| OCR Text |
Show 47 , WEST ! expi ,,,0 SW SOUTH STE it 4sr Vol. 17, No. 5 50 cents a single copy Wednesday, February 1, 1995 Neighborhood up in arms over proposed tower ByRUSSDALY City Editor Phone calls were made and sideration for change to GC-- later this month. The result? After much discussion, and allegations from the citizens, the council decided to table the matter until additional information could be obtained to back up statements made at the meetings. Scott Gerber, a resident near the site in question, had acted as spokesman for the group, which filled the council chambers. Gerber said that when US West installed their tower near Bromley's in American Fork, the UHF radios at Geneva Steel experienced ference, at a cost of $60,000 to the steel plant. Gary Jones, real estate manager for the US WestNewvector Group, said that he was surprised to learn of the interference with the radios, especially since US West is assigned the megahertz band by the 2 sup- port was gathered from the north end of the city, and neighbors once again rallied to protest a development under consideration by the city council. The request? Approval for installation of a cellular telephone tower at 2400 North Center St. in an. existing PR-- 1 zone, under con Federal Communications Commission. "Why was that spot chosen instead of near the freeway?'' he asked. "We want to know what the criteria is." Jones explained that the facility would be an monopole tower, one that requires neither altitude lights nor guywires. The 50 by 60 foot parcel of land would also house a control building. 80-fo- 825-85- 0 ot years. The commission studied the plan for about a year, made council, then made further modifications for another three or four months. Park felt that another positive step was the mobile home park ordinance developed during that time. He said that had two trailer parks, with two or three more that wanted to come in, yet they had no ordinances governing them. "I'm proud of that ordinance," t Joyce Wilson, former Lehi city treasurer, had a first appearance Tuesday in Provo 4th Circuit Court on charges of theft by deception. Appearing before Judge Steven h SA f 1 Sw J - ) ' " i rr . - ''V. I Photo by Russ Daly Lehi City Councilmember Dee Ray Russon presents awards to Robert Park and Brent service to the city. Loveridge for long-tim-e he said, explaining that it is important to make sure human beings are treated as hum ans, giving children plenty of room to play. "Lehi right now is in a phenomenal growth period," he said. "The growth set us back, We were not ready for it. We did not anticipate that kind of growth." The commission also looks at businesses, particularly those that will be within one block on either side of state roads, to make sure they are compatible with zoning ordinances and existing residences. - Another concern was home occupations. The council and commission looks to home businesses for growth potential that will expand into the business community. "I think you're going to see tremendous growth in the north part of the co. for business," Park said. "This summer, I suspect well have new businesses forming at the Main Street interchange." In addition tofulfillinghis term, Park felt like the city needed a different viewpoint by having someone else be the chairman, but he has volunteered his time to help as an advisor where needed. Park grew up in Lehi and he spent many years here. He has four children and two new grandchildren that will now take up his time. He also serves in the High Priests' group in 11th Ward. Although a back operation (See AWARDS on Page 4 tract. who had worked with Waste Management to obtain the contract, told Haws said that Waste Management will no longer offer the rental rate to individuals. Franklin then suggested that savings to Waste Management be passed on to the citizens through lower rates. Haws explained that rates at the Franklin that they would be replaced free of charge if damaged. Franklin also asked about the $2.66 rental of the toter that some citizens have already been using, and asked why they couldn't receive the same rates under the new con Editor's note: The following statement was released Tuesday morning by Lehi Mayor William Gibbs and the Lehi City Council regarding the allegations criminal charges made against former City Treasurer Joyce Wilson. The Free Press is running the complete text of the city's statement: During the past several weeks, some citizens have expressed frustration about the lack of information provided by the Mayor and City Council of Lehi regarding the alleged theft of funds by the former City Treasurer, Joyce Wilson. Some have accused the elected officials of failing to disclose all of the facts surrounding this situation. Others have suggested that the city officials are trying to recoup the losses by increasing utility bills to its citizens. In an effort to clarify procedures and correct misunderstandings, the Mayor and City Council provide the following report to the citizens of Lehi: Irregularities in the Office of the City Treasurer were brought to the attention of the city officials by the public accounting firm of Robert Phelps and Associates, who conducted the audit ofthe city books for 4 fiscal year. the Upon receivingthat information, Mayor Gibbs directed an expanded audit and investigation of this matter by the auditors. The Mayor also contacted the Utah County Attorney's Office who has responsibility for investigating potential criminal misconduct occurring within the county. The County Attorney's Office initiated its own investigation, which ultimately led to the issuance of a criminal indictment of a second degree felony against the former City Treasurer. The law prescribes that the pros 1993-199- Details on new garbage pact spelled out by council Nick Franklin approached the City Council during citizen input time to get some answers to questions about the city's new garbage service unveiled last week. Among Franklin's concerns was replacement of the cans if they are damaged. Councilmember Knollin Haws, Reed Councilmember Sunderland explained the council's See TOWER on Page 4 Hansen, she waived her preliminary hearing and was ordered to appear before 4th District Judge Ray Harding on February 17 for arraignment. L. City Council issues statement on charges against Wilson V iI tower. appearance Tuesday 'SSWSSSi?:.. w As a phone user travels along the freeway, the call is "handed off to the next tower, then the next, freeing up the line for another user. Gerber asked about placing the tower near the state road sheds near the freeway, but Jones said it would take a considerably higher Wilson makes first court Two honored for longtime service to Lehi Councilmember Dee Ray Russon presented plaques of appreciation to Robert Park and ' Brent Loveridge, former chairmen of civic committees, for their "dedication, contributed time and effort for the betterment of Lehi." Parkhad served as amember of the Planning and Zoning Commission for four or five months before being named as the body's chairman, a position he then retained for over five years. He was elected by popular vote of the commission itself, which consists of a member of the city council and six citizen representatives. "If s been a tough program, said Park. "You do alienate a lot of friends." He also said that his committee had "always looked at the benefits to each and every citizen." The commission considers applications that deal with the growth of the city, in order to make sure growth is planned and that it abides by laws that have been set up by the council Duringhis tenure, the commission reviewed the city's Master Plan, which, until that time had not been looked at for 10 to 20 He went on to say that the site was chosen because it is on the bench above Lehi, in the line of sight with the American Fork site and a future tower at the Point of the Mountain. In answer to Ron Nuttall's question about the range of the phones, Jones said that the problem is not distance, but a matter of alleviating the overcapacity due to the number of increased cellular phone users. transfer station were a part of the increased costs as well as the city's decision to cut back dump passes to five per household per year. "Well be lucky if we don't have to raise it more," said Mayor Bill Gibbs. No other citizens attended the meeting to give comment about the new contract. ecution of a felony must be handled by the County Attorney's Office, rather than by the city. It is the County Attorney who has exclusive control and jurisdiction over the matter and decides how the offense will be charged and prosecuted. Information obtained from a . criminal investigation is not made available to the public until criminal charges are filed. Thereafter, the release of information regarding the matter is strictly up to the County Attorney and not the city officials. Meanwhile, the auditors contin- ue their investigation in an effort to determine the amount of money taken from the city. Since that investigation is still ongoing and a final determination has not been made, city officials cannot advise citizens of the amount of money taken. The Mayor and City Council are, however, committed to the recovery of all monies that have been taken from the city and will ask the County Attorney and the court to order restitution of the entire amount as soon as that determination is made. We wish to make it clear to the citizens of Lehi that this situation does not place Lehi City in risk of being unable to meet its financial obligations or provide ongoing municipal services to its citizens. Accusations that the city officials are trying to recoup lost funds by increasing utility fees are simply not true. Additionally, the city has a bond in the amount of $275,000.00 to cover such losses to the extent that the funds are not repaid. We express our appreciation to the citizens of Lehi for your contin-ue- d patience and trust in our efforts to resolve this matter and recover the monies taken from Lehi City. Rigdon had ties to early Lehi residents By RICHARD VAN WAGONER In the spring of 1867 prominent Lehi citizen Abram Hatch, returning from a mission to Great Britain, stopped over to visit friends in the small hamlet of Friendship, New York. His specific destination was the home of Edward and Sarah Wingate where Sarah's father, Sidney Rigdon, was then living. Hatch, nephew of Rigdon's deceased Jeremiah Hatch, old Rigdon Jr., described the as a "grand looking old man, large and portly," whoimpressed him with his "intellectual importance." After listening to Rigdon's testimonial of the Book of Mormon and his tirade against his old nemesis Brigham Young, Hatch concluded that Rigdon was "an intellectual giant of a certain type ... a man of son-in-la- 74-ye- ar man," a role the Book of Mormon had predicted thousands of years before his birth. Together Rigdon and Smith, in a theological partnership, led a religious revolution that is still in many respects. Born in 1793 in the rolling hill country near Pittsburgh, Penn., Rigdon seemed propelled from an early age to get away from the sweat, the dirt, and the menial labor of the farmstead. His lengthy quest for like a compass needle in search ofTrue North, led him into the Baptist ministry. 19th-centu- ry on-goi- n, Well-suite- d for preaching, Rigdon was blessed with a powerful tions." . and mellifluous voice, an inspirited Among the many American, enthusiasm, and a prodigious memmillennialist groups of the nineory for scripture. His listeners teenth century, the Latter-da- y gulped in his words like a gush of Saints boast a particularly interestcool water. An avatar of eloquence, who carried within his breast the ing past. Thriving on the spectacular, the faith counts heroic martyrs, flame of the visionary tradition, the man could sway by the sheer forceof epic treks, supernatural manifestations and valiant struggles against his faith, passion, and ideological hostile powers. fervor. But Rigdon did not ease through Deep in the Mormon psyche there is an attraction to prophetic pres- mortality on silver wings. The 83 ence, men addressing the masses in years of his life transcend ordinary God's voice. Joseph Smith, Jr., and tragedy. He simply cannot be meaBrigham Young, figures of mythic sured by an ordinary yardstick. scale, live on in the souls of millions Episodically his existence was Saints. of Latter-da- y overshadowed by melancholia, a But long before Young entered a metaphysical sadness best known side door after the production had today as Bipolar Affective Disorder or Illness. started, Sidney Rigdon, a fiery preacher, emerged as Rigdon's debilitation, possibly preSmith's foremost adviser, stratecipitated by a childhood head injugist, and divinely appointed'Spokes- - ry, often plunged him into the extraordinary spiritual aspira- Manic-Depressi- ishment of Rigdon's position of eminence (which had previously made his word the ultimate sanction for believers). After Smith's untimely 1844 blackest despair or spiraled him murder, Rigdon and Brigham Young into unrealistic ecstasy or religious became engaged in an ecclesiastical dogfightfor primacy. Young, amas-terfcompulsiveness. strategist, with a political Although Rigdon led as tragic a life as God seemingly would allow, adroitness Rigdon lacked, easily won he had been fed by of the mantle. Rigdon, like a once Baptist origin, and was a preemi- mighty ship, wrecked, lying abannent seeker of truth. He ultimately doned on a distant beach, being looked upon with contempt by the become a leading figure in the Reformed Baptist Movement, led by Mormon masses, was excommuniAlexander Campbell, a spiritual cated and consigned to outer darkdescendant of early Christian re- ness. formers of the sixteenth and sevenMany think the central drama of teenth centuries. His prospects in Rigdon's life played out in Nauvoo, that association, however, were but he lived for another eventful 32 eventually punctured by theologi- years in Pennsylvania and New York. Never losing faith in himself, cal swordplay with Campbell. While licking his wounds at his he refused to let his religious talent Mentor, Ohio, home, Rigdon was be buried in dotage. Imposing a e he visited by Mormon missionaries en mysterious sentence of route to the western frontier. Prebegan accumulating a mass of theosented a Book of Mormon, Sidney logical information, insights, ideas, quickly assessed that it affirmed and questions for which there was his own beliefs in a literal gathering nooutlet, noopportunity toexpound or express. of Israel and an imminent MillenniJust as Rigdon found himself um. Baptized into the new movement, the former minister's fate paddling in the doldrums, a group of former Mormons approached him was forever after bound to Joseph Smith's destiny. by mail and provided the impetus for his continued involvement in chief as Smith's aide and Serving collaborator, Rigdon participated in religious controversy. His personal poverty, curmudgvirtually every major endeavor of Mormonism, except polygamy, and eonly qualities, and malevolent temperament prevented him from govhelped to shape many of its distinctive practices and teachings during erning in person. So Rigdon distant followers through the 1830s. hundreds of written communicaFew Latter-daSaintscast a larger shadow on the church's history. tions and a spokesman by the name of Stephen Post. But a combination of health probleft Rigdon's lems and ultimate loss of faith in Smith in diminresulted the See YESTERYEARS on Page 4 Joseph ul . well-sprin- V trrLS3x:w v iTErrww; .... ."V n self-exil- presid-edoverh- is y ' ! i&'; ' ' "t. - v This 1869 drawing depicts Sidney Rigdon sevenyears before his death. |
