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South Salt Lake Journal | February 2021

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February 2021 | Vol. 7 Iss. 02

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NEW ‘ALL-ABILITIES’ PARK HONORS MOTHER-DAUGHTER VOLUNTEER TEAM By Bill Hardesty | b.hardesty@mycityjournals.com

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outh Salt Lake continues to show its desire for inclusion with the new Bickley Park that opened Dec. 24, 2020. The park, located on the north side of the Columbus Center (2531 S. 500 East), has a unique purpose of welcoming kids of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. “Our city has always had a diverse population—not just cultural and economic, but also people with different abilities,” Sharen Hauri, Urban Design director, said. “We are very proud of this history, and our city’s Equity Committee really got involved in the park design to make sure we did a deep dive on how the park could appeal to a diverse group and just as importantly, encourage them to play together. Many of the elements need a partner to play with—time to make a new friend!” The property was purchased from Mabel Todd’s family in 2017 for $500,000. The city spent about $650,000 on building the park. “The city has talked about adding a park to the Columbus Center since we bought it 20 years ago. We are so grateful to the Todd family for working with us to make this possible. We also were so honored to name it after Ida and Laurie Bickley, city residents and volunteers, who embody the ‘play for all’ spirit. We hope it was worth the wait,” Hauri said. All-abilities park The most prominent feature of the new park is a large geometric-shaped structure filled with various activities for kids. Multiple entry points allow children to experience discovery and fun on the structure. All the items, including a slide, rope walk and numerous ways to climb or sit and enjoy the environment’s tactile sensations, are designed around four development benefits: sensory, motor skills, cognitive skills and social/emotional skills. “We thought a lot about how to get parents and grandparents playing

SSL’s newest park, Bickley Park, an “all-abilities” park, is now open at the Columbus Center. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

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February 2021 | Page 3


Two tutors bring 82 years of combined experience to Walker Elementary By Bill Hardesty | b.hardesty@mycityjournals.com

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ven though Olene Walker and Winn and Wanner can hear each Elementary is a new school, it is a student. school full of experience. Two paraed“This is the greatest job in the ucators who work here have a total of world. We can do our job and go 82 years of experience between them. home,” Winn said. Lillian Winn, 81, has worked for They both said that the teachers 47 years. She started at Roosevelt Elat Walker Elementary are amazing and ementary and moved to Walker this that the teachers work hard and love year. As a stay-at-home mother with the kids. five children, she began volunteering They are also grateful for the supin her children’s kindergarten classes. port from principal Valarie Bergera. In 1973, an opening for a Teacher’s They have a large and comfortable Aide, which was their title back then, area to use both for tutoring and storbecame available, and the rest is hising supplies. tory. “When Roosevelt closed last year, “I loved it. My schedule matched we asked Valarie if we should go too. my children’s schedule. When they She replied, ‘Of course. We need you were out of school, so was I,” Winn both,’” Winn said. said. Winn and Wanner said that being Nancy Wanner, 75, has tutored a paraeducator was a great job when children for 35 years. She also came they had kids at home because their Lillian Winn, who has tutored students for 47 years, shows from Roosevelt. Wanner and Winn Nancy Wanner, who has tutored students for 35 years, schedule matched their children’s. off the new reading program. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals) have known each other for 39 years. works on lesson material. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals) “I took all my kids to school with She always wanted to work with chilme because we all went to Roosevelt,” dren. In college, Wanner was an eleWinn said. “I think having to learn a new program like this year and mentary education major, but marriage and family changed like last year keeps our minds young,” Winn said. “It is very rewarding,” Wanner said. her focus. Once all her children were in school, she started to “You couldn’t ask for a better job,” Winn added. Before helping with reading, Winn and Wanner helped work as a paraeducator. They also mentioned that when they were raising a famtutor math and help with standardized testing. For a few “I always love working with kids,” Wanner said. years, Winn ran the computer lab at Roosevelt. They also ily, the extra income helped. What do paraeducators do? The basic requirements for becoming a paraeducator are have worked in all grades through the years. In the case of Winn and Wanner, they help with reading While speaking about the diverse student population at simple: Have a high school diploma or GED. If you work for kindergarten to second grade. Typically, they work with Walker, both Winn and Wanner mentioned they are surprised in a Title I school, you will have to pass the ParaPro test. If six students at a time, but they are limited to three in a group by how fast students learn English. you have 48 hours of college credit, you don’t have to take during the pandemic. They have 11 to 12 groups a day. “I can understand what these non-English speaking stu- the test. You must be able to lift 50 pounds. You need to be a They are using a new reading program this year, and dents are going through. I came from Norway when I was responsible person and have a positive attitude. Lastly, you these tutors are up to the task of learning a new way. This 8. I had to learn English on my own,” Winn said. “The only must be patient working with children and want to make a program focuses on the sounds letters make. Students are phrase my father taught me was ‘I don’t speak English.’” difference. taught sounds to pronounce words. Paraeducator positions are available on the Granite Why be a paraeducator? One new skill for Winn and Wanner is Phoneme Blend“It gives me a great sense of accomplishment helping School District (GSD) website www.graniteschools.org/hr/ ing. They help children hear the individual sounds in a word these kids,” Wanner said. employment-opportunities/. Scroll to the bottom of the page and put the sounds together to say the word. For example, Winn and Wanner explained that in a classroom, stu- and click on “Apply for employment or manage applicaWinn or Wanner might say to a student, “sss-aaa-nnn-d,” and dents could get lost. They fall behind. However, in a small tion.” Look for paraeducator and instructional assistants in the student will say the word “sand.” group, they get the help they need. They are more focused, the list on the left side.l

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Continued from front page too, and not just sitting on the sidelines. But the most unique item of all is the Hedra playground by Landscape Structures,” Hauri said. “It almost looks like a spaceship landed there, and you get to figure out how to get inside it. The Hedra has so many nooks and crannies to climb into, onto and through. It is a great place to play hide-and-seek and king of the hill. And we felt it was the most ADA accessible playground out there today.” Another imposing structure is the Global Motion Spinner. The Spinner is a two-level structure that allows children to sit inside or hang on the outside. According to Landscape Structures, “A patented progressive resistance makes it easy to turn the Global Motion at slower speeds and prevents it from being turned too quickly, providing a fun and challenging experience while still feeling safe and in control.” Landscape Structures’ We-saw is another unique feature. It is an updated version of the traditional seesaw. The We-saw is wheelchair accessible. It has scooped seats and a gentle rocking motion allowing kids of all ages and abilities to use it. Every park needs swings. Besides the traditional swing, there is a friendship swing. This swing allows two kids to swing facing each other or enables a parent or grandparent to swing with a child. There is also a molded bucket seat with a harness allowing children with limited upper body strength to swing.

The park also has a metallophone and a drum set for everyone to explore the power of rhythm and enjoy making music. Another exciting aspect of the playground is the playing surface. It is bouncy, providing a more comfortable surface to roll or walk across. It also reduces the chances of serious injury. “This is a rubberized fall surface, which is the safest surface and the most accessible. It is also the most expensive, so this is used on less than half of playgrounds built today,” Hauri said. “We have a similar surface on two recently built fitness courses in the city, but those are covered with artificial turf instead of the topcoat of rubber.” Ida and Laurie Bickley On Dec. 9, the South Salt Lake City Council unanimously approved a resolution to name the newest city park after Ida and Laurie Bickley. Ida and Laurie are a mother-daughter volunteer team. Ida is 94, and Laurie has Down syndrome. Together they volunteered at the Columbus Branch Library three days a week for 14 years until it closed in November of last year. Laurie significantly brightens the patron’s days with her smile. Together they would organize bookshelves and prepare for library events. “We are honored to mark the impact of ordinary citizens on our City’s history, fabric and community,” the SSL website stated. l One of the entry or exit points in the Hedra—the main feature at Bickley Park. (Bill Hardesty/ City Journals)

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February 2021 | Page 5


‘We are on our way’—GSD employees receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

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an. 15 was a big day for many Granite School District (GSD) teachers, staff and administrators because they received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. GSD, working with their partner Community Nursing Services (CNS), operated three vaccine locations. They were held at the district office, Hunter Junior High School and Churchill Junior High School. Those receiving the vaccine on this first round were individuals 55 years old or older. Other employees will receive the vaccine on upcoming Fridays. For the first round, about 2,400 GSD employees received the first dose. At Hunter Junior, the line snaked through three halls while at the district offices, the line went outside the building to the parking lot. Even with the long lines, the clinics ran smoothly and everyone showed patience. “I’m a communications director, but this week I was a vaccine coordinator,” Ben Horsley, communications director for GSD, said. He also explained that all 9,000 GSD employees would have a chance to receive the vaccine. They do not expect 100% coverage. “Getting the vaccine is not a requirement. It is just an added level of protection for our employees,” Horsley said. GSD worked with Salt Lake County Health and other school districts to ensure the vaccine was available for their employees. Brent Jones, President and COO of CNS explained that his organization has been giving vaccines to educators throughout the state. “By the end of Saturday, we will have given 14,500 shots,” Jones said. On this Friday, they were working at eight schools in Salt Lake and Utah counties. GSD and CNS have worked together on the “Say Boo to the Flu!” initiative, which provides no-cost or low-cost flu shots each September. Jones explained that CNS hires about 250 part-time nurses to do flu clinics. “This year, our nurses said they wanted to stay on for the vaccine effort. They consider it their patriotic duty,” Jones said. Paulette McMillan, an administrator with the district, was emotional as she talked about how long they’ve been looking forward to this day. “It brings us hope. And hope for the future. Hope we keep kids in school. And hope that our lives can move on,” McMillian said. Other vaccine recipients voiced similar thoughts. “I can teach the way my kids need me too,” Patty Tobin, a fifth-grade teacher at Copperview Elementary said. “I can soon be around my family and finally see my grandchildren in person.” “I can safely serve my students in the environment they should be learning in,” said Kim Frandsen, an English and math re-

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By Bill Hardesty | b.hardesty@mycityjournals.com

Granite School District employees maintain social distancing while they wait for the COVID-19 vaccine at Hunter Junior High School. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

A CNS nurse draws up a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while Granite School District employees wait in the background. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

Multiple tables were set up to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to Granite School District employees at Hunter Junior High School. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

“I am very grateful. I am completely Parola, a social studies teacher at Hunter Jusource teacher at Granite Connections. Frandsen also mentioned the vaccine impressed with the science. How quickly we nior, said. “We turned the corner on it. We got the vaccine in the first place,” Matthew are on our way.”l also reduces her anxiety over the virus.

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Generous students, community members help fund and fill Cottonwood school pantry By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

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very year, Cottonwood High students, like many other high schools, hold a winter fundraising drive to donate funds or supplies for a charitable organization. In recent years, they raised thousands of dollars to help children’s wishes be granted through Make-A-Wish Foundation. This winter, as they were looking at a variety of options, they realized there was an obvious need right within their own community. “We were looking at a variety of options, when we realize that we could hold the month-long fundraiser to help our own community, to help stock our school pantry,” studentbody president Faith Godina said. “We have a need right here.” During the three weeks leading up to the winter break, student leaders came up with ways to raise funds in a COVID-19 fearful time. “We were able to seek donations online, hold a silent auction online with baskets and our usual tree festival instead of having crowds of people in-person, and we even held grilled cheese nights and had student government and other volunteers waving signs out on 13th East about it,” she said. The gift baskets featured donated items, such as a TV, air pods, $100 gift cards and other items, as well as the club-decorated trees, brought in several thousand dollars. Coupled with cookie or candygrams purchased by students and delivered weekly in December and restaurant nights, where local businesses, such as Swig, would donate a percentage of profits for the night, helped to fill the pantry’s shelves. It wasn’t just an effort to raise funds, but to unite the school. They held a spirit week which included a simple unifying action—when students who were randomly called answered their cell or home phones with “Colts are Great,” they would win a donated prize and a chance to be in schoolwide assembly as a way to build school unity. “I was surprised at all the ways we could raise money during COVID; it felt great,” Godina said. “We want to help everyone at our school and be a positive community.” Cottonwood High’s pantry is almost the size of a classroom, with rows of shelves organized and stocked with nonperishable items, such as macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, cereal, rice, graham crackers, soup, and even Girl Scout cookies. On other shelves, there were school supplies, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items. SBO adviser Tara Battista said that hundreds of students rely on the pantry weekly for food and Principal Terri Roylance said the shelves need to be restocked every few days. “We let kids come and get what they need. It may be a day where they didn’t bring a lunch and they’re hungry or they may need to stock up for the weekend,” Roylance said. Students also are able to come before the school dismissal bell rings on Tuesdays and Thursdays to gather what they need. “It has been amazing that our studentbody wants to help other students here within the school,” Roylance said. “They raised $1,000 alone when they auctioned off Christmas trees that clubs and groups donated. One anonymous donor purchased a tree and said, ‘I want this to go to a home in need.’ Our community is reaching out to our students, calling to ask if they can donate canned fruit, soup or

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Cottonwood High Principal Terri Roylance shows a full pantry, thanks in part to students who raised funds to help stock the shelves for their peers who are in need. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

ask what is on our list of needs.” Behind the scenes of the pantry are a handful of dedicated volunteers who weekly organize donations, headed by Robyn Ivins, who recently was honored by Holladay Mayor Rob Dahle and the city council for her volunteerism. Ivins declined to be interviewed, not wanting to be in the spotlight, but in 2018 said that she worked in the pantry to provide food and items to reduce some of the 1,700 Cottonwood students’ anxiety issues. “In high school, there are all sorts of pressures from sleeping with a boyfriend or getting asked to a dance and wearing the cutest clothes to where their next meal will come from and how their family will cope with pressures,” she said then. Cottonwood serves a great number of refugee families and more than 40 languages are spoken in the school’s hallways, Battista said. That diversity will be celebrated when the student leaders hold a cultural week in February. In addition to raising funds for the pantry, student leaders also volunteered to help Ivins and others with the Cottonwood Extravaganza in December. “We allow our kids to ‘shop’ for themselves and their families,” Roylance said. “There were sports balls, candy, games, hot chocolate, jackets, school supplies, perfume and cologne, personal hygiene items, gift cards, Cottonwood sweatshirts bought from donated funds—about anything

kids want and need.” Godina said that they donated some of the funds they raised for toys and other items students usually “shop” for siblings at Christmas. Battista said they spent up to $499 on those items, with the rest of the funds raised earmarked for the pantry. Roylance said that the annual one-day was “crazy,” with boxes and pallets of items for any Cottonwood student to “shop” for, but also “so rewarding” as hundreds of students took part in the free shopping spree. “The items were all donated or purchased with donations. Robyn started it four years ago and she heads it up and reaches out to neighborhoods, churches, Scouts and anyone in our community. This is on top of her overseeing the pantry,” Roylance said. “Robyn knows so many people and is so much a part of our community. She gets others to help out. It makes such a powerful positive impact on our school and students.” Student leaders have learned that spirit of generosity, giving back to their school. “It’s been such a hard year so this is a way we can show we care for one another and build school unity,” Godina said. “It’s heartwarming to put in all the work and see people smile and happy and make them feel good.” l

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Free financial counseling is available to all residents By Bill Hardesty | b.hardesty@mycityjournals.com

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n an effort to expand the services of Promise SSL and to fulfill the third promise—everyone has the opportunity to be healthy and to prosper—South Salt Lake opened a Financial Empowerment Center in November 2020. “This center is a testament to the type of community we have here in South Salt Lake,” Natalie Pinkney, South Salt Lake councilmember at-large, said. “As I heard about countless families struggling as the world was halted in March, I knew that we couldn’t just stand by so I presented the idea of opening a Financial Empowerment Center so that we could do our part to help our neighbors.” Kelli Meranda, the director of Promise SSL, explained the center has four purposes: lower debt, increase credit score, increase savings, and help open a savings or checking account at an institution of their choice. “This service is available to all residents and is completely free,” Meranda said. The idea of a Financial Empowerment Center is prevalent in large cities back East. South Salt Lake applied for a grant, but the city was too small. However, Pinkney and

SSL staff were not deterred. They needed a partner. Mountain America Credit Union became that partner. The credit union already partners with Promise SSL helping teach classes in the after-school programs. A project team was created led by Pinkney. Meranda was also a member. “We were able to visit some best-inclass Empowerment Centers virtually,” Meranda said. The project team used such knowledge to build the SSL Financial Empowerment Center. “I’m thrilled to bring this service to South Salt Lake residents. It’s exciting to have our city join forces with a great financial partner like Mountain America Credit Union who has a reputation for community engagement and financial guidance,” said Ray deWolfe, councilmember at-large. In full disclosure, deWolfe is the AVP of Employee Experience at Mountain America Credit Union. Due to the pandemic, services are only available virtually by teleconference or by phone.

SSL opens a free Financial Empowerment Center for all residents. (Photo by Lalmch from Pixabay)

“The service is based on a person’s financial goals, whether small or large,” Meranda said. Currently, one-on-one coaching sessions is what is available, but the plan is to include classes. Residents can call 801-483-6057 to schedule their first coaching session. Residents are asked to bring certain documents to the first session to give the financial counselor a picture of their financial situation. Based on the situation and the person’s goals, additional coaching sessions are scheduled.

All information is confidential. Promise SSL has trained financial counselors to help families access other resources like food pantries or employment services. “I am so grateful to have the support of Councilmember Ray deWolfe and the help of Promise South Salt Lake and Mountain America Credit Union,” Pinkney said. “Without them, we wouldn’t have our city’s first-ever center dedicated to helping our residents out of poverty and into financial empowerment.” l

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Granite’s Academy programs give students taste of business, tourism worlds even during pandemic By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

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n a day in November, about 100 students from Cottonwood High and Granite Technical Institute all clicked into a virtual lecture given by Andrew Taylor with Pure Life Adventures and Octagon Mentoring. It was part of their annual fall reception for Cottonwood Academy of Finance and GTI’s Academy of Finance as well as their Academy of Hospitality and Tourism. Taylor’s speech, titled “Invest in Yourself,” encouraged students to “step into the arena” and find out what they are passionate about, take steps toward their dream, work hard, and lean into discomfort as change can be a good experience, said Jen Riches, Cottonwood’s instructor of the Academy of Finance of 15 years, who is joined by Ashley Merrill, who has taught in the program for 10 years. “Every year we have a fall reception like businesses may have in the real world to network over cocktails. Ours is centered around a guest speaker that may talk about business, finance or tourism as a career to motivate students,” Riches said. “We couldn’t meet in person, but we thought we could still provide students a good experience to hear Andrew Taylor’s story of starting his own business of adventure trips for youths, and his message of getting to know themselves and what they want to do.” Granite School District’s 30-year-old Academy of Finance is designed to have juniors and seniors in a cohort and take the same courses as their peers with similar interests. Cottonwood has housed the program the entire time, but as enrollment fluctuated at other high schools, they were merged into GTI, which now has students coming from several high schools. Typically, Academy of Finance students study personal finance, economics, business, marketing and accounting. Some are concurrent enrollment courses so students can gain college credit while in high school. They also enroll in advance computer production and gain the Microsoft suite certification. GTI’s Academy of Hospitality and Tourism is designed in the same cohort fashion, for about 25 students, with class offerings including customer service, business communication, event planning, hospitality and tourism and sports marketing. The program was brought to GTI 15 years ago from Skyline and Kearns high schools to ensure all students had equal access to it. GTI Counselor and Academy of Support Coordinator Julie Bagley said that the goal of these “rigorous” programs is to help students be prepared for the business world when they leave high school. “We want the students to be ready to enter the world of business while they’re in

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college so they’re having a business job in the business world instead of another parttime job to help them out,” she said. “These programs are explorative and allows students to ask, ‘is this the direction I want to go?’ Students in the two-year program develop a relationship with each other and with their teachers, which during COVID, has meant a lot to have that connection.” Typically, students in Academy of Finance have benefited from in-person speakers and for the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, travel throughout the state that may include visiting a national park, a hotel that caters to that park or a ski resort, and downtown hotels, specialized restaurants and sporting or arts events. Students not only experience these businesses, but they learn how they operate to locals and international travelers. “We want to have our students become familiar with what Utah offers and have learned most haven’t been to these places,” Bagley said. However, during COVID-19 those experiences have been shelved, and Academy instructors are finding other ways to reach students and pique their interests. At Cottonwood, navigating through teaching online as the school has flipped virtually twice this fall has also proven challenging for Riches as some of her 70 students come from Olympus and they, also, have flipflopped three times between in-person and online. “They have come back one day and then, Cottonwood goes on closure, so I actually went to Olympus and taught one day in-person,” she said to keep students’ motivation up. With so many disruptions in students’ learning and the inability to do some of the activities that enhance their learning, the Academy of Finance Board members have stepped up and provided speakers that will deliver inspiring talks to students. “We’ve had so much positive feedback,” Riches said. “Hearing messages from professionals in the field really benefits the students.” Bagley said that their board has arranged speakers from the marketing director for the new airport to an individual who works in the cruise industry who can speak about the COVID-19 impact and how they plan to rebound. “They’ve had some great conversations and are getting authentic answers. It’s really been a candid look into the industry,” she said. GTI Academy instructor Erin Paulsen said that several individuals have stepped up to speak to students, including the Utah Jazz

president. “We’ve been trying to connect to industry as much as we can,” she said, adding that she has recorded these conversations so she can use them with future students. Since last year’s Academy of Hospitality and Tourism classes had many of their tours canceled because of the pandemic, Paulsen said, “The advisory board offered to say, ‘hey, we have all of these speakers, what would you like?’ (They said) ‘if you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you.’” She offers these speakers as an optional experience and said typically has 45 kids that tune in. “Kids really, really wanted to connect to the industry; they want to explore and want

it will be virtual,” said Riches, who was a student in the program (then at Kearns High) herself. “This program really prepares students for college with their study skills, time management and organization skills and being able to communicate and advocate for themselves.” Paulsen said that even if students opt to pursue other interests, these skills—resume writing, communication, presentation and interviewing—will “help them no matter what they do.” Bagley said that networking with speakers and board members can end up leading students to internships in their field and parttime jobs so once they’ve graduated college, they’ve already worked their way up in the

Academy of Finance students were able to participate in-person at the fall reception in 2019; this school year, it was virtual. (Photo courtesy of the Cottonwood High Academy of Finance)

GTI’s Academy of Hospitality and Tourism students toured Deer Valley in 2019 as an opportunity to learn about the field. (Photo courtesy of GTI’s Academy of Hospitality and Tourism)

to hear about it.” Paulsen said that she asks students to provide a short paragraph reflection about their connection to speakers, but with one presenter, a student turned in a three-page reflection. “They are like sponges, because they just really are trying to explore and figure out what they want to do,” she said. “It’s almost not a class, (but) ‘this is my chance to see what there is out there as far as jobs.’ For me, I want them to explore, to see ‘where do I fit in the big picture of life.’” Through learning students are inspired and that has led their board to go ahead and plan their annual spring event that helps Cottonwood and GTI students, dressed in professional dress, prep themselves for success with learning how to create resumes to presenting themselves at mock job interviews. “They learn how to prepare for a job interview, from communicating to conducting themselves at mock interviews. It’s really invaluable. If they can’t have it in-person, then

business. “Knowing how to make connections whether it’s your college professor or someone in the business world is really powerful,” she said. Paulsen added, “The thing I try to tell these kids is you have a skill now, you’re in the Academy of Finance. There is no need for you to be working at a movie theater making minimum wage. You can go out and you can actually compete with people for careers.” In addition to providing this experience, the board also awards students scholarships to pursue their interests in college. Last school year, eight $1,500 scholarships were awarded to students in both Academy of Finance programs; half were based on need and half on their application which reviewed academics, awards and essays. “The program is open for anyone in the district,” Riches said. “It really is a hidden gem.” l

February 2021 | Page 9


Forthcoming report to shed light on next decade of city buildings By Bill Hardesty | b.hardesty@mycityjournals.com

A

With the county library moving out, a fourth of the building has opened up at the Columbus Center. The city is soliciting ideas. (Bill Hardesty/ City Journals)

t the Jan. 13 South Salt Lake City Council work meeting, Sharen Hauri, Urban Design director, and Lindsey Ferrari, a consultant for the city in public relations representing her own company, Wilkenson Ferrari & Co., presented a preliminary Community Facilities Plan. "The goal of this project is to look at how we are using our buildings now and in the next 10 years," Hauri said. While the final report is not finished, they wanted to give an overview of the process, findings and spark some thought for the future. Methodology They looked at all 11 city facilities. Ferrari noted that all of the key services, such as fire stations, the animal shelter and Public Works, are west of State Street. In contrast, the amenity services, such as cultural or athletic facilities, are east of State Street. The team started with the information they already had. The team looked at the building's square footage, the site's square footage, the number of parking stalls, the year it was built and remodeled, and the facility's condition. The total is 250,836 square feet in building space and 26.9 acres of site footage. The oldest building is the Historic Scott School Community Center, built in 1890 with two remodels. The youngest building is Fire Station 42, built in 2008. It is important to note the Public Works building was built in 1938 and was last renovated in 1970. Ferrari and her staff met with employees at the facilities. The result was a fact sheet for each facility, including a needs assessment. Based on the information, they identified both major and minor projects for each facility.

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Major themes Based on all the data collected, Ferrari identified seven significant themes across all the facilities. • Security and Safety • Employee Morale and accommodating the growing number of employees • High-quality IT • Storage • Shifts to a "New Normal" in office and meeting space demands • Deferred Maintenance • Character and Image • Cross-Disciplinary spaces (spaces where two or more departments are housed together to create synergy) "Employees of South Salt Lake are surprisingly resilient and happy because there are some buildings that are in dire need of improvement," Ferrari said. "It was amazing how often we heard things like ‘we will make it work’ and ‘we will get by.’" Ferrari presented a list of major and minor projects across all facilities. The No. 1 on the list is a new Public Works facility, which has been the case for a few years. Other significant projects are remodeling the Columbus Center, a new gymnasium/recreation center, remodel or build a new City Hall, and build an off-site storage facility. There were nine minor or "low-hanging fruit" projects listed too. Two scenarios A new Public Works facility plan was

quickly reviewed because the council is aware of the plan. They also provided two scenarios about building a civic center. Hauri explained that bringing services like police and courts together would help others see a civic center. Scenario one is building a civic center where City Hall is now. The civic center would include additional buildings and changing the exterior of City Hall to look like a city hall and not an office building. The second scenario is to relocate City Hall and other civic buildings like the public safety building and a recreation center on land between State and Main streets and south of the S Line. There would also be additional office buildings. Columbus Center The Columbus Center is the most pressing need. With the Columbus Library branch closing in March and still not open, the City Council canceled the library's lease late last year. This action allowed the library to move in anticipation of opening the Granite Library branch. This will result in opening up roughly 8,000 square feet, which is a fourth of the building. "The city has many great partners who collaborate with us and offer programs in our community centers. We can offer a wide variety of programs to different ages, interests, incomes, and so on with their support," Hauri said. "The Columbus Center could

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

The city’s animal shelter was one of 11 facilities included in a new Facility Plan presented to the South Salt Lake City Council. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

expand its offerings for seniors and youth through Promise SSL, and we also hope some partners take this opportunity to grow, too. We are exploring options based on what our community has asked for. Requests include a fitness room, computer and internet access, daycare, and support in their personal lives, including financial empowerment, job seeking, and small businesses. We are looking for your ideas and wishes, and of

course, volunteers who want to help make things happen.” Residents are asked to provide ideas and thoughts at the SSLOurNextMove.org website. They also can email Sharen Hauri (Shauri@sslc.com) or Aaron Wiet, recreation director, at awiet@sslc.com. Residents can also contact the mayor or their respective council member. l

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A health plan membership that doesn’t break the bank Medallus Medical is changing the world of healthcare by serving as an intermediary care option to save consumers money whose insurance plan requires meeting a high deductible and/or expensive copays to access everyday medical care. Alternatively, Medallus provides the public access to medical professionals at a price they can afford. “The government isn’t helping and only makes it worse so it’s time we take the matter into our own hands and fix this crisis together with our doctors,” Medallus shares in an informational video. Saving insurance coverage for medical emergencies, Medallus uses a monthly membership model rather than deductibles, co-insurance or variable copays. Individuals pay $50 a month while family plans go for $100120 monthly, and $10 per visit no matter the procedure or test there are no added costs. “Where else can you get two hours of excellent care, two bags of IV fluids, Zofran and Torodol and discounted blood labs for $10?” said Medallus Medical member Teresa Prater. Though not an insurance plan replacement, Medallus does save patient’s money for the majority of their medical needs. Medallus’

S outh SaltLakeJournal .com

goal is to get rid of the financial obstacle to medical care. “I can’t say enough about what a blessing to our family it is, to have found Medallus. We are self-employed and pay about $1,600 [every month] for a $5,000 deductible health insurance policy. We have a family membership with Medallus and use them for literally everything. In the last few months, we’ve been seen for a sprained ankle, sinus infection, accidental essential oil spill in the eyes, and the stomach flu…,” Prater said. After an initial $20 registration fee and a 12-month contract, Utahns are ready to know exactly what their appointment will cost before they even walk into their doctor’s office. But affordability isn’t the only thing bringing people into Medallus’ nine urgent and primary care clinics, quality of care also recommends Medallus. “We just wanted to say thank you so much for going the extra mile the other day when we stopped in. I know you probably didn’t think much of it but for me, as a mom, it meant a ton that you called your other location and connected us with another amazing doctor. It saved me the worry and hassle of trying to do it all on my own with an upset little boy, so thank you!” one patient wrote of Medallus.

Medallus isn’t just for personal use; businesses can set their employees up with their own affordable care. Not too far off from the individual plans, companies pay $45 per employee per month to give their team $10 visits, anytime over the phone medical

advice, access to all of the Medallus facilities and other Utah clinics. It’s all summed up on their own front door, “Get well. Stay healthy for less.”

February 2021 | Page 11


City study shows crime, public safety are top future issues By Bill Hardesty | b.hardesty@mycityjournals.com

T

he South Salt Lake Community Values Study results were presented to the City Council during their Jan. 13 work meeting. Y2 Analytics did the study during November and December 2020. The results were presented by Kyrene Gibb, a former resident of SSL. The survey showed that four out of five residents say the city is headed in the right direction. Such results bode well for Mayor Cherie Wood if she decides to seek another term this year. “My staff and I are excited about getting to work this year. We believe the Community Value Study will help us steer the ship,” Wood said. “Residents are our greatest asset, and we continue to invest and better the city they call home.”

Top results

In addition to the heading-in-the-right-direction results, the survey also showed that 43% say the city has gotten better in the last five years, and 52% say the city has improved over time. Eighteen percent of the respondents hadn’t lived in SSL long enough to make the comparison, which indicates the population growth SSL is experiencing. When looking at the perceived value of city services and utility fees, the results were mostly average, but very few residents voiced dissatisfaction with the value they received. Most residents like the safety and accessibility of SSL. SSL is generally perceived as a convenient, affordable community to live in. Crime and public safety and maintaining neighborhood character are seen as top planning priorities for the future. More safe places to walk and bike are the most appealing types of projects to the residents, and internet access and affordable housing are important personal issues. One in three (34%) residents say they trust the SSL Police Department a great deal, with 44% expressing a moderate amount of trust. This leaves about one out of four residents who indicate having a small amount or no trust in local police.

The effects of major projects like South City and the WinCo project are reflected in the SSL Community Value Study. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

Community Outlook

Forty-three percent of respondents say SSL is better than it was five years ago. On the other hand, 16% of respondents say the city has gotten somewhat or much worst over the same period. Respondents were asked to give a Quality of Life score between 0-100. The average score was 68. Seventy-four percent of respondents gave Quality of Life scores above 50. Looking at tenure in the city showed no significant difference. The average score for residents with 10 years or less was 68, those who have lived in SSL 11-20 years had an average of 65, and those with over 20 had an average score of 69. The Quality of Life scores varied per council district. See the chart for the breakdown. There was only a slight difference between homeowners and renters (67 vs. 69). They looked at the perceived feeling about the value received for utility fees and property tax. Only 33% felt the value was excellent or good for property tax. Forty-five percent felt the value was excellent or good for utility fees. Nearly the majority in each category rated the value as average. The perceived value varied per district. See the chart for the breakdown. When asked about various city services, Garbage collection (75% favorable) and Fire and Emergency Medical Services (84% favorable) rated the highest. Community

Page 12 | February 2021

events (38% favorable) and street lighting (33% unfavorable) were at the bottom of the list.

Community issues

When asked, “What was the most important issue facing SSL?,” 27% of respondents said crime and drugs. Homelessness wasn’t far behind at 25%. Dislike of leadership (2%) and lack of amenities (2%) were at the bottom. About affordable housing, over 75% of respondents said that their current residence was affordable. Sixty-one percent felt safe living in SSL. Sixty-eight percent felt SSL had transportation options to meet their needs. Seventy-two percent felt there was a good mix of business and services they needed. Even 50% (the lowest score) felt that SSL had all the parks and recreation opportunities they needed.

Issues for the future

According to 97% of respondents, crime and public safety was the top future issue, saying it is very or somewhat important. Maintain neighborhoods also came in at 97%. The lowest on the list was options for after-school care, which was at 78% very or somewhat important. When asked, “Which of the following projects should South Salt prioritize for the future?,” 58% said more safe places to walk and bike. This request was followed by a new recreation center (41%), a new senior center (23%), a new public computer lab (23%), other (20%), a new city hall (8%), and none of the above (7%).

The study showed a need to grow the awareness of Promise SSL programs. When asked, “If they ever heard about the Promise SSL program?,” 61% reported they heard of it, and only 7% know of people who have participated in Promise programs.

SSLPD

Only 34% of respondents said they trust the police department a great deal. Forty-four percent said they trust a moderate amount. Eight percent said they had no trust at all. When the data was cut by age, older residents trusted the police department a great deal (41%) versus those under 55 years of age (31%). When the data was cut around racial lines, 38% of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) trusted the police department a great deal while only 31% of white residents trust a great deal. When the data was cut over district lines, District 2 has the highest trust level (86%). District 1 (26% small amount to not at all) and District 4 (24%) have the least amount of trust. District 1 is in the northeast section of the city, and District 4 is in the southeast area. District 2 is the largest district and runs nearly across the city. Respondent overview When asked to describe living arrangements, respondents were almost evenly split between owning a home and

S outh Salt Lake City Journal


Property tax value (Positive)

Utility fee value (Positive)

Safe place to walk and bike (positive)

#

Council member

1

LeeAnne Huff

70

36%

46%

60%

2

Corey Thomas

63

29%

38%

63%

3

Sharla Bynum

72

46%

51%

57%

4

Portia Mila

63

18%

45%

50%

5

Shane Siwik

71

42%

51%

66%

68

33%

45%

58%

Quality of Life Score

City

renting (42% vs. 41%). When asked how long they have lived in SSL, those less than two years and those 21 years or more were roughly the same (17% vs. 18%). By one percentage point, the largest group at 23% is 11-20 years. About age, 42% of respondents are 18-34; 21% are 35-44; 27% were 45-64; and 10% were 65 or older. This means that SSL is a noticeably young city, which might account for the desire for more recreational opportunities. Looking at ethnic groups, 54% reported they were white/Caucasian. Hispanics/Latinos accounted for 20%. Asians at 7%. Native American and other both were at 5% each. Black/ African American was 4%. Pacific Islanders account for 1%. Thirty-nine percent of respondents reported they were married, and 39% reported they were single. Twelve percent reported they were living with a partner, 7% were divorced, and 3% were widowed. The gender breakdown was 48% female and 52% male.

SOUTH SALT LAKE

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Join our dynamic network of businesses and individuals working together to deliver growth and economic opportunity!

Methodology

Survey invitations were sent to randomly selected households within city boundaries. They were sent by email, phone, and USPS mail. Interviews were completed online and via live-dial telephone interviews. Online responses were collected from Nov. 19-Dec. 9, 2020, and phone responses from Nov. 23-23, 2020. Of all invitations, the survey had a 5% response rate. A total of 648 residents responded to the survey. One hundred and fourteen were live telephone interviews, with the remaining completed online. Y2 Analytics is confident that this was a good statistical sampling of SSL residents. The margin of error for the survey is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points. l

sslchamber.com info@sslchamber.com | (801) 466-3377 Affordable housing was a common theme in SSL Community Value Study. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

S outh SaltLakeJournal .com

February 2021 | Page 13


The UHSAA aligned its schools for possibly the last time he Utah High School Activities Association made its biannual changes to school region alignments. The adopted proposals have been applauded and scrutinized. “Looks like Region 7 was picked by throwing darts on a map,” Derek Erickson, a concerned fan, commented after the alignment was announced. According to the Utah High School Activities Association’s constitution, the Board of Trustees has the responsibility and authority to classify its member schools and assign them to regions within the classification. This year may be the last year of regions as we know it. Considerations for alignment include fair competition, school enrollment, travel costs, and natural rivalries. Region 7 has a 348-mile spread. Uintah High School in Vernal was placed in the 5A region with Cedar Valley, Cottonwood, Hillcrest, Payson, Stansbury, and Tooele high schools. Making it one of the most scrutinized region placement divisions. “We can’t just look at the numbers of the school and say, ‘Hey, because you have 2,000 students you should play against other schools that have 2,000 students. We need to look at the balance,” Juab School District board president Dale Whitlock said. Hillcrest has over 2,100 students; Cottonwood and Uintah both have over 1,600 enrolled.

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

T

The UHSAA realignment is set for next season. Where is your favorite school? (Photo courtesy of dsandersonpics.com)

“We are absolutely excited for realignment,” Hillcrest Athletic Director Scott Carrell said. “We have regions and the RPI (rating performance index used to seed teams at state tournaments), they don’t work together very well. When they started to put together the changes we were put in a very competitive region in Utah County. We sat down with our coaches and asked for that to be changed. We knew that in order for us to build our programs we needed to be put with similar schools. They told us we would have to travel more, but we were OK with that.” The teams at Hillcrest realize there will be challenges. “We know that not everyone will be on

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board, but we are excited to be able to build our programs back up,” Carrell said. “We are looking at ways to have hotspots on buses to help with homework and more opportunities for distance learning.” Many other schools were also enthusiastic about their new placement. “We are excited about our new region,” Copper Hills Athletic Director Ben Morley said. “Mainly because of the proximity of the member schools and having West Jordan back in Region 3.” West Jordan and Copper Hills have a natural rivalry again in Region 3 and are located just four miles from each other. They have played 25 football games against each other and Copper Hills has only won once, in 2013. It is not the only rival to be preserved in the current alignment; Hunter and Granger, Kearns and Taylorsville in Region 2; Herriman, Riverton, and Mountain Ridge now all reside in Region 3; Bountiful, Viewmont, and Woods Cross in Region 5; Olympus and Skyline in Region 6; and Alta and Jordan in Region 8. Roy administrators asked to be moved from Region 1, in northern Utah, to Region 2. They stated competitive balance as their reasoning. Roy last won a state championship in 2012 in softball. West High School won Region 2’s most recent title in 2019 in softball, but Granger has not been a state champion since 1979 in boys

baseball. In the upcoming season, Region 2 will consist of Cyprus, Granger, Hunter, Kearns, Taylorsville, West and Roy. “I like our region,” new Taylorsville head football coach Chris Rosales said. “I just wish that winning a region championship meant more. With the new RPI, it has all changed.” The UHSAA Region 3 will consist of Bingham, Copper Hills, Herriman, Mountain Ridge, Riverton and West Jordan. Because of an increase in enrollment Mountain Ridge was moved from 5A to 6A in all sports. Region 5 includes Bountiful, Woods Cross, Bonneville, Box Elder, Northridge, and Viewmont. Region 6 contains Brighton, East, Highland, Murray, Olympus, Skyline and Park City. Region 8 is comprised of two other Salt Lake County schools including Jordan and Alta. “I think no regions in our alignment will be beneficial for every school in the state of Utah,” Carrell said. “Then games could be scheduled against teams of like opponents, more participation is the ultimate goal. It would not work for every sport, but we need to make goals to improve.” UHSAA is exploring options for its realignment in two years. Some of those ideas could include the adoptions of no regions allowing teams to make schedules of their choosing. l

SelectHealth to Grant Nonprofits Supporting Healthy Communities Submission window opens to submit for an award for community health improvement worth over $20,000. SALT LAKE CITY—Are you working to improve health in the community or build a strong community? If so, SelectHealth wants to help by recognizing twenty organizations with $3,000 and a marketing package worth $20,000 to further their cause. SelectHealth asks anyone who may qualify to apply. Submissions for the award are being accepted February 2, 2021 through February 28, 2021 or until 500 submissions is reached at selecthealthawards.org. A wide range of organizations have received the SelectHealth Awards since it was first introduced in 2008. Last year’s recipients represented a wide variety of causes including physical activity programs, crisis centers, recovery centers, and free medical services. “It is an honor to work with so many positive nonprofits throughout the state,” said SelectHealth Community Relations Manager Greg Reid. “Each year, we are inspired by the recipients and all they do to make our communities a better place to live.” In addition to offering a cash award, SelectHealth will develop marketing materials for each awardee including a promotional video to help promote their organization and cause. For more information and to apply, visit selecthealthawards.org.

About SelectHealth SelectHealth® is a not-for-profit health plan serving more than 930,000 members in Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. From commercial to government plans for individuals, families, employers, and more, we serve all segments of the community. We share a mission with Intermountain Healthcare® of Helping People Live the Healthiest Lives Possible®.

S outh Salt Lake City Journal


www.sslc.com

CITY NEWSLETTER

February 2021 Cherie Wood, Mayor 801-464-6757 mayor@sslc.com

South Salt Lake City Council Members LeAnne Huff, District 1 801-440-8510 lhuff@sslc.com Corey Thomas, District 2 801-755-8015 cthomas@sslc.com Sharla Bynum, District 3 801-803-4127 sbeverly@sslc.com Portia Mila, District 4 801-792-0912 pmila@sslc.com L. Shane Siwik, District 5 801-548-7953 ssiwik@sslc.com Natalie Pinkney, At-Large 385-775-4980 npinkney@sslc.com Ray deWolfe, At-Large 801-347-6939 rdewolfe@sslc.com

City Offices

BY APPOINTMENT 801-483-6000 220 East Morris Ave SSL, UT 84115 Animal Service 801-483-6024 Building Permits 801-483-6005 Business Licensing 801-483-6063 Code Enforcement 801-464-6712 Fire Administration 801-483-6043 Justice Court 801-483-6072 Police Admin 801-412-3606 Promise 801-483-6057 Public Works 801-483-6045 Recreation 801-412-3217 Utility Billing 801-483-6074 Emergencies 911 Police/Fire Dispatch 801-840-4000

Residents and Businesses Shape the Future

Some say that political leaders just aren’t listening. I sometimes feel that way, too, as I watch some of the actions of state and federal representatives, and wonder if they know how they will affect people’s lives. Feeling this frustration, I made a commitment long ago to put people’s needs first. The key is to always start by listening. I am uniquely positioned, along with your City Council representatives to listen as we serve our Mayor Cherie Wood small, but diverse community. We have so many ways to have honest and meaningful conversations with one another and you are certain to get a response. In order to provide the best services, programs, and amenities we need to know what you desire in your community. This fall, the City sought input from residents in two ways. A Community Values was conducted with over 600 residents via online and telephone survey interviews, representing the wide range of residents, ages, genders, ethnicities and other factors. Next, over 175 residents and businesses shared their ideas on the General Plan 2040 at SSLOurNextMove.org. This included an “idea map” that invited suggestions and comments and a survey to collect data that will aid us in guiding future City directives. These responses have given us so much insight into what our community holds most dear and has the most concern about. This will point us more clearly toward needs and how we should grow and change in the coming years.

Your responses identify what we can improve on including crime and managing the impacts of the Men’s Homeless Resource Center. Speeding, pedestrian safety, and crosswalks are perennial comments, and concerns of property crime and porch theft are also high. I didn’t know until the results came in, just how high the demand was for more safe places to walk and bike, and for increased recreation offerings and events. All of this is good to know as we start tackling budgets and plans this spring. Will continue to share insights in the coming months and encourage you to share more through the SSLOurNextMove.org surveys (more to come) or by calling or sending a message to me or your City Council representatives. You can also view results, in the News section of the city website sslc.com. Your feedback has been a refreshing and inspiring way to start the New Year. Thank you and keep in touch!

• • • • • • •

OUR RESIDENTS SAY:

97% prioritize and wish to maintain public safety 95% value public education 58% desire walkable and bikeable neighborhoods 94% want the City to be mindful of environmental issues 61% prioritize public safety; many feel our police are fair and reasonable 63% overall feel that police usually do the right thing in difficult situations 61% haven’t heard about the SSL Promise Afterschool Program

MAPPING SOUTH SALT LAKE

On SSLOurNextMove.org, many residents and businesses have utilized a mapping tool to mark where they live, point out likes or dislikes, and share ideas about what they would like to see in South Salt Lake. Here is a sample of what they are saying: “Extend Millcreek Trail from Fitts Park across 300 E and continue the Trail along the bank of the creek to 200 E, then eventually crossing 200 E through the trailer park (which I would love to see the city acquire and eventually be a park or community gathering space of some sort, or Rec Center). Continue trail across State Street and run it along the bank further West.” “In general, SSL has become a city of art! It’s full of murals! I think this should be extended to bridges, telephone poles, etc. Adding a fresh coat of paint to some of these older community necessities would spruce everything up and encourage an artistic vibe to the city as a whole.”


City News SSL City Council Meetings

Recycling Reminders

CITY COUNCIL CORNER

Go to SSLC.com for Virtual Zoom Links. Wednesday, February 10, 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 24, 7 p.m

How the City Council Listens

SSL City Planning Commission Meetings

By Portia Mila—District 4

Thursday, February 4, 7 p.m. Thursday, February 18, 7 p.m.

In addition to the Resident and General Plan Surveys, the “Idea Map” on SSLOurNextMove.org is allowing residents to target specific locations around our City and call out what they wish (or do not wish) to see in specific locations. The southeast corner of South Salt Lake, District 4, which I represent is mostly residential homes and apartments and includes the Granite Legacy development and new library. I had a chance to look at the map, and while we know there are issues that people wish we could tackle, I appreciate those things and am looking into solutions. I wish to stress how much we need your feedback, you’ve pointed out some hot topics:

Holiday Closures South Salt Lake City Offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 15 in observance of Presidents Day

• Millcreek Way. Repave this road, finish the sidewalks that were allocated 15 years ago and add some street lights. • 500 East could possibly be the worst road in Utah. A more aggressive road maintenance plan would be nice. • The new houses on Granite High’s property are very nice. Much rather have homes than apartments.

New Resident

• Lots of 5th East apartments have unmaintained yards and garbage at the front. Better code enforcement.

CORNER

We need more participation from you as residents. Please take a moment to enter in your comments and ideas at SSLOurNextMove.org. To stay informed, I suggest attending City Council meetings to better track our progress in shaping the future of our community. Note: Opinions expressed here may not be representative of all Members of the City Council.

Should you Recycle it? While we all know the importance of recycling, residents are often left guessing what they can recycle in curbside bins with only two guidelines—paper and plastic. Labels on recycling bins don’t explain everything, and some recyclables, like “Mixed Paper” and “Plastics #1-7” are too vague. Let’s talk specifics: Receipts from grocery stores? No. Made from thermal paper, receipts are made from BPA plastic, which, when recycled, release harsh chemicals. Plastic bags from grocery stores? No. Though being a plastic #2, they are considered nonrecyclable, and should be put in grocery bag recycling bins at retailers. An alternative to consider are paper bags, which can be recycled curbside. Reusable bags are another option. Used pizza boxes or slightly used cardboard? No. We need to point out that while cardboard which isn’t contaminated with food, grease or other substances is recyclable, once used cannot be, and once in a truck can contaminate your entire neighborhood’s recycling efforts. WANT TO KNOW MORE? Contact ACE Disposal at 801-363-9995.

South Salt Lake City Council Action Report Summary Full agendas, minutes, handouts and video recorded meetings available at: sslc.com/city-government/council-meeting

SSL Utilities—How to go Paperless

Date

Enroll in paperless billing via www. xpressbillpay.com for your utility bills. Check your current billing statement for additional info.

Waste Collection Pick-Up Trash will be collected on Presidents Day, Feb. 15

Agenda Item

Subject

Action

Next Step

12/09/20 Appointments by the Mayor

Liz Gabbitas appointed as an alternate Planning Commissioner

Approved

No further action

12/09/20 Annual 2021 City Council Meeting Schedule

The City Council meeting schedule for 2021

Approved

No further action

12/09/20 Resolution granting permission

A Resolution granting permission to the SSLPD to appropriate property in its possession for public interest use – Bikes

Approved

No further action

12/09/20 A Resolution naming a City Park

A Resolution naming a City Park after Ida and Laurie Bickley

Approved

No further action

12/09/20 Presentation of financial audit for fiscal year Adopt Resolution accepting the Audit Report for Fiscal Year 2020 ending June 30, 2020

Approved

No further action

12/09/20 A Resolution adopting the moderate income A Resolution adopting the moderate income housing plan housing plan

Approved

No further action

12/09/20 Land Use Matrix Update

Zoning Code and Land Use Matrix

Unfinished Business for 1/13/21

Further discussion

01/13/21 Land Use Matrix Update

Zoning Code and Land Use Matrix

Approved

No further action


Public Safety SSLPD Values Accountability As the leader of our public safety professionals, I take accountability and transparency seriously. Our department values the public trust, and knows we can’t operate without it. We follow not just national best practices and standards but have adopted many other checks that help us manage the unique situations in South Salt Lake. We are required to conduct annual reporting for accountability within our department and to federal agencies, such as the FBI’s UCR (Uniform Crime Report) or NIBRS the (National Incident-Based Reporting System). There is a lot that officers deal with daily, and I wish to help you better understand the ways we track and report our interactions with the public, to ensure that our oath to serve and protect is maintained. As officers, our job is to serve and protect all who live, work and visit, and it might surprise you how many calls we receive and respond to on a typical day (often 100’s). Usually, incidents are resolved quickly and directly; a business alarm went off by accident, or someone needs to be directed to the Homeless Resource Center. Other times, it’s not so simple and can’t be handled in an

hour or a day. In more complex cases, other resources and special units may be called in to support the investigation. In addition, we are required to document all cases in a written report by the end of our shift. We are all held accountable for how we respond to each call. I just received the results of the 2020 Police Chief Resident Values, of 600+ randomly selected Jack Carruth residents, 97% of residents prioritize and wish to address crime and public safety in their neighborhoods. This requires the hard work and cooperation of many city departments and the trust and support of you. The SSLPD continues to be supportive of the Mayor and City Council as they work toward establishing an independent Civilian Review Board (CRB), and believe that this will be yet another way for us to be fully transparent, to ensure best practices from our officers, and provide another valuable set of checks and balances.

Burn Awareness

The first full week in February is Burn Awareness Week and the fire department would like to provide you with some helpful tips. More than 73% of burn injuries occur in the home. We can keep our families and friends safe while we balance work and play in the home by following some important safety steps. • Prevent scald burns in the kitchen by keeping hot items out of the reach of children. Teach children that hot things can burn, a scald injury can happen at any age. Children, older adults and people with disabilities are especially at risk. Hot liquids from bath water, hot coffee and even microwaved soup can cause devastating injuries. Before placing a child in the bath or getting in the bath yourself, test the water. It should be less than 100° Fahrenheit, the water should feel warm, not hot on your hand, wrist, and forearm. • Contact burns can be prevented by giving hot items time to cool down. Have hot pads available when cooking. Long oven mitts are best when you need to reach in or over hot surfaces such as an oven or grill. Assume that all pots and pans are hot. • To prevent electrical burns, be sure to tuck away cords and cover outlets. Unplug tools when they’re not in use. • Keep children at a safe distance with a “circle of safety” at least 3-feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. Burn injuries are not necessarily related to heat. Frostbite is

classified as a burn injury and can be prevalent. Frostbite is the freezing of exposed body parts such as fingers, toes, nose and earlobes. The affected area may become cold to the touch, appear cherry-red, mottled or very pale. The skin may have a feeling of numbness “pins & needles,” or is very painful when rewarming. Treat burns right away. If it’s a heatrelated injury, cool the burn with cool water Fire Chief for 3-5 minutes. Cover the burn injury with Terry Addison a clean, dry cloth and get medical help if needed. When you’re suffering from a cold injury, don’t ignore shivering. It’s the first sign that the body is losing heat. Get indoors and warm up. Remove wet clothing and wrap in warm dry clothing. Warm the center of the body first using blankets and warm beverages. If blisters form, leave them intact and seek medical attention as soon as possible. With proper preparedness, you can keep yourself and your family safe. The South Salt Lake Fire Department encourages everyone to make simple environmental and behavioral changes that can save lives and prevent injuries. Feel free to reach out to your local fire department for more information regarding burn injuries. Stay safe and healthy everyone!

Emergency Preparedness

Create an Emergency Exit Plan and Designate Meeting Areas Take a moment to imagine there is an emergency in your home and you need to exit in a hurry. What are the best escape routes? Are there family members who need assistance exiting? Find at least two ways out of each room. Then determine the equipment and supplies necessary to get out safely. Once you have written down the routes, you’ve got the beginning of a plan that can be expanded upon. Designate two areas where your family can meet in the event of an emergency. Choose one right outside your home in case of a sudden household emergency and select a second meeting place approximately one block from your home in the event of a larger incident.

The aftermath of the windstorm in SSL on Sept. 8, 2020 was considerable. Many lost electrical power or sustained damage to their homes. What is your plan to escape quickly and safely?

Neighborhood Watch Meeting Feb 4, 2021 7:00 p.m. At January’s meeting, Officer Keller shared tips on how to prevent mail, package and identity theft. This led to a suggestion from a resident that to sign up for Informed Delivery by USPS. This service allows you to digitally preview your mail and manage your packages (and hopefully preempt theft). To learn more visit Informeddelivery.usps.com

Join us for a Mens’ Homeless Resource Center Neighborhood Meeting Via Zoom February 17, 2021 3:30 p.m. Visit sslc.com for link

The South Salt Lake Police Athletic and Activities League (PAL) in partnership with Salt Lake Institute of Culinary Education (SLICE), donates several meals a week to families in need. If you are interested in nominating a family to receive one of these professionally prepared meals, call Officer Chase Hermansen at 801-412-3642.


Business & Development Street Lamp Outages Where and what to report? The City always appreciates residents who report problems from around SSL. For street light outages and issues, write down the number found on the yellow placard of the specific pole. Beyond reporting directly to Rocky Mountain Power (rockymountainpower.net) to expedite the process, connect with our City Engineer, Dennis Pay (dpay@sslc.com, 801-483-6038).

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE The demand for new housing and businesses continues, here are some of the most recent developments in South Salt Lake.

BLOCKYARD 2800 S WEST TEMPLE

A new flex industrial complex is now open and leasing. The Blockyard Development has units from 10,000 square feet and up. This project was built on the former Buehner Block property. For more information call Beacon-Rex Williams Division at 801-486-4884.

HARMONY APARTMENTS 3839 S WEST TEMPLE

A new 5-story mixed-use multifamily project has completed building one along the southern border of Harmony Park. The project includes three separate multifamily buildings, a retail plaza, clubhouse, fitness facility, swimming pool/hot tub, fire pits, barbecue areas, a small dog park and a trail that connects Main Street, West Temple and the UTA TRAX Station. For leasing opportunities, please visit www.harmony3900.com.

Flushing Habits

MEMORY CARE & ASSISTED LIVING 654 E 3300 SOUTH

Sewer pipes getting clogged from “flushable” wipes is a serious problem. Toilet paper breaks down as it travels through the wastewater system, “flushable” wipes do not and will clog or plug up the system. Remember the 3P Rule!

This new project is separated into two main structures. The front building will be a residential memory care facility. The rear building will function as an assisted living facility. This offers a number of on-site amenities including retail space, barber/hair salon, internal activity programming, community garden, and 24/7 on-site personal care. Construction is anticipated to be complete in the early spring of 2021.

GRANITE TOWNHOMES 566 E 3300 SOUTH

This a new 113 unit townhome development. The project began construction in late 2020. This project pairs with the new SL County Library Granite Branch that is under construction directly to the west.


Community Happenings Free Financial Coaching The Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) is now providing FREE financial coaching sessions for all SSL residents. The FEC is a partnership between Mountain American Credit Union, Promise SSL and the City of South Salt Lake. The coaching sessions are conducted one-onone over the phone or via Zoom, and are aimed at helping individuals define their financial goals and prepare to take active steps to achieve their outlined goals. Each session begins by establishing the resident’s current financial situation and needs. The financial coach will ask about income, outstanding debts, credit score and other financial factors. At the same time, the coach will begin establishing a more complete picture of their spending habits, size of household and other factors that may be impacting their financial situation. From there, the session will focus on establishing some active steps one can take to move towards their financial goals. For some, this could mean applying for a first credit card and building credit; in others, it could mean paying off student loans, credit card debt, establishing a savings or checking account, or even saving up for a home. Take advantage of this opportunity to improve your financial future. To sign up for your FREE, virtual FEC session visit sslc.com/residential-services/fec or call 801-483-6057.

For more information, please call 1-800-453-FOOD (2561) or visit the website at UAH.org Sign up for Coed Tee-Ball (ages 4-6) or Baseball (ages 7-12). Season start date will be announced after March 15th. For more information call South Salt Lake Recreation at 801-412-3217 or go to sslc.com.

What will Mural Fest 2021 Look Like? This year the Mural Fest won’t have a central location, or rows of arts and crafts vendors, favorite food trucks or live music playing, but we will add several new murals to our open-air gallery and bring artists in to brighten our Creative Industries Zone. In some ways, 2021 will follow the adaptations from 2020, as new mural artists are chosen and announced, and when they begin their creative process at their specified location by May 1, 2021, we will keep you in the know of upcoming Mural Fest happenings. Easing into the hopefully postCOVID era by summer, we hope to introduce our artists and new murals during scheduled outdoor Artist Meet & Greets (TBD) near the end of May or early June, and will do our best to include you!

TheMuralFest.com


Community Happenings General Plan Steering Committee Member Highlights Monthly we will be highlighting members of the Steering Committee, who are volunteering their time and expertise to assist the City in guiding the General Plan 2040. Find out more about them, their affiliation with SSL, and a bit about their concerns and hopes for our City. See our first highlighted members to the right.

James Brown

Remember sand can clog drains, salt can impair water quality and impact the environment and your trees. • Shovels and Blowers preferred, as soon as possible. • Sand over salt, and sparingly in icy areas. • Remove snow onto your yard, not the curb.

SSL Resident Friendly Findlay Area

Central SSL City District

10 year resident

2.5 year resident SSL’s future, I am most worried about: Being a senior, with no opportunities.

SSL’s future, I am most worried about: What kind of world we leave for our children and grandchildren.

I am most excited about: Being able to participate and have an economic impact.

I am most excited about: Seeing my son grow into an awesome human.

If I could pick anything to spend my days doing (work or play), it would be: Hosting my television series helping seniors and improving their lives.

If I could pick anything to spend my days doing (work or play), it would be: Both work and play. There has to be a balance of accomplishment.

My favorite place to eat or get a treat in SSL is: Crown Burger

Remove Snow & Ice Responsibly

Clarissa Williams

Executive Director Producer and Host, LivingwithPride.org

My favorite place to have fun in SSL is: Everywhere I can. Dreaming big, what would you love to see for SSL? More practical economic prospects for the aging population.

My favorite place to eat or get a treat is: Delice for their awesome pastries. My favorite place to have fun in SSL is: My friend’s backyard. Dreaming big, what would you love to see in SSL? Single-family homes and nice restaurants to eat at. Bigger parks with tons of trees!

Pets in the Cold

South Salt Lake Animal Services recommend the following for your pets during the winter months:

1. Know your dog’s limits! Some dogs are more susceptible to the cold than others. Short-coated, thin, elderly, or very young dogs get cold more quickly, so adjust the amount of time they stay outside. If your dog enjoys being outdoors and you will be outside longer than a few minutes, consider outfitting with a sweater or coat to keep them warm. 2. Check the hood! Cats often sleep in the wheel wells and engine area of cars during the winter months to keep warm. They can be severely hurt or even killed by moving engine parts. Prevent injuries by banging on your hood or honking the horn before starting your car. 3. Wipe their paws! During winter walks, your dog’s paws can pick up all kinds of toxic chemicals – salt, antifreeze, or de-icers. Be sure to wipe off your pet’s paws when you return from walks to prevent them from licking it off and becoming sick. 4. Keep them leashed! Prevent your pets from becoming lost by keeping dogs leashed on walks and, just in case you are separated, make sure their collars have up-to-date contact information and they are microchipped.

Help prevent your pets from becoming lost by keeping dogs leashed on walks and, just in case you are separated from your pets, make sure their collars have up-todate contact information and they are microchipped. To learn how to register and microchip your pet, contact South Salt Lake Animal Services, 2274 South 600 West, 801-483-6024.

5. Leave them home! Only take your pets in the car if it is necessary, and never leave them unattended. 6. Be seen! Keep yourself and your pet safe by wearing reflective gear (clothing, leash, collar, etc) and keeping them close when walking on the street. 7. Give them shelter! Ideally, all pets should live inside. Also, pets who spend a lot of time outside need more food to replace energy lost from trying to stay warm. Use plastic food and water dishes instead of metal – to avoid getting tongues frozen stuck to them. 8. Avoid spills! Antifreeze attracts cats and dogs but it is extremely poisonous. Be sure to clean up any antifreeze that spills in your garage or driveway, and keep the bottle somewhere your pets cannot access.


Promise Updates from the Hser Ner Moo Community and Welcome Center

Promise Programs at the Hser Ner Moo Center began the semester on a strong note! Due to a generous grant from Dry Creek Charity, staff and students will be starting weekly STEM and guitar clubs. Youth will be engaging in group STEM projects using specialized equipment to enhance their research and problem-solving skills, learning about the scientific method, and exploring real-world applications. Keeping in small groups, they will learn to better approach problems as we guide them through best practices for team leadership, trust-building, communication, and conflict management, all while participating in fun science-based activities. Youth will be introduced to instruments and music by learning the basics of the guitar in a weekly Guitar Club. This club will give students the opportunity to work on developing practice, patience, and concentration skills while allowing them a space to better appreciate the mastery of music played on a guitar. The Hser Ner Moo Center is grateful to the Dry Creek Charity for funding these projects! Their support enhances the diverse programming provided to South Salt Lake youth while facing challenges and remaining safe. Additionally, youth and staff are thrilled for the addition of the new Ida & Laurie Bickley Park and all-abilities playground next to our facility. The inclusion of field trips has been challenging, but the park space has become a highlight for the youth each week. Thanks to the new park, youth are able to enjoy time outdoors, especially on milder, sunny winter days. If you or your family is in need of food, distance learning, or other resources, Promise SSL is here to help. Please email us at Promise@sslc.com. For updated Afterschool Program information, please follow Promise SSL on: Instagram: @PromiseSSL Facebook: @PromiseSouthSaltLake


Psych 101: What is gaslighting? By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com

I

f you’ve tuned into the federal news at any point during the past four years, you’ve probably heard a phrase or two about President Donald Trump gaslighting America. Even though the term has been thrown about rather loosely at times, it seems to be becoming part of our common collective discourse. Personally, I wanted to make sure I really understood this term, and the research behind it, before evaluating the claims made about our current political climate. I’d like to take a moment to define and clarify gaslighting, discuss its prevalence, and illuminate potential harmful impacts. The term “gaslighting” has been used to describe abuse involving emotional and intellectual manipulation, most often recognizable through mind-manipulation strategies. Gaslighting often leads to a person questioning their sanity, perceptions of reality, and/or memories. Even though the term was recently popularized in politics, gaslighting has been well recognized within psychology research for decades. One of the first mentions of gaslighting was on June 21, 1969. Russell Barton and J.A. Whitehead published an article in “The Lancet” where they outlined two cases in which “there were definite plots to remove an unwanted and restricting relative by securing admissions to a mental hospital.”

They compared this to the storyline of a play titled “Gas Light” by Patrick Hamilton where a husband tries to get rid of his wife by driving her into a lunatic asylum. Dr. Paige Sweet attributes the common usage of the term to a story as well. In the 1944 film by George Cukor, “Gaslight,” a husband attempts to isolate his wife by making her believe she is insane. “His eponymous tactic is to dim and brighten the gaslights and then insist she is imagining it. (He) aims to undermine (her) sense of self and everyday life, to confuse and distort her reality such that she must accept his imposed reality in place of her own.” The term appeared minimally throughout the 1970s and 1980s, but eventually it began to recur in research as the focus on interpersonal relationships intensified. In 2007, Dr. Robin Stern published “The Gaslight Effect” focusing on how to identify manipulation in relationships. As might be apparent from the contextual history of the term, gaslighting is of importance in domestic violence research and intimate partner violence (IPV) literature. “Gaslighting is a conscious or unconscious form of psychological abuse that occurs when a perpetrator distorts information to confuse a victim, triggering the victim to doubt their memory and sanity,” defines Dr. Madeline Tormoen.

In the popular conversation, confusion, distortion and anxiety are all recognizable as consequences of gaslighting. However, the potential impacts of gaslighting can quickly become more harmful and severe. Those being gaslit may start to question their own perceptions and lose trust in their own experience of reality. Tormoen described how gaslighting may often affect memory, contribute to emotional abuse and interpersonal abuse, lead to a victim undermining their sanity, and betrayal. “Gaslighting can also prevent domestic violence victims from accessing institutional resources that would help them escape the abuse. The very institutions set up to help victims can become part of the gaslighting process,” she described. In addition, gaslighting may contribute to double-binding and depersonalization, resulting in losing a sense of self, multiple perceptions of reality, and varied internal versions of reality. Gaslighting creates hostile social environments. Sweet and others have argued that gaslighting is not just a psychological tactic, but a sociological phenomenon as well. “When perpetrators mobilize gender-based stereotypes, structural inequalities, and institutional vulnerabilities against victims with whom they are in

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an intimate relationship, gaslighting becomes not only effective, but devastating.” For domestic violence resources here in Utah, visit: the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition at www.udvc.org/; the statewide domestic violence info-line Linkline at 1-800-897-5465 (LINK); the Utah Department of Human Services at www.dcfs.utah.gov; the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault at www.ucasa.org or 1-888-421-1100; or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE). l

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Rob Beck of Wealth Management CPAs in Murray has a simple but effective approach to help people plan for the future – he gets the experts in the same room. “I am a CPA who loves helping people build their wealth,” said Beck, who loves numbers, math and watching the economy. But he does not like watching his friends delay their retirement. And he does not love it when the government gets a portion of someone’s legacy that could have gone to loved ones or a favorite charity. “In 2008 the markets took a hit. I watched one of my mentors – an accomplished CPA – delay his retirement. I also watched my tax clients’ investments go down as their taxes went up. “I wondered what on earth was going on. How can you lose money and have to pay more in taxes?” Beck said. So he did something very simple – he asked his friends, who were financial planners and estate planning attorneys, what advice they were giving. “I realized each professional was independently giving good advice, but without all of the pieces of the puzzle, it was incomplete. We were focused on different things. I saw that many people often need all-encompassing financial advice, that includes

not only financial planning, but a comprehensive tax strategy as well. So, I started Wealth Management CPAs, to bridge that gap” Beck said. Beck has a business motto: Be kind, be competent. The motto works. People who schedule a complimentary consultation with him at www. WealthCPAs.com often become loyal clients. “Call us at (801) CPA-HELP (801.272.4357) or email us at info@ WealthCPAs.com and we’ll look over your retirement plan for gaps,” Beck said. Beck enjoys talking to clients without watching the clock run. “We always offer two complimentary consultations to answer

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February 2021 | Page 23


High school student-athletes undergo COVID-19 testing, change approaches to competitions By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

I

n swimming, the faster swimmers compete in the middle lanes. In basketball, traditionally, team captains shake hands with the opposing team and refs before the game and afterwards, players on both teams give each other a high-five. Wrestlers take the mats in multi-day competitions, but not anymore this season. Those, and many other norms, aren’t the case in high school sports this winter. As high school student-athletes and coaches follow the Utah High School Activities Association’s COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, winter sports have a new look—and likely spring may follow some of the same protocols, say local high school athletic directors. Throughout the state, the biggest change from fall sports to winter has been with restricting fans at indoor competitions and administering rapid COVID-19 every 14 days for student-athletes. It’s part of the UHSAA “Return to Play” guidelines after high school sports mostly took a two-week break in early November following former Gov. Gary Herbert’s mandate, said Sally Williams, Hillcrest High athletic director in Canyons School District. The “Return to Play” guidelines were issued in early December after the Utah School Superintendents Association and UHSAA worked with the Utah State Department of Health to provide protocols after the state health order suspended the start of the winter season. Those guidelines were updated, with new policies of “test to stay” and “test to play” that took effect Jan. 4, when schools resumed from winter break. These have included if individuals are exposed to COVID-19, they can end quarantine 10 days after the last time they were in contact with the person who tested positive if they don’t have symptoms or they can return after a negative COVID-19 test result. “We had to reschedule a bunch of games and give our teams time to prepare for the season; it was a bunch of shuffling for preseason and hard for both our boys and girls basketball teams as we have new head coaches in both programs and they had to put everything together, after delaying tryouts and early season preparations,” Williams said about the delayed winter season for her Midvale school. “But it still was probably good to get COVID numbers (of positive cases) down even though at that time, our school wasn’t high.” Even so, both Hillcrest programs have had coaches and/or players test positive or be exposed to COVID-19, playing preseason basketball games with a skeleton team and both teams, canceling at least one game. Already numbers at tryouts were down, about half as many for the boys and barely enough student-athletes to fill three team rosters for the girls, Williams said, because of the impact of COVID-19 and that some online learners aren’t involved in sports this year. “We’re at about 85% in-person enrollment this year,” Williams said. “The good news is that with the vaccine coming, we hope our spring season will happen since last year, their seasons were canceled because of COVID.” Admission to the basketball games and wrestling matches are restricted to assigned seats for contact tracing purposes and with two tickets issued per athlete, with Hillcrest stating no children in attendance. Masks are required for patrons. Even athletes sit socially distanced from each other, totes by their chairs with their own water bottles and face masks. Student-athletes are allowed to take them off only during competition, Williams said.

Page 24 | February 2021

Jordan High’s girls basketball team sits socially distanced on the sidelines with masks on when they aren’t playing following UHSAA winter sports guidelines. (Jason Long/Jordan High)

Swim meets’ admission is restricted by the facility; many schools practice and compete at county pools, which limit capacity at 50 people including both boys and girls swim teams, coaches and officials often exceed that number. So, 11 of the 13 Hillcrest meets were scheduled at non-county facilities. “We looked at swimming boys or girls or varsity and JV separately, but that gets to be kind of a nightmare. They all swim together, so what happens with those other kids and how many days are they unable to practice if we do it that way,” Hillcrest head coach Ryan Thierbach said, adding that meets are livestreamed free for the Hillcrest community. Hillcrest swimmers also split the pool, so girls and boys teams have less interaction with one another to reduce possible spreading of COVID-19. At Jordan High, in Sandy, athletic director Jason Long said the school’s swimmers aren’t as much impacted as other schools since they practice at private pools and when public pools are shut down, those schools that practice at them have no options and aren’t getting time in the water. They also are finding a way for parents to watch their swimmers. “We have invited some of our parents of seniors to be timers and judges so they can be there,” he said. The competitions in the gym are different without student sections or pep bands. “We aren’t pulling out all the bleachers in the gym as only two parents are allowed in to watch competitions,” Long said, adding that most sports are being livestreamed for families to watch with a subscription. At Jordan, staff members are continuing to take student-athletes’ temperatures and go through health symptom checks just

High school athletes like Hillcrest High’s basketball player Maddy Sluga undergo COVID-19 rapid testing every 14 days. (Julie Slama/ City Journals)

as they did in the fall in addition to administering COVID-19 tests, usually 45 minutes before the school day begins. Not only does Long’s crew test student-athletes, coaches and managers, but also theatre and debate students since those activities fall under UHSAA. “We’re not relaxing on anything,” he said, admitting that the days get long, with early morning testing to games at night. “We’re all on the same page following UHSAA guidelines. It’s a lot of extra work from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every single day, but we’re hopeful our students can compete and showcase their talents—and that’s worth the work.”

S outh Salt Lake City Journal


The push continues to wear masks for student-athletes, coaches, managers, trainers and athletic directors at practices, in huddles, team meetings, on the sideline and all the time, unless competing, he said. “We have assigned seats socially distanced on the bus, in the locker room, on the bench. We’ll be able to trace each athlete and with the guidelines, keep the spread low. We shouldn’t have to shut down this way,” Long said, adding that even basketball drills are kept in small groups and drill is spaced distantly for contact tracing purposes. “If drill does any kind of lifts, they’re to practice in small groups and sanitize their hands.” While the schools maintain the safety of its student-athletes and programs, referees fall under the UHSAA. “Many of our refs wear masks until the game starts, then they take it off so they can use their whistles. They put the mask back on when talking to the coach or scorekeeper,” Long said. In Jordan School District, Bingham Athletic Director Andee Bouwhuis said that instead of totes for the sideline seats, they have placed command strip hooks for masks and athletes keep their individual water bottles next to the chairs. “We wipe down the bench with cleansing towels—the seats are spread out and assigned,” she said. “In the pool, we follow the county guidelines and limit five swimmers per lane, so our team is small this year.” After the governor’s shutdown, Bouwhuis said she was surprised to see more athletes at tryouts. “Kids are wanting to be involved and at school, not isolated at home,” she said. “Everyone is being flexible even as we’ve had to cancel or reschedule competitions. The coaches are just hopeful we’ll have a season and the athletes are putting it into perspective that just one or two games or meets aren’t that critical. I’m hoping that when spring comes, we can have a full season. That would be amazing.” l

Hillcrest High’s girls basketball team wear masks during the national anthem and on the sidelines when they aren’t playing per UHSAA winter sports guidelines. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

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February 2021 | Page 25


Vaccines expanded and administered to more Salt Lake County residents

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Since COVID-19 vaccines were approved and rollout began for healthcare workers and teachers, we have all been a little more hopeful that the end of the pandemic is drawing near. A few weeks ago, vaccinations were expanded to Utahns 70 years of age or older. Vaccinations were prioritized in this manner by the State of Utah to provide protection to those on the front lines of fighting the pandemic and to reduce the number of fatalities among those most vulnerable to COVID-19. The State is making the determination on which groups will receive vaccinations, but they have recognized that counties and their local health departments are best equipped to carry out the actual vaccine administration. I was able to meet with Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson and health officials from both the county and state as we discussed the best way to vaccinate as many people as possible. The State of Utah is working hard to obtain more vaccines from the federal government and our county is dedicated to getting vaccines to residents as soon as we receive each batch. Your Salt Lake County Health Department has been hard at work preparing and executing the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. In the national vetting of the vaccine, no steps were skipped to ensure its safety and efficacy. I have seen the vaccine administered at the Mountain America Expo Center and the process is orga-

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Teachers and other school staff will have their vaccines administered through their school district via Community Nursing Services (CNS), but information can be found at cnscares.org/covid19vaccine-educator Those 70 years of age or older can sign up to be notified of vaccination appointments at SaltLakeHealth.org (click “COVID” then click “Vaccine”) or can obtain more information by calling the Salt Lake County Health Department at (385) 468-7468. There is no cost to get vaccinated, regardless of whether you have health insurance or not. For general information regarding the rollout and groups able to receive the vaccine, visit: coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine

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nized and sanitary. As of Jan. 19, the Salt Lake County Health Department had administered 21,400 vaccines. As you are eligible to obtain the vaccine, I encourage you to do so. The faster you and those around you can get vaccinated, the better off we will all be. Here is some additional information that may be helpful: Hospital healthcare workers are being vaccinated by their employers. Long-term care facility healthcare workers are being vaccinated through their employers by Walgreens, CVS and Community Nursing Services. All other healthcare workers who live or work in Salt Lake County are being vaccinated by the Salt Lake County Health Department.

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Page 26 | February 2021

S outh Salt Lake City Journal


A lot on my plate

Life

Laughter AND

by

PERI KINDER

SO SALT LAKE

Fear sells, but why does the food industry use anxiety to sell products? I mean, if there’s one thing the seven billion people on this planet agree on, it’s that we need food. (And Baby Yoda is adorable. That’s universally accepted.) When COVID hit last spring, I heard we’d run out of beef by autumn. My husband lost his mind. Someone told me canned vegetables would be as valuable as gold, which is good because I’d rather wear a can of peas on a chain around my neck than have to eat them. Experts tell us food is plentiful and cheaper than ever before. Just the food left over from Las Vegas buffets could feed several Third World countries for generations. They’d all develop diabetes and heart disease, but they’d have plenty of food. And that’s the other fear; the idea that the food we eat, even broccoli and kale, has no nutritional value because the soil’s been depleted of nutrients and we’re consuming the dietary equivalent of Rice Krispies for each meal. So, we hear companies proclaiming to have discovered new, perfect foods. Not just foods— Super Foods (with a heartbreaking origin story). They ask questions like, Do you poop every day at noon? Are you often irritable? Well, you’re eating the wrong food! Social media is awash in these types of ads. “Buy our product made of 300 super-

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foods found only in caves along the Ganges River!” “Learn the secret of Cleopatra’s radiant skin, Helen of Troy’s weight loss supplement and Queen Elizabeth’s longevity.” (Spoiler alert: it’s never having to clean your own toilet.) Companies tell us fans are “raving” about their green juice. False news. No one raves about green juice. The recipes have unknown ingredients like chlorella (a dried sea vegetable) and rhodiola, a cold-climate plant used by Vikings. Mmmmm. Yummy. (Sidenote: Vikings are dead. Did rhodiola kill them?) Mushrooms are the new meat. The reishi mushroom is called the Queen of the Mushrooms because…um…it has a crown? I guess psilocybin mushrooms would be King of the Mushrooms, or at least the laidback, hippie brother-in-law of the mushrooms. Pretend meat is also the new meat. Im-

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possible Meat might be better for the planet, but with its soy, wheat and vegetable ingredients shaped and colored to look like chicken nuggets, it’s definitely not health food. And don’t think it’s safe to drink water. No, sir! You can’t drink tap water, bottled water, well water, river water, toilet water or any other water unless it’s gone through an expensive, artesian reverse osmosis process. I used to drink water out of the hose in my front yard. I’m sure I’ll die full of mercury, lead and chlorine. Spinach and romaine lettuce routinely try to kill us, and don’t get me started on GMO conspiracy theories. I don’t have that kind of time. Are apples still good for us? Can we eat corn without worrying about growing a third arm? Does everything have to be organic, farm-fresh and certified because according to Facebook, we’re all doomed! I know Americans don’t have the best diets but throw me a grass-fed bone. We’re assaulted on all sides and just trying not to dive headfirst into a bucket of chicken for a morning snack. Let’s drop the fear, food industry, and go back to promoting wellness as we wait to hear if Baby Yoda will be on the next season of “The Mandalorian.” Some things are more important than organic bananas.

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February 2021 | Page 27


RETIREMENT SEMINAR Given the current political & economic climate, many people are worried about planning their future

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Learn how to protect your estate from long-term care expenses

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Learn how to receive long-term care benefits while remaining in your own home

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Learn how to decrease the tax on your IRA or 401(k) for a more comfortable retirement

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Learn how to avoid being taxed on your social security benefits

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Discover the pitfalls of probate and the steps you can take to avoid it

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Learn why a living trust may be more effective for you than a regular will, and why you may need one

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Learn when you should not put your children on your bank accounts and property titles

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February 2021 | Vol. 7 Iss. 02

FREE

NEW ‘ALL-ABILITIES’ PARK HONORS MOTHER-DAUGHTER VOLUNTEER TEAM By Bill Hardesty | b.hardesty@mycityjournals.com

S

outh Salt Lake continues to show its desire for inclusion with the new Bickley Park that opened Dec. 24, 2020. The park, located on the north side of the Columbus Center (2531 S. 500 East), has a unique purpose of welcoming kids of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. “Our city has always had a diverse population—not just cultural and economic, but also people with different abilities,” Sharen Hauri, Urban Design director, said. “We are very proud of this history, and our city’s Equity Committee really got involved in the park design to make sure we did a deep dive on how the park could appeal to a diverse group and just as importantly, encourage them to play together. Many of the elements need a partner to play with—time to make a new friend!” The property was purchased from Mabel Todd’s family in 2017 for $500,000. The city spent about $650,000 on building the park. “The city has talked about adding a park to the Columbus Center since we bought it 20 years ago. We are so grateful to the Todd family for working with us to make this possible. We also were so honored to name it after Ida and Laurie Bickley, city residents and volunteers, who embody the ‘play for all’ spirit. We hope it was worth the wait,” Hauri said. All-abilities park The most prominent feature of the new park is a large geometric-shaped structure filled with various activities for kids. Multiple entry points allow children to experience discovery and fun on the structure. All the items, including a slide, rope walk and numerous ways to climb or sit and enjoy the environment’s tactile sensations, are designed around four development benefits: sensory, motor skills, cognitive skills and social/emotional skills. “We thought a lot about how to get parents and grandparents playing

SSL’s newest park, Bickley Park, an “all-abilities” park, is now open at the Columbus Center. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

Continued page 5

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