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Show b'lA'i f 3,7 5i ir - Home of the Worlds Largest Missile VOLUME 86 NO. 20 & Jk - 'U i - "s'' x , . 'T,;"31 k f i Mining Center MAGNa, U...H 84044 THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994 WVC Mayor: Widening of 5600 West is essential to city Expansion is necessary to relieve traffic flow; open areas of commercial and residential growth by GARY R. BLODGETT EDITOR Sometimes you have to meet the big boys head on, in a situation. Mayor Gearld Gerry) Wright and Councilwoman Margaret Peterson returned last week from Washington, D.C., where they met with government leaders in an attempt to obtain federal funding for the expansion of 5600 West. I made an appeal before the Public Works Committee, a to the Federal one-on-o- ne ee Transportation Committee, for federal aid to expand 5600 West from 2100 South to 6200 South, said Mayor Wright. Well know in a few weeks if the Transportation Committee agrees to the funding, and if so, what our next step will be. He said that if the proposal denied, the matter is over for the time being. If approved, I will return to Washington to testify a second time before the Appropriations Committee in an attempt to get the funding. is business as well as residential development in the area because of the heavy traffic, West Valley Citys goal is to widen 5600 West to a limited access highway which will include two four-lan- through-traffi- c lanes plus a e, left-tur- n lane in each direction. This is approximately the width of 5600 West as it is in front of Hunter High School near 4100 South. He noted that 5600 West at this time is extremely con- gested, especially during rush hours, and to have the street widened would be a boon to the city, the mayor explained. We have lost commercial the 5600 West transportation projects in the city 5600 West is designed to serve as a regional road, not just in support of West Valley said the mayor. Of City, course our city will benefit, but the expansion is essential to relieve traffic throughout the west side of Salt Lake Valley. Joe Moore, director of West Valley City community and economic development, noted that an expressway such as or extending from North Temple to 9000 South would cost an estimated S80 corridor, and no local funds can be made available because of commitments to other need to solve our local problems now, whatever it said Mayor Wright. Widening the street will alleviate conges- tion, greatly improve safety, and will reduce motorist travel time to and from work. The smooth flow of traffic will also reduce energy loss and improve air quality because there would be less idling of vehicles in a gridlock situation, the mayor pointed out. Mayor Wright stressed that West Valley City has no funds for widening of million. We takes, he said. Although public meetings have been held regarding a proposed route of the 5o00 West expansion, there is still a lot of frustration because there are three or four alterand several native proposals variations off those proposals," the mayor noted. A federal economic and environmental impact study should be completed later this year. After that, it will be up to the entities involved as to what route will be taken and when. Until then, West Valley City is losing business after business after business. Magna museum may be looking for a new home Committee planned on J.C. Penney store; now may be looking for alternative sites Bud Gunter, volunteer cur-raton the Museum Committed, told the committee that they should organize into a Museum Fouundation headed by a board of directors. or by GARY EDITOR ' R. BLODGETT After weeks of planning to locate the Magna Mining and Ethnic Museum in the vacated J.C. Penney building on Magnas Historic Main Street, the mu&um cbmmittee miy he lookinjrfpr a new home.' Negotiations are continuing with the owners of the building, but the committee is also looking for alternative sites Space for Commercial Development? The historic home on the northwest corner of 8400 South and Main Street in Magna has been torn down to make room for commercial development but will be built there? Several businesses have shown interest in the property, but no firm deal has been made Owners offered to have the but time ran out and the structure was demolished. old home re-locat- Prepare for natural, man-cause- d R. BLODGETT EDITOR They all pray that it will but they never happen know it will, someday. A major disaster, whether it be natural or is going to happen sometime along the Wasatch Front. Attendees at last weeks emergency preparedness seminar in West Valley City want to be prepared. They came from communities all along the Wasatch Front, from the county and those representing the state. Their respective duties range from being a police officer, fire fighter, search and rescue member, and hospital personnel, to being a civilian volunteer: But they all had one purpose to learn more about in mind how to cope with a major disaster should it ever occur.. Just as important is what they learned about helping to pred vent a potential disaster. Kay Sadler, West Valley City Emergency Course Director, hosted the discussion of more 80 than emergency preparedness personnel under man-cause- d, man-cause- the direction of Dr. Stephen P. Rundquist, state training officer for the Utah Department of Public Safety. The group, known as the Emergency Community Response Team (CERT), met all day Tuesday to set goals and overviews; outline the groups responsibilities; discuss natural d and disasters; and review medical procedures during a disaster. Wednesdays discussions centered around search and man-cause- rescue operations; team disaster organization; psychology; and disaster simulation. Each of the participants received an Award of Certification for completing the course. It was a course with a lot of interaction resulting in excellent ideas and said Sadler. We suggestions, had representatives from near-- , ly 25 communities along the Wasatch Front. He said it was the first ever training program for citizen volunteers and emergency management personnel to be held in this area. The concept for CERT was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agen- well-attend- us I .. dm now-famo- us Hill Air Force Base Museum iff 1988 left last August. We parted with pne-ha- ff a plane and now the site is famous for its display of old M and new aircraft, he said. He said that with high expectations and a lot of work, Magna could be the art center of Utah. Youre sitting on a he said. gold mine, Gunter urged the committee to get the public involved, get the schools involved, get the cultural arts people involved, and provide the best museum in the area. The committee is still holding fast to the prospect of in its opening the museum initial phase of development Museum help needed are needed to help with the organization and startup of the new Magna Mining and Volunteers now Ethnic Museum. There are several areas in which volunteer help is needed, and anyone wanting to donate time or contribute money for this project should contact Bonnie Stahle, Magna Times, The museum is scheduled for opening July 4th. 250-565- 6. disasters Emergency response team trains for what might be by GARY for the museum. Owners of the vacated store are not willing to donate the building for use as a museum, but said they would consider selling the property to the museum committee or offering to lease the building for five years with an option to buy. Museum committee members said they would look into these options, but were also anxious to seek alternative sites for the museum. Gunter organized the on July 4th. The first public meeting for the museum will be on Monday, April 11, at 7 p.m. in the Magna Branch of the Salt Lake County Library, located in Arbor Park, 8400 West 3500 South. cy (FEMA) in response to concerns for the safety of individuals who, in time of disaster, spring into action as volunteers to assist victims of earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and other disasters. He noted that with good intention, many would-b- e rescuers have been removed from service by injuries received during a rescue operation. CERT is designed to train the citizen to prepare in advance of the disaster, and to respond in their communities to the immediate needs brought about by the disaster, said Sadler. He said the role of the citizen CERT member is two-fol- d: To prepare for the disaster the potential hazards; and (2) respond safely after the disaster by locating and turning off utilities, suppressing small fires, treating injuries, conducting search and rescue missions, and helping disaster victims cope with their emotional anxieties. The seminar was a huge success and I want to thank everyone who attended, Sadler concluded. by identifying f County Commission to decide April 12 on zoning proposal for downtown Magna; Residents want to stop multiple units by GARY R. BLODGETT EDITOR The proposal for downzoning a large portion of Magna to prevent random construction of multiple-uncomplexes is now in the hands of the Salt it Lake County Commission. The residents of Magna have met and voiced their opinions. The County Planning and Zoning Commission has given its recommendation to the coun- ty commissioners. Now the fate is in the hands of the County Commission. And that decision is expected at the regular meeting of the commission on Tuesday, April 12. The area proposed for rezoning is primarily between 3100 and 3500 South and between 7200 and 9200 West. downzonThe reduce the does ing proposal minimum size of lot on which y a dwelling may be from 6,500 square feet built to 6,000 square feet. But,1 the new zoning profrom Residential-2-6.posal also proto Residential-1-- 6 hibits any housing unit larger house to be y than a three-memb- er gested that master plans be revised every five years or so. The Magna Area Council (MAC) conducted a public meeting earlier this month at which the majority (about of those attending favored the downzoning but also sought to have some of the undeveloped land rezoned to allow larger homes. Others asked for a straight out zoning of at least Residential-7- , which would restrict the undeveloped pro- be divided into lots no than 7,000 square feet. two-third- s) Sto single-famil- 5 single-famil- At ft- - gJLAJfc.. 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