OCR Text |
Show 1 3-DIGIT 841 -; ASSOCIATION 2 v.;-. 5 STE 100 LITV, Ul 84124-1501 - a - 2mhtHcmlft e d I T I 0 N YOUR TOWN, YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOUR NEWSPAPER THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006 50 CENTS SCHOOLS: Shelly Reflections Contest winners TOWN HALL: City unveils new history book SPORTS: Michael King roles the pool 6 YEARS OF SERVICE AT ALLEN'S CAMERA IK V ; Citizens worry about historic home Business would be allowed to use building for commercial use in AF neighborhood Megan C. Wallgren NORTH COUNTY STAFF Save the building ruin the neighborhood. That's what some neighbors feel will happen if a 100-year-old American Fork home is put on . the city's historic building registry. reg-istry. Built in 1904, the house sits at 336 North Center Street. Residents Resi-dents of the surrounding area voiced strong opposition to a resolution before the City Council Coun-cil to "declare the dwelling to be a structure of local historical significance." The action would allow for a business to remodel and restore the building and use it as an office under a conditional use permit. Sam Harward lives next door to the old house. He is worried about commercial development creeping into his neighborhood. "As business grows so does the traffic that comes to the business busi-ness and there are numerous kids running around that neighborhood," neigh-borhood," he said. Though not at the council meeting, Juel Belmont who is the chairman of the Historic Preservation Pres-ervation Commission, said she feels the home should join the historic registry. "When developers do nothing but go through old sections of town and buy up 104-year-old nouses and bulldoze them to put up a duplex, it's vital," she said. Many see the change as an underhanded un-derhanded attempt by the owner to get a cheap business office just off Main Street. "I hope you see this for what it is, an attempt by a business to come into a residential area un der the guise of saving a historic building," said Leonard Dunn Mary Angel said the business owner "isn't really interested in saving the building, but getting government money to get a nice place to have your business, not to restore the building." Though the owner of the building, Jeremy Fillmore, didn't discuss the change with any of the neighbors prior to appearing appear-ing before the City Council, he denies any underhandedness and offered to meet with neighbors to hear their concerns. Fillmore owns a landscape architectural firm, Northland Design, and says only one client would come to the office each day, so traffic impact would be minimal Residents are concerned though, that when his business moves out, it will leave room for a business with a bigger impact to move in. "Once that door has been opened, how do you ever with draw that," said Sam McCombie. Councilmember Heidi Rode-back Rode-back pointed to Bigelow Organ factory as a good example of saving a historic building and enhancing a neighborhood by allow al-low certain commercial uses in a residential area. "You're welcoming a good neighbor into this area. I encourage encour-age you to keep an open mind and meet with him," Rodeback said. Other council members expressed ex-pressed concern over allowing a commercial use in the neighborhood. neighbor-hood. "I'd prefer not to do this, this is a mistake, moving the potential poten-tial for the commercial into a residential neighborhood," said Councilmember Dale Gunther. Councilmember Ricky Storrs said, "It's a poor way to use the historic zone to move commercial commer-cial into a neighborhood." Putting the building on the See HISTORIC Page 2 Celebrating the holidays NVj. .... r i '? " 1 f 1 '-to- ag i (1 MELISSA FAROODaily Herald Neighbors gather to visit with Santa and watch the annual tree lighting ceremony in American Fork on Dec. 1. Local writer finishes book on American Fork history Megan C. Wallgren NORTH COUNTY STAFF She's written for magazines and newspapers, she's written poems and pageants and contributed con-tributed to many books. She was president of the Utah Press and the League of Utah Writers, but local writer Betty Spencer considers con-siders the history of American Fork she just finished a crowning achievement. "1 started writing when I was about 9 years old. I've had a lot of wonderful opportunities, but finishing fin-ishing the book has been the most rewarding," Spencer said. Spencer, age 81, was first commissioned com-missioned to write the book in 1973 by Mayor Malcom Beck. Since that time she has faced many setbacks. She's had congestive conges-tive heart failure, beat cancer twice, become legally blind, and dealt with the death of her husband. "A lot of people wondered if I was going to finish it before I died, but 1 did," Spencer said. American Fork Mayor Heber Thompson had praise both for Spencer's determination and the finished product. "I'm amazed at her perseverance, persever-ance, she began years ago. She always seemed to encounter some road block. If it wasn't files or pictures that had disappeared then it was her health," Thompson Thomp-son said. "I'm very pleased, the product is spectacular." The history itself has been through six versions. It was edited ed-ited by DeAnna Sparks whose input Spencer found invaluable. "It's a better book because of it," she said. The book covers the years from 1929 to the present. An early history, his-tory, by George F. Shelley covers the history of American Fork from its founding years to that point. ; - ll ' ' p". A V is MARC HAODOCKNorth County Betty Spencer signs copies of her new book, "American Fork City The Growing Years" following the re-dedication ceremonies for the refurbished American Fork City HaU Tuesday night. Spencer signed copies of "American Fork City The Growing Years" at the city hall reopening event for a steady of line of people buying the book. Some bought several copies of the book. "It was enjoyable to watch Betty's excitement as she closes a chapter in her life," said Melanie See WRITER, Page 2 Community Briefing LINKS OF LOVE FOR LOGAN - Students at Legacy Elementary School in American Fork are joining together to-gether this holiday season sharing in the spirit of giving giv-ing for a child, one of their own, who has cancer. Logan Carter was diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of two. Logan's cancer has recently relapsed and was discovered in his central nervous system and spinal fluid. Now at the age of five, Logan is forced to face another year of intense treatment in efforts to fight this disease. His mother teaches physical education at Legacy Elementary School and when coworkers and students heard the news, so many wanted to step forward, be involved and do something. A bazaar and auction will be held at Legacy Elementary Elemen-tary School, 28 E. 1340 N. in American Fork on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. Although still needing donations, service items to be auctioned include a full residential appraisal, plumbing labor, garage door service, house cleaning, photography services, teeth whitening, tax services and more. Children at the school are also being asked to save their dimes and nickels to show their spirit of giving. Principal Gary Gibb said students will receive a link for a paper chain for each donation and they hope to receive enough donations to create a chain that will wrap around the entire school. An account has also been set up at the Bank of American Fork, "Logan's Leukemia Fund." For more information about the event contact Principal Gary Gibb at 756-8565. AMPHITHEATER UPGRADE - City Council members mem-bers pledged $89,000 upgrade the city's amphitheater and create a summer arts festival in American Fork. An additional $15,000 is expected to come from a state Creative Communities Grant Councilmembertleidi Rodeback said the Concerts in the Park program will be the anchor for the arts festival. Plans also include a arts and crafts festival at Robinson Park. "The amphitheater is such a jewel in the rough and has amazing potential," said Councilmember Shirt. LeBaron. The amphitheater will get a new light and sound booth. Money will also be used for publicity and marketing mar-keting for the new arts festival. I it I 1 N V ' a- , Mid, . -,.-',, '4A -i's. , t ' fit---'-'--,-, Daily Herald file photo POINSETTIAS FOR SALE - Poinsettias are for sale at American Fork High School, 510 N. 600 East American Fork, as a fundraiser for the horticulture and Future Farmers of America programs. The red, burgundy or white poinsettias cost $7 each. For more information on cost and ordering, call the school at 756-8547 ext. 153. HOTEL PROJECT GETS OK - A commercial project located at 900 West Main Street was given approval by the city council. The Finch subdivision consists of four lots. A specific site plan for one of those lots was also given the go ahead by the council. The Value Place Hotel Ho-tel chain will be building one of its first Utah locations in American Fork. Value Place is an extended stay hotel ho-tel where patrons will pay by the week. The cost will be $199 per week. A representative from Value Place said the hotel "targets business customers cus-tomers who are traveling on their own dime." CHRISTMAS HELP AVAILABLE - The North County Newspapers are continuing their holiday tradition tradi-tion of accepting nominations for needy families in north Utah County to receive help for Christmas. Through Dec. 12 nominations may be made, in writing, writ-ing, to the newspaper office. Forms are available at 399 E. State Rd., Pleasant Grove. Individuals or groups who wish to sponsor one or more of the needy may make selections during office hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Submissions should be based on the need for help. They should include information about unemployment, illness, injury or other reason the family may be facing a bleak holiday. Each nomination should include the name, address and telephone number of both the family which needs assistance and the person making the nomination, so the sponsor may use them as confidential contacts. nil II 055 0005 1 20 mm FT TT T'l '1 I :IX TTTJ if T.i I ,,i I II f fTF-Trl mmmm WITH IV lOlMMcni iiM runMi MU 10 MDBS !MM JUMCT 10 W0 Mil me W, UOW ( RB CXC WCB WO IrlWW n |