion. "Their love of American Fork has been obvious and infectious." she said. "We stand looking at a great future. fu-ture. There are opportunities in technology and culture and for families." Gunther said he appreciated appreci-ated the service of the previous previ-ous mayor and council. "J hope we can add to that and the city can become greater and greater." he said. "J hope we can build upon the legacy you have left." He said American Fork may not be the biggest city in north Utah County, but should strive to be the best. "If only bigness counts. Miss America would weigh 300 pounds." he said. Barratt expressed appreciation appre-ciation to all who had served with him during the past eight years. "We have not necessarily agreed, but that is a good thing." he said. "1 expect them to vote, and expect government gov-ernment to move forward. This community has been made better because of your service." Barratt commented on being be-ing mayor. "It has been a great opportunity." oppor-tunity." he said. "It is difficult. There are individuals who you think a great deal about, but your political views are on opposite sides. You have to make difficult decisions." Barratt removed from his lapel a pin commemorating American Fork City, made for its sesquicentennial. He placed it on Thompson's lapel. "It is hard to take this off my lapeL" he said. "But the public has spoken. They wanted want-ed a thinner man with hair." Belmont expressed appreciation ap-preciation for city personnel, constituents and family. "1 want to thank all my colleagues col-leagues and the staff, especially espe-cially (city recorder) Richard Colborn." she said. "Everyone "Every-one has been so'helpful." Thompson Continued from Page 1 the community when you are in different places. You learn how they do things and what their values are. J have found high-principled people with values everywhere." One example was when he lived in California. "1 served as the chairman of the curriculum committee for the Oak Grove School District in San Jose." he said. "This was in the '70s and there were all sorts of controversial educational approaches. ap-proaches. This school district wanted things on a more firm and moral foundation. They asked me to chair this committee. We came up with a nice charter for things to be taught and how to teach them. It was well-received." He enjoys photography and likes to take digital pictures pic-tures and enhance them with his computer. "1 enjoy collecting landscapes land-scapes and pictures of our grandkids." he said. Thompson has also enjoyed art and music. "I learned how to play the trumpet and was in the junior high and high school bands and orchestra." he said. "J enjoyed athletics and plaved mostly football. I was an' all conf erence center and linebacker." line-backer." He has also played tennis and was ranked at state. Currently he enjovs plav-ing plav-ing golf, mostly at Tri City. He likes to read, especially biographies and autobiographies. autobiogra-phies. Thompson does woodworking wood-working and likes to make furniture. "I would like to have anv citizen of American Fork feel comfortable about talking to me about any concern they have about the city." he said. "I would like to keep people well informed about what is happening in the city and what our goals are. 1 welcome wel-come their information and input." POOl |