July 2021
2600 West Taylorsville Boulevard • 801-963-5400 |
COUNCIL CORNER By Council Member Dan Armstrong The month of July is one of the happiest in my book. It is a month of celebration, both on a state and national level, and it is a month to remember and reflect. The Fourth of July always brings grand festivities. I enjoy gathering with family and friends and celebrating the birth of our nation. In Taylorsville, our big firework shows take place during Taylorsville Dayzz in June, and we did it up big this year with a Birthday Bash in commemoration of our city’s 25th anniversary. Due to this year’s drought and dry conditions, we urge residents to use caution with fireworks, which are often best left to the professionals. Enjoy the big, professional shows and consider limiting personal fireworks this year as a matter of safety. There are many other ways to celebrate — from backyard barbecues to simple gatherings with friends and family. On this day, I like to reflect on our nation’s history. Each Fourth of July, we mark our independence and birth of the United States of America as a nation. The Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Representatives had been working on it for a couple of days after the draft was submitted on July 2 and finally agreed on all of the edits and changes, according to Oak Hill Publishing which prints facts about the U.S. Constitution. July 4, 1776, became the date that was included on the Declaration of Independence that is now
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We Wish You a Happy and Safe July Fourth and 24th displayed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Interestingly, however, it wasn’t until more than 40 years later that the day was celebrated. After the War of 1812, printed copies of the Declaration of Independence began to circulate again, all with the date July 4, 1776, listed at the top. The deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams on July 4, 1826, also may have helped to promote the idea of July Fourth as an important date to be celebrated. Celebrations of the Fourth of July became more common as the years went on and in 1870, almost 100 years after the Declaration of Independence was written, Congress first declared July 4 to be a national holiday as part of a bill to officially recognize several holidays. This month, we also celebrate our own state origins with Pioneer Day on July 24. The day commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, where they settled after being forced from Nauvoo, Illinois, and other locations in the eastern United States. “Determined to settle in an isolated region, the pioneers made their way across the plains and over the Rocky Mountains to Utah,” according to the Library of Congress. “They lost many of their party to disease during the winter months. By the time they reached Utah, the desolate valley was a welcome sight. Potatoes and turnips were soon planted, and a dam was built. With solemn ceremonies, the settlers consecrated the two-square-mile city, and sent back
Primary Election Planned for Council District 5 Although the races for Mayor and Council Members in Districts 3 and 4 are uncontested, there will be a primary election on Aug. 10 to determine which two of three candidates in District 5 will advance to the Nov. 2 general election. Pr imar y ballots will be mailed to registered voters in District 5 during the week of July 20. If you prefer to vote in person, you may do so on Election Day at Taylorsville City Hall, the Taylorsville Library, the Taylorsville Senior Center or any number of vote centers scattered around Salt Lake County. B a l l o t s fo r t h e g e n e ra l election will be mailed during the week of Oct. 12.
For further information regarding elections, go to slco.org/clerk/elections
LEFT TO RIGHT: Dan Armstrong (District 5), Curt Cochran, Chair (District 2), Meredith Harker (District 4), Anna Barbieri, Vice Chair (District 3), and Ernest Burgess (District 1)
word that the ‘promised land’ had been found. By the end of 1847, nearly 2,000 Mormons had settled in the Salt Lake Valley.” The Utah holiday has been celebrated in many ways, including large statewide Days of ’47 activities as well as community events, from games and music to parades and rodeos. Some even mark the day with “pie and beer.” Regardless the tradition, it is a day to celebrate our roots and history and all those who make up our state today. We wish everyone a very happy and safe July Fourth and Pioneer Day. Thank you for all you do to make our community, state and nation so magnificent and worthy of celebration each year.
Officials Urge Caution with Fireworks this Summer Due to the ongoing drought and resulting extremely dry conditions, fire authorities and city officials are urging extreme caution this year when handling fireworks. Each year, the Unified Fire Authority publishes an interactive Fireworks Restrictions Map. This year's map can be found at: https://unifiedfire.org/maps/2021fireworks-restriction/ Once there, you can zoom in and out or select a city or specific area to see exactly where fireworks are restricted. Generally, discharge is prohibited within 200 feet of waterways, trails, canyons, washes, ravines or similar areas such as designated wildland interface areas. Accordingly, the map shows fireworks are prohibited along the length of the Jordan River. Personal fireworks also are restricted at parks within the city and along the I-215 corridor. By law, sales of legal fireworks are allowed beginning on June 24 and ending on July 25. Discharge dates are the two days before, day of, and one day after July 4 and July 24. Hours of discharge are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. On July 4 and July 24, fireworks are allowed until midnight. It is an infraction carrying a fine of up to $1,000 to discharge fireworks outside of legal dates and to use fireworks in an area where fireworks are prohibited. "We urge everyone to be extra careful," said Mayor Kristie Overson. "Particularly, with the drought and dry conditions, it might be best this year to forgo fireworks and find other ways to celebrate the July holidays." She noted that Taylorsville's big fireworks shows take place during Taylorsville Dayzz in June. "We hope residents consider leaving fireworks to the experts this year and enjoy the professional shows rather than ignite personal fireworks. It’s good to be cautious, especially this year.”
