Summer Open Letter to West Valley City Residents

The following is my open letter to the residents of West Valley City as published in ths August edition of The West Valley Journal:


Silver Linings

A message from Councilmember Corey Rushton

Recently I paid a visit to Kennedy Junior High and engaged in several conversations recollecting the esteemed faculty and school traditions that I enjoyed while attending that institution years ago. Upon reflection, I am extremely grateful to Mrs. Page and her Freshman English Class for providing me with a foundation in various literary works that I still ponder and utilize to this day. One such book that we intently studied was, “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens. This classic tale of thematic social commentary begins with the famous lines, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

I repeat these words because I feel a similar sentiment among many of the West Valley City residents and businesses that I serve. I realize that current and lingering economic conditions have produced many challenges and hardships. However, I am as optimistic as ever about the future progress of West Valley City and want to share some positive developments that have come forth from the midst of this recession.

The city has been able to take advantage of historically low interest rates by refinancing several outstanding bonds. The hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings will help reduce overall debt and benefit the taxpayers. Also, we are witnessing monetary savings throughout our bid process, as more companies are submitting competitive bids to work on city infrastructure. Many of these bids have come in hundreds of thousands of dollars below budget, giving us more purchasing power for reinvestment opportunities. Additionally, city departments have all had to tighten their operating budgets, requiring them to identify excess and increase productivity. During this time the police department is pleased to report an overall reduction in violent crimes.

Many of these innovative principles can be incorporated on an individual level and I encourage everyone to look for new ways to save resources, to reinvest in their homes, and to find new ways to be productive members of the community. To this Charles Dickens would agree, for he also wrote, “Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” Take advantage of these times and together we will move forward as a city one household at a time.

Police & Fire and 30th Reunion

Sometimes as a community and as individuals we get caught up in number of various city issues like development, events, and aesthetic issues and momentarily lose sight of the paramount importance of the most important issue facing any city-Public Safety. The professional men, women, and canniness that serve and protect our city effectively do their jobs round the clock. When an emergency rises we are fortunate to have their services ready to respond. A high profile leader from another community once told me that if he couldn't have public safety officials from his own city respond to an emergency then he would definitely want West Valley City officers and fire instead. This and other conversations have provided me with good feedback and I am proud that public safety leaders in many other communities across the Wasatch front got their training and start in West Valley City. As it is always important to keep this in mind I was thrilled when Police Chief Nielsen and Fire Chief Evans presented myself and other members of the City Council with our 30th Anniversary Police and Fire Badges. The badges were frame to presumably prevent me from either losing or attempting to use them with an inscription that reads:

Councilmemember Corey L. Rushton

Proudly serving and protecting the citizens of

West Valley City

Presented by Chief Thayle "Buzz" Nielsen

Chief John Evans

Also recently a number of previous members of the City Council gathered for a 30th anniversary lunch. It was great opportunity for all to share memories and review City progress as well laugh at each other. I am grateful for the vision and efforts of those that have served before I have and how they have strongly positioned West Valley City for the future.

Jordan River Update

West Valley City was the first city to sign on to the inter-local agreement in establishing the Jordan River Commission. Since the Mayor was out of town performing Sister City duties in Taiwan the duty and honor of signing this resolution was passed to me as Mayor Pro Tem. We had a signing ceremony where several interested legislators, municipalities, and other interested agencies attended. You can read more about that event here:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700046083/West-Valley-City-enters-Jordan-River-Commission.html

I was also invited to the Utah Watershed symposium to give an update of the proposal to the many various water experts in attendance. That event also saw many other municipalities sign onto the inter-local agreement. In semi-conjunction with this event I organized a Jordan River kayak trip for interested members of the City Council and Executive Staff. Many of West Valley City departments were represented on the trip as we paddled are way through the West Valley section of the river. We stopped mid way to take a break and to examine some of the challenges and opportunities by foot before continuing on. Since the trip everyone involved has expressed a better understanding and an increased appreciation of the Jordan River. West Valley City will continue to be at the forefront of preserving and promoting the Jordan River.

Subsequently, I attended West Jordan's City Council meeting where they discussed the merits of the Jordan River Commission. The West Jordan City Council was gracious enough to allow me some time to answers questions and give some perspective. As they continue to debate this measure I was pleased to see a ringing endorsement from KSL on the matter:

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=238&sid=11966959

We will continue to move forward in this process and look for collaborative efforts to enhance this natural amenity.

Urban Farm Initiative

Utilizing the scare resources in our region and a robust agricultural heritage is a big part in our community's fabric and history. The Rushton family tomato farm has been an enduring staple in the Hunter area of West Valley City for decades. Through this I have realized the importance and the benefits that local urban farms have on the community. The open space, the natural environment, and boost to the local economy are all highly desirable commodities even if you are not a vegetable consumer. Salt Lake County has come to similar conclusions and wants to utilize unused space for similar purposes including plant production for bio fuels. As interest in sustainable initiatives such as this grows it is important to look for ways to partner with this County initiative to better serve West Valley City residents. Here is a list of progress as reported by the Salt Lake County:

•Assignment of Urban Farming duties to the County's Open Space Coordinator.
•A functional Urban Farming Technical Advisory Committee that includes representation from of a variety of land use and farming interests, including representatives of Wasatch Community Gardens, Slow Food Utah, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,Utah State University, Utah Department of Agriculture, Great Salt Lake Resource Conservation District to name a few.
•Urban Farming program guidelines that were presented to the County Council on October 27, 2009.
•An Open House introducing the Urban Farming program was held on January 21, 2010.
•An RFP for commercial farming was issued on April 23, 2010.
•20 acres of a 200 acre parcel growing safflower as a bio fuel feedstock crop.
•80 acres in Bluffdale that was purchased as a future park site is actively farmed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
•29 acres spread among 5 unique parcels under contract for local food production (1parcel is still in contract negotiation phase.)
•An active refugee community garden near the Redwood Recreation Center under the leadership of Ze Xiao and Michael Gallegos.
•29 acres spread among 23 parcels identified as potential micro-farming/community garden sites. Additionally, the County's Urban Farming program continues to attract local and national press.

The City Council had a recent presentation on the community garden near the Redwood Recreation Center and it is shaping up to be a good addition to West Valley City.

Utah Debut

Just a quick update, as today I received word a that Dickey's BBQ Pit, a Texas based resturant will be opening a location in West Valley City. From the looks of thier website it seems like it will be a good addition to the already diverse group of food choices that have emerged on 5600 West. The Dickey BBQ Pit Wesbsite explains their company history as:

"In 1941, the Dickey family opened the original Dickey's Barbecue Pit in Dallas. Nearly 70 years later, we are still a family business with the same goal: “Serve everyone great barbecue.”

Our family’s secret to success? We have a passion for barbecue and a passion for our customers. We take great pride and care in both."

You can explore more at: http://www.dickeys.com/index.aspx

Chickens and Crossing the Road

I am pleased to progress on two unrelated items that came out of this weeks West Valley City Council Study session. First off the City Council is poised to adopt Resolution 10-141 which will authorize a crosswalk traffic signal on 4800 West to serve the students of Kennedy Jr High. As a former student of the school I know first hand how treacherous it can be to safely get across 4800, especially during those dark winter mornings. This installation is not only a move towards increased public safety, but a statement by West Valley City officials that walkable communities can lead to a higher standard of living. Increased safety features and the addition of trails and bike lanes will make it easier to utilize alternative modes of transportation and provide more recreation opportunities. Another benefit to a walkable safe community is that it reduces the air pollution that plagues our geographic region. This year West Valley City is promoting the Clear the Air Challenge, which is a program designed to educate and reduce harmful pollution due to excess driving. You can find more information at:

http://cleartheairchallenge.org/

Secondly, we had a presentation and lengthy discussion regarding domestic fowl regulations which is better known in some circles as the 'backyard chicken ordinance'. We have studied this issue for many months and enough consensus emerged from that discussion that a revised ordinance will come through to the City Council agenda for formal debate and action. As there are many things to consider while drafting such regulations I encourage anyone with any interest or knowledge in this hobby to contact City staffer Shane Smith at 801-965-5841. As always please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or comments.

30th

Last week was West Valley City's 30th anniversary of incorporation. Still fairly young by City standards and a remarkable amount of accomplishment has occurred in those three short decades. The Utah Symphony performed on an absolutely picture perfect summer evening. I enjoyed some food and the variety of musical selections that were played. Earlier in the evening was City Council meetings were the following proclamation was read and I afterward signed as Mayor Pro Tem:

WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH
PROCLAMATION
A PROCLAMATION DECLARING 2010 AS WEST
VALLEY CITY’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF
INCORPORATION AND CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF
“PROGRESS AS PROMISED.”

WHEREAS, in 1977 a determined Community Council of Granger, Hunter, and
Redwood residents wanted to form a new City Government in Utah, and
WHEREAS, those residents, along with State representatives and local leaders pushed forward, winning an incorporation vote; and
WHEREAS, on July 1st, 1980, Judge David K. Winder administered the oath of office to the leaders of the new City; and
WHEREAS, on July 8th, 1980, a subsequent disincorporation vote was defeated, realizing the dream of forming a new city and moving forward with plans for West Valley City; and
WHEREAS, West Valley City has embraced its first-class status with the addition of parks, new roads, independent public safety services, the Maverik Center entertainment venue, the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, the Family Fitness Center, residential and commercial enhancements, a city center and public plaza, and many more accomplishments too numerous to list;
NOW, THEREFORE, I do hereby commend those individuals with the dream to build a new city, those elected officials, administrators, and employees both past and present who have worked to turn what was once a dream into Utah’s second largest City, and proclaim 2010 as West Valley City’s 30th anniversary of incorporation, celebrating 30 years of “Progress as Promised.”

Also during that evening Council meetings we convened as the City's Redevelopment Agency and Municipal Building Authority to have public hearing is order to sell the City's surplus land at near the Cultural Center to be developed as part of the Jordan River Marketplace.

The other big news coming out of the City is the naming of the Maverik Center. I am very pleased to have Maverik as the naming sponsor of the arena and excited at the potential for numerous partnerships to help promote the quality entertainment district that West Valley City offers. I have been asked by numerous residents and news agencies about the terms of the deal. I am happy to report that the deal is worth millions of dollars over a number of years. Deals like this are lengthy and complicated, but in the spirit of good government and transparency I hope that those that are seeking further information on this partnership get their questions answered sooner rather than later. I have always taken pride that the community owns the Center and that we will all play a big role in the future of that entertainment district. We'll work to establish as many quality partnerships as we can to keep West Valley City moving forward.