TAYLORSVILLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL CELEBRATES ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY of VISTA PARK PLAYGROUND RENOVATION by Carl Fauver | [email protected]
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November 2017 | Vol. 4 Iss. 11 FREE TAYLORSVILLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL CELEBRATES ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF VISTA PARK PLAYGROUND RENOVATION By Carl Fauver | [email protected] Taylorsville commu- lenge, rather than simply ap- A nity council has taken pearing before Taylorsville the adage “you can’t fight elected officials to demand city hall” and stood it on the city do something, com- its head. Rather than “fight- munity council members in- ing,” Community Council stead began doing the city’s 2A (based around 5000 homework for them. South and Redwood Road) “When (community has worked with city elected council members) came be- officials in recent years to fore us, they had their ducks complete a couple of major in a row,” said City Coun- improvement projects. cilwoman Kristie Overson. And now they’re look- “They were well-organized ing for more. and came to us with a very “People need to know strong case for improving they can get big things done, the Vista playground.” if they work for them,” By the time they were said Retta McIff, a former done, the community coun- Taylorsville Community cil had secured quarter-mil- Development Department lion dollars in funding. employee. “I was one of the “We about fell off our A Taylorsville community council is celebrating the one year anniversary of its $250,000 Vista Park facelift. (Carl Fauver/City Journals) people who worked to create chairs when the city council community councils, and approved our $250,000 bud- this one is making the most get for the park improve- usual to see 50 or more. I’m aware of two active councils installed on the west side of Council 2A Chairman Lar- of it.” ments,” Dearden added. amazed how much it’s being throughout the city. Redwood Road, from 5000 ry Hiller said the group has This fall Community “We made visits to several used.” “Besides the communi- to 5300 South,” she said. not yet identified its next big Council 2A is celebrating parks — in West Jordan, “I am such a huge sup- ty council (2A) in my dis- “That also involved a lot of project, but is always look- the one-year anniversary of Cottonwood Heights, Hol- porter of community coun- trict, I know the other one is work. But on that project ing. a major facelift at Vista Park laday, even Layton — to cils because they are a great in Councilman (Ernest) Bur- — just like the playground “Right now, we are (2100 West 5000 South). see different types of play- avenue for residents to meet gess district (one),” she said. project — the city council working to strike a deal with “We did some research ground equipment. We got each other and to work to- “That group was responsible seemed very impressed with a local store to get a dis- and learned there are about what we wanted and about ward common goals,” Over- for the recent improvements the research we put into it count on lightbulbs for out- 16,000 participants who tripled the size of the Vista son said. “The issues don’t made at the old Cabana Club and authorized the funding door lighting,” he said. “We play in baseball and softball Park playground.” always have to relate to the (1560 West 4610 South). So to get it done.” want to make our neighbor- games each year on the Vis- Installation of the new city. Community councils these groups are able to get “On (the wall) project, hoods safer by having more ta Park diamonds,” said for- playground equipment be- can also address school dis- things done.” community council mem- people leave their lights on mer 2A Community Council gan in October of last year trict policies for example. Even as they celebrate bers went to all of the affect- overnight.” Vice Chairwoman Jolene and was completed in Janu- They are a good way to cre- the one-year anniversary of ed homeowners themselves, To get more informa- Dearden. “Trouble is, those ary. ate strength in numbers.” their improved Vista Park to get approvals,” Overson tion on how to create your kids often came with sib- “The change in activity When Taylorsville City playground, Dearden isn’t added. “They did the leg- own Taylorsville commu- lings who had nothing to do, at the playground has been officials chose to establish even sure that is her com- work. I’d love to see more nity council, city officials if they got tired of watching absolutely unbelievable,” community councils, they munity council’s biggest ac- community councils be- say you should contact your the games. The park’s play- Dearden said. “In previous envisioned two for each of complishment. come active so we could see elected councilperson. l ground equipment was old years, I’d only see two or the city’s five council dis- “A few years ago, our improvements in other parts and run down.” three kids on the equipment tricts, or 10 total. Howev- community council also of the city.” Faced with this chal- at a time. Now it’s not un- er, Overson said she is only worked to get the nice wall Current Community Permit #44 Permit Riverton, UT Riverton, Local Postal Customer Postal Local to our Community Sponsors for supporting City Journals P A I D I A P Thank You ECRWSS U.S. Postage U.S. Presort Std Presort Scan Here: Interactive online edition with more photos. PAGE 2 | NOVEMBER 2017 TAYLORSVILLE CITY JOURNAL Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf celebrates a quarter century in Taylorsville The TCJ is a monthly publication distri- buted directly to residents via the USPS By Carl Fauver | [email protected] as well as locations throughout Taylors- nlike most community centers – filled ville. with rambunctious youngsters and bois- For information about distribution U please email circulation@mycityjournals. terous teens – there is an eerily quiet center com or call our offices. Rack locations are in Taylorsville. The lobby of the Robert G. also available on our website. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and For subscriptions please contact: Hard of Hearing (5709 South 1500 West) is al- [email protected] most silent. The views and opinions expressed in But the hands of most people inside are display advertisements do not necessarily flying furiously. And if you don’t know sign lan- reflect or represent the views and opin- guage, you better hope an interpreter is nearby. ions held by Loyal Perch Media or the For a quarter century now, the Sanderson City Journals. This publication may not Center has provided northern Utah’s deaf popula- be reproduced in whole or in part without tion with sign language courses, senior activities, the express written consent of the owner. therapy, counseling and a host of other benefits. Operated under the State Department of Work- force Services (DWS), the popular center also The Taylorsville Team provides job placement and case management for the hard of hearing who want a job. CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Earlier this fall, nearly 500 people gathered Nearly 500 people gathered for the Sanderson Center’s 25th anniversary celebration. Bryan Scott at the center to mark its 25th anniversary. The (Utah Workforce Services Dept.) [email protected] night featured self-guided tours, dinner, a video program and special recognitions. or result from various illnesses. Shock or trau- speaks the words. Like nearly everyone at the EDITOR: Among those who were recognized was ma to the ears can also create problems. She says center, Beverly’s fingers fly a mile a minute, to Travis Barton Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of nationwide, a full 20 percent of people suffer at share her thoughts. [email protected] Hearing (DSDHH) Director Marilyn Call, who least some hearing challenges. In Utah – accord- Through her interpreter Allred also added, is retiring from the center December 16. Her po- ing to the 2010 U.S. census – 4,000 people are “Particularly after losing my husband, I became ADVERTISING: sition is under DWS, but her office for 17 years completely deaf. very isolated. This place has helped me get back 801-254-5974 has been at the Taylorsville center. And in that With the addition of a large wing in 2002, into life. Besides doing things here, we also take time she has seen – and helped guide – numerous the Sanderson Community Center now provides several off-site trips. One of my favorites is DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING: Ryan Casper changes. 71,000 square feet of meeting and conference Peach Days in Brigham City.” [email protected] “I was first hired as the center’s program room space, lecture halls, a large basketball and The Sanderson Community Center operates 801-671-2034 director, back in the early 1990s, when we were multipurpose area and several other amenities. on an annual budget of about $3 million. Its reg- still based in a much smaller building, in Boun- Its Taylorsville campus is a spacious six acres. ular hours are 8 to 5, Monday through Friday. But SALES ASSOCIATES: tiful,” Call said. “That location was very inade- The center’s namesake – Dr. Robert G. Call adds, “We have evening activities that keep Melissa Worthen quate. Luckily, just a few months after I hired on, Sanderson – was a pioneering advocate for us open until 10 p.m. many nights, along with [email protected] this center opened in 1992.” Utah’s deaf community. Back in 1965 he was lots of other events on Saturdays.” 801-897-5231 A decade after she joined the staff, Call was named the state’s first coordinator of services for Center records show, about 1,400 different promoted from center director to her current post.