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Show -N E W SA8 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2007 Spanish Fork Covering what matters most Troops: Salem write-in candidates: WH: From CANDIDATES • A6 From WRITE-IN • A l may best be out-sourced as has been done with wastewater treatment and water supply, and most, if not all, of them could be part-time positions until the city's funding expands through the efforts of (for example) the grant writer. Due to the high growth rate cities in South County are experiencing, Fisher said it is urgent that Woodland Hills strengthens the communities deteriorating infrastructure of its financial position. He said it's also important to have more open and more frequent communication between residents and city officials. Finally, he said it's imperative that Woodland Hills reduces the natural hazards that confront the city. Fisher said that his experience in management, project execution, economic analysis, communication and people skills qualify him to serve on the city council. He has gained these skills through 35 years at a large corporation in the petro-chemical industry, as well as leadership positions in the LDS Church. To voters, Fisher says to please take the time to study the issues, vote and stay involved in city government. "Select candidates that represent your interests. Choose those that have no conflicting interests or hidden agendas, and have no obligations that would interfere with the time it will take to continuously improve our little city," he said. Watson said she has the ability to ask some serious questions on issues that don't always present themselves. She said she's detail-oriented and can see the impact that decisions can have on more than one front. "I know how hard it is to make ends meet, and I want to preserve our quality of life for the average family," she said. "I want to be sure that the impact on the family is included in all city government decisions." Watson said that although there is always room for improvement, she believes Salem has done well in many areas, particularly in water, sewer, pressurized irrigation, police, fire and the volunteer EMTs. However, she feels there are areas in which S alem needs to improve. "I feel we could do a little more in our recreation department and economic development," she said. She said the area that Salem City is struggling most with is in green space and rural atmosphere. Some of the improvements she would like to implement are to plant trees, and allow space for parks in the many developments that are crowding in the open spaces. She said that she would like to look at the possibility of adding tennisftasketball courts for citizens' recreation. She said another idea is to add a trail along canal road to keep joggers, walkers and bikers safe, but still allow people to drive on the road. Watson said that the principal issue facing Salem at this time is managing its growth and still maintaining its rural, peaceful, family feeling. in the Salem Days activities each year. "These are the kinds of things that make us unique. I believe that it is very important that we maintain the qualities that make Salem Unique. We know that growth is inevitable and that change will come about, but I would like to see the qualities and characteristics of our town remain. I believe that this can happen through strong leadership and wise planning. Together we can make it happen." Cope said that the city is doing very well in many areas, including water, sewer, the police force, emergency medical services and recreation programs. He said that economic development needs some attention, however. "I would like to see a stronger emphasis placed on economic development to help build a stronger tax base and to encourage other businesses to locate in our community," he said. Cope said he also feels the city officials could do a little better in providing green Jonathan F. Cope Jonathan F. Cope is a write- space to maintain the city's in candidate in the upcoming rural atmosphere. Salem City Council election. "Our greatest hope for Cope said he loves Salem, maintaining green space and and is proud to have raised his a rural atmosphere will be family here. He would really largely dependant on our like to see the city maintain ability to elect responsible people who recognize the its unique characteristics. "Salem City is a beauti- value of green space and will ful little community in a very work hard to maintain the ruunique setting. We have wit- ral setting that we all love," nessed on many different oc- he said. casions the willingness of the The new pressurized irricitizens to come together and gation has been a major projunite in a common cause." ect for Salem City, and Cope He said that many people said it has tremendous potenvolunteered their time and re- tial if managed correctly. sources to the building of the "While pressurized irrifootbridge, or have taken part gation is a wonderful way to Watson earned her bachelor's degree in recreation management/administration with an emphasis on program planning. She also has a certificate in medical billing and coding, as well as a previous nursing degree. She is an LPN, and is currently working as an operator for Moxtek in Orem. Watson has been married for 23 years, and has two grown children, and two 12 year old boys at home. She enjoys camping, traveling, reading, scrapbooking, photography, sports, having new adventures and learning new things. Watson donated her time to the new library by clean-: ing and organizing it. She also helped plan the opening. She has done a lot of com.1munity service as an election judge, a coach, a past presir dent of wrestling league an<jl in scouting. She has also been a foster parent for about ten years. She has also served on the library fact-finding committee, has helped in the school's classrooms, served in the PTA and school community councils. conserve water and to manage waste water within the city limits, it does pose another issue for agricultural users. A formula needs to be established which differentiates between residential and agriculture, and consideration needs to be given to the agricultural users." One of the things Cope would love to see Salem have is a grocery store. "I would love to see a grocery store back in Salem. I believe our city is large enough to accommodate a full service grocery store and we certainly do have the need," he said. Cope graduated from Spanish Fork High School, and attended BYU. He spent 14 years in retail sales in Utah County, during five of which he owned and operated Cope's Furniture in Spanish Fork. He has had 10 years in construction management, and spent three years as a partner and six as owner of Marco Transport, Inc. He's married to Nadene (formerly Davis) of Salem, and they have six children, and 10 grandchildren. His hobbies include: farming and raising cattle, tinkering in his shop, and he likes big trucks and construction equipment He has been on the volunteer fire department for 12 years, two of which he spent as assistant fire chief. He was a member of the city council from 1984-1988, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Utah Municipal Power Agency. He spent one year as secretary/treasurer, and one year as vice chairman. He was co-chairman of Salem Days 2007, is a member of Salem City Power Board and a member of the Utah County Fair Board. From SUPPORT • A l deployed overseas, so Feed Uncle Sam is trying to set up as many donation tables as possible all over Utah. On Saturday, and throughout the week, members of the organization saw great support from the community. **It's been amazing," said Garcia. 'The middle school kids came over and they filled a bin halfway through and a bin is huge, so we're pretty excited. Also, the little kids have been writing thank you letters to the troops and they are so heart-warming." Garcia wasn't the only onewhohadaheart-warming experience. Everyone involved in the drive had a family member deployed overseas, which made the drive very personal. Kyler Brunson, whose father is serving overseas, said, "I'm pretty excited. I think this drive will be a really good benefit because there is so much that we take for granted nowadays and the troops go without any of that." Hedi Day, who has a husband deployed overseas, added, "I think sending these packages is a wonderful idea. I think there's a lot of people who want to help out, but they're not sure how. So this way they can just pick up something really little. And its not time consuming or expensive." Feed Uncle Sam will accept donations until Nov. 12, 2007. There are donation spots all over Utah, but they change daily, so visit www.feedunclesam. com to check on where to donate. ; Priefert Ranch Equipment] [IS PROUD TO PRESENTS! ^ PRIZES AWARDED IN VARIOUS AGE GROUPS RADAR IS 19 HANDS 3 1/2 INCHES TALL! (THAT'S 6 FEET 7 1/2 INCHES TALL) AT THE GRAB JOUR .ANDsKIDS^AND DON'T ;MISS YOUR CHANCE TO SEE THE WORLDjS^j TALLEST LIVING HORSE! |