Rosa Parks Drive

Today I was honored to join with SLC NAACP President Jeanetta Williams to celebrate the opening of Rosa Parks Drive in West Valley City.  It is Historically fitting to be able to stand on Rosa Parks Drive and witness people of all cultures and backgrounds ride TRAX together, Play Sports together at Redwood Fitness Center, or en route to the Utah Cultural Celebration Center to grow in tolerance and understanding.  Below is the WVC release on the event with video of the to come shortly via WVC Channel 17 :

West Valley City Celebrates Renaming of 3100 South to Rosa Parks Drive

West Valley City – During a brief ceremony on Thursday, November 15, the West Valley City Council and Utah NAACP representatives officially unveiled Rosa Parks Drive, the portion of 3100 South running from Decker Lake Drive (2210 West) to Cultural Center Drive (1400 West), paying tribute to one of the most influential civil rights icons in history. The unveiling comes exactly seven years to the day after the West Valley City Council committed to naming a street in honor of Parks.

“I was honored to pay tribute to Rosa Parks in 2005 at her Capitol Rotunda viewing in Washington,”said Mayor Pro Tem Corey Rushton. “It is exciting to see our local tribute to Ms. Parks come to fruition with the newly renamed Rosa Parks Drive leading to the Utah Cultural Celebration Center. It perfectly complements the vision of the Center – celebrating the diversity of our community.”

“I had the pleasure of meeting Rosa Parks who is an icon to our civil rights movement and I am privileged to pay tribute to her with the unveiling of Rosa Parks Drive in West Valley City,” said NAACP Salt Lake Branch President Jeanetta Williams.“Today is a momentous occasion.”

Holiday Events at the Cultural Celebration Center

Below is a list of holiday programs that are offered free of charge at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center located at 1355 West 3100 South in West Valley City.  I especially am fond of the Trees of Diversity exhibit:

Nov 15: Trees of Diversity Exhibit

For nine years now the Utah Cultural Celebration Center has ended the year with a

magical, holiday tree exhibit that overflows from the art gallery and throughout the

entire facility. The

Trees of Diversity exhibit showcases not only decorated trees, but

also gingerbread houses, wreaths, nativities and “window shopping” style holiday

scenes.

Bring the family on November 15 for the official opening reception and have photos

taken with Santa. Enjoy more than 25 trees decorated by different ethnic arts groups

from throughout the valley. Refreshments and music will also be provided.

Exhibit

runs Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. or by arrangement.

Dec 1: Winter Market

The Utah Cultural Celebration Center is proud to announce the sixth annual Winter Market. The Market will showcase Utah’s finest handcrafted arts and ethnic products. Live music dance performances, and the

Trees of Diversity exhibit will

 

complement the festive environment. The free market features a variety of family friendly,

exciting arts experiences for the general public

Come in from the cold and experience the holiday spirit at the Utah Cultural

Celebration Center. Find the perfect gift for your loved-one at one of over 30 artist

booths. Enjoy special hand-made gifts and an elaborate Christmas environment

featuring cultural entertainment from around the world.

10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Dec 3: The Blue Sage Band – A Cowboy Christmas

Forget the holly... the Cultural Center will deck the halls with sage and cedar this holiday season in preparation for a special cowboy themed concert featuring the

Blue Sage Band! This heartwarming concert will take you back to a simpler time as you hear the sound of banjo, fiddle and mandolin breathing new life into holiday favorites, old and new.

7:00 p.m.

Dec 10: Beehive Statesmen Christmas Concert

Established in 1949, the Beehive Statesmen present beloved memories of Christmas with barbershop harmony. The program will highlight the chorus and quartet renditions of the beautiful music that is traditional to Christmas. Tickets are not required as the performance is free and will have open seating for families with children welcome.

7:00 p.m.

Dec 17 Bonnie Harris Christmas Concert

Local singer and numerous award-winning Bonnie Harris will sing Christmas classics. The annual concert is a staple in the community, now celebrating its 16

year. Take a break from the Christmas rush and relax with Bonnie’s soothing alto

voice. This family friendly concert is the perfect way to remember the good times of Christmases past, and rekindle the glow of Christmas present.

7:00 p.m.

For more information about these events or exhibits at the Utah Cultural Celebration

Center visit culturalcelebration.org or call 801-965-5100.

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Jordan River Trail

The following is an op-ed I authored with Sandy Councilmember and Jordan River Commission Vice-Chair Chris McCandless regarding the Jordan River Parkway:


Salt Lake County voters have the opportunity to leverage four decades of investments by
the county and local governments in high quality parks, recreation, and open space for
current and future generations by voting in favor of Proposition#1, Salt Lake County’s
proposed regional parks and trails bond. The approval of the Salt Lake County parks and
trails bond will allow long-awaited completion of the Jordan River Parkway Trail.
Community leaders recognized the potential of the Jordan River corridor in a planning
document published in 1971 called, A Jordan River Parkway - An Alternative. This report
outlined an ambitious vision for the river corridor including parks, natural open space
and a trail connecting Utah Lake to the Great Salt Lake. The idea caught the attention
of many in the community. In response, the State Legislature created the Provo-Jordan
River Parkway Authority and appropriated funds for the acquisition of property needed to
begin implementation of this vision. By the early 1990s, the first segments of the Jordan
River Parkway Trail were constructed, and today less than 3.5 miles of the lake-to-lake
trail remain incomplete.

The 45-mile Jordan River Parkway Trail is used regularly by commuters, children
traveling to school and by countless others for recreation, personal rejuvenation and a
break from the hustle and bustle of city life. The trail is just one of the amenities found
in the river corridor. Others include a number of developed parks, playgrounds, golf
courses, natural open space preserves, educational centers, urban fisheries and wildlife
viewing areas.

Since that initial report in the 1970s, countless hours, enormous effort and significant
resources have been invested into the idea of a parkway along the Jordan River. In 2008,
a renewed vision for the river corridor was expressed in a document called, Blueprint
Jordan River. Led by Envision Utah, this process involved thousands of Wasatch Front
residents and resulted in a new plan for the river corridor, including enhanced recreation,
open-space preservation, community development, transportation connections, river
restoration, water quality improvements and environmental education. Participants
recognized that a restored and enhanced river corridor could attract new businesses and
investments to the Wasatch Front, and would improve the quality of life for those already
here.

The river and trail connect us all together as they cross through three different counties
and fifteen cities. Each of the individual parks, trail segments and fishing ponds along
the river contribute to the livability of our communities. However, maximizing the full
potential of the Jordan River corridor depends on the belief that the sum is greater than
its parts. We must work together to complete the trail, to set aside open space for wildlife
and parks, and to embrace the Jordan River in our community design. The benefits will
be better personal health, enhanced water and air quality and an unparalleled recreational
resource for us all. Finishing the Jordan River Parkway Trail is the next step towards
realizing the full potential of the Jordan River corridor.

The Jordan River Commission, with its membership of state, counties, and cities along
with business and non-profit partners, recognizes the opportunity that Salt Lake County
voters have to take advantage of the current low financing costs and construction rates to
complete this last segment of the Jordan River Trail through leveraging and maximizing
the past public investments. Please help ensure that Wasatch Front residents will have
high quality recreational, transportation, and environmental opportunities for generations to come.

Councilman Corey Rushton, Jordan River Commission Chairman
Councilman Chris McCandless, Jordan River Commission Vice Chair

Stanley Cup & Key to City

Last week I was honored to welcome Trevor Lewis of the Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings to West Valley City and the Maverik Center.  Thousands of people were on hand to help celebrate the Utah native's victory. Trevor and his family were great to talk to and it is great that he decided to spend his one day with the Stanley Cup sharing it with as many people as possible.

I told Trevor and those gathered that his victory is a victory for Utah and for Utah Hockey; as the Utah Grizzlies’ home, we were extremely proud to welcome him home to West Valley City and to the Maverik center to celebrate. Thirteen years ago, many people, including Trevor, came to West Valley to view the Stanley Cup on display.  It is neat that the Cup has returned to our city, this time being carried by a winner and champion. This key to West Valley City is a token to the Trevor’s connection to West Valley City – through his dedication to the game of hockey, which is proudly showcased and hosted at the Maverik Center and where Trevor is always welcome to visit.

You can view the WVCTV production of the event below:

Saturday Hours for Animal Shelter

 As part of the ongoing effort to reach the goal of maximizing adoptions and establishing a  no-kill shelter, the West Valley Animal shelter has plans to open the animal shelter on Saturdays. Beginning Saturday,September 1st.  The shelter is located at 4522 West 3500 South and will be open Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The City Council had received several requests from residents to make our new state of the art shelter available during non-business hours to help make shelter visits and adoptions more conducive to busy working families.

For more information about West Valley City Animal Services, you can visit:
 www.wvc-ut.gov/animals.

Clean & Beautiful

Want to acknowledge the great awards gathering last night at City Hall that was put on by the Clean & Beautiful Committee to honor this years recipients of a Clean & Beautiful award.  Many of the 76 winner were on hand to share a few goodies and look at the slide show collection of well kept yards around our City.Any person wishing to be involved in the Clean & Beautiful awards program or the Clean & Beautiful Committee can contact the Neighborhood Service department at City Hall. Congratulations Winners and keep up the good work!

August City Council Message

This month I was able to author and submit a West Valley City Council message published in the August monthly edition of the West Valley Journal.  Below is the text of that message:

Pioneer Spirit

A message from Councilmember Corey Rushton

               In one way or another we all possess a rich pioneer heritage that was recently celebrated statewide with the array of customary fireworks and parades. I was fortunate to commemorate the holiday with some stalwart members of our community and gained a deeper appreciation for the pioneer roles that build and sustain neighborhoods, cities, and nations. I would like to point out a couple of recent happenings here in West Valley City that has brought a rejuvenated pioneer spirit to the area and how we all benefit both civically and personally.

               The West Valley Historical Society along with a special volunteer recently released a pictorial history book of our City. It poignantly follows the story of the hardships of pioneer settlement through the pioneer success of incorporation.  This history is a great reminder of where we’ve been, but more importantly demonstrates the possibilities of where we are going with this amazing rate of progress. Fairbourne Station Park was officially opened to the public a few days ago. This remarkable open-space, complete with interactive exhibits and water features, is another example blending our historical past with a modern and progressive vision for the future of Utah’s second largest city.

These observations that encourage optimism for our City mirror the thoughts of President John Kennedy from over fifty years ago when he noted that, “The American…is experimental, an inventor and a builder who builds best when called upon to build greatly.” I challenge everyone to reach deeply and unleash your American pioneer spirit and also build greatly. You can be a pioneer by identifying and investing in that home or yard improvement project that increases value and livability or conserves resources. You can be a pioneer in fighting crime by working to expand your neighborhood watch network and by quickly removing garbage and graffiti. Our various schools, churches, and non-profit organizations rely on your honest pioneer service to accomplish their lofty goals. In do so we will all have some additional tangible benefits created by your current efforts to celebrate at next year’s Pioneer Day.