Show The Salt Lake Tribune Wednesday July Investigation Clears S Salt Lake Personality Focus - r1 - - ot---- s- t Tribune Staff Writer SOUTH SALT LAKE — After a thorough investigation into the conduct management and operation of the city and its administration the county attorney's office found no criminal activity within the city gov- I q is no evidence of criminal and further investigation activity is not warranted nor is criminal prosecution anticipated" according to a report from David Yocom Salt Lake County Attorney The investigation was initiated by council member Melvin Olsen who sent a letter to the county attorney's office listing 20 "serious even legal problems within the city" In the letter Mr Olsen states in the past year and a half he has heard many complaints accusations and rumors about the functioning of the city from citizens elected officials and city personnel "I am just a concerned South Salt Lake citizen who wants to see any problems in the city cleared up That's the main reason for filing the letter" Mr Olsen said Included in the letter are alleged accusations from citizens that one member of the city council has improperly influenced other members to vote with him on certain issues When contacted by the Tribune Mr Olsen declined to identify the mem- t t i 4 a 1 - I t i I i' ! ' city-counc- il sued to officers in the police department — considering the number of officers within the city "This makes me wonder what is wrong" Mr Olsen asks The letter also mentions citizens complaints about the way the judge conducts court and the inadequate access to court services "He often whispers so those present cannot hear" Mr Olsen said At recent council meetings concerning the upcoming change of government and the proposed construction of the county jail on the Oxbow property citizens have expressed their dissatisfaction with council members willingness to change their minds According to Mr Olson's letter in formation pertinent to critical decisions is handed to council members at the last minute "It is felt that the city administra tion is not providing complete and full information on issues facing the city I have experienced times when further information comes to light which causes me to reconsider my decision This had led to citizens complaints that the council is always changing their minds" Mr Olsen said t i : i I 4' f I i 4' i I - 1 i y 4' t ' t t f :' 4 ' 1 re ' 'c4 4 ' '' 1 i t ' 'N Jk of ' V t ' 40414 4 i '' ff i ' - f ' 1 - 4V ' i ' - 1 t i ' i I 14°11 tWecowe00010A044 1 t 1C t '4 t: eluding being negligent in fulfilling duties holding private council meetings and agreeing to certain directions before issues have been pre- Allegations have been made that deals have been cut with developers and businesses prior to presentations to the city council for consideration In addition to problems the letter states there is an inordinate number of reprimands is- 7 1 The council was also accused of letter ' al - ' It 4 certain administrative problems in meetings Mr Olsen claims he was told that "employees at the department head level have been told not to talk to members of the city council their jobs department heads have been threatened if they do so "Insinuations have been made which indicate that tracking of incoming and outgoing calls is being made to determine if city council members call city staff and if city staff is calling members of the city council" according to Mr Olsen's 1 1 ber sented in regularly scheduled I - I t A '"- ' "' - - Priommanw—w ' 1 it 1 14 5 5 t r 4- 4 ' I rl I "'ss S ' --- : ‘)14 t 1 i4 1 ' 3 t —Tribune Start Photo by Robert Cook mayors and city council' man have come and gone Ludell Pierson has While commissioners been a mainstay in Murray City government As city recorder he has been keeping minutes for the council for 12 years and has worked for Murray in various capacities during the last 20 years Murray Recorder Has Seen City's History Unfold 12-Ye- ar By Jess Gomez Tribune Staff Writer MURRAY — Twelve years of weekly City Council meetings listening to and recording every word that is said haven't dulled Lucien Pierson's sense of humor Not yet anyway Asked if he secretly harbors politi'cal ambitions the long-tim- e city recorder who has observed numerous elections gently smiled "No" he said his grin growing "It may sound a little harsh but I'd like to keep my friends" While some may question the importance of what is said during a three-hou- r council meeting dealing with an issue such as zoning public record of those discussions are required for legal and historical As the city recorder Mr Pierson attends virtually every council meeting taping and writing all that is debated When it is time for council members to vote he calls the roll The tapes are transcribed by his office and the minutes as they are referred to are returned to the council for approval When that is done the documents are open to the public and become part of the histor- record It's not coincidental he says that the majority of requests for records are near election time when voters are checking to see how an incumbent voted on a particular issue Council members are very conscious of that he said Even when there are no residents in the audiic ence council members will often justify their vote just so it becomes a matter of public record Keeping the council minutes however is just one of Mr Pierson's duties He and his staff must also maintain other historic documents In addition he is Murray's election officer purchasing agent and keeps track of business licenses "I thoroughly enjoy my work" he said "There's always a variety I also enjoy the people I work with and the association with the many residents of the city" Prior to his becoming city recorder 12 years ago Mr Pierson worked for eight years as Murray's deputy auditor He was appointed city recorder by 'Alien D Muir who vacated the post after being elected mayor For his 20 years of service Mr Pierson is scheduled to receive an award of recognition this week He was raised in West Jordan and like his wife Karen attended Jordan High School They were not high school sweethearts because she was younger and began high school the year after he graduated he said After graduation Mr Pierson joined the navy and served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints He and his wife began dating while students at the University of Utah They were married in 1962 and moved to Murray a year later One of his greatest pleasures has come from his involvement within the community he said When his five children were younger the youngest is now 18 Mr Pierson was active in local little league baseball and football He served for four years as the president of the Murray Babe Ruth Pimple's Darlings' Are There to Care for Elderly Disabled By David Clifton Tribune Staff Writer KEARNS — Once a person joins "Dimples Darlings" they're mem- bers for life "We won't let a person go until they move or die" said group cofounder Dimple Diviney The group founded 10 years ago gives people a chance to talk to someone and know there are others who care Mrs Diviney said "We noticed a number of elderly and disabled people living alone and neglected with no one to talk to no fellowship We do this so people don't die thinking someone doesn't care about them" Dimple's Darlings meet the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Trinity United Methodist Church 4290 W 5415 South About 200 people belong to the group with ages ranging from 42 to 90 years Anyone is welcome to attend Mrs Diviney said Meetings begin with a devotional by retired Rev Howard Huff Though Dimple's Darlings is "a Christian outreach group to all people" religious affiliation doesn't matter "We felt we needed a better understanding among God's people" Mrs Diviney said "We are made up of all denominations but no religion - f 0 4 1 - 1 4 i 4 ' if P1 't ''' 1 ' 4- - t t ft I tt ' t ' ' 4 is brought in "This is people needing people" committee works e administering to shut-in- s and the confined she added Volunteers bring gifts and cards to people on birthdays and holidays and help comfort those with medical problems Meetings have become an important part of many members lives Mrs Diviney said Many people who had lost their desire for life have found new meaning in the confines of the group "One meeting and the change is An full-tim- z Pioneer Craft House and Salt Lake County Library will join forces to present free puppet programs to the public Wednesday shows will be presented at Calvin Smith Library 810 E 3300 South 9 am Holladay Library 2150 E 4800 South 11 am and East Millcreek Library 2266 E 3435 South 3:30 pm Shows on Thursday will be held at Whitmore Library 2197 E 7000 South 9 am Ruth Vine Tyler Li A Salt Lake fitness center will of- fer its motorized toning equipment free to senior citizen on the first and third Tuesdays of each month Just Imagine at 763 E Fort Union Blvd will offer the service from 9 Highland Drive will take patrons from 1 to 4 pm Trained technicians assist each inr dividual throughout the session explained President Kristen Price In the past the toning equipment has been considered an exercise Firm to Construct t ' 4 41346 404 bow Pets of the Week Animal lovers can double their pet pleasure with Butch and Buster wirehaired terrier mixes The twins have gentle personalities and can be adopted from Salt Lake County Animal Services 511 W 3900 South for a $29 neuter fee 1 alone" Dimple's Darlings used to have a number of outings each month but congested traffic has cut activities to a minimum An occasional pizza trip is held but most members individually visit senior citizen centers and rest homes "We are guided by God to do the things we are doing" Mrs Diviney said "It is truly a blessed program" brary 315 Wood St 11 am and Peterson Library 9340 S 700 East 3:30 pm on Friday shows will Jordan Library 1970 South 9 be at West W 7800 am and South Jordan brary 10300 S Li- Beekstead Lane 11 am The Pioneer Craft House 3271 S present puppet shows every Wednesday at 11:30 am beginning July 14 500 East will method for muscle toning and inch-los- s However Ms Price said the exercise method also has therapeutic benefits for individuals who have difficultly doing traditional exercises It has benefited individuals with arthritis diabetes asthma polio multiple sclerosis high blood pressure and joint and back problems she said For more information or to make an appointment contact one of the Just Imagine Tone Fitness & Personal Care Centers Golf-Cours-e Special to The Tribune WEST VALLEY CITY — W Lynn Pinegar & Associates Architects Inc will provide the design and oversee construction of the clubhouse for the city's West Ridge Golf Course the City Council decided recently The golf course is under Clubhouse construction from 5600 to 6400 West and 4700 to 5400 South It should be finished in 112 years The firm will also oversee construction of the parking lot installation of landscaping and other e i organization and for two years as president of the Murray Ute Conference football league "It was tremendously enjoyable" he recalls"When my children were involved it was the highlight of my life" Mr Pierson credits both present and past administrations for their encouragement of employees to par- ticipate in civic affairs "I'm taking a rest from athletics now but I still watch the high school kids play and was just tickled to see the Murray High School baseball team win the state championship" 1 he said In his 20 years with the city there have been a lot of changes Commissioners mayors and city council members have come and gone Their job was to make history Ludell Pierson's is to observe and record it for the future - SL County Libraries Revise Policy for Checkout Renewals The Salt Lake County Library system has revised its checkout renewal policy The new policy allows patrons to renew many items circulated through the library system Before changing the policy the system would not allow people to renew their items The library established the following guidelines in response to customer requests: All renewals must be made in person Only one renewal is allowed on any single item Printed materials with checkout periods may be renewed for up to 14 days Materials with checkout periods of less than 28 days may be renewed f the checkout perifor up to od — with the exception of best sell- 28-da- y Seniors Can Tone Up at Center one-hou- I unbelievable Even those who aren't shut-in- s get a feeling of love and say 'I'm coming back' " she said "It's comforting to me to know people who care and that I'm not going to be Craft House Libraries Set Shows am to noon and the store on 3950 S ' 44 -- 1 1 ! ernment "There i i -- ' By Stephanie Banchero t - WV3 1999 19 one-hal- ers Renewal of best sellers will be based on the length of the book Reference materials will not be renewed Materials on hold will not be renewed Overdue items may be renewed if they have not been held past the renewal time allowed Overdue fines must be paid at the time of renewal AV equipment and videos may be renewed for the normal checkout period if they have not been reserved before the renewal is requested The regular checkout fee on these items will be charge for renewal Salt Lakers Gain Degrees In Higher Education Several area residents have received degrees from colleges and universities in other states Institutions awarding degrees and the Utahns receiving diplomas are: Brown University in Providence RI has awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree to David Lawrence Goldsmith Salt Lake City University of Alaska Anchorage has awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing to Charlene Collett Pau le Salt Lake Theodore B Stevens Salt Lake has been awarded a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Pacific in Stockton Calif |