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Show 1 Guardian of Your Community News A8 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2009 Mapleton debuts new police cars Christy Hardman STAFF WRITER The Mapleton Police Department debuted their new patrol cars in the Mapleton City parade on July 24,2009. The police department purchased three black 2007 Chargers, one of which is unmarked, to replace vehicles that had over 100,000 miles on them. Officer Warner who will have use of one of the new Chargers, said that they are more economical due to better mileage in the V6 engines than their old vehicles. "Now we don't have to worry about the officers getting into their vehicles that won't start or lights that won't go on," said police chief Dean Pettersson. The purchase of new vehicles has been under discussion for some time in the department. The cars were turned in to Ken Garff from another police department, and officer Jeremy Christensen, who was doing some research on new cars, became aware of them, and approached Chief Pettersson about the purchase. The cars were police vehicles before Mapleton City bought them, so they are already mostly equipped Amy Connelly STAFF WRITER Christy Hardman/ The Sentinel NEW WHEELS: Officer Warner shown here in front of his new patrol car, which was debuted at the July 24 parade. with the necessary gadgets that allowed them to be out on route with the officers almost immediately. Pettersson said the purchase has boosted moral in the department, and the "guys are really excited." The city will pay $1000 this year, but because of a grant that came through "surprisingly easily," according to Chief Pettersson, they will save close to $25,000 by the time they're paid off. Pettersson said the main thing he is pleased about with the purchase was how much money they saved the community, and he's proud of the new logo designed by one of his own officers Jeremy Christensen and his wife, Lindsay. The cars wore their new logo at the parade. Pettersson said when the officers are able to take their cars home, they take a lot more pride in their vehicles. It gives them ownership, and they take better care of them. Pettersson said this is just one more way that the Mapleton City police department takes pride in their work and the small town they serve. He said he has chosen every officer on his team to fit the slower pace and friendly atmosphere of the bedroom community. He has a total of eight officers on the force, and as he said, "a very supportive mayor and city council." 'Tve passed up more experienced officers for those who want to be here," Pettersson said. "I've found those who want to be involved in this kind of community take a lot more pride in their job, and everyone benefits." Windmills REPLACEMENT PARTS: Crews delivered three new blades for Spanish Fork's wind turbines on Friday, Aug. 7. Three more were scheduled to come on Saturday. The project is a one-time retrofit to strengthen the turbines, according to Brandy Cooper, lead quality technician. Each blade replacement takes approximately one day. The blades are over 100 feet in length. Dana Robinson / The Sentinel SF City Council debates issues Jen Allen STAFF W R I T E R This weeks city council meeting was chuck full of scouts earning a merit badge as they listened to Mayor Joe Thomas and the rest of council debate several issues. The first big issue on the table was a proposed change to the zoning map. The proposal suggested that the purpose was for publicly owned properties to provide a various different locations in Spanish Fork. Most of the publicly owned properties across town were zoned according to their usage and location. The change would allow for all these properties to be zoned the same as their usage was similar. Additionally it was requested that American Leadership Academy be a part of the zoning change since it, as a charter school, is also a publicly owned property. Councilman Davis and Andersen had some strong disagreements about ALA being grouped in with Youth meet with Salem City Council the rest of the city owned properties. The council decided to approve the zoning map amendment with the exclusion of ALA. The council then listened to a request to change the preliminary plat map for Friar's Pointe. The property located at 200 east and 1000 north was a commercial 2 zone. The applicant asked the council to change the property from one parcel into three parcels so that a deal with prospective tenants for a portion of the property could be worked out. The council approved the request after hearing from neighbors to the south who were enthusiastic about the changes. The next applicant, Jerry Pidcock, was requesting a zone change for a property that he owns. Pidcock, who was so certain that the city would approve the zone change, went forward with his plans for the lot by digging a hole and placing up to 90 percent of the footings before the council had even addressed his request. The council jokingly mentioned that tabling thVitem would certainly cause Pidcock some grief. Since the surrounding lots were zoned similar to the one Pidcock requested, the council granted the change. A long and numerous series of changes were put before the council in regard to the Title 15. All submitted changes can be viewed on the city's website under the Public Meetings and City Council Agendas and Minutes. The Agenda to reference for such changes is Aug. 4. Maple Mountain High School's Assistant Principle Rashel Tingey addressed the council about having a Spanish Fork Police Officer on MMHS campus to help the school with presence but to also help teach law enforcement courses. Tingey mentioned that this year the school is thankful for the part time help that SFPD is providing and she hopes that next year they will be able to enjoy a full time presence and will glad be able to contribute to the budget that would require. Dave Lewis, ALA's Head Football Coach also came before the council to request that 1100 south bear the name "Eagle Parkway" as is the tradition among many Utah County schools. The council granted permission and ALA will pay for the addition to the signs. Finally the council heard from Cam Das about the success of the annual Festival of Colors celebration. Das told the council that he tried a new system during Llama Fest and found it to be a success. However, he was hoping to work with the city so that the larger celebration, the Festival of Colors, could also be a parking success. Mayor Joe Thomas thanked Das for his presentation and the information he gave them and referred Das to City Parks and Recreation Director as well as the City Special Events Planners. Das noted that the celebration here is the largest celebration in the world and many others watch via the web. ciate what you're doing, not just with Salem Days." The council then apThe Salem City Council proved the purchase of new met on Wednesday, Aug. 5 playground equipment for at 11 a.m. instead of their Salem. The playground is normal time of 7 p.m., so being purchased from the the meeting would not in- money earned from renting terfere with the events for out the ballpark. Salem Days that evening. The council approved The Daley family ap- the minutes from the July proached the council to 15, 2009 council meeting, have a discussion on build- and they approved the bills ing a home in Salem. They for payment. had previously owned a During the open discushome in Salem, but personal sion, the council heard from reasons had forced them to two young men, Brandon sell the home and move to Lemon and Josh Lemon, Spanish Fork. The Daleys regarding their proposed own a plot of land in Salem. liable Scout projects. adjacent to their previous Brandon Lemon dishome, and they asked the cussed with the council his council if they could build plan to make Salem a "Tree on that land. City USA." With regards to the reHis project would inquest, Mayor Henderson clude receiving approval said, "It looks like there are from the Arbor Foundation some legal issues that need to have Salem be a "Tree tovbe dealt with ... I under- City USA." Once the apstand the situation, having proval is received, the city been on the council the first would receive signs for the time this was proposed." entrances of the city, disThe council discussed playing this recognition. the issue of determining Brandon Lemon said, whether or not their previ- "Spanish Fork, Payson and ous home is in a subdivi- Springville have all received sion, and the need to deter- this recognition. Salem city mine the dates and informa- should also become a "Tree tion regarding the matter. City USA.1' The council moved to table He also proposed plantthe action pending review ing more trees where they of the dates and informa- would be needed, and he tion. plans to get donations and The council then heard sponsors for the trees. a report from the Youth Josh Lemon discussed Council. The Youth Council his plan to create a path for presented their plans for the fishers at the north end of duration of Salem Days. The Salem pond where there is Council will march in the a fishing spot that is hard to Children's Parade on Friday reach. and will provide treat bags "I have had to hold on to for all the children involved. the fence to get down there," They will then assist with remarked Josh Lemon. the Salem City breakfast on His plan also included Saturday, and then the coun- receiving local donations cil will ride on their float in and sponsors for the materithe Salem Days Parade. Fol- als needed to create the path. lowing the parade, the coun- The council also suggested cil will run twelve booths that he might inquire about in the ballpark to help keep receiving assistance from children entertained. Some UDOT and the Dedicated of their booths include a Hunters and Sportsmen. basketball toss, a dinosaur The council approved toss, a duck pond, a ring toss both projects and were and soccer. The council cre- impressed with the young ated all of their game ideas men's plans. this year, to help cut costs Henderson said, "I like for the city. what these boys are doing. Henderson offered his They are not just re-doing gratitude to the council by what has already been done saying, "Please let everyone ... This goes above and beknow how much we appre- yond." Hereth: From SOLDIER • A l Eddie had never received. "My mother had kept those letters unopened until just recently, when we opened and read them," Rick said. "That was a pretty emotional experience." Years later, after Hereth was grown and married with a family of his own, he moved to Spanish Fork. Six years ago, his mother joined them. "I had been thinking for some time that it would be nice to have a memorial for my father," Rick said. "My mom had never gotten a flag or been able to have a service for him, but I didn't really know how to make it happen." Then, this last Father's Day, Rick's son-in-law, who is a Marine, brought a friend over to Hereth's house. Jhe friend was Terry Bishop, an army veteran who spent some time look- ing at Eddie's pictures and military medals, including his Purple Heart. "I mentioned that my father had never had a memorial service," said Rick, "and he said, 'Let's do it.'" Bishop made the arrangements and the service took place on last week at Camp Williams. Rick said that after all these years, it feels good to have some closure on his father's death. "I would hear people talk about mourning and closure, and I didn't really know what that would be like," Rick said."*Tm learning now more what that means." Eddie now has a plaque and a marker at Camp Williams. "I'm just so happy that now we have a place to visit on Memorial Day, a place to take my children to remember their grandpa," said Rick. 'We've never had that before, and we're so grateful that it finally happened." |