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Show -N E W S- A10 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2008 Orton: From SERVICE • A6 In April of this year* Nelson Orton was able to travel to Valley Forge because of his award-winning essay for the Freedom Foundation. The Foundation helps youth learn about and promote patriotism in their own communities. After he returned home, Orton received a notice from the Freedom Foundation describing a "salute-a-vet" program they were carrying out at Valley Forge. "After I heard about that, I thought maybe it would be a good thing to do for veterans in my own neighborhood ," said Orton. Nelson decided he would light luminaires in the Spanish Fork Cemetery for Veteran's Day. Each luminary would have the name and division number of a veteran on it, and people could donate to purchase one for the veterans in their lives. He would donate the money earned to the children of fallen soldiers. Nelson went door to door in his neighborhood, asking people if they would like to donate $2 to get a luminary with a soldier's name on it. He stayed in his own immediate area, not wanting the project to get too big to handle. Rachelle Orton, Nelson's mother, said neither of them anticipated the kind of response they got. "Nelson was thinking it would nice to get maybe $50 that he could donate to the family of a fallen soldier," said Rachelle. "But then people have just been so supportive. We could not believe how generous they were, and how excited about the project. People were saying, *Oh, this is so wonderful to honor my brother,' or 'I love having a way to honor my father.' They were getting really emotional. And Nelson was able to raise over $200 because of this neighborhood's support." Nelson said, "My favorite part of the project was seeing the response from people I talked to. It was really amazing to see how much people wanted to honor our veterans." Nelson was able to find two families in the Utah County area to donate to. Both families lost a father in the war, and the money will go towards those families'Christmases. "It's exciting to be able to help two families, instead of one as we had expected," said Rachelle. With this section of Nelson's project complete, he will now turn his attention to the second part of the project, a patriotic assembly at Spanish Fork High, planned for May of next year. "It will be during Patriotic Week at school, and we'll probably have a patriotic singer, and the American Legion, things like that," says Nelson. "The Valley Forge Freedom Foundation encourages us to use our trip to affect others, and share what we have learned. I was the first one to participate from Spanish Fork High, so they are hoping that other kids can become interested in the program when they hear about my experiences." Rachelle says that the whole family — including Nelson's siblings, her parents, and a niece — has enjoyed getting involved in Nelson's project. "The younger siblings have a Civic Awareness club for 4-H, so they helped a lot too, with lighting the candles and filling the luminaires with sand. We had such a good time that we are considering doing it again next year, maybe just as a family project. It's just such a nice way to commemorate Veteran's Day," says Rachelle. Nelson will graduate from SFHS this Spring, after which he hopes to either run cross-country or be in the marching band at BYU. He wants to get an undergraduate degree in engineering and then a graduate degree in architecture. Remembering: From RONNIE • A6 had been identified by the contents of his wallet and his dog tags. Wood called the experience horrific. "It was absolutely the worst thing that's ever happened to me in my entire life," she said. The possibility of Ronnie's death was something they had always acknowledged, but never expected. 'The fear that we might not see him again was always there," she said. "But you always think, 'It won't happen to us.' We felt like he was invincible." At the funeral, top generals represented all branches of the military. Although Ronnie had served in the Army National Guard, he taught all branches of the military in courses at Camp Williams. It was estimated that he influenced the lives of 20,000 servicemen and women. "He was only 28 years old when he was killed," said Wood. "He had a really big career in a very short time." The funeral was held at Ronnie's alma mater, Cedar High School. He was buried in the Hurricane City Cemetery. En route to the cemetery, the citizens of Toquerville, La Verkin and Virgin lined the streets, shoulder to shoulder, holding American flags in Ronnie's honor. "It was the most overwhelming thing I've seen in my life," Wood said. Since that time, Wood said she and her husband continue to move forward. They find comfort in their belief that they will one day be reunited with their son, but the grief is always present. "People who haven't lost somebody close to them in a war don't understand. It's a different kind of loss than losing somebody in a different way," Wood said. "It's a grief that's with us every day — every minute — it never goes away." Despite their loss, she and her husband are proud of Ronnie and the service he gave, and they honor him by keeping his memory alive. That's why Jody Wood wears dog tags. She emphasized the importance of remembering all of America's fallen soldiers and the service they render. "I just hope that people will always remember our fallen soldiers — not just from this war but from all. ... [The soldiers] are always there to protect our freedoms," she said. "That's what [Ronnie] did best — he was always there to serve ... to be there for others." Spanish Fork Scouts at the News Covering what matters most SCOUTS AROUND TOWN: Members of Bear Den 1525 visited the News on Thursday, Nov. 13. Pictured are Brenden Willis, Spencer Rawle, Blake Davis, Tristan Brikhofer, Mather Taylor, Tanner Gordon, Alex Varela and Shay Beacham. Samantha Beck / Spanish Fork News Advice: From FINANCES • A l sentially gambling on the future: getting into debt for something they couldn't really afford now, but counting on the fact that home values would increase, wages would increase, and eventually they'd be able to pay. "The trouble is that the future is always uncertain," said VanAusdal. "Home values are going down now, and people's ability to pay for things is being taxed. So it's always better to look at your income now, and see what you can afford now, and don't spend more than you earn. A budget is a wonderful tool for seeing where you begin to take responsibility stand." In his years in the bank- for our own finances, until ing industry, VanAusdal we learn to spend what we said, he has seen many ups have and no more. There's nothing fancy about the and downs. "One of the keys to get- advice, but it will work for ting out of recessions is for everyone: get out of debt, people to keep their jobs, spend less than you earn. to keep working hard," he All these basic things can said. "And I feel strongly help us get our finances that the economy will not in order and weather these turn around until we all tough financial times." Spanish Fork: But big business isn't the only business being affected. Councilman Jens Nielsen Depot has recently moved speaking of the banking inthe project from the wait dustry and luxury item spendlist to active construction. ing, said, "High gas prices Councilman Rod Dart and difficulty getting loans confirmed this, saying, "As have had an overall coolfar as the North Park proj- ing effect on discretionary ect is concerned, yes, the spending. As a general rule, national economy and The I think people are spending Army Corps of Engineers less. They might have less wetland issue have held to spend, but even those who that up. I'm confident that have discretionary funds are it will happen — just not as spending less." fast as we would like." Nielsen is right, even Mayor Thomas, while citing his own cut back on excited about the news, said spending at convenience that they have heard from stores. the Army Corps of EngiCouncilman Richard neers several times that the Davis along with City project was a go without any Manager Dave Oyler and further action actually being City Accountant Kent able to be taken. Clark, also confirm this. From SF • A l Davis said that city is running very soundly. "We have prepared ourselves for this," Davis said. He continued to explain that after looking closely at the budget with Oyler and Clark, he felt more assured that SF City and its staff and departments had done all they needed to. "It's not a gloomy picture at all, we just need to watch our p's and q's, but if we're very wise with how we're doing this, we'll make it through," said Davis. Mayor Thomas believes that Spanish Fork is actually suffering more from a confidence crisis than an actual economic crisis. Talking about what citizens can do, he said, "I would say, be optimistic and look for the opportunities to serve and work harder. Don't stay at home with your blinds closed in fear. Get to work! There's opportunity all around us to serve." Councilmen Dart,Nielsen and Davis all agreed with a statement made last month by Councilman Wayne G. Andersen. He said, "We need to sit here and breathe for a while. I would like to reassure the city that Spanish Fork is very strong. Programs are intact, we have good people advising us, and revenues are monitored closely. Unlike others we haven't raised taxes or rates, we haven't based our soundness on growth and we're not living on what we don't have." commercial and industrial part of town is improving. New businesses are still coming to town. "Because we have availability for commercial growth, it puts us in a very good position," said Henderson. Salem's economy is projected to pick up within six months to a year. "I think it scares all of us," Henderson said, but "it will come back." Companies that work with the city are making economically wise changes. Waste Management has requested all garbage cans be left on one side of the street to save on the trucks' gas. The city council has been willing to help out citizens struggling with culinary water bills from the switch to P.I. and is working with the community to alleviate problems. "All the businesses are well-run," said Henderson. "What we're concerned about is people in the city struggling to pay bills." Salem: said. However, building permits are still being issued and the city's inframents. Henderson said that structure is prepared for an all city services are down upswing. The city council to the bare minimum, that has worked with contracthere will be no new hires tors unable to complete or raises, and no new taxes projects on deadline and from the city. has granted extensions unDespite the condition of til the economy improves the housing market, Hen- and the work will be costderson said slow growth efficient. This way, conhas continued in Salem, tractors will not lose the though of a different kind work they've done entirely, than usual. it will just be put on hold. Though residential "What we've seen is a lot of renters," Henderson growth has slowed, the From SALEM • A l Woodland Hills: to the basics of life" in his city council deliberations. in several aspects. Fisher His Parks, Trails, and would like to increase Recreation budget was alslightly the scope of work ways quite small, and he and in order to take advantage his committee are looking of the favorable market. He for external grants to cover would like to see the inte- any improvements in the rior of the building painted coming year. He still hopes and carpeted. But, in anoth- that a walking path along er sign of the complicated Woodland Hills Drive will economic times, the city becomes a reality as part still has its fingers crossed, of road improvements next awaiting the bill for the year. He said that he wants parking lot. The price of to see some way "to let the asphalt is so volatile that kids get off the roads." the contractor's surcharge Councilman Steve Cartfor the material, based on er said that the city's budactual costs, might eat into get for communications the contingency fund for was so small that he did finishing the building. not expect any reductions. Jerry Johnson said that Residents can still expect the budgetary pressures to see information inserts caused him to "subordi- mailed with the water bills, nate quality of life issues and the city website will From WH • A l •4 continue and perhaps imJohnson pointed out prove. that one reason the city The problem that has not seen a decrease plagues city financial plan- in gasoline tax revenue is ning is how to keep the tax that it has taken responburden on property owners sibility for more roads in low while still maintaining lightly populated subdiservices and infrastructure. visions within the city. Facing up to the abrupt de- That's good for revenue, cline in impact fees led to a but it represents yet anhefty tax raise for the sec- other deferred mainteond straight year. The rate nance cost for a city that is the highest in the county, defers repairs on older but it should keep the city roads until they crumble. operating budget constant. Fisher and Johnson Still, the mayor worries agree that infrastructure about shortfalls. Stressed repair and replacement owners might not pay their are essential, but their taxes,property assessments guesses about actual costs might be recomputed and and necessary tax rates are result in less revenue, and not quite in synchrony. A income from the state, compromise lies somebased on sales tax and gas- where in that vague terrioline sales, might fall even tory between one man's lower than the current pro- "minimum necessary" and jections indicate. another's "gold-plating." |