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Show -N § W S- Spanish Fork Covering what matter^ most Legislators hold town meeting on vouchers Freedom: FromRMOAl Although the Freedom S40 is still a few years away from completing the FAA'§ rigorous certification requirements, business aviators are already taking notice. "There's a lot of interest in the airplane right now, and the orders are coming in," said Larry Ashton, founder and CEO of RMC. While the unveiling of the Freedom has important entrepreneurial implications for Spectrum and RMC, the symbolic implications go much deeper. Less than 18 months ago, on July 25, 2006, Spectrum and RMC lost two pilots when a test flight of their smaller business jet, the Independence S-33, crashed due to a mechanical error. "It was a very difficult thing foreverybody that works here," said Ashton. "I don't think any of us will ever forget the emotional part of it." Winegar echoed Ashton's sentiments. "We lost not just an airplane, but highly esteemed colleagues and friends in the two pilots," he said. "The accident was tantamount to losing a good friend or losing a child — you never get over it; you just go on." Winegar said that despite the tragedy, the team had a firm resolve to move on with WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2007 • A7 the program. "[The accident] had an effect on us, but the resolve is very palpable," he said. "We went ahead. We're building for the future." One thing that helped bolster the team's confidence the announcement that GE Honda had chosen the Freedom S-40 as the launch vehicle for their new engine. "We feel a great vote of confidence from the industry that our ideas ... are being validated by the interest being shown," said Winegar. Spectrum and RMC continue to make strides toward future development, and the Freedom is a key element in that process. "It's a signal to the world that we're in the process of recovering," said Winegar. "We're learning from past experience. We'll be able to apply more knowledge to a more successful product." As the Freedom moves through the certification process, plans for a Spanish Fork production facility are already underway, with the goal of building 50-100 planes a year. "This is an exciting business with a lot of growth potential," said Simpson. "We have 150 employees now, and we're close to doubling again by next year." Larry Ashton summed everything by simply saying, "The future looks really great." Heather Campbell STAFF WRITER '" "would . offer parents approximately $2,000 , s (based on a tiered system) Residents were invited "ito be used tqward private to *k« the c«o«;ou Spanish n^t* F sc hool funding, should the Library last week to attend parent decide to use the a town meeting where state, f voucher. Meanwhile, the legislators Becky Lockhart, -public school would retain Michael Morely and Aaron (the leftover $5,500 that Tilton, along with Senator Vhad been allocated to that Madsen, came to discuss child's public education, why they were in support supposedly leaving the of the Utah Voucher bill, ; v school with one less well as answer questions student and extra money residents might have ; in hand. The bill even regarding the bill. ' _* fcgoes a step further and While residents .seemed T plans to reimburse schools to be divided when it came &for the $2,000 lost on the to their stance on the bill, V vouchers, out of a general the looming question iri i fund for the next five years. common seemed to be; why According to Tilton, the are Utah's public school voucher would, "empower teachers against a bill that' parents with the ability to claims to lower class sizes, make a choice to leave their and increase funding, child in a public setting or without raising taxes? with contributions made According to Tilton, by themselves, do private they estimate it costs funding." $7,500 to educate a child in Tilton says the idea the public school system., ,. behind it is not to pull people With Utah already in1 out of public school, but to dead-last when it comes help provide another option to dollars spent per child' when it comes to education. in education, and people, Legislators hope that by already feeling the burden taking advantage of the of hefty education taxes, voucher program, the end the voucher program, result will put more money according to Tilton, "has and less students in the been created as a means to classroom. fund a significant expense But public school that couldn't otherwise be teachers at Thursday's done without raising taxes meeting strongly disagreed. or dropping spending." Teachers argued that while The voucher program everything looks good on paper, the voucher program is full of loopholes and makes too many assumptions. For example, the $5,500 left over from a student who chooses to use the voucher, and "It's not going to work for everyone and change the world, but it will work for some. — Mike Morley leaves the public setting, is given to the State Board of Education. The state board will administer the funds and it is up to them how those funds will be allocated. Teachers fear that money intended to reduce class sizes and increase per-student spending will be used on other things. The question of accreditation was another big topic as teachers wondered how private education would be monitored by the state, when those schools are not held to the same standards as those in the public sector. Teachers also argued that low income families, who cannotmakeupjnedifference, will not benem from the bill, and say that private schools do not generally accept those with behavioral problems or disabilities. * Parents in attendance seemed -to1, have many questions regarding the subjectof vouchers, and while some seemed supportive of any effort to make changes to the education system, there were also concerns about how the State Board of Education, which they feel is already overwhelmed with the No Child Left Behind Act, would be able to take on more responsibility when it comes to the monitoring and allocation of funds for the voucher program. While the meeting seemed to resolve myths regarding the bill, many of the naysayers seemed unconvinced that the bill would do much to change Utah's education problems. Legislator Morely encouraged residents to read the bill in its entirety and defended the bill. He said that when it comes to education, "I don't think this will solve all of the problems. In fact it will probably only be a blip on the screen. It's not going to work for everyone and change the world, but it will work for some." Woodland Hills candidates: One example, said ening each other," Johnson makes him the best candidate Hughes, is using money to said, "then Woodland Hills for the council position. build trails. will flourish." Johnson af"I strongly believe that "Trails are nice, but that firms that as a city council well-informed through volunteer work. She residents said, "We tried to instill our is extra money that we don't candidate, he is committed to hold the key to community children with strong values of have," she cautioned. Hughes promoting an ethic of civic progress," said Johnson. "My - public service, hard work and promises that as a council service by empowering resi- • willingness to draw residents member, she would include dents in the decision-making into city business and invite honesty." Hughes herself set the citizens in all her decision process and by fostering bet- them to share their unique ter communication between talents is a hallmark of my example by volunteering, making. and has served in such poThe message Hughes citizens and government leadership approach." sitions as PTA President, wants to send to voters is a leaders. Additionally, as a scientist, Neighborhood Watch Com- simple one: get out and vote. Johnson sees a press- Johnson brings an objective mittee member and Wood"If you don't vote," said ing need for a more specific and analytical approach to land Hills Day Committee Hughes, "you can't complain Woodland Hills General problem-solving. He has member. She also partici- about who is running your Plan, since the current plan, experience managing large pates in humanitarian work, city." he said, is so vague it can be groups of people — such as which most recently took interpreted to fit almost any the 25 in his lab group — and her on a trip to Africa. perspective. In developing large budgets; he is currently Jerry Johnson Jerry Johnson is aprofessor this plan, he thinks the col- overseeing a 2.1 millionThe biggest issue that Hughes believes Woodland of Biology at Brigham Young lective input of residents is dollar grant. Hills will face in the years to University. He earned his vital. He is in favor of hold"I am comfortable with bachelor's degree at the ing public meetings to get productive debate as a way come is financial difficulty. "How will we come up University of Utah, his people's input on what they of finding the best solutions with the money to pay for master's degree at BYU and would like to see in both to problems," said Johnson, roads, finish the firehouse his PhD at the University of undeveloped and already "and I am committed to developed parts of the city. making our city viable for andfinishthe park?" she said. Vermont. "There are things that need to Johnson has been ac- Perhaps most importantly, the long term, while still be addressed now: how will tively involved serving the Johnson wants to see proac- preserving the mountain we pay for things down the community in many ways, tive, rather than reactive, de- community aesthetic and road?" including previous service cisions. small-town friendliness that While she doesn't claim on the city council; serving "Issues of housing make Woodland Hills such a to have the answers to these as chair of the Parks, Trails density, zoning, etc. should great place to live," tough questions, Hughes and Recreation Committee; be decided long before Johnson's message to thinks that as a council coaching a variety of youth developers approach the city voters is to remember that, member, she can work sports teams; organizing the for permission to develop," although the community faces together with others to find annual trunk-or-treat; and he said. many important challenges, volunteering in the consolutions. As far as specific these challenges provide an "Any one person that struction of the community infrastructure ideas are opportunity to collectively thinks they have the answer center and firestation. He concerned, Johnson is willing shape the future of Woodland probably doesn't," she said. and his wife, Jill, have three to explore many different "> Hills. "As we pull the city together, sons, ages 11, nine and possibilities. "With strong leadership working together with people four. "There are some areas f. and a willingness to engage that aren't on the council, Woodland Hills, Johnson where clustered higher- residents in the decisionthat's when we will come up believes, faces several density housing surrounded making process," said with great ideas." city management and by open space could make Johnson, "we can maintain, Hughes sees the most infrastructure needs. sense, maybe for residents and even improve upon, immediate infrastructure He has many ideas for who wish to remain in the beautiful mountain need as the firehouse. She ways to find these revenue Woodland Hills, but can no community feel and smallwants the firemen in the sources, and said, "Simply longer tend to the burden of town environment that we area to be prepared and to raising taxes is not the so- caring for a large yard," said all cherish. I have the vision, have the resources they lution. Instead, we should Johnson. "I am also willing to work ethic and competence need when a fire breaks out. explore the possibility of explore a village center with to help Woodland Hills thrive She also wants to make sure public/private partnerships some modest commercials -.during this very important that the roads in the older and grants for some of our development, or civicj|£time in our community's parts of Woodland Hills are needs. There is also the pos- facilities, such as a library,^history." repaired. sibility of a modest commer- another fire station, another,4 D\ Hughes wants the citizens cial area with businesses to city park, etc." . £ Charles Spence . of Woodland Hills to know enhance our quality of life, But Johnson assures Charles Spence has been that she is on their side and and perhaps we could also residents, "I would back these married for 38 years to his will make sure that their" consolidate services with kinds of changes g onlyy if the wife, Marina. Spence and other small cities to save voices are heard. • •' li public supported them. The >ohis wife moved from Texas to "I don't Want taxes to money." role of city leaders should Utah in 1988, and have lived go up, and I know a lot In addition, Johnson said, be to bring innovative ideas in Woodland Hills for the of citizens don't either," the community must reach to the table and then allow past 11 years. The Spences, she said. "I will fight to out to one another as they residents to help make the. have three children (Joann, keep them down. We need participate in making these best decisions." -^Mitchell and Elizabeth) and to get back to, basics: fix decisions. Johnson believes that his", seven grandsons, what needs totie fixed, and "When we, as a commu- proven positive track record;' Spence is a graduate of leave the frills for the other nity, are willing to invest our of service and good decision-^ the University of Texascities." talents and time in strength- making in the community Pan American, where he From CANDIDATES • A l received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and History, with a Minor in Business. As an active member of the community, Spence has served as Planning Commission Chair and currently serves as a member of the City Council for Woodland Hills. Spence said that when it comes to principal issues facing Woodland Hills, he wears a "double-hat" in that he is also on the volunteer Fire Department. "Safety is always, in my mind, a forefront issue because of where we live, and the possibility of wildfires," said Spence. Spence said he would likeSpence said another main concern has to do with tax base. i "We have 350 homes, "he said, "and no commercial tax base." According to Spence, without that tax base, repairing roads and water lines with the cost of materials going up, is very difficult. "If it wasn't for the spirit of volunteerism," Spertce admitted," a lot of things wouldn't get done." Spence says he would like to see some of the flatland area be used for commercial businesses and feels the area would be great for doctors' offices, professional buildings, or a nice place for residents to re-locate homebased businesses that have outgrown their own homes. When it comes to the issue of growth, Spence said that he feels having an adequate water system is a must-have. According to Spence, a new development was approved last month and before the developer can sell a lot or build a home, he has to complete a major artery road in and out of Woodland Hills. "Along with that," Spence said, "the developer has to put in a new well and water storage tank." "That is a much needed thing," he said, and reminded residents of the problem with the well a few weeks ago, when the city was left without water. Spence feels his experience on the city council makes him a good candidate for re-election in that he is familiar with current issues and knows the history. "And I don't mind putting in extra hours," he said. "When the well situation went down, the Mayor made me responsible as incident commander. So I left my business for three days, and I can do that, because I am self employed." Spence said he doesn't mind mowing ' the roads himself and says he has spent many hours on the city tractor. "If I can do it without the city having to pay for it, all the better," he said. "Idon't Jnind getting my hands dirty."L;4% Sptfrice would like to tell voters, "I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the community we live in and this is a beautiful area. I feel that we are making some good progress, and I would really appreciate your vote allowing me to keep serving if that is your desire." *,, iiiiml |