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Show Uiail ricaanwuuiuiiuii 1521 E3900SSte 100 Salt Lake City UT 84124-1550 AN E D I T I O N OF PRIDE & PR Hie Spanish ForkJNews p VOL. 3 / NO. 39 JJ LLL O C A L L Y O W N E D A N D O P E R A T E D WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 50* SPANISH FORK, UTAH Doug Ford honored Jen Allen STAFF WRITER Namon Bills / Spanish Fork News ECLIPSE: The six-man a cappella group, Eclipse, had the crowd clapping and jamming at City Park Saturday, Sept. 20. Arts Council hosts 4th annual Harvest Moon Hurrah Namon Bills EDITOR According to organizers, volunteers and participants, this year's Harvest Moon Hurrah, held Saturday, Sept. 20 at City Park, was the biggest and best yet. The decision to move the event to September made for warmer weather and bigger crowds — and having the popular a cappella group Eclipse headline the entertainment helped too. Arts Council President Bjom Pendleton was in charge of the event. He said he felt like it was a success. "I was really pleased with it," Pendleton said. "I had a fun time myself and hope everyone else did too. I think it was our best one yet." Hundreds of people came out for the free activities and entertainment. Popular events this year included the balloon animals, pony rides and the giant mural. At the mural each child could choose a square to paint part of a larger image. Mareen Robinson, a See HARVEST • A8 Doug Ford was recognized in last week's Spanish Fork City Council meeting. Ford jokingly took a tiefromParks and Recreation Director Dale Robinson as he stood in front of the council to receive his award, and mentioned that Robinson was in trouble for not giving him adequate warning. The council then replied that had he been given the warning, he probably would have wanted to stay in the background and not receive his award. Robinson introduced the award as the Citizen Volunteer Award, which is presented by the Central Utah Recreation and Parks Association. Every year the association gathers a list of citizens from each city in Central Utah who put in parks and recreation volunteer time for their community, so that their efforts can be recognized . Ford has been a staple in the Parks and Recreation Committee in Spanish Fork for about a decade and is currently the acting chairman. Ford has spent tireless hours working, most notably, on what is now the Parks and Recreation master Plan for the City. This includes putting together committees and doing the foot work necessary. He and other committee members have spent hours and hours studying issues that affect the Master Plan. They have listened extensively to what citizens of Spanish Fork have to say about their desires for parks and recreational programs within their own community, and then presented ideas to the city council in regards to those facilities and programs. Working to raise funds for the Mountain Country Pavilion, near the Spanish Oaks Reservoir, Ford was able to create a fundraising committee that brought in $50,000 to help build the facility, the use of which was greatly appreciated during the Sky Spectacular. But Ford hasn't stopped there. As he went to enjoy the new pavilion and celebrate the festivities of the Sky Spectacular, Ford saw the need for more manpower in directing parking. Staying for several hours without being asked, Ford continued to help the citizens of Spanish Fork. For this, the city is appreciative. Robinson said, "The list goes on and on of contributions that Doug has made to help make this city a great place to live." SF denies ALA zone change Jen Allen STAFF WRITER FAN CLUB: One member of Eclipse sings to some of the bands smallest fans in what another band member called the "toddler mosh pit." Fish fry for Ghana held in Salem Samantha Beck STAFF WRITER The smell of baked and fried Alaskan halibut filled the air at Salem's Knoll Park on Sept. 15,2008. Along with the fish, there was pineapple, bananas, even strawberries — and a rare treat: peaches and cream. Following the main course, a variety of desserts opened up, including mousse cakes, pumpkin pie and two different types of cheesecake. A plate of this variety for only $10 was a steal. But this wasn't the only way the Loflin /Anaya Foundation had for raising money. Tables supporting jewelry and dresses were right against the long line of hungry people. Necklaces and bracelets were just a few of the simple, yet stunning accessories they had laid out. The dresses came in all sizes, colors, and designs. There were even a few skirts. Many families attended, using the meal as a family home evening experience. Aside from the delicious fish, many children took the opportunity to swim or row boats in the pond. When there wasn't enough room at the cement tables, many people went back to their car to grab a blanket or coat. But the uncovered ground didn't seem to bother some. Plates piled high, there was barely enough room for water cups and tartar sauce. The reason behind all this? To raise funds to help Ghana residents with their medical needs. In addition to the food, there was live entertainment, including a slide show of the recent visit to Ghana. Samantha Beck / Spanish Fork News FOR A GOOD CAUSE: As part of the fundraiser for residents of Ghana, native dresses and jewelry were on sale. Populated with neighbors of the American Leadership Academy, this week's city council was one to watch. The council had on their agenda several matters on which the attending public could voice their opinions. Only one matter drew in comments from all the citizens, however. In a past meeting, ALA requested a zoning change so that an outlying building west of their football field would be considered in accordance with city setback requirements. Neighbors of the school let the council know that they didn't think the zone change was warranted since the building, acting as a locker room, was built without proper permits. City Attorney Junior Baker reminded the council that they could deny the zone change and also leave the building as it is. No representatives from ALA were present at the meeting and the council unanimously voted denying the zone change. Other items passed during the evening included changing Spanish Fork City's requirements for site plan approval. This means that instead of grouping by zones, the city can now group by land use. City Planner Dave Anderson believes that this will set a higher standard by which the city approves site plans. All changes can be reviewed in pdf format through the city's web site on the Sept. 16, 2008 Agenda. Despite the nation's economic condition, the council approved a raise in the compensation of appointed city officials two percent. The only issue the council didn't agree on unanimously was the issue of Construction and Development Standards. Councilman Davis had reservations about passing the item, because he didn't feel that such narrow restrictions should be placed on streets within Spanish Fork City, while Councilman Nielsen saw the immediate benefit of citizens automatically slowing down on such streets. To close, the council passed an interlocal agreement with Utah County allowing the Utah County Fair to have a permanent home for the next 50 years here at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds. The agreement benefits both citizens of Spanish Fork as well as benefiting citizens of Utah County as a whole. The contract states that the county will donate the land they have purchased immediately east of the fairgrounds for the use of those events being held there, and also makes allowance for events other than the County Fair to be held at the Fair Grounds. |