Council Corner

Favorite ‘Classics’ Lend Purposeful Perspective During the Holidays

By Council Member Bob Knudsen

This time of year is special as it gives opportunity to re ect upon the things we have in life, the many blessings seen every day. During this season, I consider what can be done to be an even better person in the world while moving forward through life. To aid in consideration, I turn to “classic” stories — one a “holiday classic,” the other from “Star Trek.”

The classic is Frank Capra’s motion picture, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” which largely employs many elements of “The Greatest Gift,” penned by Philip Van Doren Stern, and elements from Dickens’ “Christmas Carol” to bring life to the character of George Bailey. As Christmas approaches, Bailey and his family’s business, the Bailey Brothers Building and Loan, face a large hardship when his Uncle Billy misplaces $8,000 ($122,261 adjusted for in ation) that was to be deposited into the bank. George determines, after consultation with Mr. Potter, that he is worth more dead than alive as he has a $15,000 life insurance policy ($228,314 adjusted for in ation). Visited by his guardian angel, Clarence, George is given the gift of seeing what life in his town of Bedford Falls would have been without him. After seeing his wife, Mary, never marry, his younger brother dying earlier and not becoming a war hero and the resulting turmoil of his town without his in uence, he resolves that life is a cherished gift worth living.

Secondly, I consider one of my favorite episodes of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” called “Tapestry.” Patrick Stewart’s character Jean-Luc Picard dies from failure of his arti cial heart. He is visited by a series’ regular guest, “Q,” who gives Picard a chance to go back before he lost his real heart to alter his past and thereby correct that mistake. Picard avoids the incident and retains his heart, immediately being transported to the present where he is no longer captain but a lower-level o cer, who is helping to maintain a ship. Picard asks the rst o cer about what he can do to be promoted, and he learns that he would not be promoted any time soon because he “just doesn’t take risks” and “doesn’t stand out.” Upon this realization, Picard is approached by Q, whom he pleads with to let him reverse the changes he made. Picard reasons it would be better for him to have died in the present with a “satisfying life having been behind him rather than continue living life as an average, dreary man, bereft of passion and imagination.”

The changes were reversed, and Picard recovered from the failure of the arti cial heart, living as the man he had wanted to be. At the end, Picard states, “There are many parts of my youth that I’m not proud of. … There were loose threads … untidy parts of me that I would like to remove. But when I pulled on one of those threads, it unraveled the tapestry of my life.”

These stories help me to consider what my perspective is and should be. Like Picard, there are some parts of my youth I am not proud of, but I would like to be the person I am, willing to reach out and help others. Similar to George Bailey's story, I understand that life could have been di erent if I were not part of it. By doing small and simple things — whether it be reaching out to a neighbor in need or shoveling an extra bit of sidewalk — much can be done to brighten the world. Let’s stand out, take risks, be kind to those in need and share what we have to make life that much better.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Bob Knudsen (District 5), Curt Cochran (District 2), Anna Barbieri, Chair (District 3), Meredith Harker, Vice Chair (District 4) and Ernest Burgess (District 1)

The Fallen

Those Who Serve Our Children the of Freedom Value

Taylorsville-SLCC Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert

Friday, Dec 9th 7:30 p.m. Bennion Jr. High

Thank you for supporting Honor365, Taylorsville City, Taylorsville Youth Council and Wreaths Across America!

On Dec. 17 at 10 a.m., please meet at Taylorsville City Hall for a special one-hour ceremony. Join us immediately afterward at Taylorsville City Cemetery, 4567 S. Redwood Road, as we remember and honor our veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country 's fallen heroes.

| www.taylorsvilleut.gov

City of Taylorsville Newsletter Chief, City Leaders Talk about Good Citizenry with Students

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

Mayor Kristie Overson and Chief Brady Cottam visited Calvin Smith Elementary thirdgraders this past month to talk about their roles and responsibilities in the city. Joining them, too, was City Council Member Meredith Harker, who is a teacher at the school.

They talked about helping neighbors, staying away from drugs and alcohol, following laws and reminding their parents to follow the law, as well. Students also learned that kids can make a big di erence in their community.

“We always enjoy meeting with the children and students in our community,” said Chief Cottam. “Absolutely, they are our future, and we are so grateful for their positive perspectives and desire to contribute and help others.”

TVPD EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to O cer Clu , our TVPD Employee of the Month. O cer Clu has served in law enforcement and corrections for more than seven years. He has worked for the Utah Department of Corrections, West Valley City Police Department and Taylorsville Police Department.

He has experience working as part of a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, is a certi ed police training instructor and serves part-time with our TVPD public order unit dedicated to maintaining peace during large-scale public events.

Offcer Cluff’s main responsibility with TVPD is working as a patrol o cer. He responds to any type of police call for service that you can imagine. Sgt. Neal nominated O cer Clu as Employee of the Month for his “rapid and decisive actions” in responding to a serious crime in progress where two people had been attacked. O cer Clu provided crucial rst aid to one of the victims in need.

Both victims were expected to recover from their injuries. Sgt. Neal noted that Officer Cluff maintained focus and composure during a very chaotic time. The combined response of all o cers made it possible to arrest the victims’ attacker.

Sgt. Neal told TVPD administrators that a week later, O cer Clu handled a report of a serious domestic violence aggravated assault. The suspect had left prior to police arriving. O cer Clu spoke in length with the victim about what had happened. He worked with the victim on a safety plan and then went to work to locate the suspect. He “followed through with tenacity” and was ultimately able to locate and arrest the suspect.

Sgt. Neal described O cer Clu as an o cer he could nominate every month as our Employee of the Month. He described him as one who “consistently commits to conducting thorough investigations, makes fair decisions and is always willing to help others.” He is a “valuable asset to TVPD and his patrol shift,” Sgt. Neal added.

In his free time, Officer Cluff enjoys fly fishing, mountain biking and camping. Thank you, O cer Clu , for your dedicated service and for being a part of Team Taylorsville!

FOP Auxiliary, Parks and Rec Committee Bring Halloween to City Hall

The Taylorsville Fraternal Order of Police cooked up hot dogs and passed out tons of candy in co-sponsoring a Halloween event that drew dozens of little ghosts and goblins to City Hall.

The Oct. 22 event was co-sponsored by TVPD’s local FOP auxiliary and the Taylorsville Parks and Recreation Committee. As a storm moved in, they scrambled to prevent cancellation of Trick-or-Treating on the Plaza, moving everything inside to City Hall.

More than 50 individuals and groups signed up to host candy booths, handing out candy and treats to all who turned out for the holiday fun. “We were sad that the weather didn’t cooperate but so appreciative of the can-do spirit of so many who pitched in to make this event possible,” said Mayor Kristie Overson.

A food drive also was held in conjunction with the event and those attending brought hundreds of “cans for candy,” which were donated to the Taylorsville Food Pantry.