Dedicated staff make newspaper possible

From the Editor — May 29, 1998

I just wanted to thank my teammates for the dedication that they bring to this production each week.  Each of us have roles that are crucial to keeping this paper going, and we have noticed a significant change with the absence of Karen, our layout designer/ad builder/proofreader/ethics committee/phone answerer/person in-the-know about everything that is going on in Morgan as she has been on vacation.

A few stories have gone on the wayside this month as I have struggled to keep up with all the responsibilities with Karen could do without so much as flinching.

This paper has made a lot of changes in the last six months, and it couldn’t have happened without the roles that each member of this staff have contributed.  Connie has become a pro in the dark room and is now running all over town to take pictures.  Colleen works like a foundation, someone to keep us organized and sane.  Marie keeps in contact with our ad customers.  Karen has been very patient with the changes I have required, and Joye never stops typing.  In addition, each of us have seemed to do their part in supplying enough treats to have on hand for late nights.

Karen will return next week, much to our gratitude.  There’s nothing like a newspaper production to keep your blood pumping.  Thanks, again, girls, for making it all possible.

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Arrival of new children into family cause to rejoice

Collection of Thoughts

By Emily Sanderson — May 29, 1998

My sister and her husband were pleased to add three new members to their family when they became foster parents to Anna, 8; Roxanne, 6; and Jimmie, 4 last weekend.  As they are the first grandchildren in my family, the weekend was bound for surprises.

Maybe it’s because I’m a college student and don’t get a lot of exposure to children these days.  Maybe it was because these new foster nieces and nephew aren’t just any children but are connected to me.  Maybe it was because I have dreamed for years and years what it would be like when my family began a new generation.  (They would call me Auntie Em, my sister and I used to say.)  Maybe I have been so rushed in my life lately that these children forced me to reflect on what the most important things are in this life.

But something really struck me last weekend when Roxanne showed me the new bedroom she shares with her sister.  The bedspreads were the same as the ones my sister and I used when we were little.  It was something about all the new excitement and activity in my sister’s house and the hugs the children so freely gave me.  Probably the most striking detail was when they addressed my sister so immediately as “Mommy.”

My parents, who are now “Grandma and Grandpa Sanderson,” went shopping for new books, toys, and games to have on hand when the children come to visit.  On Sunday, what used to be games of Scrabble or Scattergories was now reading about the “pair of pale green pants standing in the air” in Dr. Seuss’ “What Was I Scared Of?”  and about the Five Chinese Brothers.  Afghans, which are often left draped over couch backs, became capes, skirts, and hiding places, just as they were so many years ago.

There is nothing more joyous that the arrival of children into a family, and yes, it will require some adjustments.  I will have to learn how to become an aunt, and no, that doesn’t come naturally, I’ve discovered.

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27 ewes killed; dog owners held responsible

By Emily Sanderson — May 29, 1998

Two household pet dogs were destroyed recently for killing 27 sheep during the week of May 19.

All of the sheep were ewes that hadn’t lambed yet.

“He usually gets twins and triplets out of his sheep, so it was a big loss,” said Greg Wynn, a former Animal Control officer.

Wynn, who was recently named a deputy for the Sheriff’s Department, recommended that dog owners between North Morgan and Stoddard keep their pets tied up for the time being.

“They’re pets,” Wynn said, “but they get out, run loose, and get the taste of blood in their mouth, and it’s a game for them.  They just leave (the dead sheep) lay and go onto the next one.”

There are laws against killing livestock, and owners of pets who have been destructive will be held liable for the damages.

“Sheep have the right to range,” Wynn said.

This is a continual problem with dog owners, Wynn said.  They think their dog would never do this, and often they are held responsible.

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Torch runs thru Morgan for Special Olympics

By Emily Sanderson — May 22, 1998

The Torch Run for the Utah Special Olympics, supported by law enforcement agents, including the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department, ran through Morgan May 15 after passing through Moab, Green River, Emery and Carbon counties, Duchenne and Roosevelt counties, and Heber throughout last week.

The torch run led to the Cougar Stadium at Brigham Young University, where they had their Opening Ceremonies Thursday and will have events on Friday and at the university’s sports facilities.

James Fitzgerald, 19, of Morgan, was supported by a number of sheriff’s deputies and their families as he carried the torch through Morgan.  Fitzgerald participated in some of the track events in the Winter Special Olympics in Ogden last season.

“We have three state events throughout the year, said a director of the Torch Run.  “As long as they participate in one, they can run (in the torch run).”

The torch run serves as an opportunity for the Special Olympics to publicize and to gain support from the athletes’ home communities.  They also sell T-shirts and hats and ask for support from local businesses.

“I thought it was fun that it came through our town on National Law Enforcement Day,” said Deputy Nikkole Malan.

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Kellys called to serve in Moscow with 6 kids

By Emily Sanderson — May 1, 1998

Imagine taking six children under the age of 9 to a foreign country for three years.  Then imagine having to plan ahead for what clothes the children will wear and what foods they will eat for that period of time.

That is what Lisa Carter Kelly, a native of Morgan, has been doing for the past month in preparation for her family’s mission to Moscow.  Her husband, Michael Kelly, of Orem, has been called to serve as mission president in Moscow for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Kelly is a BYU professor of Russian.

“We are thrilled and nervous but confident that this will be a grand adventure for our family,” Michael said.

As supplies are scare and limited in Russia, the Kellys have been planning ahead as much as they can.  Boxes filled with children’s clothing and stacks of nonperishable foods such as cream of mushroom soup, tomato sauce, and jello filled the family’s front room, waiting for shipment, at the time of the interview.

“We hope that when the missionaries come to our house from time to time that we can give them a little of taste of America,” Michael said.

“Lisa has done a lion’s share of work” in preparation for the trip, he said.

Included in her list of items of clothing are coats which will keep her children warm in 25-degrees below zero weather.

“The trick is to try to guess how much they will grow in three years,” Lisa said.

Michael said that although English schools are present in Moscow, the couple has strongly considered putting the children in a public Russian school because of its closeness to their home.  In addition, giving the children the opportunity to learn Russian and to associate with Russian children.

“That way they won’t feel so isolated,” he said.

However, the family plans on bringing plenty of videos and books to keep them speaking English in the evenings, as a few of their children are still learning to speak at all.  Their children include 10-month old McKay, 2-year-old Alison, and 4-year-old Kirsten.  The other children include Spencer, 6; Jacob, 7; and Annelise, 9.

Lisa and the children are learning Russian at the Mission Training Center in Provo three days a week, for which they have their own special tutor.

“The kids are very excited,” he said.  “They are young enough that they are very adaptable.  They are still tied to family and not as connected to friends at school.”

Lisa said her extended family has been very positive about the call and has been a tremendous help and support group for her.

Lisa, who has a BYU bachelors in English literature, is the daughter of Ralph and Fern Carter of Porterville.  She met her husband in Washington, D.C., when Michael was working for the Treasury Department with his masters degree in public administration.

Michael studied the Russian language and its literature during one semester at BYU after he toured Eastern Europe with the International Folk Dance group.

“I experienced a real bond with the Eastern Europeans,” he said, “and I was frustrated with the language barrier.”  Michael was able to communicate with them only through interpreters.

Russian was the only Eastern European lanaguage that was offered at BYU in the mid-1980s, although Michael was interested in studying other cultures as well.  After studying the language and culture, Michael said he wanted to teach it.

“The spiritual depth of the Russian people just kind of grabbed me,” he said.

Michael found that he wasn’t happy building his profession around public administration with his job in Washington, D.C., and that despite the finances, he wanted to focus on the Russian culture instead.

“We had to follow our hearts, and we have been thrilled with the decision,” he said.

Michael and Lisa moved to Ohio State University in 1988 to complete some graduate work to support his new career.  Concurrently with his decision came the fall of the Berlin Wall.  Shortly after, Russia’s socialist government and economy fell, opening up the country to an international crowd of capitalists and investors.  BYU hired Michael in the fall of 1993.

Michael received his call to serve as mission president in an hour-long personal interview with President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency of the LDS Church.

“He was very generous with his time,” he said.

Prior to the interview, Michael has received a phone call from Elder David B. Haight, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  He asked Michael, “How is your Russian?” An appointment was scheduled for the two to meet and discuss the possibility of his being called as a mission president, and how his wife and family would react.  Michael knew a call from President Monson’s secretary to schedule an interview for the next day.

The family will speak in the Lakeridge First Ward on June 14 at noon to say good bye to their family and friends.  Their chapel is located at 575 S. 400 West in Orem.

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Office complex to ‘revive’ Commercial St.

By Emily Sanderson — May 1, 1998

A revival of Commercial Street, as well as engaging a long-time hobby of studying old Victorian western building facades, encouraged Contractor and Developer Gray Jensen to pursue an office complex on the corner of Commercial Street and 100 North in Morgan.

“History has always been a hobby of mine,” Jensen said, “but I also think it’s important to preserve the history.”

“Rather that tear the old building down, I’d rather remodel them and show people what Utah used to look like at the turn of the century,” he said.

Jensen said he owns quite a collection of books about the old mining towns such as Virginia City, which contained covered walkways and the unique square building facades, which were often characterized by balconies from the suites above.  The walkways were covered because of the problem with snow, as most of the mining towns were at high elevations.

In addition to covered walkways, Jensen plans on building covered parking for both his proposed shopping mall and hotel.  The shopping mall, which will fill the vacant lot behind his office complex on 100 North, will follow the same building style.  Jensen said the mall will contain destination shops, including a sports outlet and a theme restaurant.

“The little shops will allow people to have small businesses and will provide jobs for people in the community,” he said.

Jensen said that as the 2002 Olympics get closer, Morgan will have increased opportunities for tax base as tourists come through.

“We need the tax base in Morgan.  Otherwise we will just be a bedroom community, and people won’t be able to afford the taxes.”

The covered parking will be located underneath the mall, as will the covered parking for the hotel.

The hotel will be located near the eastbound I-84 freeway entrance on the northwest side of Weber River.  It will be three stories, including the parking garage, and will have a covered entry in the front for unloading passengers and luggage.  In addition, Jensen said he will provide a road and a bridge across the river to connect with Young Street.  He will also re-line commercial street along the stretch near the freeway entrance to make it straighter and smoother for drivers.

For the office complex, Jensen said he has historical names for each of the buildings, including J. Williams and Son, who owned a grocery store on the location years ago.

Jensen’s contracting company is completing the finishing touches for leasers in the building.  He has already had installed the “most advanced phone system on the Wasatch Back,” which uses fiber optics.  The system, as well as a large room downstairs, would support a telemarketing-type business.

In addition to the Browning Arms store, the complex has already leased to Jess Hopkin, a new dentist in town; the Franklin Group, a real estate business; Covenant Mortgage Broker; and Reeve & Associates Engineering.

Jensen hopes that others will see the potential of Commercial Street as a destination shopping area and provide the people of Morgan with local shopping.

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Sons of Adam, Pookie Wilson to perform at fairgrounds

By Emily Sanderson — April 24, 1998

The local alternative rock bands Sons of Adam and Pookie Wilson will perform a concert at the Morgan Fairgrounds in the exhibition building Saturday, May 2 at 8 p.m.  Tickets will be sold at the door.

Sons of Adam, who have been performing together for three years, just got back from a tour in Southern Utah.  They are also planning another tour in Idaho this spring and are looking at visiting other towns in Southern Utah, said Preston Castro, the lead singer, who is a junior at Morgan High School.

“We are trying to get away from doing covers (remakes of popular songs),” Castro said.  A number of members in the band contribute to writing their own lyrics and music.

Castro said they are also going to play at the Pie, a “pizza joint” in Ogden in the near future.

Other members of the band, who also attend Morgan High School, include: Eric Phillips, drums and guitar; John Stanley, lead guitar; Tavin Deru, rhythm guitar; and Todd Zuech, bass.

Members of Pookie Wilson include: Eric Hatch, Eddie Hatch, Josh Durrant, and Brock Durrant.

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MCN sets new guidelines for letters to the editor

From the Publisher — April 24, 1998

The “Letters to the Editor” section of the Morgan County News provides a forum for the community to express opinions, to share facts about current issues, and to respond to articles that are printed.  We appreciate the thoughtful letters we have received which encourage accuracy and make an effort to build up this community.

Morgan County is a different kind of community than Ogden or Salt Lake.  Everyone knows everyone here; as a result, differences of opinion are taken more personally and are assessed with a whole history of previous events and feelings.

As it is an election year and politics in Morgan County are very hot and involve many members of this community, the Morgan County News must impose stricter guidelines on printing the letters we receive.  Letters should not defame characters, be profane or vulgar, engage in namecalling, or be accusatory to individuals or groups without verifiable and prudent evidence.

Letters should address issues which concern the whole community, and they should be written appropriately for that audience.  In other words, if the concerns would be better expressed to a specific individual instead of the whole community, face that person in private with integrity and with the intention to amend differences.

The Morgan County News reserves the right to edit letters for length and content or to refuse to print any letters which contain elements expressed above.  Letters which contain such elements will be returned to the sender and will be asked to resubmit a rewritten letter which would be appropriate for our readers.

The Morgan County News encourages this community to write letters about current events and about the community’s needs for the future.  Letters should be positive, but we want to know about the issues which really weigh on this community, and we want to know abuot the people’s perception and opinions about those issues.  In the words of Rodney King, “Can’t we all just get along?”

When you send a letter, remember who you are an who you are representing (your business, organization, and family), and let’s focus on building up this community.

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Sunshine reduces flooding threat

By Emily Sanderson — April 24, 1998

The potential for flooding in Morgan County has gone down in the last two weeks because of sunshine we received last week.  Also, the thunderstorms we received this week were mild in their amount of precipitation.

“We are really looking good,” said Terry Turner, Morgan County ambulance service director.  “It is turning out better than we thought.”

Turner said the weather patterns in the next few weeks will determine whether we have a problem with flooding.

Turner is the chairman of the Local Emergency Preparedness Committee, which had their quarterly meeting April 27.  The committee is keeping a close watch on water levels in the Weber River and creeks in the area.

They are also making sure that the waterways are kept clear of debris which would have the potential for clogging.

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Cannon, others show for Republicans

By Emily Sanderson — April 24, 1998

While driving through Morgan Valley one day, the nine-year old grandson of a state Republican Party representative asked his grandma, “Is this heaven?”

She answered, “No, this is Morgan.”

“I think it must be like heaven,” he replied, “because it’s so beautiful.”

A Mr. Holmgren, representative for Government Mike Leavitt, spoke at the Republican Convention in Morgan, among others, about measures the state is making to protect the environment, such as measures to improve the quality of the air and the water, restrict congestion, and preserve the open space.

“We want to protect the quality of life that makes living in Utah so special,” he said.  “Governor Leavitt appreciates the efforts being made in this community.”

State Senator Robert Montgomery also spoke on the clean water act.

“We have to defend state rights, and that goes down to the county,” he said.  “In the end, the people will pay for it.”

The Olympics, IRS reform, and individual platforms of candidates were also discussed at the convention April 16.

“I don’t think we should change our lifestyles for these people, said Senator Montgomery of future Olympic visitors. “[The Olympic committee] chose this area because of the people we were in 1988-89.”

Harley Anderson, a candidate opposing State Representative tax or a national sales tax, which would be collected by the states.

“Maybe they will paint this ball pink so it will be cheery,” but it still doesn’t change what it is, Hartley said of his cannonball prop labeled the “IRS” that he chained around himself.

A spokesperson for Bob Bennett said he also supported getting taxes “as flat as we can.”

Jeremy Friedbaum, who is running against Chris Cannon for U.S. Representative, said he is a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Jewish roots who felt obligated to run for office after the church released a statement to members encouraging them to be more active in government roles.

Chris Cannon vowed not to over-spend the national budget, something government leaders have been guilty of in the past.  He also said that he was elected to be a consistent, effective and conservative representative.

“I think the record will show that I have done that,” he said.

The state Republican Party representative encouraged members of the Republican Party to vote.

“We are a 500-pound gorilla in Utah,” she said.  “People say, ‘We’re big, things are going OK,’ … but we are our own worst enemy when we don’t go out and vote.”

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