OCR Text |
Show -- r 277 UpI A PKIJSS ASSCXJIATIO;. '167 EAST 3RD SOUII SALT LP.IvI Home of the World's Largest Missile & cny I UT 500 Mining Center THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1993 VOLUME 86 NO. 18 84111 MAGNA, UTAH 84044 I denies allegations regarding franchise tax WVC Tried to negotiate suitable settlement a group of Magna residents have their say, the community's ice rink will be reopened, but $63,000 is needed for repairs. If $63,000 donations needed Magna Chamber board hears plea for ice rink support by Gary R. Blodgett Editor . The Magna Chamber of Commerce board of directors has given its moral support, but took under advisement a request for financial aid for a proposal to renovate the Magna ice rink. The board said it would do all it could to help the group pushing for renovation of the rink which is located on the campus of Cyprus High School and owned by the Granite School District. Chamber president Jim Jeppson told Janice Fisher, chairman of the citizens group spearheading the drive for reopening the ice rink, that the now-close- d Chambers annual budget is only about leaving very little for unscheduled donations. But well do all that we can as a civic organization to support your cause, he said. Board members agreed. Fisher, who worked at the ice rink for about 18 years before its closure last year, said the facility is badly needed by residents and students of the entire Salt Lake west valley, not just Magna. She said that scores of school, church and scout groups, as well as area amateur hockey teams used $2,000, Kennecott PR official tells Magna Chamber how to deal with press the facility in the final year before its closure. They are now forced to use ice rinks in Salt Lake City (Cottonwood) and Bountiful to practice and play their hockey games, she said. The Magna ice rink was built 29 years ago by donations from Magna businesses CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 by Gary R. Blodgett Editor for Groundbreaking million new $1.5 Magnas swimming pool complex is scheduled for Friday, April 16, at 11 a.m. . Mike Peterson, associate director of Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation, said construction will begin immediately and should be completed later this summer. Olympic-siz- e pool will be located on a parcel of vacant land in Magnas Pleasant Green Park on property donated by Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation. Edwards and Daniels was the architect for the pool complex which will strikingly resemble the pool complex 27-ac- re Utah Copper public relations representative told the Magna Chamber of Commerce last week the dos and donts of getting along with the news media. Alexis Fernandez told chamber members to meet the press head-o- n and not try to evade questions or situations when they are faced with an event that might be A Kennecott 18-ho- le Patterson explained that West Valley City has made a lot of improvements at the site and would still like to develop the park. by Gary R. Blodgett But the city faces a $358,000 shortfall in its Editor $15.6 million debt owed for the property, and West Valley City officials this week denied is looking to alternatives of erasing the loan allegations that they had refused to negotiate deficit. with Hercules regarding the citys proposal One way to accomplish that would be to lift to lift the cap on its franchise tax. the cap on two of the citys utility franchise We made every attempt to negotiate taxes electricity and natural gas which and attempt to reach a compatible solution would generate more than $350,000 from Herwith Hercules officials, said West Valley cules alone. Hercules officials claim that this action is City Manager John Patterson. He added that city officials are willing to arbitrary and copricious in that it singles continue negotiations with Hercules in hopes out Hercules as the sole recipient of the acof reaching a compromise agreeable to both tion. Only one other business in West Valley parties. City would be affected. To say that West Valley City did not atWest Valley City is willing to negotiate tempt to negotiate with Hercules before any with Hercules for a formula of an equitable action to lift the cap is a bald face lie, said annual cash settlement in lieu of the lifting Patterson. of the utility franchise tax cap, Patterson He went on to point out that West Valley said. He noted that the city established a cap on City purchased 600 acres of property adjacent franchise tax when implemented in 1985, its to Hercules in an attempt to save Hercules a that would limit the maximum amount cap from a serious financial situation which could on owed electricity at $19,000 and on natural have resulted in future closure of the faciliat $4,800. Without the cap, Hercules angas ty. nual bill would be between $300,000 and Why would we now want to hurt someone who we had helped in the past? he asked. $350,000 annually. A spokesperson for Hercules said last week It just doesnt make sense. that West Valley Citys recent action is unThe 600 acre site previously a buffer zone fair and unjust and that Hercules will lode for even to apply for against encroachment of the Hercules plant, alternatives (to paying) and now referred to as West Ridge Recrea; from the city back into Salt tion and Industrial Park is being developed Lake Couunty. Magna pool groundbreaking scheduled The by Gary R. Blodgett Editor . by West Valley City as an golf course and proposed business and recreation park. in West Jordan. It will serve Magna, West Valley City, and several other west Salt Lake Valley communities. Broderick and Howell will do the construction on the pool. Picnic and playground facilities will be developed in the pool complex, explained Anna Beth Mecham, chairman of the Magna Swim Pool Task Force which was instrumental in getting approval and funding for the project. Peterson said details for the groundbreaking ceremony will not be finalized for about two weeks. However, the program is expected to include remarks from Salt Lake County commissioners, a member of the countys recreation board of directors, and the Magna Swim Pool Task Force. State Representative Dan Tuttle, of Magna, also is expected to speak. Cyprus High Schools Jazz Band and Spinnakers precision marching group, and the Magna Elementary School Music Makers will be asked to provide entertainment. There is still no official name of the proposed swim said complex, pool Peterson. outdoor The Olympic-siz- e pool will be located on Pleasant Green Park property between 3200 South and 3400 South west of 8400 West. The valued at a raw property n was dollars deeded to Salt Lake County by Kennecott Copper Cor- - poration last summer. Recreation facilities adjacent to the pool will include softball and Little League baseball diamonds, tennis courts, basketball courts, a pavillion, and a playground area in addition to existing soccer fields. Salt Lake County Commission appropriated $750,000 towards development of the project. half-millio- newsworthy. Businesses and industry are in the hands 6f the news media, so dont ever argue with anyone who buys ink by the gallon, she quipped. She urged them to be and accom- modating, dont give the press the runaround, make things simple and direct, and be honest in your remarks and answers. She also told members to never say no comment or its off the record, never play favorites with the news media, and be prepared for hard-hittin- g questions from reporters. Dont verbally attack the press either during or following an interview, and if you or were misquoted ALEXIS FERNANDEZ misrepresented, relate the factual mistakes directly to the reprater in a tactful manner, she said. Fernandez urged members to present the positive side of their business or industry whenever possibible, and be prepared to head off the negatives. Fernandez has had the opportunity to serve on both sides of the fence. She was a reporter for two Salt Lake City television stations before accepting the current position with Kennecott. V Groundbreaking for Magnas new $1.5 million swim pool and recreation complex is set for Friday, April 16. The pool should be completed later this summer. |