Saratoga volunteers honored
Lance Madigan - North county staff
What can a city do when they have land set aside for a park, but no money for development?
Cash-strapped Saratoga Springs faced this problem as residents clamored to have their promised parks finished, yet budget cuts forced completion of the parks to be pushed way down on the priority list.
Having had many citizens say they would volunteer to help, the City Council and Mayor Tim Parker asked the administration to investigate the possibility of having a citizen corp do at least some work in the parks.
The idea was hardly new, but is often overlooked because of concerns about liability for workers as well as having volunteers with more enthusiasm than skill sets -- thereby causing a city more work and cost when they have to fix something that wasn't put in correctly in the first place.
However, with some careful management and creativity, Mark Edwards, Saratoga Springs public works director, reported to the City Council on Dec. 9 that both the Saratoga Hills and Dalmore Meadows parks were completed this year.
"Lot of residents came together to help with Saratoga Hills and Dalmore Meadows parks," Edwards said. "Three Eagle Scouts were very instrumental in this, along with the [Harvest Hills Fourth Ward] Young Women's group and lots of unnamed people that come out. All together hundreds of volunteers helped out."
The three Eagle Scouts included Joshua Anderson and Parker Jones (Troop 1059) and Derek Bayles (Troop 180). Each of these boys worked with Edwards and another volunteer, Cecil Tuley, to get volunteers out and coordinate their efforts.
"So the city didn't have the money to finish the parks, but said that if they had volunteers that they would supply the materials," said Jones, age 15. "So I volunteered to do the trees because I live near the park."
Jones said his group put in 48 trees of different varieties throughout the Saratoga Hills Park. It took the more than 60 volunteers about four hours, but everyone was excited by the results.
"I organized laying of sod for Saratoga Hills," said Anderson, age 16. Anderson said they laid more than 82,000 square feet of sod. "I coordinated with Mark Edwards and Cecil Tuley, planning and getting out fliers. We had about 150 volunteers -- not all at once, but over time during the day."
Bayles, age 16, said his group planted 21 trees throughout the Dalmore Meadows. "We had over 40 people there," Bayles said. "There were from around my neighborhoods, some friends, and some from Dalmore Meadows. We also had a few from the city, like the Fire Department and the parks guys."
In all, Edwards explained that the volunteers saved the city more than $22,000. "It is a pity we can't honor everyone that showed up."
The mayor and City Council, however, were suitably impressed. "I think it is very commendable that people want to get out and contribute to their city," said Jefferson Moss, council member.
"We often hear nothing but the negative of qualities of the youth in this county," said Brent Call, council member. "And then I see you."
"It is neat to see during difficult budget times people contribute," added Denise Kelly, council member. "It builds a sense of community. You helped build something, all of you that contributed. You have buy-in to your community and to our city."
Mia Love, a council member that lives in the area of the park, said, "I would like to publicly thank the City Council members that spearheaded this, and wanted to get as many volunteers as possible. The council is so incredibly diverse, and come up with things you wouldn't normally think about."
Everyone expressed their appreciation to the volunteers and city staff for working together to accomplish these great benefits for the city.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Community service, not jail, for mother in negligent homicide case
Community service, not jail, for mother in negligent homicide case
By Sara Israelsen-Hartley
Deseret News
Published: December 17, 2008
PROVO — Inside her Saratoga Springs home, mother Regina Tausinga told the judge she has two pictures of 4-year-old Cooper Mardesich to remind herself and her son to make better decisions.
"I just want to apologize to the court, my family and friends and to the Mardesich family for the decisions I made that led up to this," Tausinga said through her tears. "Ted and Sharon (Mardesich) gave us a gift we can never repay. They forgave my son. I will try every day to be worthy of that gift."
Tausinga, 40, pleaded no contest Wednesday to a class A misdemeanor of negligent homicide and guilty to a class C misdemeanor of allowing her unlicensed 15-year-old son to drive — a decision that cost Cooper his life.
Cooper had been riding his bike in his Saratoga Springs neighborhood with his mother, Sharon, on Aug. 21, as they dropped another sibling off at the bus stop.
Tausinga's son, who was driving the family van, failed to see Cooper after the bus pulled away and struck him with the vehicle.
Cooper was flown to Primary Children's Medical Center where he later died.
The agreement was that Tausinga would serve no time in jail, but give 185 hours of community service and spend one year on court probation.
That was agreeable to the Mardesich family, who said they did not want their neighbor to go to jail, deputy Utah County attorney Guy Probert said.
"It had been such a tragedy for both families, enough harm had been done," Probert said. "(They knew) nobody would benefit from her going to jail."
Tausinga's son previously pleaded no contest to negligent homicide and was ordered by a juvenile court judge to also perform 185 hours of community service.
The story, though tragic, has developed an incredible overtone of forgiveness.
"Since this, the Tausinga and Mardesich families have become quite close," said defense attorney Stephen Frazier. "I haven't seen this before (where families) have come together over a tragedy like this."
Frazier said the families' bonding has helped with both of their healing processes.
"They are our friends," Ted Mardesich told Judge Lynn Davis, and called the accident an "error" and nothing malicious.
Rather than send Tausinga's case for a pre-sentence review, as is common with most class A misdemeanors, especially where a death is involved, both sides wanted the sentencing immediately.
Restitution will be settled within the next 60 days, as the Mardesich's are still receiving hospital bills related to Cooper's stay, Probert said.
"This is another amazing story, in my estimation, as it relates to the gift of forgiveness," Davis said.
By Sara Israelsen-Hartley
Deseret News
Published: December 17, 2008
PROVO — Inside her Saratoga Springs home, mother Regina Tausinga told the judge she has two pictures of 4-year-old Cooper Mardesich to remind herself and her son to make better decisions.
"I just want to apologize to the court, my family and friends and to the Mardesich family for the decisions I made that led up to this," Tausinga said through her tears. "Ted and Sharon (Mardesich) gave us a gift we can never repay. They forgave my son. I will try every day to be worthy of that gift."
Tausinga, 40, pleaded no contest Wednesday to a class A misdemeanor of negligent homicide and guilty to a class C misdemeanor of allowing her unlicensed 15-year-old son to drive — a decision that cost Cooper his life.
Cooper had been riding his bike in his Saratoga Springs neighborhood with his mother, Sharon, on Aug. 21, as they dropped another sibling off at the bus stop.
Tausinga's son, who was driving the family van, failed to see Cooper after the bus pulled away and struck him with the vehicle.
Cooper was flown to Primary Children's Medical Center where he later died.
The agreement was that Tausinga would serve no time in jail, but give 185 hours of community service and spend one year on court probation.
That was agreeable to the Mardesich family, who said they did not want their neighbor to go to jail, deputy Utah County attorney Guy Probert said.
"It had been such a tragedy for both families, enough harm had been done," Probert said. "(They knew) nobody would benefit from her going to jail."
Tausinga's son previously pleaded no contest to negligent homicide and was ordered by a juvenile court judge to also perform 185 hours of community service.
The story, though tragic, has developed an incredible overtone of forgiveness.
"Since this, the Tausinga and Mardesich families have become quite close," said defense attorney Stephen Frazier. "I haven't seen this before (where families) have come together over a tragedy like this."
Frazier said the families' bonding has helped with both of their healing processes.
"They are our friends," Ted Mardesich told Judge Lynn Davis, and called the accident an "error" and nothing malicious.
Rather than send Tausinga's case for a pre-sentence review, as is common with most class A misdemeanors, especially where a death is involved, both sides wanted the sentencing immediately.
Restitution will be settled within the next 60 days, as the Mardesich's are still receiving hospital bills related to Cooper's stay, Probert said.
"This is another amazing story, in my estimation, as it relates to the gift of forgiveness," Davis said.
S.S. woman pleads no contest to negligent homicide
S.S. woman pleads no contest to negligent homicide
Janice Peterson - Daily Herald
A Saratoga Springs woman charged in the accidental death of a 4-year-old boy entered a plea agreement Wednesday in which she will not be required to serve jail time.
Regina Tausinga’s misdemeanor charges, which include negligent homicide, not having insurance and permitting an unlicensed driver to operate a motor vehicle, stem from an August accident in which her unlicensed teenage son struck and killed 4-year-old Cooper Mardesich.
Tausinga pleaded no contest to negligent homicide and guilty to permitting an unlicensed driver to operate a motor vehicle, while the charge of not having insurance was dismissed. She was also sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation and 185 hours of community service.
“I just want to apologize to the court, my family and friends, the Mardesich family, for the decisions I made that led up to this,” Tausinga said.
Tausinga told the court she now keeps two pictures of Cooper Mardesich in her home as a reminder to make good decisions and to be good people. The Mardesich family has given her a gift she can never repay - their forgiveness for her son. Every day, Tausinga said, she tries to earn their gift of forgiveness.
“We’ll be sorry forever,” she said.
The Mardesich family was in court to support Tausinga and was a part of the process, attorneys said. They spoke before Judge Lynn Davis, saying they are friends with the Tausinga family and do not wish to punish them for the accident.
“We don’t seek any kind of restitution,” said Ted Mardesich. “That’s really not necessary in our eyes.”
Judge Davis said he would reluctantly accept the motions from both sides to continue with sentencing Wednesday as well. Davis said he felt he had been left out of the loop, as he did not know the boy’s name, age or the circumstances in the case.
“I know nothing as it relates to the death of the small boy,” he said.
Davis also questioned the assertion that Tausinga had taken responsibility for the crime and should not serve jail time. A no contest plea, he said, was not the same as taking responsibility. However, prosecutor Guy Probert said Tausinga had pleaded guilty to the charge of allowing her son to drive the car, which was the catalyst in the event.
Defense attorney Stephen Frazier said Tausinga was not the one driving the car, and he believes the case could be defended well in court. However, he said his client feels horribly about the incident and wanted to resolve the case in order to help both families heal.
“It’s been difficult on both families, certainly the Mardesich family also,” he said.
Janice Peterson - Daily Herald
A Saratoga Springs woman charged in the accidental death of a 4-year-old boy entered a plea agreement Wednesday in which she will not be required to serve jail time.
Regina Tausinga’s misdemeanor charges, which include negligent homicide, not having insurance and permitting an unlicensed driver to operate a motor vehicle, stem from an August accident in which her unlicensed teenage son struck and killed 4-year-old Cooper Mardesich.
Tausinga pleaded no contest to negligent homicide and guilty to permitting an unlicensed driver to operate a motor vehicle, while the charge of not having insurance was dismissed. She was also sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation and 185 hours of community service.
“I just want to apologize to the court, my family and friends, the Mardesich family, for the decisions I made that led up to this,” Tausinga said.
Tausinga told the court she now keeps two pictures of Cooper Mardesich in her home as a reminder to make good decisions and to be good people. The Mardesich family has given her a gift she can never repay - their forgiveness for her son. Every day, Tausinga said, she tries to earn their gift of forgiveness.
“We’ll be sorry forever,” she said.
The Mardesich family was in court to support Tausinga and was a part of the process, attorneys said. They spoke before Judge Lynn Davis, saying they are friends with the Tausinga family and do not wish to punish them for the accident.
“We don’t seek any kind of restitution,” said Ted Mardesich. “That’s really not necessary in our eyes.”
Judge Davis said he would reluctantly accept the motions from both sides to continue with sentencing Wednesday as well. Davis said he felt he had been left out of the loop, as he did not know the boy’s name, age or the circumstances in the case.
“I know nothing as it relates to the death of the small boy,” he said.
Davis also questioned the assertion that Tausinga had taken responsibility for the crime and should not serve jail time. A no contest plea, he said, was not the same as taking responsibility. However, prosecutor Guy Probert said Tausinga had pleaded guilty to the charge of allowing her son to drive the car, which was the catalyst in the event.
Defense attorney Stephen Frazier said Tausinga was not the one driving the car, and he believes the case could be defended well in court. However, he said his client feels horribly about the incident and wanted to resolve the case in order to help both families heal.
“It’s been difficult on both families, certainly the Mardesich family also,” he said.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Weather slows motorists across Wasatch Front
Weather slows motorists across Wasatch Front
By Ethan Thomas and Sara Israelsen-Hartley
Deseret News
Published: December 16, 2008
Winter weather stormed through the state Tuesday and although it slowed traffic down, accidents seemed to be under control throughout the snowy morning.
The Utah Highway Patrol estimated a manageable 50 to 55 accidents on the freeway throughout Salt Lake and Utah counties Tuesday morning.
"We have not had anywhere near as many as we did in our last storm," Utah Highway Patrol trooper Cameron Roden said. "They have come in spurts when the snow hits."
Roden said the snow plows were out in full force throughout the morning and the roads seemed to be fairly clear during the morning commute.
The Davis County Sheriff's Office also saw a limited amount of incidents. They said they had received calls on about 20 accidents or slide-offs throughout the morning.
"There were a lot of delays but it is good because we know people are slowing down," Roden said.
Drivers were cautious in Utah County with just over 50 accidents across the county from around 6 a.m. till noon, and nearly all of them were non-injury accidents.
Provo led the way with nine property damage accidents and three personal injury accidents, as drivers slipped and slid their way to work early Tuesday.
Orem had around 10 minor accidents and American Fork logged in four. However, other cities like Alpine and Highland had extremely cautious residents and zero accidents. Lehi and Pleasant Grove each had one accident, dispatchers said.
"It's been amazing," said Pleasant Grove dispatcher Judy Schow. "I don't know if everybody took notes last week or something, but they've been going really slow. Maybe last week they learned."
Drivers in Saratoga Springs had an extra level of difficulty, trying to maneuver construction along Redwood Road which extends from Camp Williams at the county line to 400 South.
Saratoga Springs Police Sgt. Kerry Cole said one of their three accidents involved a couple whose car slid off Redwood Road and ended up in a deep hole.
"(They) weren't hurt," Cole said. "But their car was sticking up in the air. They were very lucky."
He said they're still trying to determine if the hole is a drainage hole or the future home of some pipes, but they believe it is construction-related.
"It makes it a little frustrating because of course people are watching for the cones and with the slick roads and conditions, (construction) makes it a little more daring," Cole said. "But everyone seemed to do quite well."
By mid-day the commute was still dragging as I-15 from 3500 South to 7200 South became an ice rink when a snow squall set up over the freeway, dumping as much as two inches of snow on the road. The parts that weren't snow packed were iced over, triggering accidents northbound at 4500 South and near 7200 South.
A semitrailer carrying two trailers got stuck in the snow in the middle of the freeway, its tires spinning madly. Traffic southbound ground to a halt with drivers cutting each other off as they tried to go south on the freeway or over to I-215 westbound, which was also snow-packed.
By Ethan Thomas and Sara Israelsen-Hartley
Deseret News
Published: December 16, 2008
Winter weather stormed through the state Tuesday and although it slowed traffic down, accidents seemed to be under control throughout the snowy morning.
The Utah Highway Patrol estimated a manageable 50 to 55 accidents on the freeway throughout Salt Lake and Utah counties Tuesday morning.
"We have not had anywhere near as many as we did in our last storm," Utah Highway Patrol trooper Cameron Roden said. "They have come in spurts when the snow hits."
Roden said the snow plows were out in full force throughout the morning and the roads seemed to be fairly clear during the morning commute.
The Davis County Sheriff's Office also saw a limited amount of incidents. They said they had received calls on about 20 accidents or slide-offs throughout the morning.
"There were a lot of delays but it is good because we know people are slowing down," Roden said.
Drivers were cautious in Utah County with just over 50 accidents across the county from around 6 a.m. till noon, and nearly all of them were non-injury accidents.
Provo led the way with nine property damage accidents and three personal injury accidents, as drivers slipped and slid their way to work early Tuesday.
Orem had around 10 minor accidents and American Fork logged in four. However, other cities like Alpine and Highland had extremely cautious residents and zero accidents. Lehi and Pleasant Grove each had one accident, dispatchers said.
"It's been amazing," said Pleasant Grove dispatcher Judy Schow. "I don't know if everybody took notes last week or something, but they've been going really slow. Maybe last week they learned."
Drivers in Saratoga Springs had an extra level of difficulty, trying to maneuver construction along Redwood Road which extends from Camp Williams at the county line to 400 South.
Saratoga Springs Police Sgt. Kerry Cole said one of their three accidents involved a couple whose car slid off Redwood Road and ended up in a deep hole.
"(They) weren't hurt," Cole said. "But their car was sticking up in the air. They were very lucky."
He said they're still trying to determine if the hole is a drainage hole or the future home of some pipes, but they believe it is construction-related.
"It makes it a little frustrating because of course people are watching for the cones and with the slick roads and conditions, (construction) makes it a little more daring," Cole said. "But everyone seemed to do quite well."
By mid-day the commute was still dragging as I-15 from 3500 South to 7200 South became an ice rink when a snow squall set up over the freeway, dumping as much as two inches of snow on the road. The parts that weren't snow packed were iced over, triggering accidents northbound at 4500 South and near 7200 South.
A semitrailer carrying two trailers got stuck in the snow in the middle of the freeway, its tires spinning madly. Traffic southbound ground to a halt with drivers cutting each other off as they tried to go south on the freeway or over to I-215 westbound, which was also snow-packed.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Resolution close for mom charged in negligent homicide case
Resolution close for mom charged in negligent homicide case
By Sara Israelsen-Hartley
Deseret News
Published: December 11, 2008
PROVO — Attorneys say they are working toward a resolution in the case of a mother charged with negligent homicide when her 15-year-old son hit and killed a toddler riding his bike.
Regina Tausinga, of Saratoga Springs, was in 4th District Court with a group of family and friends Wednesday when her attorney, Nyal Bodily, told court the state had recently made an offer. Prosecutor Guy Probert confirmed an offer was made Wednesday.
"We're considering the details, we'd like to set it for entry of plea in a week," Bodily told Judge Lynn Davis.
Tausinga was charged with misdemeanors of negligent homicide, allowing an unlicensed driver to drive and no proof of insurance.
On Aug. 21, Cooper Mardesich, 4, had gone with his mother to drop a sibling off at the nearby bus stop and was riding his bike around the Saratoga Springs neighborhood. After the bus pulled away, Tausinga's son pulled out in the van and failed to see Cooper on his bike, hitting him.
Other neighbors at the bus stop performed CPR on Cooper until paramedics arrived and flew him to Primary Children's Medical Center, where he later died.
Tausinga's son was charged similarly to his mother, but resolved his case in juvenile court in November, pleading no contest to negligent homicide.
Two other misdemeanors, similar to those his mom faces, were dismissed.
The judge ordered that the boy serve 185 hours of community service, said his attorney, Greg Skordas.
Despite the tragic nature of the case, the Mardesich family has continued to stay supportive of the Tausingas, as evidenced by the mothers sitting side by side in court Wednesday.
"It would be a much harder case if there was a lot of animosity," Bodily said. "I could see things going differently if it were hateful."
But there has never been anything but support, all the attorneys say.
"They have been very kind and very understanding of the (Tausinga's) situation," Probert said of the Mardesich family. "I think everybody would probably agree this is a chain of most unfortunate events."
Tausinga will be in court again Dec. 17.
By Sara Israelsen-Hartley
Deseret News
Published: December 11, 2008
PROVO — Attorneys say they are working toward a resolution in the case of a mother charged with negligent homicide when her 15-year-old son hit and killed a toddler riding his bike.
Regina Tausinga, of Saratoga Springs, was in 4th District Court with a group of family and friends Wednesday when her attorney, Nyal Bodily, told court the state had recently made an offer. Prosecutor Guy Probert confirmed an offer was made Wednesday.
"We're considering the details, we'd like to set it for entry of plea in a week," Bodily told Judge Lynn Davis.
Tausinga was charged with misdemeanors of negligent homicide, allowing an unlicensed driver to drive and no proof of insurance.
On Aug. 21, Cooper Mardesich, 4, had gone with his mother to drop a sibling off at the nearby bus stop and was riding his bike around the Saratoga Springs neighborhood. After the bus pulled away, Tausinga's son pulled out in the van and failed to see Cooper on his bike, hitting him.
Other neighbors at the bus stop performed CPR on Cooper until paramedics arrived and flew him to Primary Children's Medical Center, where he later died.
Tausinga's son was charged similarly to his mother, but resolved his case in juvenile court in November, pleading no contest to negligent homicide.
Two other misdemeanors, similar to those his mom faces, were dismissed.
The judge ordered that the boy serve 185 hours of community service, said his attorney, Greg Skordas.
Despite the tragic nature of the case, the Mardesich family has continued to stay supportive of the Tausingas, as evidenced by the mothers sitting side by side in court Wednesday.
"It would be a much harder case if there was a lot of animosity," Bodily said. "I could see things going differently if it were hateful."
But there has never been anything but support, all the attorneys say.
"They have been very kind and very understanding of the (Tausinga's) situation," Probert said of the Mardesich family. "I think everybody would probably agree this is a chain of most unfortunate events."
Tausinga will be in court again Dec. 17.
Cyberspace: Councilman blogs the good and bad
I posted this because it mentions this blog.
Cyberspace: Councilman blogs the good and bad
DAILY HERALD
Eagle Mountain resident keeps public informed of city government doings on his Web site
Caleb Warnock
Looking for the good, the bad, and the ugly in Eagle Mountain? One councilman here has a blog for you.
Over the past three years, www.DavidLifferth.com, owned by City Councilman David Lifferth, has drawn nearly 300,000 page views from 84 countries by tracking all things Eagle Mountain.
Lifferth is hoping more elected officials will follow his lead into cyberspace.
"People just like someone who is going to be open about government," he said. "If I was not on the Council, I would want someone who was in the know to blog and talk about things."
"This blogging that I have done consistently for four years now has forced me to read, understand and explain the good, the bad and the ugly here in Eagle Mountain," Lifferth wrote in a recent e-mail to his fans. "I have been praised for my openness and candor while at the same time I have been threatened with a half dozen lawsuits for my openness. This openness and candor caused the readership of my blog to become massive."
Lifferth said his site "has frequently been the most read Web site in all of Eagle Mountain and surrounding areas. My Web site frequently had more page views than Eagle Mountain City's site, the local newspaper sites covering Eagle Mountain, blog and forum sites, and any of the developers' sites."
All this attention is one of the best things that could happen to city government, he said.
"The quote from Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis comes to mind: 'Sunlight is the best disinfectant.'"
Lifferth said one of the highest compliments paid his site came from a friend who said "the bad guys fear your Web site."
Lifferth is not exactly a cyber newbie, so to speak. He runs about 30 online sites, earning money from advertising on most if not all, though he does not make money from his site dedicated to city politics, he said.
To draw readers, he makes sure his posts are enticing. Take this recent example: "Reagan Caused Global Warming," a post which documents why, in Lifferth's view, a significant cause of the statistical increase in average global temperature has been the reduction in temperature reporting stations in the former Soviet Union and Reagan's role in that.
Getting 500 hits a day, Lifferth's most lucrative site is surprisingly not political at all -- it is a James Bond fan site, 007BondMovies.ning.com. He also runs JunkScience.ning.com and PonyExpress.ning.com, to name a few.
Lifferth said he tries to have fun with his sites. During his interview with the Daily Herald, he surprised this reporter by bringing up a photo on his Web site of this reporter perusing a competitor's weekly newspaper during a slow moment in an Eagle Mountain Council meeting. Lifferth said he took the photo from the Council dais during the meeting using his cellphone. This reporter never knew the photo existed.
"You've taken some jabs at me and once in a while I want to take some jabs back," he said. "I do think I have fun with my site. I have a playful attitude."
Jokes aside, every elected official should consider blogging as a way to give information directly to the public, he said. At least several Web sites allow anyone to set up their own blog for free, so getting started is easy.
"I think elected officials should talk about what the issues are, and why things are happening," he said, noting some elected officials in Utah Valley have begun to follow suit. Among them is Jefferson Moss of Saratoga Springs, who runs a regular blog.
Elk Ridge Councilman Nelson Abbott said he admires what Lifferth is doing to inform the public. "It is misinformation that causes problems in cities," Abbott said. "That is what I've liked about his blog. He puts it all out there for people to see." Abbott said he himself tried blogging for a couple of months recently, giving up the task after his computer crashed. Elk Ridge is redesigning its Web site to be more user-friendly and interactive, allowing residents to correspond more easily with Council members, which Abbott said he hopes will make blogging in Elk Ridge a moot point.
Cyberspace: Councilman blogs the good and bad
DAILY HERALD
Eagle Mountain resident keeps public informed of city government doings on his Web site
Caleb Warnock
Looking for the good, the bad, and the ugly in Eagle Mountain? One councilman here has a blog for you.
Over the past three years, www.DavidLifferth.com, owned by City Councilman David Lifferth, has drawn nearly 300,000 page views from 84 countries by tracking all things Eagle Mountain.
Lifferth is hoping more elected officials will follow his lead into cyberspace.
"People just like someone who is going to be open about government," he said. "If I was not on the Council, I would want someone who was in the know to blog and talk about things."
"This blogging that I have done consistently for four years now has forced me to read, understand and explain the good, the bad and the ugly here in Eagle Mountain," Lifferth wrote in a recent e-mail to his fans. "I have been praised for my openness and candor while at the same time I have been threatened with a half dozen lawsuits for my openness. This openness and candor caused the readership of my blog to become massive."
Lifferth said his site "has frequently been the most read Web site in all of Eagle Mountain and surrounding areas. My Web site frequently had more page views than Eagle Mountain City's site, the local newspaper sites covering Eagle Mountain, blog and forum sites, and any of the developers' sites."
All this attention is one of the best things that could happen to city government, he said.
"The quote from Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis comes to mind: 'Sunlight is the best disinfectant.'"
Lifferth said one of the highest compliments paid his site came from a friend who said "the bad guys fear your Web site."
Lifferth is not exactly a cyber newbie, so to speak. He runs about 30 online sites, earning money from advertising on most if not all, though he does not make money from his site dedicated to city politics, he said.
To draw readers, he makes sure his posts are enticing. Take this recent example: "Reagan Caused Global Warming," a post which documents why, in Lifferth's view, a significant cause of the statistical increase in average global temperature has been the reduction in temperature reporting stations in the former Soviet Union and Reagan's role in that.
Getting 500 hits a day, Lifferth's most lucrative site is surprisingly not political at all -- it is a James Bond fan site, 007BondMovies.ning.com. He also runs JunkScience.ning.com and PonyExpress.ning.com, to name a few.
Lifferth said he tries to have fun with his sites. During his interview with the Daily Herald, he surprised this reporter by bringing up a photo on his Web site of this reporter perusing a competitor's weekly newspaper during a slow moment in an Eagle Mountain Council meeting. Lifferth said he took the photo from the Council dais during the meeting using his cellphone. This reporter never knew the photo existed.
"You've taken some jabs at me and once in a while I want to take some jabs back," he said. "I do think I have fun with my site. I have a playful attitude."
Jokes aside, every elected official should consider blogging as a way to give information directly to the public, he said. At least several Web sites allow anyone to set up their own blog for free, so getting started is easy.
"I think elected officials should talk about what the issues are, and why things are happening," he said, noting some elected officials in Utah Valley have begun to follow suit. Among them is Jefferson Moss of Saratoga Springs, who runs a regular blog.
Elk Ridge Councilman Nelson Abbott said he admires what Lifferth is doing to inform the public. "It is misinformation that causes problems in cities," Abbott said. "That is what I've liked about his blog. He puts it all out there for people to see." Abbott said he himself tried blogging for a couple of months recently, giving up the task after his computer crashed. Elk Ridge is redesigning its Web site to be more user-friendly and interactive, allowing residents to correspond more easily with Council members, which Abbott said he hopes will make blogging in Elk Ridge a moot point.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Commission presents Utah Lake plan
Commission presents Utah Lake plan
December 8th, 2008 @ 8:38am
LEHI, Utah (AP) -- A commission has presented a plan to restore the 150-square-mile freshwater Utah Lake, which has been overrun by carp and is less used than in the past, when local residents remember frequenting the lake for fun and fishing.
The Utah Lake Commission's recommendations include eradicating carp, developing beaches and trails for recreational use and drafting a model land-use ordinance for the communities that surround the lake.
But there is some disagreement over whether a causeway linking the lake's east and west shores is a good idea.
Some say a causeway would relieve congestion in Lehi, while others say it would disrupt the ecosystem.
The lake's master plan doesn't address the causeway issue.
December 8th, 2008 @ 8:38am
LEHI, Utah (AP) -- A commission has presented a plan to restore the 150-square-mile freshwater Utah Lake, which has been overrun by carp and is less used than in the past, when local residents remember frequenting the lake for fun and fishing.
The Utah Lake Commission's recommendations include eradicating carp, developing beaches and trails for recreational use and drafting a model land-use ordinance for the communities that surround the lake.
But there is some disagreement over whether a causeway linking the lake's east and west shores is a good idea.
Some say a causeway would relieve congestion in Lehi, while others say it would disrupt the ecosystem.
The lake's master plan doesn't address the causeway issue.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Residents encouraged by plan for Utah Lake
Residents encouraged by plan for Utah Lake
Draft proposal » Restoring the waterway would also make way for recreation on and around it.
By Donald W. Meyers
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune
Updated:12/07/2008 04:38:25 PM MST
Lehi » When Gail Gibson was a child, Utah Lake was a happening place.
People would fish or visit the shoreline resorts, he recalled. Some couples would go out for dinner and dancing on some of the show boats that plied the lake, with band music wafting across the water.
"Back in the 1930s, '40s and '50s, it was the gem of Utah County," Gibson, an American Fork resident said. "Now we all live near the lake, but do nothing with it."
After seeing the draft proposal from the Utah Lake Commission for restoring the 150-square-mile freshwater lake and managing its use, Gibson believes that the old days can return.
Gibson was one of 30 people who came out to Willowbrook Middle School Wednesday to learn about the plan and offer comments.
He heard recommendations that include eradicating carp from the lake, developing beaches and trails for recreational use and the drafting a model land-use ordinance for the communities that surround the lake.
Like Gibson, Saratoga Springs resident Annette Harris has seen the lake decline in the 37 years she's lived in the area. She supports the efforts to draw more people to Utah's largest freshwater lake.
"It would bring a lot of attention," Harris said.
But there's another significant project she wants to see built: a causeway across the lake that would tie together the east and west shores. The lake's master plan remains mum on that issue.
The causeway, she said, would make it easier for people living in Saratoga Springs and other lakeside communities to get to the Wasatch Front instead of having to drive north and through Lehi's congested streets.
And that's something that worries Marc Heileson, the Sierra Club's regional representative. He said building a causeway would stir up hundreds of cubic feet of lake mud, fouling the water and disrupting the ecosystem.
He said such a bridge would satisfy only "greedy developers."
While Heileson believes the master plan represents a holistic approach to fixing the lake, he thinks it lacks teeth to stop a disastrous development such as the causeway.
Cox agrees that the commission doesn't have the authority to enforce the plan, but that doesn't mean it can be ignored without consequence.
"The commission does not have regulatory authority, but it has 20 members and the moral influence of its members," Cox said.
He said neighboring cities could exert pressure on each other to uphold the plan's terms and goals.
dmeyers@sltrib.com
What's in the plan
Among the recommendations for Utah Lake:
» Develop access to the lake and use it for boating, fishing, wind surfing and canoeing.
» Restore beaches.
» Establish a bicycle and hiking trail along the shoreline.
» Restore the native June sucker fishery, along with other native species, and continue to eliminate invasive carp.
» Create a model ordinance for cities to adopt that would govern land use around the lake.
»The plan is available at http://utahlakecommission.org/document.html
What's next
Public comments will be reviewed and possibly incorporated into the document, according to Provo native Rick Cox, project manager for San Francisco-based consultant URS Corp.
The commission and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fires and State Lands will adopt the final plan -- URS was paid $210,000 for it -- in April.
Cox said the plan will become the state's management plan for the lake. The state has jurisdiction over the lake and its bottom, while cities and Utah County are responsible for the land adjoining the lake.
Draft proposal » Restoring the waterway would also make way for recreation on and around it.
By Donald W. Meyers
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune
Updated:12/07/2008 04:38:25 PM MST
Lehi » When Gail Gibson was a child, Utah Lake was a happening place.
People would fish or visit the shoreline resorts, he recalled. Some couples would go out for dinner and dancing on some of the show boats that plied the lake, with band music wafting across the water.
"Back in the 1930s, '40s and '50s, it was the gem of Utah County," Gibson, an American Fork resident said. "Now we all live near the lake, but do nothing with it."
After seeing the draft proposal from the Utah Lake Commission for restoring the 150-square-mile freshwater lake and managing its use, Gibson believes that the old days can return.
Gibson was one of 30 people who came out to Willowbrook Middle School Wednesday to learn about the plan and offer comments.
He heard recommendations that include eradicating carp from the lake, developing beaches and trails for recreational use and the drafting a model land-use ordinance for the communities that surround the lake.
Like Gibson, Saratoga Springs resident Annette Harris has seen the lake decline in the 37 years she's lived in the area. She supports the efforts to draw more people to Utah's largest freshwater lake.
"It would bring a lot of attention," Harris said.
But there's another significant project she wants to see built: a causeway across the lake that would tie together the east and west shores. The lake's master plan remains mum on that issue.
The causeway, she said, would make it easier for people living in Saratoga Springs and other lakeside communities to get to the Wasatch Front instead of having to drive north and through Lehi's congested streets.
And that's something that worries Marc Heileson, the Sierra Club's regional representative. He said building a causeway would stir up hundreds of cubic feet of lake mud, fouling the water and disrupting the ecosystem.
He said such a bridge would satisfy only "greedy developers."
While Heileson believes the master plan represents a holistic approach to fixing the lake, he thinks it lacks teeth to stop a disastrous development such as the causeway.
Cox agrees that the commission doesn't have the authority to enforce the plan, but that doesn't mean it can be ignored without consequence.
"The commission does not have regulatory authority, but it has 20 members and the moral influence of its members," Cox said.
He said neighboring cities could exert pressure on each other to uphold the plan's terms and goals.
dmeyers@sltrib.com
What's in the plan
Among the recommendations for Utah Lake:
» Develop access to the lake and use it for boating, fishing, wind surfing and canoeing.
» Restore beaches.
» Establish a bicycle and hiking trail along the shoreline.
» Restore the native June sucker fishery, along with other native species, and continue to eliminate invasive carp.
» Create a model ordinance for cities to adopt that would govern land use around the lake.
»The plan is available at http://utahlakecommission.org/document.html
What's next
Public comments will be reviewed and possibly incorporated into the document, according to Provo native Rick Cox, project manager for San Francisco-based consultant URS Corp.
The commission and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fires and State Lands will adopt the final plan -- URS was paid $210,000 for it -- in April.
Cox said the plan will become the state's management plan for the lake. The state has jurisdiction over the lake and its bottom, while cities and Utah County are responsible for the land adjoining the lake.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Tensions flare over hunting around Utah Lake
Tensions flare over hunting around Utah Lake
Caleb Warnock - DAILY HERALD
As the saying goes, history repeats itself.
"When the pioneers came, they were drawn to places where they found water, wood, streams to fish [and] good hunting areas ...," wrote historians in a history of early Lindon. "Unfortunately, the land they chose -- the land around Utah Lake which had ample supply of these necessities -- had been the chosen haunts of the Indians for many years. ... Naturally they looked upon the coming of the white men as an invasion."
Now, conflict over the land around Utah Lake has broken out again. Saratoga Springs residents living on the shore of Utah Lake have had it with hunters taking geese and ducks within yards of their homes.
"I thought we were living in a civilized city," said Robert Kramer, who has lived in his lakeside home for more than a decade. "It is preposterous to me that people would be allowed to hunt so close. ... It is a dangerous situation."
Kramer is calling on county commissioners to make all hunting on Utah Lake illegal.
That raises the ire of Matt Clark, board member of the Utah Waterfowl Association.
"Our point is that we don't want to see development close to the lake," Clark said. "We don't want to see homes built down to the lake shore because that not only takes out waterfowl habitat, but it causes problems just like this."
And so tension surrounding the shores of Utah Lake, begun the day settlers arrived, continues in 2008.
More must be done to protect the historic rights of those who have hunted around the lake since settlement, Clark said.
With homes now dotting the shoreline on three sides of the lake, hunting simply cannot be tolerated any longer, Kramer said.
Both sides agree on one thing: Tension over the issue is only likely to grow as urbanization continues.
The law allows hunters to shoot within 200 yards of homes, said Ty Hunter, manager of Utah Lake State Park. Hunter said calls to his office by residents concerned about nearby hunters have been increasing in recent years.
Hunter said park rangers do respond, and occasionally find hunters out of bounds, but for the most part hunters are generally hunting within the law.
"There has been some pretty nasty responses to the hunters in Saratoga Springs," Hunter said.
It is important to note that many ballistics tests have shown that shotgun pellets do not travel more than 250 feet, Clark said.
Long experience shows that while it may be nerve-rattling to have shotguns blasting 600 feet from homes, that distance is safe for homeowners.
Kramer said that on at least one occasion, he has had shotgun pellets hit his home.
On the other hand, for too long, local planners have failed to protect the rights of hunters and the habitat of the lake, Clark said.
"In my mind, there should be a buffer zone a good mile around the whole lake, but that is never going to happen and has already been encroached on," Clark said.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
City Council Agenda Dec 9th, 2008
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
WORK SESSION – Commencing at 6:30 p.m.
1. Reports:
a. Mayor
b. City Council Members
c. Staff – Public Safety Reports
3. Adjourn to Policy Session
POLICY SESSION – Commencing at 7:00 p.m.
• Call to Order.
• Roll Call.
• Invocation / Reverence.
• Pledge of Allegiance.
• Public Input, Awards or Recognitions – Time has been set aside for any person to express ideas, concerns, comments, questions or
issues that are not listed on the agenda. Comments are limited to three minutes.
POLICY ITEMS
1. Proposed Amendment to Fox Hollow Master Development Plan to relocate an elementary school and address other items that
are affected by this change; property is located in the vicinity of 3000 South Swainson Avenue; Alpine School District,
applicant; Fox Hollow Saratoga, LLC, owner.
2. Proposed Site Plan and Conditional Use for an elementary school within the Fox Hollow development located at approximately
3000 South Swainson Avenue; Alpine School District, owner and applicant.
3. Proposed Preliminary Plat for the Saratoga Springs elementary school within the Fox Hollow development located at
approximately 3000 South Swainson Avenue; Alpine School District, owner and applicant.
4. Proposed Site Plan for the Saratoga Town Center Professional Office located at 76 East Commerce Drive; Rockworth
Companies, owner; Adam Lambert and Chas Johnson, applicant.
5. Resolution No. 08-39 (12-9-08): A resolution of the City Council of the City of Saratoga Springs appointing a representative to
the Utah Valley Dispatch Special Service District and establishing an effective date.
6. Consent Calendar:
a. Warrant Register.
b. Minutes:
1. November 25, 2008
7. Motion to enter into closed session for the purpose of discussion litigation matters, acquisition of real property or authorized
personnel matters.
8. Action from closed session, if any.
9. Adjournment.
WORK SESSION – Commencing at 6:30 p.m.
1. Reports:
a. Mayor
b. City Council Members
c. Staff – Public Safety Reports
3. Adjourn to Policy Session
POLICY SESSION – Commencing at 7:00 p.m.
• Call to Order.
• Roll Call.
• Invocation / Reverence.
• Pledge of Allegiance.
• Public Input, Awards or Recognitions – Time has been set aside for any person to express ideas, concerns, comments, questions or
issues that are not listed on the agenda. Comments are limited to three minutes.
POLICY ITEMS
1. Proposed Amendment to Fox Hollow Master Development Plan to relocate an elementary school and address other items that
are affected by this change; property is located in the vicinity of 3000 South Swainson Avenue; Alpine School District,
applicant; Fox Hollow Saratoga, LLC, owner.
2. Proposed Site Plan and Conditional Use for an elementary school within the Fox Hollow development located at approximately
3000 South Swainson Avenue; Alpine School District, owner and applicant.
3. Proposed Preliminary Plat for the Saratoga Springs elementary school within the Fox Hollow development located at
approximately 3000 South Swainson Avenue; Alpine School District, owner and applicant.
4. Proposed Site Plan for the Saratoga Town Center Professional Office located at 76 East Commerce Drive; Rockworth
Companies, owner; Adam Lambert and Chas Johnson, applicant.
5. Resolution No. 08-39 (12-9-08): A resolution of the City Council of the City of Saratoga Springs appointing a representative to
the Utah Valley Dispatch Special Service District and establishing an effective date.
6. Consent Calendar:
a. Warrant Register.
b. Minutes:
1. November 25, 2008
7. Motion to enter into closed session for the purpose of discussion litigation matters, acquisition of real property or authorized
personnel matters.
8. Action from closed session, if any.
9. Adjournment.
Commission lays out plan to revitalize Utah Lake
Commission lays out plan to revitalize Utah Lake
By Jens Dana
Deseret News
Published: December 4, 2008
LEHI — Utah Lake could one day be restored to its former grandeur under a draft master plan that was unveiled for public consideration Wednesday night.
And, for the most part, dozens of community members said they were on board with Utah Lake Commission's priorities, which include eradicating invasive species, such as carp, promoting the proliferation of June sucker populations and constructing a continuous trail system around Utah Lake.
"It's really exciting," Saratoga Springs resident Marlene Mauer said. "I'd like it to be cleaned up."
"Yeah, cleaned up so it's water again," added American Fork resident Darrell Gibson.
The Utah Lake Commission, made up of 14 municipalities, three state agencies, Utah County and the Central Utah Water Conservancy District. presented the draft master plan at Willowcreek Middle School in Lehi on Thursday evening. Executive director Reed Price said the commission aims to protect Utah Lake's ecological systems while preserving and enhancing it's value as a recreational amenity.
"It's a great natural resource for the state of Utah," Reed said. "And ... it could could become an economic engine if managed properly."
The draft master plan focuses on five long-term approaches to restore, revitalize and preserve Utah Lake: recreation, transportation, land use and shoreline protection, natural resources and public facilities. The plan specifies it will support efforts to reduce carp populations and phragmites and the June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program.
Marc Heileson, southwest regional representative for the Sierra Club, said he's impressed to see so many government agencies taking a holistic approach to weighing the future of Utah Lake. But he said he's concerned the draft master plan doesn't have "teeth to it," especially if developers want to build a causeway over the lake — something the plan does not address.
"What we're afraid of is the absence of regulatory powers," Heileson said.
Reed said the commission holds no authority to approve or deny any projects, but he said the key agency and municipality members of the commission are concerned with Utah Lake's future.
"All the agencies and municipals want what's best for the lake and the community as a whole," he said. "And that's the purpose of this master plan."
The master plan is still in draft form and could be subject to changes. Utah Lake Commission will host another open house Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Utah Lake State Park, 4400 W. Center in Provo. Two technical committee meetings are scheduled for Dec. 15 and Jan. 12. In the meantime, Reed said community members are encouraged to give their input on the draft master plan.
More information about the draft master plan for Utah Lake is available at utahlakecommission.org.
By Jens Dana
Deseret News
Published: December 4, 2008
LEHI — Utah Lake could one day be restored to its former grandeur under a draft master plan that was unveiled for public consideration Wednesday night.
And, for the most part, dozens of community members said they were on board with Utah Lake Commission's priorities, which include eradicating invasive species, such as carp, promoting the proliferation of June sucker populations and constructing a continuous trail system around Utah Lake.
"It's really exciting," Saratoga Springs resident Marlene Mauer said. "I'd like it to be cleaned up."
"Yeah, cleaned up so it's water again," added American Fork resident Darrell Gibson.
The Utah Lake Commission, made up of 14 municipalities, three state agencies, Utah County and the Central Utah Water Conservancy District. presented the draft master plan at Willowcreek Middle School in Lehi on Thursday evening. Executive director Reed Price said the commission aims to protect Utah Lake's ecological systems while preserving and enhancing it's value as a recreational amenity.
"It's a great natural resource for the state of Utah," Reed said. "And ... it could could become an economic engine if managed properly."
The draft master plan focuses on five long-term approaches to restore, revitalize and preserve Utah Lake: recreation, transportation, land use and shoreline protection, natural resources and public facilities. The plan specifies it will support efforts to reduce carp populations and phragmites and the June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program.
Marc Heileson, southwest regional representative for the Sierra Club, said he's impressed to see so many government agencies taking a holistic approach to weighing the future of Utah Lake. But he said he's concerned the draft master plan doesn't have "teeth to it," especially if developers want to build a causeway over the lake — something the plan does not address.
"What we're afraid of is the absence of regulatory powers," Heileson said.
Reed said the commission holds no authority to approve or deny any projects, but he said the key agency and municipality members of the commission are concerned with Utah Lake's future.
"All the agencies and municipals want what's best for the lake and the community as a whole," he said. "And that's the purpose of this master plan."
The master plan is still in draft form and could be subject to changes. Utah Lake Commission will host another open house Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Utah Lake State Park, 4400 W. Center in Provo. Two technical committee meetings are scheduled for Dec. 15 and Jan. 12. In the meantime, Reed said community members are encouraged to give their input on the draft master plan.
More information about the draft master plan for Utah Lake is available at utahlakecommission.org.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Residents to get look at draft of Utah Lake plan
Residents to get look at draft of Utah Lake plan
By Donald W. Meyers
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune
Updated:12/01/2008 04:18:18 PM MST
Provo » Imagine a Utah Lake with walking trails, recreation areas and few carp.
That is part of the vision for the future outlined in the Utah Lake Commission's proposed master plan, "Awake Utah Lake."
The commission is conducting two open houses this week to give the public a chance to see the proposed document and weigh in.
Rick Cox, project manager for URS Corp., told the commission late last month that the document involves setting goals for the lake and outlining policies that would implement them. URS Corp. is the San Francisco-based consultant the commission paid $210,000 to draft the plan.
Cox said the plan was based in part on residents' comments during public workshops, similar to those done for the Envision Utah process. But it's not done yet.
"This Master Plan is still a work in progress," Cox told the commission.
Among its objectives are supporting the June sucker and the lake's other native species, as well as providing ways for people to use it for recreation and educational purposes.
The plan calls for establishing a trail network along the shoreline, as well as a scenic byway for people who want to see the lake from cars.
The document does not take a formal position on any particular plan to put a causeway across Utah Lake.
The plan also calls for promoting mixed uses for adjacent land, such as agricultural, residential and commercial. It also recommends creating buffer zones to protect particularly sensitive areas.
One concern: Eagle Mountain City Councilman David Lifferth said the plan lacked any method for the commission to enforce its policies.
Cox said that would not be the job of the commission, but rather for the individual communities along the lake that are members of the commission.
dmeyers@sltrib.com
What's next
The Utah Lake Commission will conduct an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Willowcreek Middle School, 2275 W. 300 North in Lehi; and from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Utah Lake State Park, 4400 W. Center St., Provo.
By Donald W. Meyers
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune
Updated:12/01/2008 04:18:18 PM MST
Provo » Imagine a Utah Lake with walking trails, recreation areas and few carp.
That is part of the vision for the future outlined in the Utah Lake Commission's proposed master plan, "Awake Utah Lake."
The commission is conducting two open houses this week to give the public a chance to see the proposed document and weigh in.
Rick Cox, project manager for URS Corp., told the commission late last month that the document involves setting goals for the lake and outlining policies that would implement them. URS Corp. is the San Francisco-based consultant the commission paid $210,000 to draft the plan.
Cox said the plan was based in part on residents' comments during public workshops, similar to those done for the Envision Utah process. But it's not done yet.
"This Master Plan is still a work in progress," Cox told the commission.
Among its objectives are supporting the June sucker and the lake's other native species, as well as providing ways for people to use it for recreation and educational purposes.
The plan calls for establishing a trail network along the shoreline, as well as a scenic byway for people who want to see the lake from cars.
The document does not take a formal position on any particular plan to put a causeway across Utah Lake.
The plan also calls for promoting mixed uses for adjacent land, such as agricultural, residential and commercial. It also recommends creating buffer zones to protect particularly sensitive areas.
One concern: Eagle Mountain City Councilman David Lifferth said the plan lacked any method for the commission to enforce its policies.
Cox said that would not be the job of the commission, but rather for the individual communities along the lake that are members of the commission.
dmeyers@sltrib.com
What's next
The Utah Lake Commission will conduct an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Willowcreek Middle School, 2275 W. 300 North in Lehi; and from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Utah Lake State Park, 4400 W. Center St., Provo.
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