Here are the new rules and changes coming to Oquirrh Lake this year, so before you pack up the family and decide to swing down to the lake these are the NEW rules you need to know:
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There is NO swimming and NO wading allowed this year (last year wading was allowed). Swimming will only be permitted as part of a Kennecott land approved event/activities.
There will no longer be parking allowed on the East Side of Oquirrh lake Rd, and a new stop sign will be put in at Oquirrh Lake Rd/ Dorena Ln.
All pets must be on leashes and are not allowed in the lake.
Fishing is still allowed in designated fishing zones (until the lake is fished out, the UDWR stills says there are no future plans to stock Oquirrh lake).
Lifejackets must be worn by all boaters at all times and restrict the use of motorized boats to authorized lake patrol/rescue activities.
NO portable BBQ’s, tents, or awnings will be allowed.
NO glass containers are allowed.
NO pets are allowed in the Eastlake Beach area (pets can only be taken to the North Shore Beach).
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And there also will be a few new and similar additions as listed below…
House Bill 295, a bill that proposes taking money from Jordan School District’s building fund and using it pay teachers, was headed for a big fight, and possible failure, if not for a compromise worked out last week.
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State Senator Ben McAdams of Salt Lake City says many from other districts in Salt Lake County didn’t like the idea because some of the 10 million dollars JDS was talking about using, was money that came from other districts.
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Because of an equalization formula drawn up in 2008, county residents saw a tax increase. That money went into a big pot. Most of it was doled out to schools on a per student basis, but 25 percent of it was given to districts based on student population growth. Because of the population explosion in the south end of the valley, Jordan got the lion’s share of that cash.
A Press Conference for the ShopWest.Org is being held tomorrow 3/4/2010 at the South Jordan Chamber of Commerce at 1:15pm. The ShopWest.org group was formed last week by some local community leaders (Roger Kirkman, Amy Bone, Mary Cannon, Joe Ross, Aaron Osmond, Paul Pugmire, Chris Merrill, & Jenn and Chris Blake). The South Jordan Chamber of Commerce—in partnership with local PTA groups and concerned residents—will be leading the press conference and will be announcing the formation of a new citizens’ group called ShopWest.Org created to drive community awareness and initiate long term support for the financial problems facing the Jordan School District.Specific details will be announced at the event.
About 400 people made up of residents, parents, teachers attended at meeting held at Bingham High School 6:30pm last night. The supportors of the Jordan School District are trying to rally and join forces to help solve the $30million funding shortfall facing the Jordan School District next year. The Jordan School Board's solution includes the elimination of 500 jobs, including 250 currently belonging to teachers. There is a rally for public education at the Capitol today at 11 a.m. today. Organizers aren't sure how many people will attend Wednesday's rally, but they say they expect a good turnout.
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Utah State lawmakers are considering a pair of bills that could help the budget crisis. The first, House Bill 137, would raise the sales tax by 0.1 percent, which could generate $41 million for public schools. The other proposal, House Bill 295, would allow districts, for two years, to take money that is designated for building maintenance and divert it to pay teachers and reduce class sizes. Both bills cleared the House Education Committee Tuesday. If the bills pass and can generate enough revenue, $12.5 million would take teacher layoffs off the board.
Rep. Carl Wimmer of Herriman recently floated a controversial idea on a Facebook page dedicated to parents and teachers concerned about pending layoff in the Jordan School District. He suggests he’s been mulling over an idea to give folks in school districts the right to vote a school superintendent in or out of office. It would be a retention vote similar to the process used to elect judges. Judges don’t run against an opponent and ask for your vote. On the ballot you get the choice of keeping them or voting them out.
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This is an idea with embattled Jordan School District superintendent Barry Newbold clearly in its cross hairs. Newbold is the boss during the most difficult time in the Jordan School District’s long history. He is suggesting 500 job cuts, and has been roundly criticized, fairly or not, by parents, teachers, and legislators.
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To avoid the “out of context” charge, here is what Wimmer said on the page, word-for-word: ”Question for everyone: last year someone floated the idea to have a retention election for school superintendents. What this would do is require the district head to be on the ballot for and election to “retain” or “remove” by the people within the district. It is very much like the Judges that are on the ballot every year. I see good and bad in the idea. I have heard it may come up again in coming years and wanted the feed back of the people. So what are your thoughts".
We all know how difficult this month has been for teachers in Utah, particularly for the educators in the Jordan School District, as they prepare for the possibility of massive job layoffs by the end of June.
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To top it all off, it’s tax season, which probably, for some of them, simple adds insult to injury. There is some good news out there when it comes to doing your taxes anyway.
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Liberty Tax Service in Riverton, will do your returns for free this week if you are a teacher and a first time customer of Liberty. No catch, no hidden fees. Darren Openshaw is one of the owners of Liberty on 1868 West 12600 South, he says the hope is they can get you in for free this year, and hopefully you’ll come back next year, only with your checkbook open and eager to pay. But he says most importantly, “It is our way of establishing ourselves in the community, as well as giving something back to the community at the same time.”
