Taylorsville City Journal | February 2023

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

Taylorsville resident Gary Short found a way to experience a city that he is fond of by running on every street in its boundaries.

“I enjoy living in Taylorsville and I wanted to get to know it better,” Short said.

He started his journey in May 2021, but training for two half marathons stalled him for some time. He resumed the pursuit in July 2022 and finished in November.

“I stopped for a while when I was training along the Jordan River trail for a South Jordan race,” Short said. “When I got going again in July, I completed 163 miles to finish the city.”

In all, he ran and biked over 190 miles. His quest included biking about 15 miles with his daughter, Kathrine, but the rest was completed while running on his own.

“I liked to get landscaping ideas by looking at houses. I took a few photos of plants and decorating ideas. I did run past the igloo house, and I was surprised to see a three-story split-level home. I loved to see the unique architecture of the small developments. I also like to see the personalization some people have applied to their homes in the area. There are also several mansions in our city,” Short said.

Most people’s training only includes the same four or five routes.

When he shared his accomplishment on Facebook, several friends commented that it could have changed his training by including different hills and running patterns. Others wondered what interesting things he saw.

“I came across only two interactions with police, all in the same neighborhood. I passed one man that was being questioned in his yard and then a few blocks away a female officer in tactical gear talking to an individual at their front door,” Short said.

Running the streets gave him the opportunity to help a neighbor hook up his trailer to his truck.

“I got a chance to see Labrum Park (6041 S. Jordan Canal Road) and its waterwise garden. It is off the main road, and I doubt I would have ever come across it if I had not been trying to cover every street,” Short said.

His marathon training slowed the progress of his goal, but it also gave him more enthusiasm to get back to it. He stated that there were other obstacles.

“In a cul-de-sac, I ran into two large pit bulls that were loose in the front yard. They both started barking, one stayed in the yard, but the other came within five feet. I slowly backed away while trying to command it to go home,” Short said.

It was satisfying to accomplish the goal.

“I was encouraged by the friendly waves from people chilling on their front porch. It really got me out running more often. I would like to run a marathon, so it encouraged me to continue training,” Short said.

Besides the marathon, Short said he would like to patronize every business in the city. He is starting with the restaurants. l

Gary Short set a goal to run on every street in Taylorsville. He accomplished it on Nov. 19, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Gary Short)

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uch a fun word: “sextuple.” At first blush, it sounds a little, well, “blushworthy” – risqué. But it’s just what comes next after: double, triple, quadruple and quintuple. When you double 2, you get 4. But when you sextuple it – 2 becomes 12. And that’s what Taylorsville officials are promising will be the case at the end of 2023, when you drive around counting public pickleball courts throughout the city.Ten new courts are expected to join the two the city has now in Millrace Park. That’s ten new pickleball courts, in three new locations – complete with fences around them, benches near them, nets in the middle of them and lights over them – in 11 months. The construction race is on to accommodate local players of America’s fastest-growing participation sport.

One relatively new pickleball player in Taylorsville is City Councilwoman Meredith Harker. She’s also the council’s liaison to the city’s volunteer Parks & Recreation Committee.

“I began playing pickleball about two years ago because it is such a fun sport,” Harker said. “Anyone, any age can play – if they can find an open court. I try to go play on the Murray courts. But they are always full, packed. Our Parks & Rec Committee first came up with the idea of getting more pickleball courts in Taylorsville a couple of years ago. But I honestly never thought the county would fund our entire ($960,000) grant request. We’re thrilled.”

Mayor Kristie Overson is a voting member of the County’s Tourism, Recreation, Culture & Convention Board. She was also a bit stunned the board agreed to fund the entire request.

“I thought we might get funding for four pickleball courts – but probably not all ten,” Overson said. “We are so grateful the TRCC Board supported us. The city now must match the county’s grant. And that ($1.92-million combined total) should be plenty of money to construct the courts, put fences around them, lights over them – make them very nice. We’ll definitely break ground on all ten courts this year – and should be able to complete them all.”

City officials want the first four pickleball courts to be completed in what is now a parking lot south of the Taylorsville Senior Center (4743 S. 1570 West). Another four courts will be constructed in what is now being referred to as Tank Park, a 16-acre open space adjacent to the two water tanks on

Jou r nals

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By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com

At the moment, these are the only two public pickleball courts in all of Taylorsville, located at Millrace Park. But, by the end of the year, there are expected to be 10 more in three additional locations. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)

the northwest corner of 6200 S. 3200 West. The final new pickleball courts are to go in near the children’s playground area at Vista Park.

The commitment to construct four of the courts in Tank Park is also very significant because until now the talk for those 16 open acres had been described more by city officials as a “hope” or “dream” of a new park.

“Tank Park is going to be a reality – I am confident saying that,” said City Administrator John Taylor. “These four pickleball courts will be the first features to go in there. But the rest of the park will follow (as funding becomes available) because nothing else can be done with that land (situated atop a covered landfill, where home or commercial building construction is prohibited).”

Nearly a year ago, on Feb. 16, 2022, the organization

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USA Pickleball reported there were already more than 4.8 million pickleball players nationwide. That represented a growth of 39.3% over the previous two years. According to a Sports & Fitness Industry Association participation report released at the time, that officially made pickleball America’s fastest-growing participation sport for the second consecutive year.

“We’ve had this goal to increase our number of pickleball courts, really, since the height of the pandemic,” Harker concluded. “But I never thought it was realistic to get the funding for all ten of them at once.”

City officials seem to have thought doubling or tripling the number of Taylorsville pickleball courts was more realistic. But sextupling it is. l

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Uncle Sam’s red tape removed at Taylorsville Food Pantry, site can now serve more people, more quickly

By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com

The venerable Taylorsville Food Pantry (4775 S. 1600 West) may look the same as it always has from the outside. But inside, a change in volunteer management – and more importantly, a change to how the facility is funded – will now allow the site to serve more people in need, much more quickly.

“We expect to provide two to three times as many people with the food they need as the previous pantry volunteers could,” said new Taylorsville Food Pantry Manager Phil Knight. “That’s not because we can hand food to people faster. It’s all because we will not be reliant upon CDBG funding. That means we won’t have to do nearly as much paperwork with each client, allowing them to move through the line much more quickly.”

Ah yes – whenever you see a string of letters like CDBG, it’s normally a sign there’s bureaucracy and plenty of paperwork somewhere in the mix. This time, the letters stand for Community Development Block Grant. And CDBG falls under another string of letters: HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development).

For nearly 20 years, since the Taylorsville Food Pantry was established by former city councilman Morris Pratt – through a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity – the facility has been funded through CDBG grants.

“I have been involved with the food pantry for close to 18 years; but I am tired and ready to step back,” said Pratt. “I have always written up our CDBG grant requests. Through the years, we have always received about $15,000 to $19,000, annually. The city has also been very gracious over the years, allowing us to use their building – and to pay for electricity, water, internet and other utilities.”

Mayor Kristie Overson is grateful for all the work Pratt did over the years, along with the efforts of his many volunteers.

“We were so lucky to have Morris over the food pantry for so many years,” Overson said. “He did so much accounting and completed so many reports (to maintain the CDBG funding eligibility). But now that he wants to step away, the city is going to take more of this on. We will no longer be eligible for CDBG funds. But we will also have a lot fewer constraints. Grant money has lots of layers and red tape.”

Leaving along with Morris Pratt are his Warehouse Manager Sue Lane and her daughter, Front Counter Supervisor Tiffany Diaz. Their last day spent handing out food was New Year’s Eve.

“It has been so rewarding serving Taylorsville residents at the pantry,” Lane said. “There was lots of sobbing that last day. Clients said they would miss us. I know I will miss them. I’d been there since 2013 and Tiffany since 2015. We had about 15 volun-

teers at the end – and many of them had been around for 10 years or more too. It’s tough –but you move on.”

The Taylorsville Food Pantry officially closed for two weeks, allowing the 501(c)(3) that had operated it since day one to dissolve. Then on Jan. 14, the site reopened under volunteers coordinated through Intermountain Baptist Church (4770 S. 1950 West). Leading the way is church member Phil Knight, who promises many of their congregants are ready to step in to take over the job of handing out food to those in need.

“Without the constraints of federal CDBG funding, we will be able to move people through the pantry much more quickly,” Knight explained. “We won’t be required to do nearly as much paperwork on each client as the previous volunteers did.”

Besides allowing food pantry patrons to move through much more quickly, this will also allow the new operators to provide food to people who do not actually reside within Taylorsville city limits.

“There again, that restraint was a CDBG funding requirement,” Knight added. “I can pledge here and now, we will provide food to anyone in need, regardless of where they live.”

Utah Food Bank officials say there are about 45 food banks across the Salt Lake Valley. They report it has never been much of an issue that people from outside a given area come in to get supplies. Taylorsville City, Utah Food Bank and Intermountain Baptist Church officials all agree, they are not concerned about the policy change – and are pleased they will be able to serve more people in need.

Intermountain Baptist Church is not new

to food distribution. But Knight admits, operating the food pantry will be a much bigger operation than what they have been doing less than a mile away from the pantry at their church.

“We began handing out boxes of food to our church members in need shortly after the pandemic hit, in about April 2020,” Knight added. “At our height, we were handing out 600 boxes of food per day. That went on for about 18 months. It’s slowed down a lot since then. But we still provide food regularly to about 50 families.”

The final question left for Taylorsville City to resolve is: how will the $15,000 to $19,000 per year that had been coming to the food pantry through CDBG federal grants be replaced? For starters, the city’s Community Outreach Coordinator Jay Ziolkowski says they will not have to replace that full amount.

“The previous food pantry operators had a couple of people receiving financial stipends, while our new operators are promising to do all of the work voluntarily,” Ziolkowski said. “That will save a good portion of the previous funding. We will spend the next couple of months evaluating costs for things like freezer or refrigerator repairs or replacement. Then we’ll address the needs more completely in our next city budget.

At this point, Intermountain Baptist Church volunteers are analyzing how many volunteers they will need to line up – and how many hours per week the Taylorsville Food Pantry will need to be open to adequately serve community needs.

Watch for any changes in food pantry hours of operation to be announced on the city’s website taylorsvilleut.gov.l

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Retired hydrologist/geologist bringing lots of new experience to Taylorsville Green Committee

ConsideringTaylorsville City doesn’t budget any pay for its various community service committee members, it can be a little tricky to find and keep enthusiastic, productive volunteers. Maintaining membership is typically a bit easier for more “glamorous” committees, like Parks & Recreation or Historic Preservation, because, let’s face it, they are taking on fun projects like showing outdoor summer movies in Centennial Plaza or organizing elementary school field trips to the Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center.

Even membership on the sometimes-dry Public Safety Committee has been a bit more glamorous over the past year-and-a-half, as members have watched and sometimes assisted the city’s new Taylorsville Police Department come to life.

But if there’s a low-key, “definitely-not-glamorous” group volunteering time to serve city residents, it would seem to be the Green Committee. Honestly, do any of us still get excited about discussing recycling?

Richard Jirik does. And that’s what makes this newest member of the Taylorsville Green Committee such a key find, as the group looks to launch new initiatives and take on new challenges in 2023.

“We are lucky to have Richard join us, with his career background,” Green Committee Chair Mark Wendel said. “He joined us last fall, after attending one of our localscape information seminars. He’s already sharing some great ideas with the committee.”

Speaking of new initiatives, the Green Committee introduced localscape meetings to the community last year. Sessions were held at city hall on April 14, May 2 and the one Jirik attended, Sept. 23, 2022. Hosted by the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, the sessions are intended to show us how to update our landscaping to make it more dry-climate friendly.

From the Jordan Valley website (jvwcd. org) you can find the localscape website (localscapes.com), where it’s explained: “The localscape approach is a series of landscaping patterns and practices that take into account Utah’s unique climate. It’s good landscape design, simplified. Now you can have a landscape that works for where you live.”

Wendel says the three Taylorsville localscape sessions proved very popular. The first two were available live online, as well as in person. The committee is trying now to schedule another session for March.

But most significantly – for the future of the city’s perhaps lowest-profile service committee – that’s where Jirik first learned there is such a thing as a Taylorsville Green Committee.

“I had no idea the committee existed until I saw ‘Green Committee’ on a flier from the localscape presentation,” Jirik said. “I

By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com

have been somewhat of an environmental activist for 20 to 30 years. One of my passions is recycling. So, I attended the committee’s October meeting and am excited to be a part of it.”

Jirik went on to explain he’s now retired from a 40+ year career working as a geologist and hydrologist, primarily based in Reno and here in the Salt Lake area.

“I worked for private companies, consulting on ground water quality issues at hard rock mining sites,” Jirik said. “As a hydrologist, I also did a lot of work at Tooele Army Depot. Through this work I discovered the importance of maintaining our resources, our planet. I think the Green Committee is a good fit for me.”

Although she doesn’t know him personally, Mayor Kristie Overson agrees, Jirik is a valuable addition to the Green Committee.

“I read Richard’s (committee membership) application and he seems very qualified and enthusiastic,” Overson said. “We love it when people step up to serve. And, obviously, our Green Committee is growing in importance, with all the clean air and water issues we face. The city is very conscious about working to leave a smaller (environmental) footprint.”

Before launching into his 4-decade career, Jirik earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geology. A half-century ago, in the early 1970s, he was in the midst of a 3-year stint studying at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.

“The coldest temperature reading I can recall while I was up there was 51 degrees below zero, Fahrenheit,” he said. “Fairbanks is surrounded on three sides by mountains so there is not much wind. That was the actual temperature – not wind chill. They also get very dense winter fog. After graduating in 1974 I worked in Anchorage for a time. But I was happy to get back (to the lower 48 states).”

As part of his recycling passion, Jirik routinely goes out on his own to gather recyclable materials, redirecting them from the garbage. He and the other Green Committee members are now discussing potential community initiatives to get more of us to recycle as well.

“Richard will be a very valuable member of our committee,” said Councilman Ernest Burgess, the city’s longtime liaison to the Green Committee. “I’m very impressed with the volunteer work he’s begun doing for us already.”

As most city residents probably know, the one time each year when the low-key Green Committee takes center stage is when the group hosts its annual Cleanup Day. Coronavirus killed the event in 2020. But in 2021, and again last year, the popular event

came back bigger and better than ever before.

Two significant changes helped grow Cleanup Day: it was moved from city hall to the Taylorsville High School parking lot, and it was pushed back from Earth Day (April 22) a couple of months to after kids are out of school.

Last year’s Cleanup Day, on June 18, was the most successful ever. Nearly 100 Taylorsville High football players and coaches volunteered at the 4-hour event, which allowed materials to be moved from donor trucks and trailers to their appropriate piles much more quickly than ever before.

Green Committee Chair Wendel reports the 2022 Cleanup Day generated:

• 7.9 tons of shredded paper

• 6.8 tons of garbage

• 6.2 tons of electronic waste

• 4.5 tons of green waste, and

• Well over 1,000 lbs. of glass, paint and household hazardous waste

There are now eight members of the Green Committee, with four to six of them attending each monthly meeting. The group meets on the first Tuesday of each month, in the fire station west of Taylorsville City Hall. The Feb. 7 meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.

If you have any questions about the Taylorsville Green Committee, contact Chairman Mark Wendel at lnmwendel@msn.com. Or, simply attend that next meeting, where you can ask Richard Jirik what 51 degrees below zero feels like. l

In the Taylorsville High School parking lot last summer, the city’s volunteer Green Committee members coordinated their annual clean-up day, where more than 50,000 pounds (25 tons) of garbage, green waste and recyclables were dropped off in just a few hours. (Courtesy of Kathy Richins)

Veteran City Councilman Ernest Burgess has been active on the Taylorsville volunteer Green Committee for many years. (Courtesy of Kathy Richins)

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West-side advocate Sen. Karen Mayne resigns her senate seat

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Whenpeople describe Utah State Sen. Karen Mayne, they always use one word: champion. Since assuming office on Jan. 2, 2008, Mayne has been a formidable advocate for residents on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley.

In early January, Mayne submitted her letter of resignation to the Utah Senate, citing health concerns. Although she just won reelection in November, the democrat and minority whip doesn’t want her illness to affect the representation of her constituents.

“After much prayer, personal consideration, and deliberation with my family,” Mayne wrote, “I have made the difficult decision to resign my position as senator for Utah Senate District 12. Since the election in November of 2022, my health has taken an unexpected turn, and the constituents of District 12 deserve full-time representation at the beginning of the legislative session.”

A lifelong resident of West Valley City, Mayne started her political career after her husband’s death in 2007. Starting in 1994, Sen. Ed Mayne was elected to the state senate four times and served as president of the Utah AFL-CIO. Mayne was appointed to her husband’s senate seat in January 2008 and won her re-election bid later that same year.

In a news release, Senate President J. Stuart Adams said Mayne has been a cham-

pion for her district and a force for bipartisan camaraderie.

“Throughout her 15 years in the legislature, she has passionately advocated for impactful change, including workforce safety,

economic opportunity and family support,” Adams said. “Sen. Mayne’s list of accomplishments on behalf of her constituents and state is long and revered. She is one of the most effective legislators and consistently passes the most bills during sessions. This is a testament to her tenacity, hard work and resilience. Utah has been blessed because of her service.”

Mayne served on the Senate Transportation Committee, supporting legislation to improve traffic on the west side. She fought against a toll on Mountain View Corridor and worked to improve intersections on Bangerter Highway.

Before serving as senator, Mayne was a paraeducator in the Granite School District. Her vision to provide additional funding and manageable class sizes was a priority during her time in the legislature.

As a proponent for health care and worker safety, Mayne led the effort to require drug and alcohol testing for state construction contracts. She served on numerous committees, task forces and commissions in her efforts to help residents in her area and across the state.

“Sen. Mayne is the epitome of what true public service and representation is all about,” said Senate Minority Leader Sen. Luz Escamilla. “Her dedication to her district and to the people of Utah has been thoughtful, genuine, and kind-hearted every step of the way. She has consistently championed legislation to support the health, well-being, and security of working families throughout the state of Utah. Her extensive legacy is a guiding light for public policy to embrace more compassion, more care, and more attention to the people of Utah.”

Aimee Winder Newton serves on the

Salt Lake County Council, representing Taylorsville, Murray, West Jordan and West Valley City. She said Mayne has been a pillar in the community and her resignation will be a huge loss for the west side.

“She truly was a champion for people who needed a champion and maybe didn’t have a loud voice,” Newton said. “She was a champion for west-side residents overall and for her district. It’s so sad to me to see her suffering and her health declining but we are so grateful for all the years of service both she and Ed have given to the residents of Salt Lake County.”

In her resignation letter, Mayne thanked her constituents and colleagues for their support and expressed gratitude for the opportunities she’s had to collaborate with those in public service.

“I am proud and privileged to have been able to create meaningful change in many areas of public policy including worker safety, family support, Utah Women In Trades, and economic opportunity for all people,” she said. “It has truly been an honor to serve.”

Mayne’s resignation went into effect on Jan. 16. A replacement will be appointed by democratic delegates to fill Mayne’s remaining term. Senate democrats will select a new minority whip.

“While we are heartbroken about her resignation, we are rallying behind Sen. Mayne,” Escamilla said. “We look forward to her community-minded efforts continuing to have an impact throughout the state.” l

Karen Mayne was named to the ChamberWest Hall of Fame in 2016. (File photo City Journals)

State Sen. Karen Mayne served 15 years in the senate as a champion for the west side. Due to health concerns, she submitted her resignation which went into effect Jan. 16. (Photo courtesy Utah Senate)

THS teacher recognized as ‘Most Valuable Educator’ by the Utah Jazz and Instructure

It’sonly her second year of teaching but Rio Polidori, a CTE teacher at Taylorsville High School, is already making a big impact. After nine students submitted nominations, Polidori was recently named a “Most Valuable Educator” by the Utah Jazz and Instructure.

She was honored at a Jazz game in January at Vivint Arena and received a $1,000 classroom grant from Instructure, parent company of Canvas, and a personalized jersey at the game.

“I was shocked because I’m a brand new teacher, so I feel like there are much more deserving teachers than me, especially those who’ve been teaching longer than myself,” she said.

A graduate of Granger High and the University of Utah, Polidori spent six years in the military before becoming a senior financial analyst. When she was laid off during COVID, she decided it was a good time to change careers. She always wanted to teach in the Granite School District and found the perfect fit teaching business classes at THS.

Her classes teach students tangible skills. Accounting, entrepreneurship, sports marketing and real estate are just a few of the courses she teaches each day. Polidori also runs an after-school program and a concurrent enrollment business class through Salt Lake Community College. She wants to make the classroom fun and teach beyond the textbook.

“Growing up, teachers were the ones to guide me to make the best decisions for myself. When I see students struggling or wanting to talk about their day or asking me what I think about things, it goes back to relationships,” she

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

said. “[Teaching] was something I always wanted to do and getting laid off opened that door for me to pursue that.”

Polidori goes out of her way to make her classes inclusive, safe spaces for her students. She tries not to judge or have preconceived ideas about a student’s ability. When a student was late to class, Polidori didn’t shame him in front of the class. Instead, her welcoming and encouraging approach gave him the confidence to take more business classes, where he’s received high grades.

“If a teacher would have welcomed him differently, his direction would have been different,” she said. “He wouldn’t have taken business classes and developed that interest. That’s what I get excited about. To see those changes the students make.”

One of the nominations came from a student who took her real estate class last year. He has since graduated, earned his real estate license and just sold his fifth house.

“Rio has been an outstanding addition to our business department,” said THS Principal Emily Liddell. “She works hard to motivate her students and provide them with real life examples of how they can start and run their own business and see what it takes to be a true entrepreneur. She also has done a great job running our Esports team. We are excited to have her as part of our Taylorsville High School family.”

Polidori plans to use the $1,000 grant to create fun rewards for students, whether that’s treats, activities or class parties. She says that’s the model for business; people set a goal and get compensated.

“Students feel they can have a relationship with me as

far as approaching me with questions about school or getting guidance for life,” Polidori said. “I’m always willing to help them out, whatever it is, whatever type of guidance.” l

Rio Polidori (to the right of the Jazz Bear) was named a “Most Valuable Educator” by Instructure and the Utah Jazz for her work with business students at Taylorsville High School. (Photo courtesy of Polidori)

Two Taylorsville structures now listed on the National Register of Historic Places need massive improvements

Ayearago at this time, Taylorsville City did not have one single structure featured on the prestigious National Register of Historic Places. But it was common knowledge a pair of buildings were close – and people had begun processing all the paperwork required to achieve those listings.

Sure enough, last spring, the oldest known structure in the city – the Al-rasool Islamic Center (1247 W. 4800 South), built originally in 1894 – was added to the historic registry. Then last fall, the Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center – just a couple of blocks west of the Islamic Center (1488 W. 4800 South) – was also listed.

The Islamic Center was originally constructed 129 years ago as a meeting house for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church continued to own and operate it for decades, but it has since changed hands a couple of times.

The heritage center is actually listed on the national registry as the “John and Jennette Gerrard House.” It was constructed in 1906.

As described on the Utah Division of State History website (history.utah.gov), “The Gerrard House is significant for its strong representation of vernacular Victorian Eclectic architecture. The dwelling is one of only a few known 2-story Central-Blockwith-Projecting-Bay-type buildings (in Utah) that retain substantial integrity of materials, design and workmanship. The house stands out as an architectural landmark on the major street (4800 South) where it is situated.”

Even longtime Taylorsville residents are hard-pressed now to recall the site’s Gerrard House heritage. Most people age 40+ likely think of the site as the Jones Dairy Farmhouse. Taylorsville City purchased the stately white farmhouse in 2001. And, of course, it’s now operated by the city’s volunteer Historic Preservation Committee as a museum.

Councilwoman Meredith Harker is the city’s liaison to that committee.

“I have always believed the museum should be on (the National Register of Historic Places) because it is a Taylorsville icon,” Harker said. “I was very excited to learn when we officially made the list. It’s always been there. When someone says ‘the dairy’ in Taylorsville, people know exactly what they are talking about. And now it’s a great place for us to showcase Taylorsville history.”

So, the “good part” of their stories is now behind both these groups – those who worked for the Islamic Center’s listing and those who did the same for the heritage center. But that is so 2022. Now in 2023, these same groups are working equally hard to actually keep their historic register structures upright.

Hassan Mardanlou serves on the Al-rasool Islamic Center Board, teaches Sunday

By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com

School at the site to about 120 kids each week and was one of the center’s most active members working to achieve the historic register designation.

Unfortunately, a recent structural assessment estimates the Islamic Center needs about $900,000 worth of repairs. Mardanlou reports they’ve not been able to take much of a bite out of that so far.

“Our biggest expenditure in recent years was a new heating and air conditioning system, which cost about $10,000,” he explained. “We’ve also spent about $3,000 on the materials needed to seal some of our outside bricks where rain was washing away the original sandstone mortar. We provided all the labor for that project ourselves. Since 2021, we’ve also upgraded our sound system for about $1,500 and installed a new outside air ventilation system for about $1,100.”

In other words, Islamic Center patrons have gotten a start on their massive repair list, but still have a long way to go.

“Last November we created a GoFundMe page to try to generate repair donations,” Mardanlou added. “But as of mid-January, that site was showing only $2,118 in donations.”

If you would like to contribute to their effort, simply go to the GoFundMe website (gofundme.com), click the “search” button at the top of the home page and type in “alrasool.”

“Now that we have the historic register designation, we are also working to put together a grant request to submit to an organization called the National Fund for Sacred Places (fundforsacredplaces.org),” Mardanlou continued. “And we are working to spread the word other organizations can make use of our space for a donation to the repair fund. We would love, for example, to rent meeting space to a Boy Scout troop.”

Down the street at the Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center, BSA Scoutmaster Steve Plothow and his Taylorsville Troop 117 have already been meeting in the adjacent “Jones Dairy Store” for quite some time. However, they do not pay “rent.” Instead, the boys perform monthly cleanup and maintenance chores around the store and museum grounds.

Obviously though, in terms of repair funding, the heritage center is in a much better position than the Islamic Center because it is owned by Taylorsville City. Over the past two years, the city council has earmarked about $70,000 in one-time tax dollar funding for necessary improvements.

“Our biggest repair expenditures in recent months have been for window resealing and replacing decaying wood around the second floor of the heritage center,” Historic Preservation Committee Chairwoman Su-

san Yadeskie explained. “Also last year, I, my husband and a couple of other committee members redid the old schoolhouse (just north of) the museum. We scraped, sanded and repainted the exterior. Right now, we are putting together a priority list for more repairs and investigating organizations that provide grants for historic structures.”

Yadeskie’s committee is hopeful they can earn funding through something called the Certified Local Government Grant Program. There again, the Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center has a distinct advantage over the Islamic Center in securing this type of funding because it is government-owned while the other is not.

“We are excited to have both the Islamic Center and Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage

Center now included on the National Register of Historic Places,” Mayor Kristie Overson concluded. “They are each a feather in our city’s cap – and show how important recognizing history is to our residents. I also think it is very generous the Islamic Center board is offering to open their historic site for other community groups. That’s a win for everyone, because it’s a wonderful place to visit.”

Now that these two structures are on the national register, no one seems to be aware of any other homes or buildings in Taylorsville that might also be listed anytime soon. Instead, it would seem the biggest concern at the moment is to do what’s necessary to keep these 129- and 117-year-old structures standing. l

The Al-rasool Islamic Center, built in 1894, officially became the first Taylorsville building listed on the National Register of Historic Places last spring. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)

Last October, the Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center became the second structure in the city to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)

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Four steps to learning the languages of love

By Holly Curby | hello@hollycurby.com

‘Tisthe season of love. These days everyone seems to claim they have a language of love. For some it’s coffee, others a day at the spa and for many it’s cheering on their favorite football team. Author of “The 5 Love Languages,” Gary Chapman, claims that “Love languages actually apply to how people express and understand love.”

Those five love languages are:

1. Words of affirmation. Those needing love in this area need to be verbally encouraged, shown appreciation, extended empathy and genuinely heard.

2. Physical touch. This physical affection can be shown appropriately in many different relationships of love. You might hug a friend, pat a co-worker on the back, rub your kids’ shoulders, kiss your partner, or simply sit next to someone going through a rough time (physical presence).

3. Receiving gifts. We communicate this through our thoughtfulness in giving something to someone, and we feel loved by receiving even a small token. It doesn't have to be grand, it just needs to be thoughtful and heartfelt.

4. Quality time. This is intentional, undivided attention spent with the other person. Time playing a board game with your kids, a walk around the block with your spouse, a lunch outing with your friends, a one-on-one meeting with a co-worker.

5. Acts of service. This could simply be offering to help someone through your actions (or someone offering to help you). From teaching your child a new skill, cooking dinner for your spouse, helping your co-worker with a project, pulling in your neighbor’s garbage cans, or simply showing support of someone’s idea in a meeting.

So, why is it important to know and understand these languages of love?

- To better help us understand what we need so that we can better communicate our needs to others. We can't expect others to just know what we need or be able to read our mind.

- To avoid showing love to others using the love language of how we feel loved. This can result in our expressions of our love being overlooked if this isn’t their primary love language too.

- To help us learn how to effectively show our love to those around us in a way they prefer to receive it.

Four steps we can take today to find our love language include:

1) Visit www.5lovelanguages.com or download the Love Nudge app (the official app to The 5 Love Languages).

2) Take the quiz to discover your primary love language, what it means, and how you can use it to better connect with your loved ones.

3) Have your loved ones take the quiz. Then discuss what you learned about yourselves and each other.

4) Encourage your workplace to incorporate learning the love languages of your co-workers as a way to help open pathways of improving communication and your company culture.

Want to learn more about the importance of knowing, understanding and expressing love through the five love languages? Check out Holly’s Highlights podcast season 3 episode 3. Holly’s Highlights podcast is available on www. hollycurby.com and wherever you listen to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, and even “Alexa, play Holly’s Highlights podcast season 3 episode 3.” l

Learn more on Holly’s Highlights podcast. (Photo courtesy of Holly Curby)

The Harding family expresses their language of love with a group hug. (Photo courtesy of Caleb Jones)

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What’s your legacy?

Region realignment sees local schools drop to 5A

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Teams in the Utah High School Activities Association’s Region 2 will now be the new Region 4 in 5A.

Every two years the UHSAA adjusts its school’s region placement. The changes are scheduled to take effect for the 2023-24 school year.

“I am excited about the proposed region alignment,” Hunter boys soccer coach Brett Solberg said. “It is our best fit. An ideal region should consist of schools that are similar.”

A public hearing was held on Dec. 14, 2022 to receive feedback from districts and schools. The new alignment was adopted on Dec. 15 and approved by the Board of Trustees. Schools wishing to move up or down in classification had the opportunity to petition the board in its Jan. 19 meeting.

“The board is going to reconsider the current realignment based on the petitions of a few schools,” Copper Hills Athletic Director Ben Morley said prior to the Jan. 19 meeting. “I am not convinced the proposed realignment will remain as such a few weeks from now. Many schools are upset at the uneven regions at the 6A level.”

Morley was proven correct. Originally, Copper Hills was placed in 6A Region 2 with Bingham, Lehi, Herriman, Mountain Ridge, Riverton and Westlake. But Lehi and Westlake were moved to 6A Region 3 after the Jan. 19 meeting, with Corner Canyon joining Copper Hills in the new Region 2. The change was to keep schools within their own counties.

West Jordan High School was moved to 5A Region 4 with Cyprus, Hunter, Granger, Taylorsville and Kearns. Murray will join the region only for baseball.

The move to 5A may indicate a drop in enrollment and the competitiveness of the region.

Region 2 teams have not had much state competition success recently but have amassed 132 football playoff wins. Granger

High School began playing football in 1958 and Taylorsville in 1981. The schools have many former players with NFL and NCAA experience

“Playing Kearns and Hunter is good for us,” Cyprus head basketball coach Tre Smith said. “These are our rivals, but at the end of the day, we want them all to be successful. We want our neighbor schools on the westside to be successful and reach their goals.”

The high school association administers and supervises all interschool activities. These activities are a significant educational force for students to develop skills to become contributing members of the community.

The board of trustees takes into account the opportunity to promote fair competition in its activities. Some of the things the board considers include enrollment, demographics, time out of school, rivalries and competitive success.

“It is more fun to play our rivals. We know each other and may talk a little more trash in those games,” Cyprus guard Quentin Meza said.

One of the new factors the board of trustees has been considering is the elimination of regions. The RPI system has diminished the importance of regions. If regions are eliminated the coaches could arrange their schedules in whatever manner they wished. Schools could play a demanding or easier schedule depending on what the administrative staff wished.

“You can’t have your feet in both, one in RPI and one in regions. Maybe it’s the learning lesson of this realignment year,” Board of Trustees Chair Jerre Holmes said.

“Trying to have our cake and eat it too can’t sustain regions and RPI. We are working against ourselves,” Wasatch Superintendent Paul Sweat said.

Region 2 teams will have new schools to compete against in August. l

Both Kearns and Taylorsville will move to 5A for the next two years. (File photos City Journals)

MAYOR'S MESSAGE

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

It is always a busy season as the Utah Legislature gets under way for its 45-day session. We are grateful to have the support of our legislators and for their willingness to work closely with us in meeting the needs of our Taylorsville community.

We stay in ready touch with them in several ways each session. First, it has become customary to meet over a meal to discuss legislative priorities. This year, that meeting was held over breakfast at City Hall (see details on Page 6 of this section). In attendance were Rep. Jim Dunnigan, as well as Sen. Wayne Harper and Sen. Karen Kwan, who has served as a Taylorsville representative in the House and recently was appointed to ll Sen. Karen Mayne’s seat following her retirement from the Legislature as she battles cancer.

We are so extremely thankful for Sen. Mayne and for all the work she has done for our city and the westside of the valley. She will be missed — she is already missed. We are grateful we have had her as our champion for so many years, and we wish her all the best.

In addition to our meeting with legislators, I also had the great opportunity this past month to accompany members of the Youth Council to the Utah League of Cities & Towns Local (ULCT) Elected Officials Day. Along with Council Members Meredith Harker and Bob Knudsen (who drove the van!) and our Youth Council Advisor Kristy Heineman, we left for the Capitol at 7 a.m. We had breakfast in the Rotunda and engaged in mock planning exercises and a mock debate about a simulated bill restricting the use of cell phones in public schools. It was a robust debate and amendments were made but in the end, the bill failed.

From there, we went to the Hyatt Regency Hotel where we had lunch and heard from Gov. Spencer Cox and First Lady Abby Cox. We met with our legislators, as we listened, learned and laughed with each other. Any time you’re able to be with the youth, it’s an enlightening, entertaining and learning experience.

Lastly, ChamberWest and the ULCT will be holding their respective caucus and legislative policy meetings each week on Capitol Hill to monitor legislation during the session. So it’s de nitely a time of go, go, go, which makes me appreciate our legislators that much more and all that is accomplished in a very short window of time.

—Mayor Kristie S. Overson

WHAT’S INSIDE – FEBRUARY 2023

Frequently Called Numbers, Page 2 Council Corner, Page 3

TVPD News, Page 4

Heritage Remembrances, Page 7

Environment, Page 8

Year in Review: 2022 Focuses on the Arts, Community Building

Key building block areas of Economic Development, Transportation, Public Safety, Arts Parks and Recreation, and Community Building once again de ned Year 2022 in Taylorsville, but the arts and community building were at the center.

“From our Starry Nights @the Plaza events during the summer to December’s touching Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Taylorsville City Cemetery, we enjoyed gathering together as friends and neighbors throughout 2022,” said Mayor Kristie Overson.

For the past several years, the city has focused both its attention and resources on Economic Development, Transportation, Public Safety, Arts Parks and Recreation, and Community Building. The thinking is that these key building blocks are what de ne a community and that by lending focus to them, the city will grow in strength and success as goals are made and reached in each area.

“We have been focusing on these building block areas because they are the puzzle pieces that make up a community,” Mayor Overson said. “While all important, the arts and community building seemed to take center stage in 2022, which I couldn’t be happier about. After all, it is people who make up our community and by spending time together — with the added bene t of engaging in the arts — it can only make our city even better.”

Some of the projects in each of these areas over the past year follow. Also, watch the 2022 Year in Review video either on social media sites or the city’s YouTube channel to see pictures of the various activities and accomplishments over the past year. The video is also playing in the lobby at City Hall

Arts, Parks & Recreation. The city started its Starry Nights @the Plaza series featuring the Food Truck League food trucks and other activities and entertainment, including live music and movies on the plaza. In all, 16 Starry Nights events were held at Centennial Plaza last summer, and planning is already underway for more Starry Nights on Friday nights this year.

YEAR IN REVIEW

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Mayor Kristie S. Overson

EVENTS FEBRUARY 2023

Feb. 2 – All day

It’s Groundhog Day. Are you ready for spring? Will the groundhog see his shadow?

Feb. 1 & 15 – 6:30 p.m.

City Council Meeting @ City Hall and online. Watch a livestream of the meeting on the city’s website, www.taylorsvilleut.gov

Feb. 14 – 7 p.m. & Feb. 28 – 6 p.m.

Planning Commission Meeting @ City Hall.

Feb. 14 – All day

Happy Valentine's Day! We hope your day is lovely.

Feb. 20 – All day

President’s Day. City O ces are closed for the holiday.

Feb. 24 & 25 – 7:30 p.m.

“An Evening of Fascinating Rhythm,” featuring music from the Gershwin brothers. @ Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center, Studio 5400 Theater. (See ad on Page 7)

Find our calendar of events every month on the city’s website, where you can also submit your own events for possible publication. Go to www.taylorsvilleut.gov

Also, a standing event every Thursday, from 2 to 4 p.m., at City Hall is the “Mayor is In.” During this time, Mayor Kristie Overson has open o ce hours to meet with residents about any issue on their minds. Drop by and meet with the Mayor. All are welcome.

COUNCIL CORNER Things We About Taylorsville | By Council Member Meredith Harker

City Works to Keep Taylorsville Food Pantry Open

The City of Taylorsville is pleased to announce the Taylorsville Food Pantry will remain open inde nitely. For many years, Tri-Park Services (a local nonpro t) has faithfully managed and operated the pantry — with great success and the appreciation by all who have been served. Sadly, late last year, Tri-Park organizers and sta determined they would no longer be able to sustain those e orts.

In response, Taylorsville City administration, in collaboration with Utah Food Bank, began considering options to keep the pantry doors open and, thankfully, identi ed another local organization to manage operations.

Congregation members of the Intermountain Baptist Church, located within Taylorsville, established a nonpro t and began distributing food to others in need at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and have been rendering aid ever since. Their volunteer experience, in conjunction with city support, has allowed the pantry to remain open and to continue to provide food assistance to those in need.

Particulars as to the exact hours of operation (number of days per week and the time of day), reporting needs to stakeholders and ownership transfer of Tri-Park Services will be solidi ed in the coming weeks, but the goal remains the same: Like minds and like hearts working to feed the hungry.

Taylorsville elected o cials and the administration are grateful to all who have dedicated themselves and provided such a great service in the past, and likewise appreciate those who are willing to contribute into the future!

Please feel free to contact Jay Ziolkowski, the city’s community outreach coordinator, at jayz@ taylorsvilleut.gov if you have any comments, questions or suggestions.

The e orts to preserve our history

Hardworking citizen volunteers

Our public safety o cers

Our dedicated Youth Council

Taylorsville Officer Wrangles a Goat, er Sheep

Check this space each month for news about the Taylorsville Police Department (TVPD) and their valuable service to our community.

TVPD O cer Gri th nabbed a goat (that turned out to be a sheep) this past month.

The loose animal was roaming the Barrington Park neighborhood on Sunday morning, Jan. 8. Residents tried for more than an hour to grab it themselves without success before calling Animal Control and the Police Department. O cers initially thought the small, horned animal was a goat, but it was later determined to actually be a black belly sheep.

After some trial and error, O cer Gri th was able to capture the sheep near 1330 West and 4200 South by lassoing it around the neck. The sheep was not harmed and “taken safely into custody.”

Animal Services officials have named the animal Barrington the Black Belly Sheep, after the neighborhood where it was found. The sheep has been residing at the Animal Shelter and as of midJanuary had not yet been claimed.

TVPD EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to O cer Johnson, our TVPD Employee of the Month. O cer Johnson has served in law enforcement for more than four years. He began his career with Salt Lake City Police Department, where he developed a strong foundation that has served him well in Taylorsville.

O cer Johnson has been with TVPD since the beginning of its formation in 2021. He has served as part of a peer support program and has a contagious optimistic demeanor. Prior to departing Salt Lake City PD, O cer Johnson was awarded the Medal of Valor from SLCPD and the Medal of Courage from Salt Lake City Fire Department after he rescued two children from an overturned vehicle that was sinking in a canal. The Medal of Valor is given to individuals who go “above and beyond the call of duty” and involves “risk or imminent danger to their own lives with the purpose of saving or protecting human life.”

O cer Johnson has displayed that same sel essness in Taylorsville as he has served our own community. His main responsibility with TVPD is working as a patrol o cer. In this role, he responds to any type of police call for service that can be imagined. Additionally, O cer Johnson is bilingual. TVPD o cers have several resources available to them to assist in communicating with others who may not speak English or who are deaf or hard of hearing. However, the best resource is always another o cer. This is especially true when investigating a serious violent crime and is why Sgt. Cheshire of our TVPD Violent Crimes Unit nominated O cer Johnson as Employee of the Month.

Sgt. Cheshire pointed to three separate criminal investigations, including child abuse homicide, child abuse and child sexual abuse cases. Sgt. Cheshire said O cer Johnson played a “critical role in all three investigations.” He also noted his ability to “keep the suspects’ focus.” O cers undergo extensive training when it comes to interviewing techniques of both victims and suspects. Our detectives investigating these cases noted how imperative it was to have a translator who was able to understand these techniques.

In his free time, O cer Johnson enjoys camping, shing, swimming, playing and coaching water polo, and spending time with his family. Thank you, O cer Johnson, for your service and dedication to law enforcement and for choosing to be a part of Team Taylorsville!

City Leaders Welcome Cambodia’s Ambassador to Taylorsville

Delegates from Cambodia, including the Cambodian Ambassador to the United States, met with Taylorsville City and Taylorsville Police Department leaders at City Hall this past month.

Ambassador Keo Chhea has been gathering with state and local leaders across the country as a way of maintaining positive international and trade relationships. He was in town for a speaking engagement at Carriage Square's Café Thao Mi on the evening of Jan. 4, following his visit to City Hall. Ambassador Chhea also separately visited with Utah’s Attorney General at the state level.

Mayor Kristie Overson said it was an honor to meet with Ambassador Chhea and the Cambodian delegation and to learn more about their country and goals for their region.

"Truly, it was wonderful to have them here and to connect on issues of mutual importance," she said.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 258,000 Cambodian Americans live in the United States, and according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, about 7,000 Cambodians visited the United States in 2019. In 2021, the United States also exported $413 million of goods to Cambodia and imported $8.7 billion of goods from Cambodia.

In an interview with the national non-pro t East-West Center, Ambassador Chhea said these numbers are a good reminder of the importance of partnership between the two countries.

“The most important part of my work is to improve relationships,” he said. “I am going to do all my best to show that we are open, and we are friends so we can work with every country.”

With winter here, snow removal is an important part of keeping our city going and everyone safe. We can all help out and do our part. Snow removal is also outlined in the city’s ordinances. They include:

14.32.100: SNOW REMOVAL; REQUIRED:

It is unlawful for the owner, occupant, lessor or agent of property abutting on a paved sidewalk to fail to remove or cause to be removed from such paved sidewalk and any existing curb ramp all hail, snow or sleet falling thereon, within twenty four (24) hours after the hail, snow or sleet has ceased falling. (Ord. 04-07, 2-4-2004)

14.32.110: SNOW REMOVAL; CLOGGING GUTTER PROHIBITED:

It is unlawful for any person removing snow from a sidewalk or curb ramp to deposit snow, dirt or other material in a gutter so as to clog the same, or prevent the free ow of water therein. (Ord. 96-17, 6-19-1996)

14.20.105: PLACING SNOW UPON HIGHWAY PROHIBITED:

It is unlawful for any person removing snow, ice or other material from a sidewalk or driveway to place or deposit said snow, ice or other material upon any city road or highway in such a manner as to interfere with the proper use of the same or so as to obstruct travel or to endanger property or persons upon the same. (Ord. 96-17, 6-19-1996)

Thank you for keeping these codes in mind and stay safe this winter!

City of Taylorsville

YEAR IN REVIEW CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The Taylorsville Parks and Recreation Committee was busy with several activities, including its rst laidback “Ride. Run. Float.” triathlon and continuation of its Loving Labrum Park project that saw 300 waterwise plants planted at the park. The Taylorsville Arts Council also put on a number of community productions, including “A Broadway Musical Review,” “Willy Wonka Jr.,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and a crosswalk musical to promote it, “Forever Plaid” and the 2022 Taylorsville Art Show.

In addition, the city’s Plaza +ART program kicked o its second season, bringing 14 beautiful sculptures by local and area artists to Centennial Plaza. Plus, an indoor sculpture was donated to the city and is featured at City Hall.

Community Building. Thousands turned out for Taylorsville Dayzz 2022 and its parade, 5K, carnival, concerts, car show and, of course, the best reworks in the state! The annual Collection Day, sponsored by the Green Committee, was more successful than ever with literally tons of items collected for disposal and recycling, and the city's many star employees were recognized at Taylorsville's 26th annual Awards Gala, where Mayor Overson also delivered the 2022 State of the City address.

Also in this area, the Historic Preservation Committee and Taylorsville Arts Council presented Tombstone Tales, and Taylorsville residents turned out for the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. Other new, community-building events were Trick-or-Treating at City Hall, the Wreaths Across America ceremony and the city’s rst holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Centennial Plaza.

Economic Development. New businesses opened across the city and were celebrated with Ribbon Cutting events by city o cials and ChamberWest representatives. ChamberWest also honored Mayor Overson with its 2022 Hall of Fame Award for her strong championship of local businesses, as well as Taylorsville businesses Nothing Bundt Cakes as Best New Business of the Year, Summit Vista as Best Place to Work and Markosian Auto as Business of the Year.

Work also has continued on replacing the old Kmart property with the new mixed-use development Volta, and renovation plans at the Carriage Square shopping center are underway.

Transportation. UDOT wrapped up its State Environmental Study evaluating a potential freeway-style interchange at Bangerter Highway and 4700 South. The intersection at 6200 South and Bangerter Highway also was completed, improving both safety and commute times.

In addition, work continues on the development of the Mid-Valley Connector Bus Rapid Transit line and improvements along 4700 South, and the Taylorsville Active Communities Plan is working to better incorporate bicycles and pedestrians into transportation and recreational planning.

Public Safety. TVPD’s K-9 unit took rst place in patrol in the Utah Peace O cers Association K-9 trials. The honor is especially remarkable considering the unit had only been operating for about a year, since the start-up of the new police department in July 2021. The Taylorsville City Police Department also held its rst Meet & Greet at City Hall, and The Taylorsville Public Safety Committee hosted the city’s 2022 Night Out Against Crime. For its part, the Uni ed Fire Department held a wildly successful pancake breakfast where thousands of pancakes were served to the more than 800 people at Fire Station 118.

“It’s amazing to me that as a city, working together, we accomplished so much this past year,” Mayor Overson said. “I love our Taylorsville home.”

City Leaders, Youth Council Meet with Lawmakers at Start of Legislative Session

Each year, Taylorsville City leaders work closely with legislative representatives to ensure the community’s priorities during the annual session of the Utah Legislature are top of mind, and this year was no exception.

The 2023 General Session of the 65th Utah Legislature began Jan. 17, and the 45-day session concludes March 3.

Prior to its opening, city leaders met with legislators over breakfast at City Hall to talk about primary issues. Among them were housing and community development, school safety and education, transportation, broadband infrastructure, health care, and law enforcement issues including evidence retention requirements and the inclusion of hate crimes training in the Department of Public Safety’s Peace O cer Standards and Training (POST). Go to le.utah.gov for more information, including bill les, hearing schedules and how to reach your representative.

“We are so grateful to our legislative leaders,” said Mayor Kristie Overson. “They are wonderful, service-minded people committed to our community.”

Representing the Taylorsville area are Rep. Jim Dunnigan and Sens. Wayne Harper and Karen Kwan, who was appointed this past month to replace Sen. Karen Mayne, following her announced retirement from the Legislature due to a cancer diagnosis. Sen. Kwan had been representing the Taylorsville area in the House prior to her appointment to the Senate, and her replacement there was set to be selected

in the following weeks. The House districts of Reps. Mark Wheatley and Ashlee Matthews also include a portion of Taylorsville this year, after redistricting.

In addition to the legislative breakfast, Mayor Overson joined members of the Taylorsville Youth Council at the Utah League of Cities & Towns (ULCT) Local Elected O cials Day on Jan. 18. City Council Members Meredith Harker and Bob Knudsen and Youth Council Advisor Kristy Heineman also were on hand. It is a yearly tradition for the Youth Council to attend the day, which provides an excellent opportunity for the youth to talk to legislators and see rst-hand how the process works. In addition, the Youth Council plans to participate in the Youth Council Leadership Conference at Utah State University in March.

Taylorsville Bennion Heritage REMEMBRANCES

Don’t Miss These Library Events

The Taylorsville Library has planned several programs during the month of February. You’ll want to mark your calendar for these events:

WALKING BOOK CLUB

Thursdays in February, 10 a.m.

Take a short walk along the paths behind the library and then participate in a book discussion. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle. Strollers are welcome.

READING SCHEDULE:

“Andy Warhol was a Hoarder”

Feb. 2: Pages 101 - 196

Feb. 9: Pages 197 - end

“The Henna Artist”

Feb. 16: Chapters 1 - 5

Feb. 23: Chapters 6 - 13

March 2: Chapters 14 - end

TEEN PERLER BEAD VALENTINES

Thursday, Feb. 2, 4:30 p.m.

Create fun pixel art to give away. There will be a variety of patterns.

VIRTUAL LECTURE: American Sirens: The Black Men Who Became America's First Paramedics

Monday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m.

Register at: thecountylibrary.org/LectureSeries

Author Kevin Hazzard will highlight the extraordinary story of a group of Black men in Pittsburgh who became the rst paramedics in America.

SENIOR BOOK CLUB AT THE TAYLORSVILLE SENIOR CENTER

Monday, Feb. 13, 11 a.m.

This month, the club will discuss “The Kingdom of Back” by Marie Lu

Taylorsville Senior Center: 4743 S. Plymouth View Drive

INVENTORS INTERACTIVE ADVENTURE

Wednesday, Feb. 8-Tuesday, Feb. 14

The Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center has several family history books on its shelves, including this month’s featured history of the Ted and Defonda Collier family. It was published by their son Robert Collier in 2004.

DeFonda kept journals much of her life except for a few years while living in Taylorsville when life was hectic and the family was often stretched beyond their limits. Their family history book is formatted by chapters, which give a general feel of their lives in the community. The Collier’s home was located at 1166 W. 4800 South.

If this piques your interest, drop by the museum and read through this fabulous book. We’re located at 1488 W. 4800 South.

Celebrate National Inventors' Day. Drop by the Taylorsville Branch to complete this interactive adventure and earn a small prize.

VIRTUAL LECTURE: THE FIRST LOOK WITH JWST

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m.

Register at: thecountylibrary.org/LectureSeries

Dr. Josh Lothringer will explain the science behind the rst images and spectra from NASA's newest and biggest space telescope, JWST, including candidates for the most distant galaxy ever observed.

LIBRARY CLOSURE

Monday, Feb. 20, all day Happy Presidents Day!

Tickets $10

FEBRUARY UPDATES

Subscription Green Waste Program

The Weekly Green Waste Collection Program will resume beginning Thursday, March 16 for Taylorsville residents. Taylorsville currently has 1,414 of the 10,477 districtwide subscribers.

Residents can sign up and help divert green waste from the land ll to be processed into mulch that can be purchased for use from the Salt Lake Valley and Trans-Jordan land lls. There is a onetime startup fee of $70 to pay for the can and at $126 per year, a green waste can is less expensive than an additional black garbage can at $234 per year. For more information on this program, go to the “Services & Requests” tab on the WFWRD website (www.wasatchfrontwaste.org) and select “Additional Subscription Services” to nd the “Green Waste Sign Up” link.

Ideas for Can Placement on Windy Days

Repair Costs Often Depend on ‘Who Owns it’

A question often asked when a water service line is leaking or if there is a blockage in a sewer lateral is: “Whose responsibility is it?”

A water service line is a pipe that conveys water from a large water main to the home. The homeowner and the TaylorsvilleBennion Improvement District have responsibilities for portions of the water service line. The district owns and maintains the water service line from the water main, which is normally located in the road or park strip, into the meter box that services the home. The homeowner is responsible for maintaining and repairing the water service line after it leaves the meter box.

A sewer lateral is a pipe that takes wastewater away from the home. The homeowner owns, maintains, repairs and replaces the sewer lateral and connection to the sewer main as needed. The district maintains the sewer main that receives the wastewater from the homeowners’ sewer lateral. For further nancial protection, it is recommended that homeowners contact their homeowner’s insurance company or consider third-party insurance for coverage on water and sewer laterals.

If you have any questions, please contact Taylorsville-Bennion Improvement District by calling 801-968-9081 or visiting www.tbid.org. Follow TBID on Facebook and Twitter.

When the wind is blowing, you may want to turn your can facing sideways to the street. This will help ensure that lightweight items, like plastic bags and loose paper, do not y out and litter your neighborhood.

WFWRD asks that you not place the can with the lid hinge towards the street. That makes it harder for collection trucks to successfully empty your can.

Packaging: Is it Recyclable?

As online shopping and deliveries continue to increase, the district is seeing more and more shipping packaging come through the recycling stream. Remember, bubble wrap, cellophane, Styrofoam and other plastic shipping materials are not recyclable in your curbside recycle cans. If it’s plastic and you can crumple it in your st, then it belongs in the black garbage can. Please throw these items in the garbage or visit WFWRD’s website to nd alternative recycling options.

For more helpful information on recycling, follow the district on Instagram at @WasatchFrontWaste. They post educational graphics and videos to help residents further understand what can and can’t be recycled in your curbside recycle can.

UHSAA schools have action plans to treat sports injuries

Damar Hamlin, defensive back for the Buffalo Bills, collapsed on the field of a Monday Night football game. He was in cardiac arrest. Players, coaches and fans stood in silence watching the response of field safety workers. At high school games in Utah, many schools have an emergency plan in place to help keep players safe.

“You have always got to prepare for that type of injury,” Cyprus High School trainer and exercise science and sports medicine teacher Cole Kissick said. “We have an Emergency Action Plan in place.”

An EAP is developed to ensure the safety of and provide the best immediate care for all student-athletes. Athletic injuries can occur at any time and at any level of participation. Having an EAP in place ensures that these injuries are managed and cared for appropriately.

“Each venue we have here at Cyprus has a specific plan. Our main gym, the football field, swimming pool and aux gym each have different plans. Our administration, athletic directors, police officers and training staff go through it at the first of each year. These are for the worst situations, our ‘oh crap’ moments,” Kissick said.

The UHSAA has mandated health examinations prior to participating in a sport. Each student athlete must present a certificate signed by a physician stating that he/she is physically able to compete in school athletics.

The UHSAA specifically targets heat stroke and sudden cardiac arrest in its hand-

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

book. The handbook states “cold water immersion tubs” are used for onsite cool down. It also includes AEDs for cardiac arrest situations.

The EAP documents the individuals responsible for the equipment and documentation of the training.

“It is what I prepare for. We walk through it. We have AEDs in the hall and in the cart, it all comes down to preparing. It is scary and not something we ever want to do, but we are prepared,” Kissick said.

Hamlin fell to the ground after making a routine tackle in the first quarter of the football game. He went into cardiac arrest and was administered CPR on the field. His heartbeat was revived by the training staff.

After nine days and two hospital stays, he has since been released to his home in Buffalo, New York. His recovery could take weeks to months. It is unknown why Hamlin’s heart stopped. That injury is unusual. The chest must be struck in a brief moment (about 20 milliseconds) while the heart is relaxing.

“I show sports injuries in my class, and we talk about what they have to do. Prevention is most of my job. I deal with lots of ankle sprains. After an injury, we work with the players to get them playing again. They still need to do things to make sure they don’t reinjure themselves,” Kissick said.

Playing sports can be inherently dangerous. The Hamlin injury made some people think about how dangerous sports can be.

“I do think we need to have better equip-

ment,” Utah girls tackle football coach Crys Sacco said.

“I would think twice about letting my kids play football,” Sofia Broadhead said.

“There are car accidents every day, but I don’t stop driving,” Jennie Best said.

Parents have many different opinions.

“I have had some honest conversations with people (concerning safety). We have stepped back and tried to explain what actually happened. No parents have said any-

thing, but we have talked with the coaches and they can understand why we (trainers) do what we do. Sometimes I can be mean, but at the end of the day, everyone looks at us if someone is on the floor, wondering what we do,” Kissick said.

The UHSAA asks that the school’s EAP focuses on training, equipment and maintenance, actions taken during an emergency, and post-event evaluation of the emergency response. l

Taylorsville runner helps lead team to national title

By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com

Taylorsville’s

Lily Jameson (left) helped her 13-14-year-old girls team to a national championship at the USATF Junior Olympics National Championships in College Station, Texas Dec. 10, 2022. She placed 57th overall in the 4000 meter race among 333 runners for the Wolfpack Running Club Utah team. Her younger brother Myles ran for the fourth-place Wolfpack RC Utah team in the 9-10-year-old age division where he came in 191st out of 308 runners as the sixth of eight runners for his team. (Photo courtesy Teren Jameson)

Injuries to student-athletes can happen at any time. The school’s administration is prepared to handle it. (Photo courtesy of Hunter Cyprus baseball)

Salt Lake County invests $5 million in open space

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Whenthe Salt Lake County Council certified its 2023 budget, it included an unprecedented $5 million investment in open space funding. The funds will be set aside to create additional trail systems, park space and improvements in the canyons.

It’s a larger amount than is historically allocated for open space because there were lots of one-time dollars available from the American Rescue Plan Act that must be used before 2024. While no specific open space projects are targeted with this funding, the council will have the funds they need to purchase properties, green-light proposals or approve expenses as projects come forward.

“As property continues to appreciate and our county eventually expands out with people coming and moving here and bringing development, we want to make sure we are ahead of the game in keeping open space for our residents,” said Salt Lake County Councilmember Aimee Newton. “We know it’s a priority for our residents to have plenty of open space to recreate outside and spend time with their families.”

An additional $85 million in ARPA funds will be used for deferred maintenance, the largest investment in deferred capital maintenance in the history of the county. Some of these projects have been put off for more than a decade and the upgrades will improve the efficiency and sustainability of county facilities.

“This year was an interesting budget because while our ongoing funds were tight with inflation and salary increases, we had a ton of one-time dollars,” Newton said. “We had a bunch of ARPA funds we had to use, and we put a lot of funds toward deferred maintenance which we know will save taxpayer dollars

down the road.”

By approving the budget, the council agreed to a tax increase for the Salt Lake County Library service area. The increase will be approximately $30 per household annually, for the average home valued at $560,000. The funding will help modernize the county’s library system and address inflationary pressures. County residents have not seen an increase to the County Library tax in 10 years.

Other initiatives in the budget include funding for active transportation projects including safer sidewalks and bike lanes, waterwise upgrades to the irrigation infrastructure in county parks and facilities, and a matched grant to Centro Cívico Mexicano to support planning for a new center that will replace the aging facility.

An additional $2 million investment in the Other Side Academy Tiny Home Village will help provide solutions for the unsheltered in the county and a $2 million grant given to the Utah AIDS Foundation will support the capital costs of the foundation’s new community health center.

For more information about the Salt Lake County budget, visit SLCO.org.

“The 2023 comprehensive budget provides historic support to health, quality of life initiatives, homeless system assistance and environmental sustainability investments,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. “Additionally, all of the county’s priority deferred maintenance was funded including much needed improvements at parks, recreation centers and buildings throughout the county system.”

The Salt Lake County Council’s 2023 budget invests a record $5 million to create and improve open space projects in the county. (File photo City Journals)

385-341-2799

Salt Lake County grant supports Utah AIDS Foundation’s community health center

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

The Utah AIDS Foundation has been a compassionate voice for people struggling with HIV/AIDS for nearly 40 years. In 1985, when the Utah Department of Health reported 17 people in the state living with the disease, UAF was established to address the need for public information while offering assistance to those dealing with HIV/AIDS.

What began as a crisis hotline with a handful of volunteers grew into an organization dedicated to championing mental and physical health issues for those living with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Now, a $2 million grant from Salt Lake County will help UAF create the first LGBTQ+ community health care center in Utah.

“It’s a game-changing grant,” said Ahmer Afroz, executive director of the Utah AIDS Foundation. “Finding funds for capital projects is quite difficult, so the support of the council and the mayor was game-changing. Our goal at UAF is to make impacts on health equity and reduce health disparity. If we can make quality, culturally competent health care accessible to everyone, we can make strides to achieve health equity in a real tangible way.”

Located at 150 S. 1000 East, UAF provides HIV case management, linkage to care and HIV and STI testing. Last year, the nonprofit added a mental health component by hiring a full-time therapist and demand soon exceeded availability. As the need for mental health services expanded, the foundation hired another therapist and will hire a Spanish-speaking therapist this spring.

As members of the LGBTQ+ community search for services that feel safe, UAF felt the community clinic was a natural step, based on a model used by health centers across the country.

“It will all be in the same location,” Afroz said. “One side will be mental health, one side will be medical, and programming is upstairs. It’s a unique model and that’s why we strongly feel it will make an impact in the community.”

Offering social activities, clinical care and a mind/body/soul approach to healing, UAF provides services for any person living with HIV/AIDS or anyone who is part of the LGBTQ+ population. Services are provided whether a person is insured, uninsured, undocumented or underinsured.

UAF is the largest tester for HIV in the state and case managers serve nearly 200 people living with the disease. The foundation’s medical director, Dr. Susana Keeshin, is one of the top infectious disease providers in the state and sits on the board of the American Academy of HIV Medicine.

Along with medical and mental health services, UAF offers educational presentations, including HIV 101 which is a basic understanding of HIV infection and transmission and how to reduce risk. The trained volunteers can give presentations anywhere in Utah.

The foundation also offers food bank services for individuals living with HIV/ AIDS and the UAF Thrive program encouraging healthy movement, nutrition, community and education. For more information, visit UtahAids.org.

“There’s a lot of pieces to what we do,” Afroz said. “It’s been a long time of needing to grow. We were able to get into a new building and expand our services. One of the biggest gaps we’re seeing in Utah is looking at clinical care and general LGBTQ+ competent care and HIV care. We hope to open in June 2023. We really want to be able to celebrate Pride Month with the launch. It’s really amazing.” l

(From left) Shiya Zeng, Ahmer Afroz, Ellie Echeverio, Ryan Gibbs, Bobbi Farnsworth, Chelsea Mitchell and Jared Hafen work at the Utah AIDS Foundation, which just received a $2 million grant from Salt Lake County to support the capital costs of the foundation’s new community health center. (Photo courtesy of UAF)

The Other Side Village provides a unique solution to chronic homelessness

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

It’sa revolutionary idea. Build a neighborhood where the chronically homeless can learn how to own and care for a home, be a good neighbor and invest in building a community. It’s the mission behind The Other Side Village and will become reality this summer.

Located at 1850 W. Indiana Ave., The Other Side Village’s pilot phase is an 8-acre area that will include 85 homes, each ranging in size from 280-400 square feet. Most of the homes will be given to those who sign up for the Welcome Neighborhood program, some will be used for staff and community buildings, and several will be used as short-term rentals to raise money to support the project.

“This will create a place for those who haven’t really fit into other places, so they can build their own sense of identity and their own sense of safety,” said Samuel Grenny, manager of Welcome Neighborhood. “It’s a peer-led model, so everything that happens in the community is determined by members of the community and it gives them the ability to define their safe, shared space in a way that is best for them.”

The Salt Lake County Council approved a $2 million investment to support the village which isn’t just about homes for the unsheltered, but creating a social system and culture that changes lives.

Welcome Neighborhood is a program that transitions people out of the homeless lifestyle and into The Other Side Village community where people are invested in personal growth and home ownership. When a new occupant arrives, they are given guidance to adjust to the new environment. This includes help with drug or alcohol addiction, mental health counseling and classes in how to be a member of a therapeutic community.

“The only criteria is we don’t allow sex offenders or people convicted of arson charges. They must be chronically homeless and interested in living in a clean and sober community,” Grenny said. “They must have a desire to improve their life. This is perma-

nent supportive housing, not a transitional model.”

Part of the program is teaching residents how to have healthy, strong relationships with each other. They’ll learn life skills like how to keep a neighborhood clean and how to resolve conflicts. It borrows from a housing model that shows people need base-level resources, like having a roof over their head, before asking them to take on challenges like personal growth and addressing health issues.

“People actually want expectations to be had of them,” Grenny said. “People actually thrive when they feel they’re capable of something. The Welcome Neighborhood is where people spend two, three or four months identifying and working on core areas that are important to them and will help set them up for success with their housing so they’re not cycling through it.”

After the resident completes the program, they are allowed to choose their forever home in The Other Side Village. Welcome Neighborhood is already working with future residents and 17% of the homes are taken. By the time the village opens in the summer, Grenny expects the first phase to be 25% full.

“Really core to our model is the self-reliance aspect, teaching skills to individuals to live as self-sufficiently as possible,” Grenny said. “We hope everybody gets to be the best version of themselves. We have a social enterprise where neighbors are able to work, making $14 an hour. They learn job skills and all profits go to paying for the operational needs of the village.”

Salt Lake City gave The Other Side Village a 40-year lease on city-owned land to develop phase one of the project. The $2 million investment from the Salt Lake County Council will help fund the phase, estimated to cost $14 million. For more information, visit TheOtherSideVillage.com.

“This budget is an example of what we can accomplish when we all work together for the greater good,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. l

Throughout the ages, there have been many important advances in mobility. Canes, walkers, rollators, and scooters were created to help people with mobility issues get around and retain their independence. Lately, however, there haven’t been any new improvements to these existing products or developments in this field Until now. Recently, an innovative design engineer who’s developed one of the world’s most popular products created a completely new breakthrough . . . a personal electric vehicle. It’s called the Zinger, and there is nothing out there quite like it.

“What my wife especially loves is it gives her back feelings of safety and independence which has given a real boost to her confidence and happiness! Thank You!”

–Kent C., California

The first thing you’ll notice about the Zinger is its unique look. It doesn’t look like a scooter. Its sleek, lightweight yet durable frame is made with aircraft grade aluminum so it weighs only 47.2 lbs. It features onetouch folding and unfolding – when folded it can be wheeled around like a suitcase and fits easily into a

backseat or trunk. Then, there are the steering levers. They enable the Zinger to move forward, backward, turn on a dime and even pull right up to a table or desk. With its compact yet powerful motor it can go up to 6 miles an hour and its rechargeable battery can go up to 8 miles on a single charge. With its low center of gravity and inflatable tires it can handle rugged terrain and is virtually tip-proof. Think about it, you can take your Zinger almost anywhere, so you don’t have to let mobility issues rule your life.

Why take our word for it? Call now, and find out how you can get a Zinger of your very own.

Call now and receive a utility basket absolutely FREE with your order.

The Zinger folds to a mere 10 inches.

Once in a lifetime, a product comes along that truly moves people. Introducing the future of battery-powered personal transportation . . . The Zinge r.

Available in Green, Black and Blue (shown)

The Other Side Village in Salt Lake City was given a $2 million boost from the Salt Lake County Council. The village offers a safe community for those transitioning out of homelessness. (Rendering courtesy of The Other Side Village)

Utah PTA sponsored statewide film contest promotes digital wellness with healthy use of technology

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Last year, an Eastmont Middle School sixth-grader claimed the top prize in the first Utah PTA digital wellness film contest, which was held only in the Canyons School District.

This year, the film contest is extended statewide to sixth- through 12th-grade students with the submission deadline March 15.

“The purpose of the video contest is to promote digital wellness and awareness and to promote healthy use of devices with students,” said Melinda Rosevear, Utah PTA Digital Wellness Committee member who is directing the video contest. “Our theme is ‘being safe, kind and responsible online.’ We wanted to make it broad so students can take any of those aspects they want to focus.”

Currently, information is being shared with career and technology education teachers in schools throughout the state.

“Every student in Utah is required to take the digital literacy class in eighth grade, unless parents choose to opt their student out, so that seems like a good place to get the word out to students,” she said. “I would love for the teachers who are already doing things in their eighth-grade digital literacy classes to participate in this.”

Last year, in its pilot year in Canyons School District, many Albion Middle students in classes taught by CTE teacher Bethany Hanson participated.

“I’d say about 60% of our entries were from Albion Middle School because the digital literacy teacher there jumped on it and it caught the kids’ interest,” she said.

Rosevear said that Eastmont winner, Jake Despain, “really knows his technology. He had all these cool special effects, he was very concise and very creative in his message.”

The contest allows students to have an engaging way to teach and to learn.

“It’s more impactful when kids are teaching kids and when they’re using their creativity to convey a message about digital safety and awareness. It’s such a powerful tool when they use their own videos to help teach concepts and while they’re making the videos that helps them think about these issues that help them process what is appropriate, say what’s responsible and express that in a way that’s creative and uses technology for good,” she said.

The film, which has a maximum time length of 90 seconds, can be worked on as a group, but only one student will be allowed to enter it. If that student wins local or state prizes, which may be up to $500, it can be shared with other participants, she said, adding she appreciated the support of generous donors.

Rosevear said the idea emerged from when she held White Ribbon Week film contests as a PTA leader at Quail Hollow Ele-

Eastmont Middle School Principal Stacy Kurtzhals (left) congratulated then sixth-grader Jake Despain on his win in the Utah PTA video contest along with Utah PTA Digital Wellness Specialist Linda Zenger and Utah PTA Digital Wellness Video Contest Director Melinda Rosevear. (Photo courtesy of Ann Despain)

mentary and Albion Middle School.

“I thought it would be fun to do a video contest because I think kids love to make movies and they love to use technology to express their ideas and their creativity. So, I thought how cool it would be for the kids to create videos and then to show those videos in the school,” she said.

Unfortunately, things didn’t turn out as she planned.

“We had that video contest, and it was literally the week before COVID closed the schools. We still had winners, but we didn’t get to share the films in person. We may have put the videos on Canvas or something for other students to see,” she recalled.

When Rosevear proposed a film contest to the Utah PTA committee, “they loved the idea” so it was tested last year in Canyons District.

“Now we’re ready to roll it out to the whole state,” she said.

The Utah PTA Digital Wellness Committee, coordinated by Utah PTA Digital Wellness Specialist Linda Zenger, has about 15 digital citizenship and industry experts who will judge the entries. By the end of April, the committee will send certificates and winning prizes to students’ schools so they can be recognized at the school in front of their peers.

Students wishing to learn more about the video link may get additional information on the website, www.utahpta.org/video-contest. l

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The year 2023 brings new hope for Salt Lake County

Anew year brings new changes to Salt Lake County. This year we saw several new additions to Salt Lake County leadership. After the November election some of us were re-elected and will continue to serve - Councilman Arlyn Bradshaw, Councilwoman Aimee Winder Newton, Attorney General Sim Gill, Auditor Chris Harding Judge Shauna Graves-Robertson and Sheriff Rosie Rivera. But we have a few new faces including Councilman Sheldon Stewart, Councilwoman Suzanne Harrison and Clerk Lannie Chapman.

This is the first year the council has more women than men. I remember beginning my council service in January 2014 and I was the only woman on the council. It’s interesting to see how things have changed over time. We’ve also elected new leadership for 2023. I will be serving as chair. Councilman Dave Alvord will be vice chair, Councilwoman Dea Theodore is Pro Tem, and Councilman Arlyn Bradshaw is the Minority Leader.

One of the great things about Salt Lake County is that even though we have both Democrats and Republicans, we are still friends and get along. That doesn’t mean we always agree on issues, but we can disagree and still be respectful to each other. I look forward to a great year where we can tackle some of the big issues like

Aimee Winder Newton

homelessness, mental health, public safety, The Great Salt Lake, air quality, water conservation and investment in infrastructure as the County continues to grow. Ensuring we are keeping government “lean and mean” is important as I value every tax dollar and how we invest for the future.

We have a county council and mayor who commit to keeping our AAA bond rating. This means that the bond rating agencies believe Salt Lake County will pay their debts. It translates to lower interest rates, which saves you money. Of the 3,100 counties in the U.S., Salt Lake County is one of only 49 counties with this great bond rating. You can rest assured that our council will ensure a balanced budget each year.

Salt Lake County is in good hands and we look forward to 2023 with great optimism. One of the things we would ask of

you is that you make a goal to connect with your neighbors, family and friends. Because of the pandemic and the decreased human connection, we have some of our residents who are lonely or depressed. People need people to thrive. Please look for those who you can reach out to–those who may need a friendly smile, a warm

greeting, or a handshake or hug. We need each other now more than ever. Let’s make Salt Lake County the best place to livenot just because of our fantastic county services, but because of our loving and caring people. l

If you’d told me 20 years ago that I’d be a yoga instructor, I’d have laughed hard enough to tear a hamstring because I was very inflexible.

I took my first yoga class as a dare. My tennis instructor laughed at how tight I was and challenged me to try yoga. I hated every minute of that stupid class. I hated the words and I hated the poses and I hated the teacher and I loathed downward facing dog with a fiery passion.

But I realized my tennis instructor was right. My muscles were as tight as two-byfours, but less bendy. So I kept going back to yoga. Hated it every single time.

After about two months of practicing yoga, I noticed, little by little, my flexibility was improving. I could almost touch my toes without the usual amount of grunting and tears. My hips didn’t scream out loud while doing pigeon pose. My shoulders dropped away from my ears, where I’d held them at strict attention for decades. Even my back stopped hurting each time I rolled out of bed.

I grudgingly had to admit yoga wasn’t the hippy-dippy dumpster fire I thought it was. But learning the poses was just the beginning. As I explored yoga’s history, philosophy and favorite recipes, I came to realize yoga was a lifestyle that encouraged, nay demanded, self-love and com-

A bit of a stretch

Kinder Life and Laughter

Peri

passion.

Yikes. As a lifelong subscriber to self-loathing, I wasn’t sure how to handle that type of ideology. Just like when I started the physical practice, I took lots of tiny, baby steps toward accepting myself as a worthy human.

Fast forward 20 years and not only do I teach yoga but I LOVE yoga with a fiery passion. Yoga has changed me in so many ways. I used to be sarcastic, cynical and snarky but after studying yoga for so many years, I’m a sarcastic, cynical and snarky yoga instructor.

See. People change.

I’m also much less judgmental. I’m not so hard on myself and I give most people the benefit of the doubt. Most people. Maybe someone can propose a bill that would require our legislators to take a yoga class each morning before discussing the divisive and harmful bills proposed

this year. OK, when it comes to our lawmakers, I’m still pretty judgmental.

Being a yoga instructor is super silly. As an instructor, I get to say things in class that don’t make a whole lot of sense, and my students listen to me!

I’ll say, “Breathe in through your collarbones, breathe out through your kneecaps. Inhale to fill up your armpits, exhale to release tension in the ear lobes.”

Or I’ll instruct students to “Melt into the mat, send energy out of your fingertips, ground through your sitz bones, wring out your body and lengthen the crown of your head.” And I’m totally serious. (Laugh emoji)

My yoga practice has evolved from trying to do the most difficult poses and making my students sweat and swear, to focusing on deep stretches and stress-reducing breathing exercises.

It isn’t about who can be the bendy-est or the one who can hold crow pose for five minutes. It’s about appreciating what my body can do today. Not what I think it should do or what I want it to do tomorrow, but what it can accomplish right now.

I appreciate all the yoga teachers who took this rigid block of a body and mind and transformed it into a pliable, warm and accepting human being. My hamstrings thank you. l