South Salt Lake Journal | January 2022

January 2022 | Vol. 8 Iss. 13

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CITY OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS SHARE OPINIONS ON CHANGING SSL

By Bill Hardesty | b.hardesty@mycityjournals.com

T

he release of the 2020 Census data last fall begs the question: How has the City of South Salt Lake changed in the past 10 years?

Population According to the 2020 Census, SSL’s population only rose by 3,160 people or 11.8%. This small gain is a surprise given the SSL building boom since 2010. In the last decade, 11,000 building permits were issued. One reason for the slight increase in this number is based on individuals who took part in the 2020 Census, which was lower because of the pandemic.

With a reported population of 26,777, SSL is the 38th most populated city in the state out of 326 cities.

Census highlights The residents of SSL are a bit older than across Utah. The median age in SSL is 32.2. In Utah, the median age is 31.2.

However, SSL has a smaller population over 65 years old. SSL had 7.5%, while Utah had 11.4%.

Language other than English is spoken in 34.7% of homes in SSL. This is compared to 16.0% in Utah. In addition, in SSL, 24.6% of residents indicated they are foreign-born, which is three times higher than Utah’s number of 8.6%. This data reflects the number of immigrants and refugees that settle in SSL. The poverty level is always a hot topic. The 2020 Census reports that 18.7% of residents live below the poverty line.

This is compared to only 8.9% in Utah. Using 2019 data, the Utah Health Department indicates eight areas in Utah—Logan, North Logan, SLC Rose Park, SLC Glendale, SLC Downtown, Muralfest is a popular spring event in SSL. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals) Continued page 4

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January 2022 | Page 3

Continued from front page Provo BYU, Provo East Central, and San Juan County—have higher poverty rates.

More data is available from the U.S. Census Bureau at Census.gov Opinions Data is one thing, but perceptions are also important. Here’s what local officials and residents had to say about the changing face of SSL. SSL Administration Mayor Cherie Wood: “In the past decade, my team and I have rebranded the city.

We have grown vertically in downtown and near transportation hubs. New shopping opportunities came with Chinatown and WinCo Foods. Our neighborhoods and families have benefitted from the addition of Olene Walker Elementary and the opening of the Utah International Charter School. …Our city has seen a major shift in new housing along transit lines and enhancements of trails and new green spaces.…While changes have occurred, some constants remain—we continue to be a bustling business point of convergence in the valley. Our city has retained some second and third generation residents committed to vibrant neighborhoods that remain walkable and safe. Lastly, we continue to have committed employees, many of whom have years of experience serving our residents and businesses.”

Department of Neighborhoods Director Sharen Hauri: “Much of this change was deliberate and carefully planned and executed, but many things were completely unexpected. As the city tried to re-emerge from the Great Recession, it was grappling with a few things—the loss of Granite High School, pressure to clean up neighborhoods and problem homes, a rapidly changing population that was becoming more diverse, fewer ‘old-timers’ and the realization that urban trends were on the doorstep. The Mayor and City Council took the bold move of approving funding for the streetcar and starting to rezone

Journals T H E

Through the past decade the SSL City Council has changed the face of the city. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

formerly industrial areas of the city to support transit-oriented development.…However, the massive jump in home prices over the last three years was a surprise. That has led to another rapid turnover of ownership—many older homes have been sold to higher-income families, and many older apartments have been purchased by investors and remodeled.

Suddenly, many affordable housing options in the city vanished, and so did the tenants that frequently rented them—refugees and immigrants who had become a part of our city’s fabric.”

Promise SSL Director Kelli Meranda:

“Over the last decade Promise SSL became a city department, grew from four to 13 neighborhood centers, and developed our nine Promise SSL councils. We have developed strong relationships with over 110 community partners. Promise SSL has prioritized offering high-quality, free programming for youth and families focused on reducing barriers to expanded learning opportunities to support academic, physical, civic, social, and emotional success. Utilizing best practices of Collective Impact, Community Schools Model, Results Based Accountability/Continuous Quality Improvement, and a Cradle to Career

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framework, we are creating a network to support youth and families.”

Fire Chief Terry Addison: “We now have an explosive detection and live-find search and rescue canine that helps our community and surrounding agencies detect energetic material and search for lost or missing people. We placed a wildland firefighting brush truck in service that can access the trails and brush along the Jordan River. An additional ambulance came in service at our 900 West station to help cover the increased call volume. In addition, we had a 500% increase in women hired when compared to the previ-

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ous year. The number of female firefighters in SSL is nearly six times higher than the national average.…The Fire Department underwent an ISO Public Protection Classification audit.

We are proud to say that our PPC Classification improved from a 03/3X to an ISO Class 1/1X. We are the second department in the state of Utah to gain this classification.”

Police Chief Jack Carruth: “The past 10 years have been the most defining years for the police department. As an agency and partner to the mission of the city, the police department has seen more community involvement and engagement with our residents and businesses with the current city administration. The past 10 years has brought the City of South Salt Lake to life, making it a destination city for all.”

City Council SSL Council Chair Sharla Bynum: “Two areas I’d like to highlight are food and art. As a foodie, I love cooking and trying new things. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the numerous high quality and unique restaurants we have that represent so many cultures. Mural Fest is another special addition to SSL. Thanks to the vision of our SSL Arts Council, we now have the largest collection of street art in Utah for a total of 35.

We received City Weekly Magazine’s 2021 Best of Utah award for street art!”

District 2 Councilmember Corey Thomas: “I think SSL has changed in so many ways since 2010. We have a lot of new, wonderful businesses, large and small and local, join our community, we have had a great increase of people moving into our city and getting involved, the city has built a great after-school program for the kids, and I believe our city can become a great place for people to move here and either live here or start their business here.”

Residents Producer/Host of Living with Pride James Brown: “I think number one, because of the leadership of Mayor Wood, South Salt Lake has become a community of people building an economically family-friendly community. Second, South Salt Lake has mastered the idea of diversity and welcomed the inclusionary process for all of its citizenship. Third, people are now interested in visiting South Salt Lake as a relaxing and entertaining destination that offers something for everyone. Fourth, our political environment has caused a distrust of our leadership. I feel that Mayor Wood, city council members, and the team of city staffers have made leadership people-friendly and accessible and that’s how we make a change that benefits all the citizens of the South Salt Lake community. This makes South Salt Lake a community, which happens to be a city.”

Cathie Gallegos Chansamone Costanzo: “Cops that don’t want to take reports.

Government officials that don’t want to answer calls. Community centers gone. Library gone. High-rises up. Beautiful homes torn down. Open spaces gone. Crime way

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up. Small businesses closing.”

Community Activist Susan Bowlden: “Granite High is gone. Many women elected. New library. So many apartments and condos. Three or more teeny tiny parks added: many wish they were larger. Tracy Aviary at Madison Park. The MRC came to be.

Several attempts to improve crosswalk safety in various areas. Still working on storm water fees and other water issues. Voter turnout continues to decrease with approximately one-third less voters this last election than the previous one.”

Bob LeMone: “The biggest gains in the city over the past 11 years is Salt Lake County building, the new Granite Library and Garbett Homes building the new homes behind the Granite Library. The total amount invested on the 26 acres of the Granite property exceeds $100 million. The biggest losses in the city over the past 11 years includes the city continuing to have the highest crime rate in the state with the lowest household income in the county. Also the eviction of the Pioneer Craft House from Scott School was a loss for everyone in the city who enjoyed learning about pioneer crafts and enjoyed gathering as a community with our neighbors.”

Stacie Schofield: “We have gotten the S-line since then. It’s been a great addition.”

John Cannon: “Funny, I moved to SSL in ’09. It has changed a lot for the better IMO (in my opinion).” l

Housing has been and continues to be an issue in SSL. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

Tearing down Granite High School was a defining moment for SSL. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

January 2022 | Page 5

South Salt Lake ‘perfect landing spot’ for tech company PDQ.com’s headquarters

R

ecently, PDQ.com held an open house to announce their arrival in South Salt Lake. They occupy three floors in the new six-story 150,000-square-feet office building of the South City Development (2200 Main Street). Previously, PDQ.com was located in downtown SLC. The office building is part of phase 1, bringing more than seven acres of residential, retail and commercial spaces to the developing SSL downtown.

“Moving to South Salt Lake was intentional. Especially considering we are a tech company. In Utah, with all of the amazing tech companies establishing their new homes in Utah County, the temptation I’m sure was present,” Victoria Bacon, community engagement champion, said. “We wanted to build a home that was more centrally located. The employment-population of PDQ.com has always been a mix of geographically situated residents. From Ogden to Provo and from Tooele to Heber. We believed by centralizing, we would be servicing the many over the few. And in that, South Salt Lake served as a perfect landing spot for our new headquarters.”

The company The company was created over five years ago. The three founders spent many years supporting IBM Tivoli Framework and Microsoft SCCM for substantial organizations. They realized there was a need for a system management solution for small-to-medium size businesses.

“We make software for system administrators (IT guys/gals) to be used in a B2B capacity. We are widely adopted in the government and education sector as well as many other industries both domestically and internationally. Our products offer a fast, easy to use affordable solution within the day-to-day operations of any system administrator,” Bacon said.

They have two flagship products. PDQ Deploy allows users to automate patch management. This provides system changes made fast for users. The other product is PDQ Inventory. This product enables system administrators to scan Windows computers to collect hardware, software, and Windows configuration data. This data allows users to group computers, ensuring a targeted deployment.

The culture The PDQ.com culture is unique. Shawn Anderson, co-founder of PDQ.com, had a vision for the company. He describes the vision as “a place where people could back-flip into work and cartwheel out!” He wanted a supportive work-life balance for all employees.

His grandfather inspired this work-life balance. His grandfather worked in a steel mill for over 30 years. The conditions were difficult, and he endured much for a paycheck.

“Shawn wished his grandfather had ex-

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By Bill Hardesty | b.hardesty@mycityjournals.com

PDQ.com’s Whiskey Lounge featuring drinks from water to whiskey. It is a place for employees to relax and play the baby grand or sing a song. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

PDQ.com’s TV lounge with surround sound and seating with a game console to enjoy. (Bill Hardesty/ City Journals)

perienced better. To that, Shawn was motivated to ensure the company he would start would be a place that his grandfather would have loved to work,” Bacon said.

She continued, “This level of bliss, however, could not only be achieved through the tangible but the intangible. It was necessary that people had the ability to come as who they are and acceptance, camaraderie, friendship, and a hyper non-judgment zone would await them along with great compen-

sation, benefits, daily catered lunches just to name a few!”

The company’s motto is “work hard, play hard.” With this in mind, the new offices include a cigar lounge, a whiskey lounge, a TV lounge with pillows and a game console, an on-site gym and personal trainer, a cafeteria, and free snacks, which are 7-11 caliber, available 24/7.

“Our employees are in the building even when they are not working. This in-

cludes evenings and weekends. Yes, crazy!

This level of connection to the place you work is unique and something we value as a company,” Bacon said. “We provide a place of work as well as a home for many. We believe it speaks to who we are and who we would like to continue to be.”

Another unique part of the offices is that conference rooms, meeting rooms, lounges, and a mother room are named after people meaningful to employees. Anderson wanted “to infuse spirit, inspiration, and honor into the actual walls.” Therefore, employees were allowed to submit names of individuals who inspired them. The submissions ranged from school teachers to coaches to a mother of an employee who died (the mother room).

Hiring PDQ.com is hiring. They built their new offices with growth in mind.

“PDQ.com invited an array of uniquely gifted, uniquely experienced, uniquely educated and uniquely individual on every spectrum to find a place to call home and to build something great together,” Bacon said. “The founders were able to see the best in each individual and let them soar based on their own unique talents. This level of trust in people provided empowerment to excel, and the company and employees alike have reaped the benefits of this established culture.”

Career opportunities are listed at PDQ. com/careers. l

S outh Salt Lake City Journal

Some Ho! Ho! Ho! with a breakfast to-go at annual Santa event

S

anta showed up with a bunch of his helpers from the Lions Club of South Salt Lake to deliver breakfasts to-go to those waiting at the the Columbus Center (2531 S. 400 East). Cars started slowly arriving on the Dec. 4 morning, but the number increased as the sun rose.

Santa’s Lions Club helpers supplied a full hot breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage patties and orange juice, all for $5 a plate. The breakfast was packaged to-go.

“We thought of canceling it this year again, but with our partner, the Lions Club, we decided to see what happens,” Aaron West, recreation director, said. The event was sponsored by the SSL Recreation Department and was supported by the SSL Lions Club.

Before the pandemic, the event was held in the Columbus Center and included activities besides breakfast and Santa. In those days, 600-700 people attended.

For many families, such as the Stoddart family, who are former residents of SSL, the breakfast has been a 20-year tradition.

Others like Albert Woodmansee have been volunteering for decades. “I have been cooking breakfast for 35 years,” Woodmansee said. His family is following suit.

His granddaughter, Ashley Woodmansee, was cooking pancakes nearby.

“You do not have to join the club in your area. You can join the club that works for you,” Ame Bennett, membership vice president, said.

“The Lions Club is a family effort,” Bennett said.

The Lions Club sponsors the “Lions Family Cub Program” for children and their families from ages 3 to 12. In addition, the Leo program (Leadership, Experience, Opportunity) is for teenagers giving them experience leading and serving their community.

Lions Club Like many community service clubs, the Lions Club is experiencing dwindling membership in the United States. However, there are more than 1.4 million Lions around the world “serving together so they can make a lasting impact and change more lives.”

In response to the social problems created by World War I and rapid industrialization, Melvin Jones, a Chicago businessperson, invited business clubs from across the United States to a meeting in 1917. The Association of Lions Clubs was formed.

Their name was explained in the January 1931 issue of “The Lion” magazine.

“Our name was not selected at random, neither was it a coined name. From time immemorial, the lion has been the symbol of all

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By Bill Hardesty | b.hardesty@mycityjournals.com that was good, and because of the symbolism, that name was chosen. Four outstanding qualities—Courage, Strength, Activity, and Fidelity—had largely to do with the adoption of the name. The last mentioned of these qualities, Fidelity, has a deep and peculiar significance for all Lions. The lion symbol has been a symbol of Fidelity through the ages and among all nations, ancient and modern. It stands for loyalty to a friend, loyalty to a principle, loyalty to a duty, loyalty to a trust.”

The Lions went international in 1920 when a club was formed in Windsor, Canada. Today, there are more than 47,000 clubs in 200-plus countries. The Lions came to Utah in 1941. The SSL Lions Club was formed in 1945. Today there are 51 clubs in the state. Twenty-nine in northern Utah and nine in the Salt Lake Valley.

In 1925, Helen Keller addressed their convention in Cedar Point, Ohio. She challenged Lions to become “Knights of the Blind in the crusade against darkness.”

The Lions accepted the challenge and, for over 100 years, have served the blind and visually impaired community.

Among their initiatives was helping the blind and visually impaired become wage earners by making brooms and lampshades, creating blind and visually impaired Boy Scout troops, pushing for white cane laws (these laws designate a white cane with a red tip for blind or visually impaired individuals and giving them the right of way), establishing camps for the blind and visually impaired throughout the world and starting guide dog programs.

In 1945, the Lions opened the second eye bank in Buffalo, New York. In Utah, the Lions Club supports the Moran Eye Bank. In addition, Lions function as couriers for eye banks. Lions collected and distributed eyeglasses for many years. They also work on programs to save eyesight.

Beyond fulfilling their “Knights of the Blind” mission, the Lions built numerous community parks, such as the Lions Park at 361 East Robert Ave. in SSL. In addition, they helped form baseball teams and cooked breakfast at many community events as a fundraiser.

Santa made an appearance at this Lions event and hopefully started his busy day right with the robust breakfast to-go.

“I have five jobs today,” Santa said.

Santa said that he has three to four jobs a day through the holiday season including virtual appearances.

“I’ve turn down 300 jobs this year,” Santa said. “The older guys are concerned about their health, and the younger generation haven’t matured enough yet.” l

Above: Children run to Santa at the SSL Breakfast-to-go with Santa on Dec. 4.

(Bill Hardesty/City Journals) Left: Ashley Woodmansee keeps a family tradition going started by her grandfather, Albert Woodmansee, 35 years ago.

(Bill Hardesty/City Journals) Below: Cars line up for a hot breakfast and a visit with Santa at the Breakfast-to-go with Santa event on Dec. 4. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

January 2022 | Page 7

South Salt Lake Best photos of 2021

Above: Cottonwood girls basketball head coach Tess Soracco watches the ball bounce around the rim in January, part of her first year as head coach having been the junior varsity coach the previous year. (Travis Barton/City Journals) Left: 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)

Students walk by a wall full of greetings and phrases in some of the 40 languages heard in Cottonwood High’s hallways. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Above: Then-Cottonwood student body president Faith Godina catches the ball at first base in their April 28 game against Hillcrest High. (Julie Slama/City Journals) Right: The Easter Bunny delivers an armful of treats for children. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

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Left: George Baker finishes his positive message mural at 131 E. 2100 South as part of Mural Fest. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals) Above: Juana Segura, middle, talks to the press on Feb. 5, explaining since they cannot get their belongings in the damaged apartment, as a result of a car crashing through their basement apartment, they have nothing. She is surrounded by her daughters, Citlalli and Jennifer, and a victim advocate from SSLPD. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals) Right: Lefty CJ Slagowski goes hard against the Skyline lineup in a game the Colts would emerge victorious 4-3. (Travis Barton/City Journals) Below: GSD choir concert for Vet’s Day. (GSD)

Above: With help from her flight crew, Top Gun Milo is ready for the SSL Animal Services Howloween event. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals) Left: Karyn Winder, the president of the Granite School Board, welcomes Richard Nye as new GSD superintendent. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

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January 2022 | Page 9

Cottonwood basketball returns Photos by Travis Barton

Left: Jackson Price is a steady presence off the bench so far this season. Top: Aiden Oliphant drives to the basket in a preseason game against Northridge. Through Dec. 13, the Colts were 3-1. Bottom: Noah Widerburg looks to fire a pass to Aiden Oliphant. Widerburg has moved to the point guard position this year facilitating just as much as he’s scoring averaging 14 points and six assists per game.

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Kids get new bikes from FB4K

A

bicycle gives a child his or her first feeling of freedom. A bicycle is their first set of wheels. A bicycle is a means to explore their world, pedal to friends’ homes and to school and to enjoy just being a kid.

"Every kid deserves a bike," Nick Ekdahl, the president of FB4K Utah, said.

And with that in mind, folks from FB4K (Free Bikes for Kidz) spent Dec. 4 giving away 160 bicycles to eager young bicyclists. The event was a culmination of three months of collecting, repairing and organizing bikes.

Giveaway day Working with agencies such as Promise South Salt Lake, Circles Salt Lake, and Hartland Community 4 Youth and Families, recipients' names were collected. They also collaborated with middle schools. However, they do not work directly with families.

The young recipients and family members came to their current warehouse (2250 S. Main) to find their bike of choice.

Dakota Pacific donated the warehouse.

By 10 a.m. a line had formed, and the 30 FB4K volunteers worked quickly to accommodate each child. Finally, their name was checked on the list, and the child was given a name tag.

The kids moved to the helmet line to receive a new bike helmet. Robert J. DeBry and Associates donated some helmets.

However, most were purchased with donated funds.

The kids headed to the show floor with their helmets in hand or on their heads. Volunteers welcomed each child as if they were buying a new car. First, the volunteer led the family to the area with the correct size of bikes. Then, just like a salesperson, volunteers suggested red ones or blue ones. Bikes with baskets. Bikes that roared like the Hulk.

"We focus our attention on the kids.

We want to treat them very special," Ekdahl said.

Once the child selected their bike, they moved to the mechanic shop. Each bike was given a final check. Mechanics also explained how to use items like hand brakes and gears.

A final step was to take the bike out for a spin around the parking lot.

"It is pretty cool that people are willing to donate bikes for people who don't have one," Lyal Holder said.

While sitting on his bike, his son yelled out, "I am going to ride this to school on Monday."

"Bikes are important—the feeling of freedom. The feeling of air through your hair," Ek-

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By Bill Hardesty | b.hardesty@mycityjournals.com

Clockwise: A FB4K volunteer finds the right bike for a young bicyclist. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals) A FB4K volunteer explains bike feature to the new owner, Seini. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals) Volunteers help a child get fitted for a new bike helmet. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

dahl said. "For many of these kids, this is the first thing they own. It is their bike."

FB4K FB4K is an affiliate of the national FB4K organization. The nonprofit start-

ed in Minneapolis and currently has 15 locations across the United States. Their goal is to give over a million bikes by 2025 and be in 110 locations.

FB4K Utah collects bikes in September

and October and gives them away in December. Bikes can be donated directly to FB4K or at Guthrie Bicycle Company in the fall.

They also want to scale up to provide more bikes and collect bikes year round. l

January 2022 | Page 11

After two near-.500 seasons, Cottonwood football needs more players

By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

T

wo 4-5 seasons, their best finishes in back to back years in more than a decade have the Cottonwood Colts football team thinking ahead to even bigger things in what will be year four under head coach Casey Miller.

But, as the coach stressed, Cottonwood is still in dire need of one thing in particular as it will begin its third season, and possibly its last, as a football independent: more kids.

“We don’t have enough players to really get a good practice during the [season during] the week,” Miller said. “Kids who are linemen have had to play wide receiver or running back at a skill position, so we get used to slower kids than we face in games at practice.”

The necessity to have to play players both ways has also had other adverse effects on the program: simulated practices, fewer healthy bodies and more turnovers and penalties.

“We can’t afford injuries so we do very little full contact at practice to help keep kids [healthy],” Miller said. “In games, things are faster and harder than we are used to so kids make more mistakes.”

The Colts finished the past season with about 30 healthy players, added Miller, the former Hillcrest High coach who has been coaching at Cottonwood in some football capacity for seven years. He spent several years as a Colts

After two 4-5 seasons, the Colts are looking to level up with more players. (Photo courtesy Casey Miller)

offensive coordinator under former coach Bart Bowen, and then Miller took over the top job after Bowen left to take a head coaching position at Logan High School.

But when Bowen was at Cottonwood, he had the same issues as Miller in getting players to come out for the football team. Numbers were low for Bowen’s teams as well, to the point that after a 1-9 season, and after completely rebuilding the program’s inventory, the roster numbers to a degree and team standards

said he’d had enough, according to Miller.

“He ended up burning himself out and decided that his sanity depended on being somewhere that was not in as bad of shape as Cottonwood,” said Miller, who then said players in the program begged him to apply for the vacant head coaching job, and added they went so far as to ask the Cottonwood administration to hire the Colts’ then-offensive coordinator.

Like Bowen, Miller was handed the thankless task out of the gate of trying to motivate

the 17 kids he did have on his varsity roster to finish games. As a member of a brutal Region 6 that included Highland, Skyline and Brighton, this was a tall order for Miller in his first year as head coach: all were blowout losses.

“We went 0-10, got shut out nine times, and only scored 13 against West on a fluke KOR [kickoff return] where they over-ran a squib-kick, and then we scored on their third or fourth string late in the game,” Miller said.

In Cottonwood’s first year under Miller al-

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most every region game the Colts played in had a running clock by the third quarter, so he asked Cottonwood athletic director Greg Southwick to petition the Utah High School Athletics Activities Association, or UHSAA, to move the Colts football program to independent status.

After reviewing Cottonwood’s body of work in football over several years the move to independence was granted two years ago

by Utah’s high school sports governing body, and so the Cottonwood program under the new coach Miller was given a lifeline when it was near its death.

“Instead of having to play Corner Canyon, Olympus, Brighton, we were able to schedule more 2A and 3A schools to level the playing field,” said Miller, who added that scheduling JV teams from larger schools also helped hone the Colts’ competitive nature in his second season as they began their climb back up the ladder.

For a program that had a tradition of winning in the 1990s and 2000s but has never won a state title, nobody in the program including Miller wanted to see Cottonwood football cease its operations for the first time in school history.

Data collection As a football independent, the Cottonwood football program is by no means out of the woods yet, but there have been signs of a resurgence under Miller. As an independent, the Colts have begun to show that they can again compete for four quarters against high school programs in Utah. A narrow loss to 2A power Summit Academy coupled with a signature win over 5A rival Murray this past season have given Miller and Southwick cause for hope.

But in order to make a successful move from independent status back to Class 5A membership and complete the cycle back to football prominence, this Cottonwood program still has work to do in several areas, noted Miller.

“We still have a long way to go if we are going to be put back in a region after next season,” he said. “We would be an average 2A program as it sits now.”

To that end, Miller said he has devised several strategies to attract junior-high aged players.

First, the Cottonwood Ute Conference little league program restarted three years ago after an absence, and sixth to eighth graders will begin to infuse more life into the Colts football program, Miller predicts. Seeds of that have already begun sprouting into the freshman/sophomore team. But the growth in this area is minimal: Cottonwood still doesn’t have enough players to field a JV team—something Miller said that almost every 5A program has.

Second is a tool Miller has already implemented the past two summers: a weeklong, college-style football camp. Because the majority of potential players in the Cottonwood area cannot afford to attend summer camps on college campuses, Miller—who coached at the NAIA college level at Benedictine and was a quarterback there as well as at Cyprus High

S outh SaltLakeJournal .com

Twenty more players would make the Colts even more competitive right now, Miller said, but if Miller wants to put Cottonwood back at the level of a 5A or 6A program he needs to double his numbers to 120. (Photo courtesy Casey Miller)

where he was a Region 5 MVP—has brought this much-needed college camp experience to these kids.

Miller estimates that these summer camps alone could bring in at least 10, if not more, kids from the seventh and eighth grades in the next two years. But this is a slow play that could take years to bear any fruit.

The third and final strategy was to have Miller, and his coaches and players, start walking through Cottonwood’s hallways and talk to kids who might want to give football a try. If it sounds easy enough, it actually isn’t according to Miller who said this strategy usually yields between three to five new players every year.

These are kids who, before having gone to this camp, had either never played football or were kids who were students at Cottonwood’s renowned accelerated AMES school who weren’t already on some other high school’s team—Miller said several play at Kearns and Bingham, and started on their little league youth teams. Or they were kids who had played soccer or another school-sanctioned sport before trying some American football for a change.

Because kids are also on social media frequently these days, Miller and his staff also put out messages on Twitter and Snapchat reminding kids about things going on in the football program. But there’s only so much the Cottonwood coach and his staff can do.

Drawing conclusions Year three will likely be the last for the Colts as a football independent, Miller believes. With all of Cottonwood’s other athletic programs now participating in Class 5A’s Region 7—enjoying success it hasn’t had in many years—Miller is still a bit resistant having his team travel as far as 300 miles round-trip for one game to Uintah in Vernal, for example.

That said, his Colts have taken road trips as far as Carbon in Price this past year—losing in a 41-34 barnburner classic—so in Miller’s view his team is capable of competing week in and week out on the road as well as at home.

Their record in away games during Miller’s tenure has shown this to be true, however, the Colts just aren’t at a 5A level because of the low number of players that are currently on the roster, he said.

“When we do face a 2A or 3A school [Carbon is in 3A] and the numbers are even, you can feel a different vibe,” he said. In order for that to change, Miller said the Colts need more bodies on the field.

“For varsity [in 2021] we had between 30 and 35 [players] depending on injury. We dressed five sophomores,” Miller said. “We also had 13 seniors this year which is most since I got here…but most schools have 20plus if they are 5A.” If you were to count up all of Cottonwood’s players on the varsity and freshman/sophomore teams, the Colts would have 60 total bodies available—if the school were to be called back up to 5A right now.

And so to keep up with the Cedar Valleys, Stansburys and Hillcrests in the new Class 5A Region 7, this Cottonwood football program buttressed by an open enrollment policy that already draws students from all corners of the valley must find a way to find more players. The program already reaches out into the school’s accelerated programs in engineering, drama and the sciences—Miller is a biology teacher by trade. These strategies have unearthed some diamonds in the rough, including kids who never played the sport.

“We had two of those [13] seniors who didn’t play [football] until this year, so really we had 11 [experienced players],” Miller said.

“Today in class we were watching our first draft of the team’s highlight video and my students all were saying things like, ‘Where is the rest of our team?’ or ‘Is that all the people we have?’—because of how few players they see on the sideline.”

That said, Logan had 24 seniors under Bowen this past year, said Miller. At Cottonwood, the kids are getting accustomed to not having as many kids as the teams they face, added Miller, but he would like find at least 10 to 15 more players for next year.

Twenty more players would make the Colts even more competitive right now, Miller said, but if Miller wants to put Cottonwood back at the level of a 5A or 6A program he needs to double his numbers to 120.

The final message the Cottonwood head coach wants to send to prospective players, and their parents, is that the program is doing things the right way. A 3.17 first-term team GPA, a focus on academics over athletics—the team doesn’t hold practices from October to the end of the school year—and a team on the rise are all reasons Miller believes prospective students should choose Cottonwood Colts football after two near-.500 seasons.

“We have a great staff that really love the kids,” he said. “We know football and have a fun atmosphere in the program. We are looking for kids who want to work hard and get early playing time on the varsity level.”

For more information about Cottonwood’s football program, contact coach Miller at: https://mrmiller-science.weebly.com/football.html. l

January 2022 | Page 13

Utah organization celebrates 10 years of empowering local women

By Hannah LaFond | h.lafond@mycityjournals.com

G

uests gathered at Venue 6SIX9 in downtown Salt Lake City in November for a black-tie gala to honor nine outstanding women. Those celebrated women were the 2021 graduates from WoWUtah.

“WoW” stands for “Women of Worth,” and the Utah-based nonprofit works to help women who have overcome difficult circumstances such as addiction, abuse or disease. The women selected for the program go through a year of workshops and training to help them gain self-worth and give them the tools they need for a fresh start. Each of the women is paired with a mentor, a volunteer who is there to help through the entire journey.

Along with teaching them valuable life skills, each participant is given a makeover. According to WoWUtah’s Facebook page, they are gifted a collection of business attire and casual clothing selected by a team of stylists. “So she can feel confident and beautiful in her personal and professional life.” They also give each graduate formal wear and shoes for the gala event.

While the program usually spans a year, the graduates at Friday’s event had been with WoWUtah for two years. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, workshops and

classes that usually would have taken place in person switched to online. As a result, WoWUtah decided to keep the same participants for another year so they could better experience WoWUtah gala venue. the program.

Gala at- (Courtesy of WoWUtah) tendees enjoyed watching videos made by the 2021 graduates to highlight their achievements. Following their video, each graduate walked across the stage, just like in a classic school graduation. Then they were invited to say a few words about their experience, all of them finishing with the proclamation of “I am a woman of worth.”

Barbara Moeller, who graduated from the program in 2012, now sits on WoW’s Chair of Mentees. Speaking about her experience, she said, “WoW helped me to find out how amazing it is to be myself.

I had gotten lost under the pressures and circumstances in life. The program gave

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Members of WoWUtah’s board with founder Judee Guay and husband, Lewie Guay, at the center. (Courtesy of WoWUtah)

me the tools to defend myself against challenges that eroded my self-worth. The magic is being paired with a mentor for a journey of self-discovery. I not only found my worth again but learned to be responsible and accountable for how I comport myself.”

Along with honoring the 2021 graduates, the gala also celebrated the 10 years WoWUtah has been in operation. Judee Guay, who founded WoW and now works alongside COO Marie Jess to keep it running, spoke about the organization’s beginnings.

She started WoW after she got a second chance at life. Guay recalled her years spent in an abusive marriage and how hopeless she’d felt. Hopelessness, only made worse by autoimmune diseases she was suffering from at the time. But, slowly, she was able to put the pieces back together. She left the abusive marriage, lost 100 pounds, and started to heal.

Going through such a life-changing experience made Guay want to help other women overcome their struggles. So, she started WoWUtah in 2011. Though she had a vision, Guay said their first gala was nothing like the event that evening.

“If anybody had told me that 10 years later this would be here, I wouldn’t have believed them,” she said, looking out at the crowd.

The guests were also invited to participate in a silent auction to raise money for WoW’s continuation. The auction included prizes such as theater tickets, gift baskets, romantic getaways and several cakes. The evening presenter and a member of WoW’s advisory board, Ty Bennett, joked that

he’d won several cakes that his children had bid on for him.

Speaking of how WoWUtah has operated and will continue to operate on donations, Guay said, “[WoW] has been supported by volunteers, including the directors, executive board and advisory board. No one has received remuneration, and it will stay that way with all donations going toward the women being served now and in the future.”

After presenting the graduates, Guay and Jess took turns presenting awards to those who’d helped WoWUtah throughout its 10 years. One of the award recipients included Chad Hymas, a highly respected international speaker who is also on WoW’s advisory board. Hymas was given the Inspiration Award.

Sheri Thompson, who’d come all the way from Arizona for the event, was given the Soul Sister Award. Guay told The City Journals, “Sheri's incredible connection with her WoW sisters and the mentees is why she is so deserving of this award.”

They also surprised Bennett, the presenter, with the Legacy Award, for being with WoW from the beginning.

Guay finished by surprising her COO Jess, and her husband, Lewie Guay, with the Founder’s Awards.

After the awards, they finished the evening by inviting the women of WoW to perform a special musical number. They stood on the stage to sing “Breaking Free; Becoming My Best Me,” WoW’s official theme song, written by Nina Angela Lee, the president of Wow’s Executive Board.

WoWUtah will be helping another group of women in 2022. l

S outh Salt Lake City Journal

www.sslc.gov

CITY NEWSLETTER

January 2022 Cherie Wood, Mayor 801-464-6757 mayor@sslc.gov

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

2022: The Year of the Neighborhood Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a peaceful and beautiful holiday. Here at South Salt Lake City Hall, it’s time to get back to work. Our team is energized and ready to go. With one new and two returning City Council members and a terrific staff, I can already sense that this will be a great year!

Here at City Hall, we’ve already dubbed 2022, “The Year of the Mayor Cherie Wood Neighborhood.” As you know, I’ve always believed in investing in people, maintaining great neighborhoods, and celebrating the unique qualities that make South Salt Lake a small city with big opportunities. But with the recent creation of our Department of Neighborhoods, we are now bringing those promises together to ensure that residents have safe, clean, green, and vibrant communities to thrive in. Here’s how we’ll do it: Our City already consists of quality neighborhoods, each with its own character and attributes. These include neighborhoods

Clarissa Williams, At-Large 505-879-2457 cwilliams@sslc.gov

The City mailed out Milkweed seeds to over 60 residents to plant in 2021.

In the fall, a new Monarch Waystation was added just south of Fitts Park on 500 East as a pleasant new green space along Mill Creek, to attract butterflies, birds, bees, and yes, people too.

City Offices

8 am to 5 pm 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

like Riverfront, Granite Legacy, Burton Place, Central Park, and Columbus. We want to maintain the features that make each of these places unique – but also ensure that we’re addressing the specific needs that could make our neighborhoods even better.

For some areas, that may mean better street lighting, traffic calming, or additional police patrols. For others, residents may be more concerned about protecting existing housing stock and ensuring quality zoning as emphasized in our General Plan.

I’ve heard residents in some parts of our city request more parks and green space, or bike lanes on north-south routes like 500 East. And still, other neighborhoods are looking to add convenient services like grocery stores and other retail offerings.

Our Department of Neighborhoods will take a holistic approach to assess needs and bring these important components together for greater impact. It will help our city work more efficiently while serving as a great feedback loop between my office and you, our amazing residents.

So, stay tuned, get involved, and be a part of South Salt Lake’s next chapter. Because South Salt Lake is a great book, which is continuing to unfold and develop into the incredible community we can all celebrate and enjoy!

Let us introduce you to the City’s ‘one-call-doesit-all’ resource, our new SSL Neighborhood Secretary, Abby Sherlock. By connecting, she is your pipeline to answers and is the fastest way to get the message to me, the Mayor.

SSL Department of Neighborhoods: 801-464-6757 or email, asherlock@sslc.gov

This summer our SSLPD and FD hosted a National Night Out Event, giving our residents a chance to gather, share and learn about our public safety teams and city departments, and have fun!

City News SSL City Council Meetings

CITY COUNCIL CORNER

In-Person or Watch Live: video.ibm.com/channel/sslc Wednesday, January 12, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, January 26, 7 p.m.

SSL City Planning Commission Meeting Thursday, January 20, 7 p.m.

No Garbage Pickup Delays in January Place cans curbside on your typical collection day.

City Offices & Community Centers Closure Monday, January 17th in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Holiday Tree Recycling

During the month of January, Public Works will pick up Holiday Trees (natural trees only) curbside for no cost. Ace Disposal will also pick up trees the 2nd week of January at the same time as your regular garbage pick-up date. All trees are composted!

Meet Clarissa J. Williams – New City Council At-Large This past election, along with the re-election of both City Council representatives, Sharla Bynum and Corey Thomas, Clarissa Williams will be sworn-in this January as a City Council At-Large representative.

To better acquaint you, Clarissa was born and raised on the Navajo Nation reservation in Arizona and first came to Salt Lake with her family in 2003 to attend the University of Utah. After completion, with great job opportunities and loving the mountains, they decided to stay and make Utah their home.

When searching for a home to purchase in 2009, her husband pointed out to Clarissa a townhome in South Salt Lake. At the first visit, she wasn’t that thrilled with the idea, being that it was surrounded by mostly industrial complexes and lacked the charm of other neighborhoods. To counteract that point, he reminded her that their favorite movie theatre (Cinemark 16) with the best popcorn was just down the street. And, that and a few other things helped in tipping the scales in favor of moving to South Salt Lake.

With a career focus as a chemical engineer and parent, Clarissa mentioned that prior to moving to South Salt Lake, she had never really been actively involved in politics or city issues. But at some point, she got pulled in here, as she was dealing with a neighbor in close proximity seemingly involved in criminal behavior. After reaching out to the SSLPD, and attending some City Council meetings, she became more aware of the challenges they were facing, including being understaffed. Clarissa was floored when the Mayor reached out to her personally to respond to her concerns. And, ever since she’s been civically engaged

and an advocate for SSLPD/FD, our planning commission, neighborhood watch, and City Council meetings.

What are Clarissa’s hopes in representing South Salt Lake in the City Council? In her words, “It’s important for people to realize what we can change, and that there are limits to what we can and cannot do.”

She wishes to continue to give the City support to move forward, doing all she can to advocate for public safety.

She says, “Things have to change for things to get better, and it’s important to stay open and not resist this idea.”

Clarissa encourages residents to get involved and stay informed. As she spent time canvassing during the 2021 campaign, she listened a lot, finding that for the most part, what is shared is more similar than divisive.

Clarissa says, “Across the board, we all want our streets to be safer, more walkable, beautiful, and to make our community better for everyone.”

2022 Message SSL City Council Chair, Sharla Bynum, District 3 The past few years have brought many challenges, but we united as a community to overcome each one. I am grateful and humbled to have an opportunity to serve District 3 for one more term. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns in the coming year. Here’s to a happy and healthy 2022 for all!

Note: Opinions expressed here may not be representative of all Members of the City Council.

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

Agenda Item

Subject

Action

Next Step

12/1/21

Moderate Income Housing Plan Update

A resolution of the City of South Salt Lake City Council adopting the Moderate Income Housing Plan update for 2021

Moved to the Consent Agenda on Dec 8

No further discussion

12/8/21

Appointment of Planning Commissioner

Appointment of Olivia Spencer to serve on the Planning Commission representing District 5

Approved

No further discussion

12/8/21

Appointment of Finance Director

Appointment of Crystal Makin to serve as the Finance Director

Approved

No further discussion

12/8/21

Appointment of Director of Homeless Strategies

Appointment of Christine Simonette to serve as Director of Homeless Strategies

Approved

No further discussion

Public Safety Welcoming in 2022: What’s Next for the SSLPD Message from SSLPD Chief Jack Carruth 2021 brought tough times with the COVID-19 pandemic and variants, but we are ready for a new year, taking on new challenges, and the upcoming implementation of the Civilian Review Board (CRB). In preparation for this momentous event, the SSLPD hired a new crime analyst, Tesitel Pacheco. She will be working with our Senior Crime Analyst, Alli Lachowsky. Both are highly qualified to assist the PD and City with this important task.

A crime analyst has multiple responsibilities but primarily researches crime reports and data to identify trends and patterns, including:

Senior Crime Analyst, Alli Lachowsky

• Tactical (analyzing high-crime areas and/or types of crime) • Strategic (Identifying hot spots to focus law enforcement officers) • Administrative (creating required reports to the State and FBI, along with assisting with the Civilian Review Board) Crime analysts gather, compile, and interpret data from crime reports to determine trends in a particular geographic area. They focus on areas of concern in a particular community policing zone where prevention techniques can be deployed and assist in crime reduction. It is helpful for community members to report suspicious activity and crimes. Once reported, this information can be later used to support your case and/or help identify crime trends in the city.

Let’s Work Together to Prevent Home Fires Message from SSLFD Chief Terry Addison January and February are two of the leading months for home fires. Cooking, heating, and holiday decorations such as lights, trees, and candles are the cause of many of these fires.

• When you are using any portable heating equipment, keep anything flammable at least 3-feet from any heat source such as fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, or space heaters.

• Install and test carbon monoxide detectors in your homes and test them monthly, and only plug one heating appliance (such as a space heater) into an electrical outlet.

• Never use an extension cord with a heat-producing appliance; they are only intended for temporary use. If extension cords are needed, have an electrician install additional outlets where you need them.

• Have your heating system professionally serviced to make sure it is clean and working properly to prevent carbon monoxide emergencies.

Above all, be ready to check on family and neighbors who could be at risk for cold-weather hazards; and have a wonderful, safe January and a Happy New Year.

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 9-10 a.m.

Délice Bakery & Café 2747 S State Street

Crime Analyst, Tesitel Pacheco

Join SSLPD and community members to enjoy the morning and get to know our local law enforcement better.

COVID-19 and Monoclonal Antibody Therapy W H AT Y O U S H O U L D K N O W “Monoclonal antibody treatments are another tool in the toolbox to keep people out of the hospital, and as a state, we are working to administer every available dose to those who need it. The antibody infusion has proven to be effective, but it can only be administered after a highrisk person has tested positive for the virus. The vaccines remain the best way to prevent someone from being hospitalized because of COVID-19.

Around 90 percent of people who are hospitalized with COVID-19 have not been vaccinated,” said Utah Governor Spencer Cox. You qualify for monoclonal antibody treatment if you are 65 or older, you’ve tested positive for COVID-19, and it has been 10 days or less since your symptoms first started. You may also qualify if you are under 65, have tested positive for COVID-19, and it has been 10 days or less since your symptoms first started, and you have other health conditions that put you at higher risk. Monoclonal antibody treatment is most effective when given early and the sooner it is given the better.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent COVID-19.

Monoclonal antibody treatment should NOT be used to prevent COVID-19. People who might benefit the most from this treatment are those who are most likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19.

Visit coronavirus.utah.gov to learn more, or to find COVID-19 vaccination clinics or testing sites.

Neighborhood Watch Meeting

Jan. 6, 2022 7:00 p.m.

Visit sslc.gov for virtual event link.

Men’s Resource Center Neighborhood Meeting Jan. 19, 2022 3:30 p.m.

Join us for a monthly conversation via Zoom. Visit sslc.gov for the link.

All Night Parking Prohibited. No person shall park a vehicle on street for a period longer than one hour between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. of any night when removal of snow from the streets may be necessary.

Business & Development The dawning of a new year brings renewed energy for the upcoming construction season. The Community Development Department has been working to review applications that will bring new life and vitality to South Salt Lake this year. Here is a look at some of the projects that will be seeing progress in 2022.

PRESTWICK 3453 South State Street The ground has broken and soon we will begin to see the construction of Building One which will bring several new retail spaces to State Street north of the America First Credit Union. The completed project will have 85 total residential units and a park area for residents.

THE MILL at SOUTH CITY 2200 South Main Street After suffering from supply chain delays, work is resuming on the Mill residential building which will complement the newly completed PDQ building west of WinCo Foods Downtown. Once complete the residential building will have approximately 250 units and a publicly available parking structure.

UTA LINE

QUICK QUACK CAR WASH

Also in 2022, the Community Development Department has applied for funding in conjunction with UTA to complete a Station Area Plan that will study the area in and around the Central Pointe (Trax/SLine) and South Salt Lake (S-Line) stations. The goal of the plan is to recommend improvements to the functionality of these important transit stops and how they integrate into the City’s plans for our Downtown.

50 East 3300 South Construction is finally underway on the new Quick Quack Car Wash on 3300 South. Quick Quack will offer a full-service car wash with outdoor vacuum stalls. This will be the first full-service, automatic car wash in South Salt Lake.

HUNTSMAN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CAMPUS 3300 South between 900 and 1000 West In conjunction with the State of Utah and the University of Utah Health System, the Jon Huntsman family has donated funds to construct a behavioral health campus along 3300 South. This campus will offer both in-patient and out-patient services once completed.

WE’RE IN THE ZONE! Learn more about a few of SSL’s Creative Industries Zone businesses.

SPARANO + MOONEY ARCHITECTURE sparanomooney.com | info@sparanomooney.com 801-746-0234 | 57 W 2100 South Sparano + Mooney Architecture is an award-winning design firm committed to offering sustainable, contemporary architecture to clients throughout the American West. Thoughtfully considered and carefullyexecuted projects are delivered through a collaborative process. A wide range of mountain modern architectural solutions are realized, from custom residences, resort homes and adaptive re-use of historic structures, to new institutional, cultural, and worship buildings, as well as mixeduse, civic, master planning and urban design projects. Their work is guided by quality, craft and a love of materials, and their projects balance leadingedge technologies with timeless design practices inspired by nature.

BONWOOD BOWL bonwoodbowl.com 2500 South Main St | 801-487-7758 Bonwood Bowl is a family-owned business, opened in 1957

by Bonnie and Woodrow White. It is the go-to place for both the serious league participant and casual bowler and has entertained people of all ages for over six decades. Currently, Bonwood is in the process of replacing all the lanes. Bowlers will be treated to this latest, state-of-the-art bowling center while still maintaining its retro atmosphere that everyone loves. Bonwood also has a grill, a bar, video games and lots of space to have fun. Bonwood is proud to be part of the Creative Industries Zone and recently participated in Mural Fest with artists Matt Monsoon and Brooklyn Ottens painting a jellyfish mural on the 40-foot north wall. This is the longest mural in South Salt Lake!

There are also murals inside on the foyer and bar walls.

Community Happenings When it Snows: Winter rules to abide by

Help Keep Our Storm Drains Clear

Winter is here and with it SNOW! While our Public Works Department is hard at work keeping the streets clear, here are a few things residents can do to help out.

Remove snow from sidewalks and parking lots The owners of businesses and residences are responsible for removing snow and ice from the sidewalks in front of their building, as well as parking lots. Snow should be removed the same day it falls, or by 10 a.m. the next day if snow falls into the late evening.

Keep snow out of the roads When shoveling your drive or walk, shovel the snow away from the road and onto your property. Clear the area by the road on the left side of your driveway, as this creates a good spot for plows to unload their snow.

Be mindful when parking Parked vehicles impact snowplow operators. Avoid parking on any city street between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Remember that it is illegal to park on a street or in an alley for more than 72 hours consecutively, and to leave unlicensed/ unregistered vehicles, or detached trailers on the street.

While clearing snow and ice from walks and driveways take a minute to ensure the storm drains are not clogged. This will prevent flooding and keep our waterways clean.

What are our priorities when plowing?

Public Works has twelve drivers who are assigned to seven snow plow routes. Plows are dispatched when there is at least one inch of accumulation on the roadways. Plowing will continue until the streets are safe to drive on.

Creative Arts for Life February Class Oil Pastels Wednesdays February 2, 9, 16, 23, 2022 6:30-8:30pm Historic Scott School 3280 S 540 East Instructor: Maddie Christensen/ Bad Dog Arts

Priorities are as follows: • Major collector streets serving emergency facilities with heavy traffic • Subdivisions and streets serving schools, City offices, etc.

• All other city roads, including dead-ends and culs-de-sac A New Fridge for the Resource Pantry! In December, the Central Park Community Center Resource Pantry received a generous, shiny gift from RC Willey!

This new refrigerator will store fresh food and produce. The donation also included dry goods, toys, basic needs, and warm clothing items. Thank you!

Staffed by the Promise Family Liaison Team, they are always looking for donations, especially infant formula. Please connect with Edward Lopez elopez@sslc.gov or Patrick HolmanHart pholman@sslc. gov to receive, donate, or volunteer.

On the west side of the Central Park Community Center at 2797 S 200 East, the Resource Pantry is a place where any community member can receive items that they need, including food, school supplies, basic needs, and hygiene items.

Evening Skyview of the Jordan River As a natural resource, a portion of the Jordan River and Trail runs through South Salt Lake. This waterway provides a critical resting area for migratory birds and a beautiful nature preserve for residents to enjoy! Learn more about the Jordan River at: jordanrivercommission.com.

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Community Happenings Pets in the Cold

Make a Difference

by Becoming a Digital Navigator Help South Salt Lake bridge the digital divide by becoming a digital navigator! At the new Community Opportunity Center (The CoOp), you’ll meet one-on-one with community members to help address their digital needs from acquiring a low-cost computer to signing up for internet service to learning fundamental tech skills.

Volunteers do not need to be particularly proficient at computer skills. Rather, we are looking for outgoing volunteers who enjoy helping others and are accepting of people from all backgrounds.

For more information or to sign up, connect with Lucas Horns at lhorns@sslc.gov.

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

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.

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.

Give them shelter! Ideally, all pets should live inside.

Also, pets who spend a lot of time outside need more food to replace the energy lost from trying to stay warm.

Use plastic food and water dishes instead of metal – to avoid getting tongues frozen stuck to them.

Seeking Fitness Instructors for the New FitLot Certified Pilates, yoga, trainers are needed and will be paid to teach classes at the FitLot at Bickley Park starting in Spring 2022.

To learn more contact our SSL Recreation Director, Aaron Wiet at awiet@sslc.gov.

Promise Youth Boxing Program at Central Park At the Central Park Community Center, youth boxers in the PAL Boxing program have been putting in the work to learn the fundamentals of the sport, to spar, and to prepare for the boxing ring. Throughout the pandemic, opportunities to compete have been scarce, so most of their time has been spent training. During the past couple of months, more events have been scheduled and boxers from South Salt Lake have been able to compete.

One boxer from the gym at Central Park, Ladislao Torres, has been working incredibly hard and became the first SSL PAL boxer to box competitively in nearly three years.

This season Ladislao’s boxing record was tremendous, as he relied on the skills he learned, and put that knowledge to use.

The PAL Pete Suazo Boxing Gym is open for youth ages 8-18 as part of the afterschool programs and activities offered at Central Park Community Center.

The program is led by Head Coach Larry Goodman and boxing specialist Jonathan Heugly who emphasize skill development and healthy habits both inside and outside of the gym. For those who wish to enroll, please contact Patrick Holman-Hart, pholman@sslc.gov | 801-386-4949.

Clubhouse-to-Career Internship Program Starts Year Two

Last year, Promise South Salt Lake (PSSL) partnered with Best Buy and The Clubhouse Network to bring a new program to the Best Buy Teen Tech Center (BBTTC).

Clubhouse-to-Career (C2C) is a free yearlong tech skills and job readiness program that culminates each summer with a guaranteed paid internship for committed participants. The addition of this program extended PSSL’s out-of-school time reach to age 21 and added key elements to the city’s Digital Equity vision and efforts.

After a successful trial year, C2C staff are eager to bring youth ages 16-21 to the BBTTC and to enter the workforce in the Summer of 2022. Committed youth are sought for the 2021-2022 program.

Meetings occur Wednesdays from 3:006:30 pm and Saturdays from 12:00-4:00 pm at the Columbus Center, 2531 S 400 East, Room 105. Parents and interested youth are welcome to tour the BBTTC, Monday-Friday 3:00-6:30, Sat. 12:00-4:00.

For questions, contact: Tate Grimshaw, C2C Facilitator tgrimshaw@sslc.gov | 385-377-4891 Colleen Bradburn, BBTTC Coordinator cbradburn@sslc.gov | 801-455-0994

Measuring the impact of ranked choice voting

By Justin Adams | justin.a@thecityjournals.com

T

his election cycle, multiple cities in the Salt Lake valley opted to take advantage of a pilot program for ranked choice voting, made possible by the state legislature. As opposed to a traditional election, where voters must select one candidate, RCV allows voters to rank any number of candidates according to their preference.

Proponents of the method point to the benefits of making the switch, from encouraging more candidates to run and increasing voter turnout, to making elections more fair and less antagonistic. While some of these benefits aren’t easily measured, some of them can be. So, how did this round of RCV experimentation turn out?

To get a sense of how much RCV impacted local elections this year, The City Journals took a look at the numbers for a few key metrics. First reporters compared the number of candidates and voter turnout to the same races held in 2017. Then reporters asked the question: did RCV actually change any of the election results?

Number of Candidates There were eight cities which took part in the RCV pilot: Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake, Millcreek, Cottonwood Heights, Sandy, Draper, Midvale and Bluffdale. Riverton would have but only had one candidate for each election. Within those cities, there were

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17 races that utilized RCV. (A couple races would have used RCV, but it ended up not being necessary because there were only two candidates.)

There were 73 combined candidates who ran in those 17 races, an increase from 63 candidates who ran for those same positions in the primary stage in 2017. However, that increase is almost completely accounted for by one city, Sandy, which saw an increase of three to eight candidates in its mayoral race and from two to six candidates in its race for an at-large seat on the city council.

Cottonwood Heights was another city that saw an increase in candidates, with five candidates competing in both its mayoral race and one of its city council races (compared to three in each race from 2017).

Salt Lake City saw the biggest decrease in its number of candidates, with two fewer candidates vying for its second district seat and three fewer candidates vying for its seventh district.

Voter Turnout How about voter turnout? Does giving people the chance to rank multiple candidates encourage more people to participate? Not according to this year’s races.

Of the 17 races we looked at, there was a total voter turnout of 115,851. That’s up just a little bit from 2017’s turnout of 115,008.

Recognizing that there are a number of possible variables that can impact turnout for a given race, here are a few of the outliers in this category. Remember, this is comparing 2017 to 2021.

A Bluffdale race for two seats on its council increased from 1,418 ballots counted to 3,344.

Salt Lake City’s first district race saw an increase from 1,621 to 3,381.

Despite having seven candidates vying for two at-large seats, Draper’s voter turnout dropped 20%, from 10,853 to 8,610.

Even in Sandy City, which had a hotly contested and crowded mayoral race, turnout decreased from 23,007 to 21,246.

Did it impact results?

Under RCV, the ballot counting process takes place over several rounds. After the first round, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their ballots then revert to those voters’ second choices. This creates the possibility that whichever candidate receives the most first-place ballots, won’t actually win the election. You might have a candidate who receives the third-most votes in the first round end up winning the election because they built a broad base of support and was able to win the majority of the second place votes. So, did that happen in any of these elections?

For the most part, no. In almost all the races, the candidate who received the most first-place votes went on to win the election.

The one exception being Millcreek’s District

Election assistant Becky Overacker helps first-time voter Zyon Bruce in Draper where they held ranked choice voting for the first time. (Mimi Darley Dutton/City Journals)

2 race, in which Jeremiah Clark held a narrow lead after the first round of votes, but ended up losing to Thom Desirant by nine percentage points.

So what?

Based on this initial look at some of these metrics, it might seem like RCV made a huge impact on this year’s elections. But Stan Lockhart, a spokesman for Utah Ranked Choice Voting, said that it’s too early to draw long-term conclusions about the effectiveness of RCV. “Twenty-three cities in Utah used ranked choice voting this year, and it was the first time for 21 of those 23 cities. We need to be careful in extrapolating too much,” he said.

In regards to measurables like number of candidates and voter turnout, Lockhart said those have always been driven more by local issues. If there’s something controversial that’s taken place at the city level, like a tax increase or a land use decision, that’s more likely to drum up interest in an election than a change to RCV. A better measure of RCV’s success, according to Lockhart, is how voters felt about the process…a question that Utah RCV teamed up with Y2 Analytics to help answer.

“I think the most important metric that we should focus on is voter satisfaction. How did the voter feel about the experience of ranking their vote. And the survey vote shows as high as 90% of the voters thought it was easy to use,” Lockhart said.

Additionally, 62% of poll respondents said they liked voting with a ranked choice ballot.

Learning curve Lockhart acknowledged that there can be

a little bit of a learning curve when it comes to RCV, both for candidates and voters.

For candidates, the implementation of RCV opens up another component of campaign strategy that they normally wouldn’t think about: coordinating with other candidates and forming coalitions. For example, a group of two or more like-minded candidates can encourage their voters to rank them in the top three spots. Lockhart said he didn’t see a whole lot of such coordination in the races which used RCV. One exception was for one of the council races in Salt Lake City, where two candidates jointly paid for a postcard advertisement, where one candidate was featured on one side, and the other candidate on the flipside.

There’s also a learning curve for voters, who might not realize the power they have by taking advantage of the ranked choice feature.

If a voter only ranks one or two candidates and those candidates get eliminated, that voters’ ballot becomes “inactive.”

In a close election, a large number of inactive ballots represents voters who could have potentially swung the election one way or another. That’s exactly what happened in Sandy, where the top two candidates for mayor were separated by just 21 votes. However, there were over 4,000 inactive ballots (voters who had chosen to not rank either of the two finalists). If voting is all about using one’s voice, Lockhart suggested that fully ranking every candidate on the ballot is voters’ best way to maximize that voice.

“If those voters had ranked more candidates, they would have been more relevant in that round,” he said about that Sandy mayoral race. l

S outh Salt Lake City Journal

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Amanda Brown revels in the snow with her son, 8-year-old Eli. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Brown.)

Sequoia loves winter and playing in the snow. (Photo courtesy of Bree Mooers)

Find joy in winter by embracing outdoor activities

I

n just a few weeks, Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog in Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania, will emerge to predict when winter will end. For many people who hate the cold days, grey skies, and treacherous icy roads, they hope Phil does not see his shadow and predicts an early spring.

When Herriman residents were polled about how they feel about winter, 25% replied that they absolutely hate winter and are already counting down the days until spring.

The cold and darkness are some of the factors why winter months trigger the onset of seasonal affective disorder or SAD, a type of depression that is related to a change in seasons.

Herriman’s Celeste Barrow Bruening said, “About mid-October I start to notice a drastic change in my attitude and outlook on life. I get an overwhelming feeling of dread just thinking about the cold. I hate everything about it. Not necessarily the snow, just the cold. The short dark days are a struggle and the grey, cloudy atmosphere is depressing.”

According to Mental Health America, Bruening is not alone as SAD affects over 10 million Americans a year. If you experience symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, please consult a mental health provider.

With the milder Utah winters in recent years, even winter haters admit that the snow is necessary for summer water levels. Herriman’s Katie Jo Stratton said, “I don’t love the snow like I did when I skied. But I want it to snow like it did in the ‘90s so we can have all the water we need in the lakes to play!”

Page 24 | January 2022

By Karmel Harper | k.harper@mycityjournals.com Although most Utahns recognize snow is necessary for our desert state, the darkness, the cold, and the dangerous driving conditions incite a teeth-chattering, snow-shoveling, white-knuckle-driving tolerance of the season.

However, many Utahns absolutely love winter and all of the beauty and outdoor recreation it brings. The Brown family from South Jordan look forward to winter every year as they are avid skiers. Amanda Brown even works at Park City Mountain Resort every season for the sole purpose of providing ski lessons for her four children who range in age from six to 12. Brown said, “Winter can be long and dreary if you allow it to be. We wanted to instill a love of the season in our children at an early age by enrolling them in ski lessons since they were very young. Now we look forward to it every year as we can get outside as a family and enjoy something active together.”

Kaysville’s Margot Marrs Pauni said, “I absolutely hated winter and counted the days until it was over, and then I learned to ski. It made a huge difference in my attitude and mental well-being. Now I look forward to winter.” Pauni has been skiing for over 3 years.

If gliding downhill at 20+ mph while dodging other people and trees is not your thing, there are a multitude of other winter activities to try to experience Utah’s famous “Greatest Snow on Earth.”. Exploring our spectacular mountains is extremely popular during the spring, summer and fall, but winter hiking is in a class of its own. A trail that you have hiked many times during other

seasons will look completely different when it is covered with snow and provides a new experience. Creeks will have frozen sections with icicles adorning rocky edges. Waterfalls will be partially or completely frozen, giving you a breathtaking and magical view. Trails such as Ogden’s Waterfall Canyon and Layton’s Adam’s Canyon offer awesome winter adventures with picture perfect vistas that Jack Frost will be proud of.

Herriman’s Rachel Dekker Moody said, “There is something magical about going for a ‘snow globe’ run early in the morning and hearing the crunch of snow under your feet and knowing you are the first footprints out for the day!”

Though cycling is typically a warm weather sport, winter riding has become popular since fat bikes emerged on the market. While standard mountain bikes have tire widths anywhere between 1.6” and 2.6”, a fat bike’s tires are 3.7” to 5”, allowing the rider to cruise through on snow-packed trails with greater traction and better handling.

Various local bike dealers rent fat bikes so you can give it a try. Visit www.cyclingutah. com for suggestions on the best fat biking trails.

Sledding or inner tubing is another popular winter activity, and you don’t even have to go up into the mountains to enjoy it. Even a local park or neighborhood with a good slope can serve as a decent sledding hill. Sugar House Park in Salt Lake City and Eaglewood Golf Course in North Salt Lake have awesome hills that are free to sled and tube on. Or visit a designated sledding park such as Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in

Midway or Woodward in Park City.

Avid fishermen don’t need to pack up their poles for the season as ice fishing is popular in Utah. Frozen lakes such as Strawberry Reservoir and even local ponds such as Farmington Pond and Bountiful Pond attract anglers of all ages once the ice is thick enough. The website Best Fishing in America said, “The season typically starts in mid to late December in Utah, depending on the weather. There are years when the hard water doesn’t set in until mid-January, while other years, it can happen in late November.

A good rule of thumb is that 4 inches is thick enough for an average person, 5-6 inches is suitable for a snowmobile or 4-wheeler, and 8-12 inches will support a truck.”

Ice anglers use an ice auger with a 6-8” bit to drill a hole in the ice large enough to pull caught fish through. In addition to the appropriate fishing equipment, other gear such as ice tents and tent heaters can be used for additional warmth and comfort. The Watkins family from Davis County look forward to ice fishing every winter. Kaysville’s Shaylee Watkins said, “I love ice fishing because it’s fun to sit and snack out in a heated tent on the ice and get nice and comfy and kick your boots off.” North Salt Lake’s Challis Watkins said, “Ice fishing is like fishing but way better.”

It is important to be prepared before venturing outside during the winter months.

Tolerating the cold is much easier with proper clothing and gear. Dressing in layers is a good practice because you will warm up as your activity level increases and you will be much more comfortable removing or adding

S outh Salt Lake City Journal

layers as needed.

REI’s website suggests three basic layers: “1) Base layer (underwear layer): wicks sweat off your skin, 2) Middle layer (insulating layer): retains body heat to protect you from the cold, and 3) Outer layer (shell layer): shields you from wind and rain. Even if you don’t wear all three layers at the outset, it’s a good idea to take all layers on every outing. You can peel off layers if things heat up, but you can’t put on layers that you didn’t bring along.”

Other important gear includes warm head and ear coverings such as beanies and ear muffs, scarves, and waterproof gloves.

Proper shoes such as waterproof boots that provide warmth and traction are a necessity.

For additional traction, particularly on steep icy terrain, use crampons or microspikes, a mechanism that typically consists of spikes and chains that fit over your shoes and can be easily slipped off and on the trails as needed.

Driving during the winter is a big reason why many people hate the season so pre-

paring your vehicle for the cooler months is important. Tips for winterizing your vehicle include testing your battery and tire pressure as battery power and tire pressure drop when the air temperature drops, changing to winter tires, checking wiper blades and replacing if needed, and always keeping at least a half tank of gas. Tips for winter driving include driving slower, increasing your following distance, and accelerating and decelerating slowly. But if it is snowing heavily, the best practice is to stay home if you can and avoid unnecessary risks.

Someone once said, “If you choose not to find joy in snow, you will have less joy in your life but the same amount of snow.”

With proper gear, clothing, and other preparations to keep you warm along with an adventurous spirit to try something new, perhaps the multitude of winter activities Utah offers can coax your inner Elsa out as you declare, “The cold never bothered me anyway.” l

Shaylee Watkins and Cody Carter show off their ice fishing catches at Utah Lake. (Photo courtesy of Teal Anderson.)

Adam’s Canyon in the winter can be magical. (Karmel Harper/City Journals)

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January 2022 | Page 25

(Less) writing on the wall

By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com

A

s West Valley City started to come of age in the 1990s, one of its growing pains was the presence of graffiti.

While not the widespread blight that mars the cityscapes of America’s major metropolitan areas, graffiti was nevertheless a problem as West Valley City was maturing into urban adulthood and trying to shed its reputation, deserved or not, of being plagued by that type of vandalism compared to other area cities.

However, a concerted effort that largely started in the mid 2000s has helped West Valley City gain a good measure of control over graffiti on buildings, walls, fences, utility poles and any other reasonably accessible surfaces (and even some not easily reached).

“I would characterize graffiti in West Valley City as a low occurrence and pretty stable situation,” said Layne Morris, director of West Valley City’s Community Preservation Department, which oversees graffiti removal. For example, incidents of reported graffiti have tapered off to about 200 annually over the last five years. Before that, known occurrences of graffiti showed up around the city about 400 times a year. Those figures do not include graffiti that was cleaned up before it could be re-

ported and included in the statistics.

Despite the gains made in cleaning up the illicit “artwork,” graffiti in the city has its ebbs and flows, but will probably never completely disappear. “Graffiti kind of happens in pulses, depending on the type of graffiti it is,” Morris said.

“There’s always a new crop of junior high kids that want to try it out because it’s fun or interesting or whatever the attraction may be,” Morris said, adding that the culprits are not exclusively kids in their teens.

Morris said gang graffiti, meanwhile, is an ongoing problem, but the city has made strides in controlling it.

The tide started to turn in 2008 when the Community Preservation Department hired a full-time graffiti officer equipped with the means to remove spray paint, markers and other methods of defacing property.

Morris said that residents are a key partner in tackling graffiti in West Valley City, especially on private property. City crews don’t have the time or resources to clean up markings left on residential or commercial buildings. “The way you win the war against graffiti is by having engaged residents who just simply don’t tol- West Valley City officials believe there has been a gradual decline in graffiti over the last 10 to 15 years, with incidents like this one along 3500 South becoming more sporadic. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals) erate it,” Morris said.

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If the graffiti occurs on an overpass or underpass and removal requires that traffic be detoured in order to remove it, an additional $1,000 in restitution can be assessed to the guilty party.

In West Valley City, graffiti offenders sentenced to community service might be required to fulfill that by cleaning up their handiwork. “When you have a kid who sees what it takes to clean up graffiti… they seem to kind of come around,” Morris said.

Depending on the source, the costs associated with graffiti and its removal range from $15 billion to $18 billion a year in the United States. West Valley City spends about $12,000 a year for removal supplies

Paint covers up graffiti at the entrance to a West Valley City subdivision.

“You can’t raise taxes high enough to have employees of the city go out and always remove graffiti,” he said. “If you just have city employees running around looking for it, you’re just never going to be able to address it quickly.”

Plus, liability and other legal issues prevent city workers from entering private property to scour graffiti.

Morris said timing is important in preventing the spread of graffiti. “How you get rid of graffiti is by addressing it quickly.”

Ideally, it is hoped that it can be cleansed or painted over in no more than 24 to 48 hours. The longer it stays, the more likely it is to attract taggers and others who aim to outdo each other or mark their territory. “As a homeowner, if you train whoever’s putting graffiti on your fence that they’re going to put it on one night and you have it off the next day, they very quickly figure out they’re going to have to find another spot,” Morris said.

To help residents and businesses remove markings from their premises, the Community Preservation Department provides cleaning supplies free of charge to anyone who needs them. They include graffiti wipes to remove and paint to cover up the blight.

West Valley City fares pretty well on incidents of graffiti when compared to similar-sized cities around America. Statistics provided by the Southern California-based firm Graffiti Tracker show that one city, population 122,000, had 7,748 incidents of graffiti reported in 2020. Another city with 127,000 people, recorded 815 complaints

S outh SaltLakeJournal .com

for the public and $100,000 annually for its graffiti officer, his vehicle and equipment.

West Valley City provides several ways for residents and businesses to report graffiti: Graffiti Hotline: 801-963-3467 Text message: 801-509-2702 Email: graffiti@wvc-ut.gov Messages left will be returned as soon as possible.

“At the end of the day, it still comes down to you’ve got to get that stuff off as fast as you can,” Morris concluded. l

(Darrell Kirby/City Journals)

of graffiti.

“What we saw with COVID is cities that said they were getting slammed” with graffiti, said Graffiti Tracker spokeswoman Alejandra Cabral, whose company is hired by cities to record and analyze their graffiti (West Valley City is not one of those communities). She pointed out, however, that it is not fully known if there truly was more graffiti or if it seemed like it because it stayed up longer because cities cut resources to fight it during the height of the pandemic and its economic impacts.

Graffiti art—the more elaborate, complex murals usually found on public or private walls or sides of buildings— make up only a fraction of graffiti logged by those cities. “Less than 1% of the graffiti that we see and that we have so far recorded and tracked,” Cabral said. The remaining 99% is a combination of tagging and random graffiti.

Utah code defines graffiti as "any form of unauthorized printing, writing, spraying, scratching, affixing, etching, or inscribing on the property of another regardless of the content or the nature of the material used in the commission of the act.

Charges can range from a misdemeanor when the damage caused is less than $300 to a second-degree felony when the damage exceeds $5,000.

Penalties include ordering the convicted offender to pay restitution to “the victim in an amount equal to the costs incurred by the victim as a result of the graffiti,” according to state law.

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Home Makeover: COVID edition

Life

Laughter AND

by

PERI KINDER

One morning I woke up and I’d had enough. The pandemic had forced us to look at our walls and carpet 24/7 and every day the chips in the paint got bigger and the stains on the carpet got wider. Was that blood or pudding? I couldn’t tell anymore.

It was time to take action.

My husband tends to overthink in a death-spiral sort of way, so our conversation went from “What kind of paint/flooring should we get?” to “What if we spend two weeks with our dog in a tent in a blizzard?” I let him ruminate for a while before moving to the next phase.

We talked about painting the rooms ourselves and laughed hysterically for a couple of hours. We are not the DIY kind of people.

We once assembled a bookshelf together so I knew we needed to hire a professional; either a professional painter or a professional divorce attorney.

We reached out to our friend, Rick Hepner, who was delighted to paint our home, plus he got to enjoy our 4-year-old granddaughter following him around asking him what he was doing, why he was doing it, how long he’d be doing it and if he wanted to play Barbies.

While preparing the walls, Rick discovered ecosystems behind our furniture where sentient beings lived in and breathed only dust.

He waded through chest-deep dust like we were living in the Oklahoma Dust Bowl era, or

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Call: 801-797-2956 www.ShopCulliganSLC.com

METAL EXTERIORS

ASPEN ROOFING

Specializing in metal roofs, wall panels, and exterior window treatments.

Call for a FREE estimate today

YARD SERVICES

Affordable Yard Care / Tree Trimming & Removal Flower Beds, Hedges, Railroad Ties, Mulching,AN Sod,AD: Mowing, Concrete PLACE Senior Discounts

801-518-7365 801-254-5974

Call CallDan:

WATER SOFTENER RELIABLE SOFT WATER without the typical water softener problems

• Zero maintenance • No breakdowns • 2/3 LESS salt

For free in-home estimate:

801-882-2332

visit www.KineticoUtah.com or call 801-890-5344

PLUMBING/HVAC

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

www.aspen-roofing.com

24Hr Rooter Connectionz

SUGARHOUSE HEATING & AIR

Call Jeff at 801-347-1150

UtahsPlumber.com

24 Hour Emergency: 801-484-0506 www.sugarhousehvac.com

LEAFGUARD RAIN GUTTERS

ROOFING

Guaranteed not to clog for as long as you own your home.

If it clogs, LeafGuard will come out and clean it for you.

One-Piece System, Professional Installation

CALL AND RECEIVE A $200 VISA GIFT CARD WITH YOUR LEAFGUARD PURCHASE!

Free Estimate - 385-300-0869

S outh SaltLakeJournal .com

PHOTOGRAPHY

NEED A PHOTOGRAPHER? Justin Adams Media can take care of all your photography needs, from graduation and engagements to sports and events.

Email justin@justinadamsmedia.com to book your photoshoot today.

PATIO COVERS & HANDRAILS ENJOY THE OUTSIDE THIS SUMMER

• Steel Covered Carports, Patios & Porches • Steel Handrails • Quality Decks

Call John today for a FREE estimate.

801-205-5999

Quality and Integrity for over 25 Years

Drain, Sewer, Plumbing, Heating & Air Services. $49 OFF Any Service!

Call Today

801-758-2095

maybe the sequel to Dune.

Once the dust was hauled away and the walls were beautifully painted, we turned our attention to the floors. Our carpet crossed the prairie in the back of a handcart, survived nuclear testing in Southern Utah and was definitely sprouting tentacles. Time to toss it before it murdered us in our sleep.

Then came the discussion of wood versus carpet. My husband is old school and likes soft carpeting, probably so he doesn’t break a hip if he falls. I like the clean line of wood. We compromised with me getting wood flooring in my office, and carpet everywhere else; except the bathroom. We’re not animals.

When it came time to move furniture out of the house, I threw things away willy-nilly.

Residential and Light Commercial

SERVICE & REPAIR

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

801-272-7000

All types of roofs

$650 OFF any reroof over 2,000 sq. ft.

METAL ROOFING

Metal Man Roofing LONGEVITY, DURABILITY SAFETY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, LIFE-TIME WARRANTY Call Today for a Free Estimate!

801-509-9007

DECKS & HANDRAILS

Utahs Best Decks Building Utah’s BEST Decks for over 25 years with quality & integrity.

BestDecksInUtah.com Call John today for a FREE estimate.

801-205-5999

I took bags of clothes and shoes and children to Goodwill. My husband followed behind me, taking things out of donation bags and hiding them. He has sentimental attachments to items like water bottles and lanyards and the blouse I wore when we saw the Blue Man Group in 2008.

Finally, the walls were painted, flooring was complete, furniture was moved back and everything was right with the world. But our dog was hyperventilating.

Before renovation (BR), she’d nap under the guest bed, which is now in another home.

She wandered the halls, forlorn and lost, carrying her bone from room to room, trying to navigate her apocalyptic new world.

Not only that, but the wood floor distressed her and she refused to walk on it. She slept on the couch until midnight. Then I heard her toenails clicking as she walked across the floor and threw herself onto her bed, sighing loudly, so we’d know she’d been inconvenienced.

For a while, we played The Floor is Lava to keep the carpet looking bright and new. But walls get scratched and carpet gets stained because life is a messy, dirty, grimy experiment where sometimes you don’t know if the stain on the carpet is blood or pudding, and your dog needs therapy, and your husband unpacks the donation bags. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

FENCE REPAIR

Installations & Repairs

Most Fences are Repairable!

Apex Clean Air Call today for a free in home estimate.

801-449-1939 SIDING

Capitol Exteriors

Siding – Soffit – Fascia – Raingutters

Call NOW For SPECIALS (801) 253-2566 CONCRETE WORK

Reasonable Prices, Quality Work, Prompt Service Flat work, Driveways, Patios, RV Pads, Sidwalks, Etc.

Call Dan:

801.518.7365

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Katie Sheen Painter Excellent Paint Jobs - Affordable Prices Interior/Exterior . Residential/Commercial

Jack’s Fence Repair

20 years experience - licensed and insured SENIOR DISCOUNTS

Call or text Jack

801-865-6382 VEHICLES WANTED

We’ll buy your running & non-running, wrecked or broken car, truck or van.

(801) 506-6098 CarSoldForCash.com A Local Utah Company

FLAT ROOF SPECIALISTS

OLYMPUS ROOFING

801.887.7663 SERVING WASATCH FRONT SINCE 1973

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING

NobleOne Professional Painting

LICENSED AND INSURED

Residential, Commercial, Interior, Exterior Reliable, Dependable, and CLEAN 25 Years of Experience

FREE ESTIMATES! NO JOB TOO SMALL!

www.nobleonepropainting.com

Call Katie 385.628.7514

Call: 801-750-0977

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