LeBaronLogic

Let the Steel Days (Celebration) Begin

Well, there is no cannon blast and a sunrise flag ceremony (as in decades past), but American Fork (Ut) Steel Days 2008 starts tonight in earnest with the official opening and then a performance at the AFHS by the American Fork Symphony at 7p sans the American Fork Amphitheater at Quail Hollow (because of threatening weather). Please check out some of the activities. Go to www.afsteeldays.com. (As well as a map for locations). Look for the following to be big hits for 2008 Steel Days:

• Picnic in the Park at Art Dye Park (Thurs eve): This seems to get bigger and better each year (fourth yr now). The outdoor movie is "Horton Hears a Who" a cute movie thats FREE as are most of the events.
• Battle of the Bands and Skate Tournament (Fri evening): Heart pounding tunes from garage and other bands are sure to be good as well as the twists and turns at the skate park.
• The Big Show and Fireworks (Sat eve), The Return (Beatles impersonators), Eclipse and the Super Crescent Band, which is the best. And the fireworks. . . no better in the state (including the "Arena of Heat") to the south of us.

Hope to see you at some of the events. If you see a volunteer in a white Tee Shirt, express your appreciation. They put in hours and hours in our behalf and have been very responsible fiscally in putting together a great celebration for friends, neighbors and families. In fact this committee begins work for the following year as the last of the fireworks wink at the crowd. Click on the Sponsor link and be a patron of those establishments found on the list who have given so graciously as to give our city budget some help.

A New American Fork Youth City Council

Tuesday evening the City Council appointed a new Youth City Council, then had a nice and brief swearing in ceremony. These are outstanding young people who will add another thread to our wonderful community fabric. Those appointed were:

• Evan Nuttall, Youth Mayor
• Mikayla Orton, Youth Council Member and Youth Mayor Pro Tem
• Steven Mitsuda, Youth Council Member
• Christie Bruening, Youth Council Member
• Richard Flores, Youth Council Member
• Bethany Richards, Youth Council Member
• Kaylee Bromley, Youth Council Recorder

Also appointed as Youth Council Advisors were Eric and Julie Nuttall.

The American Fork Youth City Council will meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 5:30pm to 6:45pm at City Hall. Their first meeting is this coming Tuesday January 15th. The public, both youth and adults are welcome. Our Youth Council will be joining other Youth City Council's from across the state in the Local Officials Day at the Legislature event on January 23rd. See this Download local20officials.pdf . The young people are now studying their charge and mission and seeking interested youth to serve on various committees. Download youth_councilcommitteel_application1.doc

"Hear 'Ye, Hear 'Ye" . . . AF Youth City Council to fill Vacancies

I know, I know, this blog has been on a slight hiatus. Work, City business, more work and basketball (I have been asked to be on the American Fork High School boys basketball coaching staff  as the assistant sophomore coach). For now, we are recruiting American Fork City Youth Council Members. The American Fork City Youth Council consists of a highly energetic group of high school students wanting to make a difference in their community. Youth council members develop their agenda pursuant to a city charter and implement their own activities being assisted by youth council advisor(s). The Youth Council in the past has been involved with several activities such as Youth Forums, Leadership Conferences, countless service projects such as Sub for Santa, Steel Days youth dance, Fun Run, Easter Egg Hunt, providing meals for election judges, senior citizen projects and others; as well as City Council presentations, fund raising events, and leadership conference presentations.

The Youth City Council (YCC) focuses on four major areas: 1-Serving the community; 2-Youth leadership development; 3-Local government experience and 4-Increased communication between youth and adults. Youth council members consist of a youth mayor, 5 youth city council members including a youth mayor pro-tem, youth city recorder, and other citycounterparts and youth committee chairs and members as needed who serve for a six month period.

If you are interested in becoming a part of the American Fork City Youth Council, please contact City Councilman, Shirl LeBaron, 756-4771, as well as Download youth_council_application1.doc . Follow the instructions at the bottom of the application. Meetings are held the 1st & 3rd Thursday at 6 pm in the American Fork City Council Chambers beginning the third week in January. Everyone is welcome to attend Youth Council meetings.

Any Steel Days Vice Chairs Out There?

While this is an unusual Help Needed ad, why not? Our city is in need of a Steel Days Vice Chair to serve on the City Celebration Committee immediately. Responsibilities would include but not limited to the following:

• Assist Randy Morris, Chair, 2008 Steel Days
• Serve as Steel Days Chair for the 2009 Celebration
• Serve as Past Chair/Adviser to the 2010 Steel Days Chair and Committee
• Assist with the Big Show
• Accept assignments with any Steel Days activity
• Help with budgeting and coordinating events

The duties also include monthly mtgs continuing to bi-weekly and weekly as dates get closer. This is a volunteer position, however there are complimentary carnival and big show tickets as well as the satisfaction and good will in serving your community. Please send a letter of interest and qualifications to shirl@afcity.net.

American Fork Election Results

The election returns from todays voting has recently been posted. The following are the results with all 15 precincts reporting. For more detailed reporting click here for the Utah County website and the unofficial returns.

American Fork City Council (4 year terms):

Sherry Kramer 3,493 - 26.34%

Shirl LeBaron 3,413 - 25.74%

Ricky Storrs 3,417 - 25.77%

Jason Porter 2,852 - 21.51%

2 year term:

Dale Gunther 4,555 - 98.59%

There was a 45.84% voter turnout which is outstanding. I congratulate those who ran. I am appreciative of the support and confidence of the citizens in returning me to a second term. I believe the electorate of our city voted for experience and feels the city is on track and making good progress in quality of life areas; i.e. water, infrastructure, parks and recreation and the arts. I will continue to work for the good of the city and for you my neighbors and fellow citizens. 

Campaign Downloads

Too busy to catch my city council re-election campaign literature? You have come to the one-stop-place. (All downloads are virus free and protected by copyright). You may use them for personal use or for distribution for my campaign.

1. Download endorsement_ad.pdf (This first newspaper ad/primacy).
2. Download palm_card_front_07.pdf  (flyer).
3. Download 2nd_page_palm_card_07.pdf (back side of flyer).
4. Download look_paper_ad.pdf (last newspaper ad re. accomplishments/recency) and
5. Download hourglass_postcard.pdf  (postcard mailer).

Happy reading. Don't forget to vote on Tuesday November 6. Polls are open from 7am to 8pm.

Sneak Preview

The following is my submission to the Daily Herald for their "Election Supplement" to be delivered on November 1 with their regular paper.

Q. How would you address the needs of your community?

A. As an American Fork City Councilman, I listen to all citizens who are willing to speak and all third parties that intend to impact the life of American Fork’s citizens. I study the issues in detail. I interface
with experts and others experienced in the topic at hand. I consult
with other members of the City Council, the Mayor, and City Staff who are
close to the issue. In the end, it is my duty to weigh both sides of
the discussion and make decisions in the best interests of all members of
the community specifically and for American Fork City in general. Some
decisions, such as water management, transportation plans, zoning,
public safety and other infrastructure and capital projects are far
reaching, and will impact generations of citizens. These decisions typically
have a serious impact on City and family budgets.  I will continue in
a second term to spend the time necessary to make difficult but
necessary decisions, in helping make American Fork City . . . even better, as
a place to live, work and play in. Please visit my campaign website at
www.votelebaron.com and my blog at www.lebaronlogic.com.

Q. How do you differ from the other candidates?

A. All but one candidate, including myself, are currently serving on the
City Council. These Councilmembers running to retain a seat on the
council are hard working, dedicated individuals who have a good grasp of the
issues and are committed to improving an already wonderful city.
Personally, I have experience having served for 4 years as a council member
assigned to the Finance Committee, Recreation and Fitness Center, Fox
Hollow Golf Course and the Steel Days Committee. I have also served as
Mayor Pro – Tem the last 2 years. This experience and skill set, will
allow a seamless transition into another 4 year term. Further, I have
served on the library Board, Planning Commission and on the Utah League
of Cities and Town’s Legislative Policy Committee. I also serve on
the Utah County Boundary Commission.  I am a proven, seasoned local
public servant, but yet I am not so entrenched as to not consider new and
fresh ideas and approaches.
I am the only lawyer currently serving or running. It is extremely
beneficial to have an additional legal perspective represented during
Council Meetings, work sessions, dialogues, negotiations, and in the overall
decision making process.

City Endorsements

The following are my endorsements for the upcoming American Fork Municipal Election on Tuesday November 6, 2007:

Four year terms (4 candidates, 3 open seats)

1. Sherry Kramer,  "I have had the pleasure of serving with Councilmember Kramer. Sherry works hard studying the issues, making site visits and is serious about her responsibilities. She also enjoys her service to the community. In addition, Sherry considers others views before casting her votes. We are well served as a city with Sherry on the council. She should stay."
2. Shirl LeBaron,  See www.votelebaron.com. Click the tab for third party endorsements. I know, a self-endorsement is really exciting isn't it?
3. Ricky Storrs, "Ricky's relationships with city staff and citizens gives rise to institutional knowledge that is unsurpassed. Councilman Storrs' involvment in nearly every city department and committee gives him information and experience vital to the Council. His affable personality also is a plus. Re-elect Rick to the Council."

Two year term (1 opening to fill the remaining term of the late Jimmy Cates):

1. Dale Gunther, "Dale's availability, energy and financial acumen is a valuable asset to our community. His vast life experiences, business involvements and personal relationships have been used to further the interests and standing of our city. Councilman Gunther's skills should be further used in his service on the City Council.Vote to keep Dale on the Council."

Abigail's Advice

No, its not an advice column (perhaps). On the way to one of the inaugural meetings of the Continental Congress in early 1776, Abigail Adams wrote the following to her delegate husband John as he journeyed to Philadelphia to lay the blueprint of our now America;

You cannot be, I know, nor do I wish to see you, an inactive spectator . . . We have too many high sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them.

--Abigail Adams

Likewise and even more so where essential city services are administered; municipal government much like the infancy of our democratic national government requires volunteerism and involvement. What with high finance and bonding, the complexities of interlocking highway jurisdictions, human resources dynamics and the myriads of state and federal codes not to mention local ordinances and land use/zoning rules and regulations. There are many "non-spectator" activities one can "cut their teeth" on in the city; i.e. Steel Days volunteering, Parks and Recreation work, planting of trees, senior citizen work, literacy helper, cleanup efforts, beautification, arts and cultural events, friends of the library and so on and so on. Elected office require 25-40 hours a month in preparation work, attending meetings and sub-meetings, returning phone calls/emails, site visits, citizen appointments, meeting with staff and outside consultants, reading and re-reading codes and general plan elements. Entry level it is not. 

What More People are Saying

"Shirl's long experience and legal expertise are of great benefit to the American Fork City Council."

      --Heidi Rodeback, Council Member, American Fork City

"I have known Shirl for 37 years. He is a man of action. He is wise, articulate and energetic. He should be re-elected to the City Council."

      --Dr. Douglas Mower, American Fork Physician

"Shirl has been a big supporter of Hunter Park and all of the parks.  He supported the residents when they asked the city council not to trade park land to developers."

      --Sherry Kramer, American Fork City Council Member

To view more endorsements click here http://votelebaron.com/Endorsements.html