Jordan River

As the easternmost boundary of West Valley City, the Jordan River is great resource for our community. I currently serve as a co-chair of a intergovernmental committee that is exploring options to enhance and preserve the Jordan River by bringing the various government entities to a common table. Recently the following editorial, written by myself and fellow co-chairs of the committee, was published in the Salt Lake Tribune:

Courage, collaboration are keys to Jordan River's future

By Jenny Wilson, Corey Rushton, Chris Mccandless

Sarah and Michelle are neighbors in a growing Salt Lake County neighborhood. Most early summer mornings, long before their families have stirred, the two friends head to the Jordan River Parkway. It's their place for an hour of uninterrupted power walking.

"It's so quiet in the morning, and so beautiful," says Sarah. With no cars to worry about, Michelle adds, she can enjoy the sunrise and watch the rippling of the Jordan River's quiet current. "Awesome," she says.

While the women walk, a stream of joggers passes by. An occasional bicyclist rolls along. All offer living proof of the passion Utahns have for the Jordan River. Wending its way from Utah Lake on the south to the Great Salt Lake on the north, the Jordan shows promise as a prime urban waterway -- easy to reach, easy to use and easy to love.

This is why Envision Utah, elected officials and interested citizens remain committed to the discussion, careful planning and compromises involved in implementing Blueprint Jordan River, last year's extensive public process to create a common vision for the river corridor's future and improve it in ways that will benefit all residents.

Based on the ideas of more than 2,000 Utah residents who attended a series of community forums, the blueprint offers an inspiring vision for the Jordan: one of the largest urban wildlife corridors in the country; a completed Jordan River Parkway; designation of recreational facilities, including, potentially, a whitewater kayaking course and equestrian area; and redevelopment of blighted sections into lively neighborhood centers.

Realizing this vision would put river partners Davis, Salt Lake and Utah counties on par with other communities that have turned urban rivers into beloved destination spots. Think of San Antonio's Riverwalk, the South Platte in Denver or, just a few hours to our north, the greenbelt along the Boise River.

Just imagine the Jordan's bright future.

Some time has passed since Envision Utah released the Blueprint Jordan River report (highlights of which you can find at www.envisionutah.org), but the project is rolling along. For the past six months, elected officials from the 18 jurisdictions along the river and other community leaders have met regularly to craft an appropriate governing mechanism for the project that will ensure improved coordination, local control, community involvement and dedicated funding.

Over the past four decades, previous efforts to reclaim the Jordan have foundered because they failed adequately to include elected leaders with the authority to push the projects through. Further, there was no dependable funding mechanism up front. Finally, past efforts allowed for parochial concerns and piecemeal thinking to derail a chance to accomplish something truly great for this region.

Fourteen communities along the river have adopted resolutions supporting the Jordan River Blueprint and others are in the process of doing so. And while officials are wise in raising a tough recession as an issue in funding the blueprint, it must be underscored that this is a long-term project with an eye fixed on a recovering economy.

A vibrant Jordan River corridor will give residents a place to enjoy the outdoors with family, create opportunities for education about nature and improve water quality on the river and at the Great Salt Lake. Improvements will raise property values and attract tourists and new businesses. All of this can be done thoughtfully and while keeping benefits to the entire region in mind.

This is the best opportunity ever to turn the long-held vision of the Jordan River's promise into reality. It's time for citizens and elected officials to make it happen.

Safe Driving

As School is now back in session and an influx of young drivers take to the roads, I have been reminded about the importance of safety while driving. Recently upon boarding an airplane to embark on a little vacation, I reminded a nervous Emily that air travel was statistically a superior method of safe travel when compared to automobiles. Then upon the flight I read a magazine article about the ever increasing dangers of texting and cell phone use behind the wheel. Once we arrive at our destination we happened across this car with a 20 foot tall nail driven through the hood the in that read, "Drive Drunk, Get Nailed." The combination of these experinences seemed noteworthy as we all strive to have extremely safe roads and neighborhoods.

Neighborhood Night Out and Service Project

National Neighborhood Night out events have been taking place this week in communities across the nation and especially here in West Valley City. The City is often award recognized for the scope and quality of 'Night Out' events. This year the festivities were kicked off by more than a thousand people at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center who enjoyed food, exhibits, and live entertainment from a former Las Vegas comedic musician.

Tuesday was when most of the City's 30 plus neighborhood block parties took place. These block parties range in attendance from the more intimate teens to the rocking couple hundred. I was able to attend seven block parties that evening starting at the Jordan River and working my way west. At these various parties I was able to discuss challenges faced by neighborhoods while eating pizza and hot dogs, debating sports, enjoying musical performances, and posing for pictures. It is interesting how many of these block parties have incorporated a featured trademark or tradition. One neighborhood sported an array of exotic cotton candy. Another boasts of their homemade Root Beer, while yet another uses the party as a card game tournament. Emily and my sister Bobbi hosted our neighborhood that was highlighted by a children's parade. Displaying a crate paper and sticker decorated bike or wagon was a proud moment for both the kids and the parents.

Yesterday I recruited a couple other members of the City Council to participate in a local service project. We removed graffiti and restored a cinder block wall along 4100 South (see photos). The project was greatly assisted by the City's Graffiti Officer that was hired last year to monitor, remove, and help prosecute graffiti. We were lucky to finish the painting just ahead of the winds and weather that rolled in. Projects like this are great not only because they help to beautify our City, but it helps us to be more effective City Representatives. When you work side by side with your colleagues in service projects it helps you better see eye to eye at City Council meetings.

Friday and Saturday the Police Department will host the annual Safety Fair at the Valley Fair Mall. Last night I was able to talk with Officer Wright (better known as Officer Friendly) about the successes of 25 plus years of the fair. This year there will be displays, demonstrations and various police equipment as well as as an abundance of personal and home safety information. There will be child fingerprinting and tips to help halt the growing crime of identity theft. There are also extensive prizes ready to be awarded in the Crime fair coloring contest.

I have been pleased far beyond my expectations on this weeks events as I realize that the work that is done between neighbors in the community is far more valuable than the usual measures of government intervention used to combat problems.

WestRidge

I just finished enjoying another wonderful lunch up at the WestRidge Grill and wanted to comment about the evolution of that area. The golf course has matured into a challenging and fun course to play over the years. League play has filled a couple night a week and golfers seem to increasingly enjoy the value of golfing at WestRidge. This summer the Grill has taken some bold strides in offering different lunch specials that attracts golfers as well as locals looking for a good bite to eat. The chefs have added a flair to the offerings of sandwiches, wraps, and salads that can be had for under $7 with a side and drink included. These lunch specials have been a great addition to the WestRidge quality and value mantra.

Across the street the Usana Amphitheatre continues to rock and roll with some of the biggest acts in the music industry. It has far and away became the premier place for summer concerts in the state and has been heralded by critics, patrons, and bands themselves for the outstanding and quality productions that it has hosted. There are still a few big shows scheduled for this summer and I am sure that the thousands of people that descend on this portion of West Valley City to be entertained will not be disappointed.

Boring, but important...

I wanted to report on a couple of items that have taken a tedious amount of work over an extended period of time and are now complete or nearly complete. The first one is the successful completion of Fiscal Year 2008 Citywide Audit. Over a number of years West Valley City has contracted with the firm of Jensen & Keddington to preform a complete financial audit. This year the City went a step further with the creation of an Audit Review Committee. This committee was made assembled with some outside financial experts as well as community members. I served as one of the City Council appointees to this committee, and in doing so participated in extensive review of West Valley City's financial practices and received detailed answers to my specific inquires. West Valley has been recognized often for the integrity and manner of the annual audit and this year was able to quickly remedy the few minor deficiencies exposed by the audit process. This places West Valley City on firm ground as we proceed into the new fiscal year.

The second noteworthy item is that it appears we have come to consensus as to the hard surface parking ordinance. After sorting through the various staff recommendations and considering community input it looks as though well maintained additional gravel parking will be allowed and the original ordinance from years back will be amended. West Valley City staff has been charged with rewriting the ordinance and it should be available for final adoption in the coming weeks.

Finally, I am shocked that during these first initial months of my website featuring the United States Government Quiz only two entries have posted a 100% score. Additionally, one of those perfect scores was submitted by my father who was a Social Studies teacher for many years and thus probably shouldn't count. Maybe when the summer is over and school is back in session I will see the scores start to rise as well. Give it a try if you haven't already.

Pioneer Day

This was a very eventful and memorable Pioneer Day for West Valley City and for myself. In the morning I joined with the Mayor and Councilmembers on the 'Catch the Vision' West Valley Float in the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City to commemorate the pioneers reaching the Salt Lake Valley. The float featured a wagon train as well as a trax train to highlight the City's progress over the generations. It was especially meaningful to me as it made me reflect on my Rushton ancestors whom were among the last to leave Nauvoo because they were directed by Brigham Young to "See that all of the sick and the poor got across the river." Later Edward Rushton was amongst the first settlers to cross over the Jordan River and establish a homestead in what is now West Valley City. The parade was enjoyable and it was exciting when we came across the various pockets of West Valley City residents along the route cheering and proud of the float and of their community. Many people should be thanked for the excellent manner that our City was represented in this parade, but none more than the versatile Kevin Conde who wears many hats for the City and excels at making events go off without a hitch.

Later that evening Emily and I attended the Days of '47 Rodeo. This is the inaugural year for the Rodeo at its new home, the E Center. I was pleased at the attendance and the great response received from the Rodeo participants as they expressed their approval of the the venue, area, and City partnerships. In attendance at the Rodeo that evening was Thomas Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He seemed to really enjoy the antics of Whiplash the Rodeo Monkey. Whiplash later presented President Monson with an autographed photo of himself. I was curious as to how a cowboy monkey signs autographs, but overall the show was great. I was thrilled at every instance as it seemed as though the City was well represented and did a stellar job a participating in our State Holiday.

Project Updates

Recently as a City Councilmember I have been asked a lot of questions in relation to the specifics of any number of construction and/or redevelopment projects within the city. I would like to give a brief update on the status of a couple projects today.


The first project is the remodeling and redevelopment at the Valley Fair Mall. The first aspect of this large project was the successful introduction of Costco to the mall campus a few years ago. This addition has helped to increase the overall profile and shopping traffic of the mall. The first phase on the mall itself is nearing completion with the noted addition of a few well known restaurants and some additional retail space around the perimeter of the site. Interest in these restaurants have been high and I expect the mall to continue to grow as a dining destination. The second phase of the mall redevelopment which will soon be underway will consist of over 50,000 square feet, with the main feature being a spacious plaza and gateway to the mall complex. The plaza will be landscaped with trees, flowers, and water features and will be a great gathering place and focal point to our city center. The posted picture is an artists rendition of what the completed plaza should consist of.







I am also happy to announce that the improvements to 5200 West are now underway and I am looking forward to watching the progress on this project as it will add some safety to this street. To this point it has been a very complicated process, as almost every property on the street had some special circumstances that needed to be factored in. 5200 West has long been a favorite street of mine as it is long and straight, lined with mature trees as well as some good friends and relatives. It is also boasts a variety of beautifully landscaped and unique homes and well as a very special church near one end. It is my understanding that only two churches of this style were ever built and it to me it just looks like a good fit to the neighborhood. As there are a lot of different aspects to these road and sidewalk improvements I was amazed at the variety of projected costs associated with each submitted bid. For example how is it that Company 'A' charges $110 per replaced mailbox while Company 'B' expects $235? After sorting through the various numbers and bids of this project the best value and lowest responsible bid was awarded and the construction has begun. Consequently, this road is closed and only accessible by local traffic, so it is best avoided for now. My niece Jordan and I walked down the road and took a few early construction pictures posted below.






As a final note: Thanks to everyone who helped celebrate my birthday yesterday and to all those who in one electronic form or another wished me the best.