O:9:"MagpieRSS":23:{s:6:"parser";i:0;s:12:"current_item";a:0:{}s:5:"items";a:21:{i:0;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-6596361112059753357";s:9:"published";s:29:"2008-01-14T15:46:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2008-01-14T16:10:10.552-07:00";s:5:"title";s:16:"A City on a Diet";s:12:"atom_content";s:1512:"<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/R4vrvG9TpnI/AAAAAAAAAIs/aXjsFZcuMCg/s1600-h/diet.1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155473393009796722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/R4vrvG9TpnI/AAAAAAAAAIs/aXjsFZcuMCg/s400/diet.1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/R4vrj29TpmI/AAAAAAAAAIk/Zw70DBLdohg/s1600-h/diet.jpg"></a><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><div>The mayor of Oklahoma<a href="http://www.thiscityisgoingonadiet.com/Default.aspx"> </a>(OK!) City has put his entire city on a diet. Yep, it seems local officials in the Sooner state have the power to force weight loss and this mayor has told his peeps they need to lose a combined 1 millions lbs or else he'll...he'll...he'll make them all get eye brows like his! And hizoner is not being particularly shy about telling his peeps they will take part, just have a look at his web site, which he calls <a href="http://www.thiscityisgoingonadiet.com/Default.aspx">thiscityisgoingonadiet.com</a></div><div></div><br /><div>Kudos to the good mayor for getting involved in one of the more critical issues our nation faces: good health, or lack of it. Local officials can create an environment and culture of healthy communities though land use planning, infrastructure development or adaptation, and good policies that encourage healthy lifestyles for city employees and residents. </div><br /><br /><div></div></div>";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/6596361112059753357";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/6596361112059753357";s:4:"link";s:62:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2008/01/city-on-diet.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:1;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-6166862267627018147";s:9:"published";s:29:"2008-01-03T12:35:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2008-01-03T12:38:24.415-07:00";s:5:"title";s:38:"Green City Planning after the Big Wind";s:12:"atom_content";s:563:"<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/R305pG9TplI/AAAAAAAAAIc/bHEjGNv8HHE/s1600-h/tornado.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151336927186888274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/R305pG9TplI/AAAAAAAAAIc/bHEjGNv8HHE/s400/tornado.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So what happens when your town blows down and you have a chance to start over? See what <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17643060">this town </a>in Kansas has done. </div>";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/6166862267627018147";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/6166862267627018147";s:4:"link";s:84:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2008/01/green-city-planning-after-big-wind.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:2;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-7184248819104546319";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-09-25T14:40:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-09-27T14:44:55.953-06:00";s:5:"title";s:39:"Appeal Authority Handbook Now Available";s:12:"atom_content";s:1834:"<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RvwWM_pgIMI/AAAAAAAAAG8/mxOgxTigWdE/s1600-h/appeal+authority.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114987689285787842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RvwWM_pgIMI/AAAAAAAAAG8/mxOgxTigWdE/s400/appeal+authority.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;">So Hot Off the ULCT Press That You Can Still Smell the Ink. </span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><em>Handbook for Appeal Authorities</em></span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></div></span></strong></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;">A resource for staying sane, legal and fair (but not necessarily in that order)<br /><br />and if you’re asking “What’s an Appeal Authority?” this book is for you!<br /><br /><br />This updated handbook replaces what we formerly called our Handbook for the Board of Adjustment<br /><br />Cost: $10 each for ULCT members<br />Value: Priceless<br /><br />To place your order, call the ULCT office for details<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">*Duration of nice smelling ink cannot be predicted, so order today!<br /></span><br /><br />And be watching for updates to the following ULCT best selling publications:<br /><em>The Planning Commission Handbook<br />Powers and Duties Handbook: A Guide for Utah’s Municipal Officials<br /></em><br />Both to be released in late November, just in time for the holidays.<br /><br /></div></span>";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/7184248819104546319";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/7184248819104546319";s:4:"link";s:89:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2007/09/appeal-authority-handbook-now-available.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:3;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-1555296939010599398";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-08-07T08:10:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-08-07T08:38:14.529-06:00";s:5:"title";s:17:"Wireless Ubiquity";s:12:"atom_content";s:863:"<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RriDjSLX2qI/AAAAAAAAAG0/7BUnW0FYOwg/s1600-h/WirelessJPG_000.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095967620567915170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RriDjSLX2qI/AAAAAAAAAG0/7BUnW0FYOwg/s400/WirelessJPG_000.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Seems I'm on a technology/wireless wave right now. </div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.sltrib.com//ci_6559280?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com">This article </a>from the this morning's SL Trib was quite interesting on the topic of cities providing free wireless service in parts, or all, of the community. What does free or cheap wireless mean for a community?  Keep your eye on Ogden in the coming years and maybe their experience will tell us something. </div>";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/1555296939010599398";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/1555296939010599398";s:4:"link";s:67:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2007/08/wireless-ubiquity.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:4;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-7504290091392614113";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-07-19T12:51:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-07-19T14:21:13.296-06:00";s:5:"title";s:17:"Towers of Trouble";s:12:"atom_content";s:1322:"<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/Rp_F9SIoMQI/AAAAAAAAAGs/j8EnGj7-KcM/s1600-h/towers.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089003760582668546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/Rp_F9SIoMQI/AAAAAAAAAGs/j8EnGj7-KcM/s400/towers.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So in a world where: a) most folks are now attached to a cellular phone, or similar, for much of their lives; and b) those same folks expect their cell phone to work inside of a slot canyon in  the most remote area of the San Rafael Swell, this article from a recent edition of the <em>The Economist</em> reminded me that such convenience comes with costs that go beyond the bill you pay each month. For local officials, there continues to be a battle over the towers that are required to transmit all the mobile yakking and surfing that is going on. </div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.economist.com/world/na/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9476067">Here's a link to the complete article.</a> </div><div></div><br /><div>At our <a href="http://ulct100.wordpress.com/">Annual Convention, September 12-14,</a> we'll be hosting a round table discussion on this very topic. </div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em></em></div>";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/7504290091392614113";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/7504290091392614113";s:4:"link";s:67:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2007/07/towers-of-trouble.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:5;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-7488840743577015006";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-07-13T06:34:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-07-13T06:35:41.574-06:00";s:5:"title";s:13:"The Town Wiki";s:12:"atom_content";s:1314:"<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RpdxlyIoMOI/AAAAAAAAAGc/fiiWhJeilGo/s1600-h/wiki.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086659198065324258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RpdxlyIoMOI/AAAAAAAAAGc/fiiWhJeilGo/s320/wiki.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So yesterday I was part of a discussion on Web 2.0 and the applications that are becoming popular, and maybe even effective. The idea of a "town Wiki" came up. You know, the <a href="http://www.wikipedia.org/">Wikipedia</a> concept where people collaborate to provide knowledge about random topics, but in this case it would info about a community Well, I come to find out that <a href="http://www.city.davis.ca.us/">Davis, CA </a>has a very popular Wiki, in fact one person there happened to be from Davis and she boldly asserted it's the most heavily visited community Wicki in the free world. I may have to ask her for the Google Analytics report just to verify. Anyway, she may be right but I doubt there's much competition at this point. But have a look and see what you think. <a href="http://daviswiki.org/">Click here for the link</a>. Is this an effective way to promote your community? Or communicate in general about your community? Or...? </div>";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/7488840743577015006";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/7488840743577015006";s:4:"link";s:59:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2007/07/town-wiki.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:6;a:12:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-3288963790834382517";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-07-06T19:57:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-07-13T20:04:15.166-06:00";s:5:"title";s:22:"A Century is 100 Years";s:12:"atom_content";s:944:"<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RpgupCIoMPI/AAAAAAAAAGk/9tcfPOA6JCo/s1600-h/98_buick_century_custom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086867061597548786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RpgupCIoMPI/AAAAAAAAAGk/9tcfPOA6JCo/s400/98_buick_century_custom.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong>This is the Buick Century, by the way</strong> </div><br /><br />The ULCT turns 100 this year and we're throwing ourselves a pretty big bash to commemorate this event that happens only once every century, or so we've been told. Our Annual Convention September 12-14 will rock the city of salt. Okay, not rock, since local officials in Utah seem to be a pretty tame group. But it will be very notable event that you can't miss. <a href="http://ulct100.wordpress.com/">Click here to be redirected to our fancy birthday blog site. </a>";s:12:"link_replies";s:154:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/feeds/3288963790834382517/comments/defaulthttp://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=37304803&postID=3288963790834382517";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/3288963790834382517";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/3288963790834382517";s:4:"link";s:70:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2007/07/century-is-100-years.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";s:3:"thr";a:1:{s:5:"total";s:1:"0";}}i:7;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-7861551684783528170";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-06-15T13:36:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-06-15T14:49:12.783-06:00";s:5:"title";s:32:"And Duties as Otherwise Assigned";s:12:"atom_content";s:1492:"<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RnL6kWlVYUI/AAAAAAAAAGM/4DYK0B1-uvc/s1600-h/marry+mayor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076395232444375362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RnL6kWlVYUI/AAAAAAAAAGM/4DYK0B1-uvc/s400/marry+mayor.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong>Marriage over the manhole. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Maybe they both work for the city's public utility dept?</strong>  </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>It goes without saying (or does it really?) that local officials, particularly in small towns, wear many hats. They are the proverbial Jacks/Jills of all trades. In baseball vernacular, they are the utility players. We get several calls weekly from these local officials seeking input on random topics. For example, this week a small town mayor called asking if we had some language he could use in a marriage he's been asked to perform next week. He'd never performed a marriage and was concerned that he'd say the wrong things and the marriage wouldn't be valid. Well, we don't get many (or any) marriage related queries and had nothing for him. But that didn't stop us from trying. So we called a mayor we suspected might just be good at marrying folk and sure enough, he had a ceremony he was willing to share and now so does the small town mayor somewhere out there in Utah. </div><div> </div><div> </div><br /><div></div>";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/7861551684783528170";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/7861551684783528170";s:4:"link";s:82:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2007/06/and-duties-as-otherwise-assigned.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:8;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-7034759626177939817";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-06-01T16:12:00.001-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-06-01T16:34:12.410-06:00";s:5:"title";s:28:"Musings at the End of a Week";s:12:"atom_content";s:2413:"<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RmCafRoqLkI/AAAAAAAAAGE/kbCjgKq3cSY/s1600-h/thoughts.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071223042519739970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RmCafRoqLkI/AAAAAAAAAGE/kbCjgKq3cSY/s400/thoughts.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong>Having Random Thoughts, A K A, Musing</strong></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">(this is not the author)</span></div><br /><br />Um, it's been quite some time since I last posted. Short on ideas these days. But I have saved up many random thoughts over the last few months, and maybe some of those will find meaning somewhere out there.   I'll number my thoughts.<br /><br />1. In the last month we've released two training DVDs that we think could be helpful for local officials. One about the Utah Open Meetings Act, and the other about the powers and duties of local officials. Both starring David Church, our cheeky legal counsel. I'm merely the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cameraman</span> and gaffer on these productions. It's been great to see how many of these we've sold in recent weeks. Just over half of our communities have purchased the open meeting DVD and the powers and duties is flying off the shelf as well, and it's only been on the market for 36 hours.<br /><br />2. We're making preparations now for our Annual Convention, September 12-14. Since it's the League's 100 anniversary this year, we'll be making quite a fuss at this event and are lining  up some pretty cool speakers and events. We'll be releasing our agenda by the first week of July, or so (heavy on the SO), and then I'd suggest you get registered. It will be huge.<br /><br />3. You folks up north in Box Elder, Cache and Rich counties get the chance to learn more about land conservation on June 13.  We'll be up that way with the Bear River <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">AOG</span>, Trust for Public Lands and Green Space Design, to give a presentation on conservation <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">easements</span> and conservation subdivisions. Details on our Web site, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ulct</span>.org<br /><br />That's all. Gee, after 2 months one would think I could think of more to say.";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/7034759626177939817";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/7034759626177939817";s:4:"link";s:72:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2007/06/musings-at-end-of-week.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:9;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-1382385123860451903";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-04-17T10:20:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-04-18T10:39:24.398-06:00";s:5:"title";s:22:"And the Surveys Say...";s:12:"atom_content";s:1664:"<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RiZJsZbULiI/AAAAAAAAAF8/cybekzfAiQo/s1600-h/Survey2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054808658858487330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RiZJsZbULiI/AAAAAAAAAF8/cybekzfAiQo/s400/Survey2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RiZJJZbULhI/AAAAAAAAAF0/zB6RWg3E_-U/s1600-h/survey+1.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div>Just back from our Midyear gig in St. George. Went well. Mostly. We can never please them all, and we never will. But we'll keep trying. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We asked those who attended to give us some feedback on the event, and 80-something obliged. Not a bad number. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We asked about our plenary speakers, and on a 4.0 GPA scale of sorts. And the survey said:</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong>Mark Fenton</strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><ul><br /><li>Quality of information: 3.79</li><br /><br /><li>Presentation skill: 3.83</li><br /><br /><li>Relevance to your city: 3.45</li></ul><br /><br /><p><strong>Dr. John C. Nelson</strong></p><br /><ul><br /><br /><li>Quality of information: 3.24</li><br /><br /><li>Presentation skill: 3.00</li><br /><br /><li>Relevance to your city: 2.75</li></ul><br /><br /><p><strong>Mike Huckabee</strong></p><br /><ul><br /><br /><li>Quality of information: 3.80</li><br /><br /><li>Presentation skill: 3.93 (no fair, he's a former Baptist minister!)</li><br /><br /><li>Relevance to your city: 3.58</li></ul><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/1382385123860451903";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/1382385123860451903";s:4:"link";s:65:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2007/04/and-surveys-say.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:10;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-5224783972841316250";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-04-04T14:26:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-04-03T15:49:15.130-06:00";s:5:"title";s:29:"Harnassing Your Backyard Wind";s:12:"atom_content";s:1966:"A few weeks ago when I was in Springdale at the APA gig, one speaker was yapping on (in a good way) about various topics related to energy alternatives. He opined that communities should begin to explore the policy of allowing backyard wind turbines that would provide electricity for the homeowner. Huh? Of course I'd heard of people using solar panels as an alternative to power from the grid (or in addition to it, in many cases) but the idea of a wind turbine in a backyard only brought the following visual to my limited mind:<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049317288520772018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RhLHUkyE6bI/AAAAAAAAAFk/yOD7hGb0zrQ/s320/wind1.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p>Well, seems times they are a changing and, as usual, I'm a bit slow finding out. I came across this article from the Sunday <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/01/business/yourmoney/01wind.html?_r=1&oref=slogin"><em>NY Times</em> </a>and thought it interesting. Seems some places already allow wind turbines for personal electrical generation. Granted, they aren't paticularly small (but not nearly as large as what my limited mind had envisioned) and it's best you live on a large lot and that your neighbors like you. Here's what they sorta look like for the residential user: </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049319792486705602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RhLJmUyE6cI/AAAAAAAAAFs/75XifevEywE/s320/wind2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p></p>Do you remember the huge satellite dishes some folks stuck in the side yard a decade or so ago? Now look how small those dishes are. Don't be surprised if in a decade or less, small wind turbines are hanging onto homes all over Zion, or at least in the windy towns.<br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p><br /></p>";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/5224783972841316250";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/5224783972841316250";s:4:"link";s:79:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2007/04/harnassing-your-backyard-wind.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:11;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-6677050892142255707";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-03-30T09:15:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-03-30T09:28:54.595-06:00";s:5:"title";s:27:"Preserving Suburbia, or Not";s:12:"atom_content";s:1276:"<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/Rg0seEyE6aI/AAAAAAAAAFc/H2w4oUW1LZI/s1600-h/suburbia2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047739652543670690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/Rg0seEyE6aI/AAAAAAAAAFc/H2w4oUW1LZI/s400/suburbia2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>Suburban historical landmark" may sound like an oxymoron, but as the cookie-cutter subdivisions developed after World War II turn 50, many of the ramblers lining their streets are becoming eligible for historic preservation. Governing (Oct. 2006) reports that architecture historians are struggling with the idea of what elements, if any, should indeed be protected. Some preservationists consider the suburban tracts of ranch houses antiurban and antipedestrian, and therefore unworthy of historic designation. Others argue that examples of the style, even if they aren't beautiful, should be preserved for future generations. But first, historians need to figure out what actually constitutes a good example of post-World War II architecture and planning; then they need to sort through the sheer magnitude of ramblers built in that era to figure out what to preserve. (Source, Utne Reader)</div></div>";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/6677050892142255707";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/6677050892142255707";s:4:"link";s:76:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2007/03/preserving-suburbia-or-not.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:12;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-5410642084036852925";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-03-28T09:30:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-03-27T10:57:59.717-06:00";s:5:"title";s:21:"The Minds of Planners";s:12:"atom_content";s:2463:"<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RglNCJKLnkI/AAAAAAAAAFI/eh1quU1egKE/s1600-h/mind.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5046649556659052098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RglNCJKLnkI/AAAAAAAAAFI/eh1quU1egKE/s400/mind.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RglHo5KLniI/AAAAAAAAAE4/kM0buP3WVuo/s1600-h/planners+mind.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5046643625309216290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RglHo5KLniI/AAAAAAAAAE4/kM0buP3WVuo/s400/planners+mind.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I attended the <a href="http://www.utah-apa.org/">Utah Chapter of the APA </a>(American Planning Assoc.) spring meeting last week in lovely Springdale. Between the workshops I attended and the combined 8-hours of driving scenery down and back, I returned with some good ideas and random thoughts--some of which I'll share with you now:</div><div><div><div></div><br /><div>1. Springdale is a nice place for an event. </div><br /><br /><div>2. Many of the towns along I-15 and other highways and biways are growing lots of new houses. Some look nice, others not so much. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>3. Many of these same communities seem to have adopted leap frog development ordinances, or, more likley, they've done little to stop this type of expensive development. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>4. Heard some good info about how communities can have more control on hillside developments. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>5. Water issues are bigger than transportation issues. Many of you might already know this. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>6. As land prices continue to increase, land that was once too pricy to develop is now starting to make sense from a profit standpoint. Whether or not it makes sense from an environmental and community standpoint of course is another issue. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>7. Why are so many new homes--and more specifically those built in the context of unique natural scenery-- so ugly? Maybe it's time we do some training on aesthetics. Affordable housing does not need to look cheap. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>8. Why is there a lighthouse next to the Wal-Mart in Cedar City? </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/5410642084036852925";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/5410642084036852925";s:4:"link";s:67:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2007/03/minds-of-planners.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:13;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-5412874114958282787";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-03-24T09:04:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-03-27T09:30:02.687-06:00";s:5:"title";s:30:"Ideas for the Ageing Community";s:12:"atom_content";s:1868:"<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/Rgk3ypKLngI/AAAAAAAAAEo/iRc4Bw-0pNM/s1600-h/old2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5046626200626896386" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/Rgk3ypKLngI/AAAAAAAAAEo/iRc4Bw-0pNM/s400/old2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/Rgk3ypKLnhI/AAAAAAAAAEw/xBXU_xO3k9k/s1600-h/old+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5046626200626896402" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/Rgk3ypKLnhI/AAAAAAAAAEw/xBXU_xO3k9k/s400/old+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Unless you've been living in a cave and/or don't watch TV, ignore the newspaper, and refuse to listen to the radio, you're likely aware that the baby boom generation is slowly checking out of the day-to-day working life and taking up retirement in various forms. Okay, so why might this matter to many communities all over Utah? </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Well, there are many reasons. For seasoned citizens to be full members of a community local officials might need to rethink the way some services or provided, or whether they are provided at all. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The <a href="http://www.bluemoonfund.org/">Blue Moon Fund </a>has completed some very comprehensive work on this topic and provides what appears to be a very hand dandy <a href="http://www.bluemoonfund.org/programs/programs_show.htm?doc_id=464305&amp;attrib_id=11422">toolkit</a> to help communities address the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>At our <a href="http://www.ulct.org/ULCTLeg.nsf/vML/988F81999D88FF45872571B1007A664E?OpenDocument">Midyear Conference </a>next month in St. George we'll be hosting a workshop on this very topic. </div>";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/5412874114958282787";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/5412874114958282787";s:4:"link";s:76:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2007/03/ideas-for-ageing-community.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:14;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-7519259227507143034";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-03-13T15:48:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-03-13T16:31:54.989-06:00";s:5:"title";s:24:"Midyear in La St. George";s:12:"atom_content";s:1510:"<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RfclFml-WzI/AAAAAAAAAEY/k1CljFV-iOY/s1600-h/Image042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5041539086053956402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RfclFml-WzI/AAAAAAAAAEY/k1CljFV-iOY/s400/Image042.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong>Raw--and never before seen--photo of a LaHanz and LaFranz workout</strong> </div><br /><br /><br /><div>No doubt by now the walls of city and town halls all over Utah are covered with photos of the ULCT fitness hunks, LaHanz and LaFranz, that were part of the <a href="http://www.ulct.org/ULCTLeg.nsf/7549874e70f6110487256db700780af0/1dd35b2008eaf32587257275006825f6/$FILE/MidRegMail07.pdf">registration materials </a>for the upcoming Midyear Convention in St. George. We expected this. We printed thousands of extra for this very reason. </div><div></div><br /><div>Just don't get so distracted by the handsome bulkiness that you forget to register for the event. We've got a teriffic agenda to address many of the issues on the topic of creating healthy communities. <a href="http://www.ulct.org/ULCTLeg.nsf/vML/988F81999D88FF45872571B1007A664E?OpenDocument">Click here </a>for the agenda and other stuff, including topical links to other resources on the web that will help you get up to speed on some of the topics we'll be discussing in St. George. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/7519259227507143034";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/7519259227507143034";s:4:"link";s:73:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2007/03/midyear-in-la-st-george.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:15;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-155798966990712224";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-02-12T08:30:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-02-02T10:45:08.513-07:00";s:5:"title";s:23:"South Jordan University";s:12:"atom_content";s:1274:"<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RdCjyDa1nRI/AAAAAAAAADw/oK_nCp_OqHQ/s1600-h/jordanian+education.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RdCjnTa1nQI/AAAAAAAAADo/3umSb5MpS9k/s1600-h/so+jordan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030700679395908866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RdCjnTa1nQI/AAAAAAAAADo/3umSb5MpS9k/s320/so+jordan.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Kudos to South Jordan City leaders for providing their residents with a formal education program to learn more about how the city functions. A short story about this citizen's academy was in today's <a href="http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660194876,00.html">Deseret Morning News</a>. We at the ULCT are all for cities and towns helping their residents understand what they get in return for the taxes and fees that support local government in Utah.<br /></div><div>Any other cities and towns out there done something similar? </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/155798966990712224";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/155798966990712224";s:4:"link";s:73:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2007/02/south-jordan-university.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:16;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-1879818633282702083";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-01-30T09:34:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-02-02T10:45:08.571-07:00";s:5:"title";s:27:"Add, Subtract and subDivide";s:12:"atom_content";s:1339:"<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RcN4g5V047I/AAAAAAAAADc/43memA0pufs/s1600-h/subdivision.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026994115619120050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RcN4g5V047I/AAAAAAAAADc/43memA0pufs/s400/subdivision.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hot off the proverbial press is the league's latest publication How to Legally Subdivide Land in Utah. This 128-page manual will help the citizen planner (a fancy name for city/town council member and planning commissioner) and professional planner work their way through the often complicated process of subdividing land, legally.<br /><br />Two copies of this document have been sent to each city and town hall in Utah, free of cost. If you're wondering where the copies ended up in your community, check in the with recorder/clerk or chair of the planning commission.<br /><br />Additional copies are available for $20 (shipping included) for member municipalities, and $30 for everyone else. Indeed, membership has its privileges. <a href="http://www.ulct.org/ULCTLeg.nsf/7549874e70f6110487256db700780af0/b2e93d327d00a895872572730070bbaf/$FILE/2007%20Subdivision%20Development%20Order%20Form.pdf">Click here </a>for your very own order form.</div><br /><div></div>";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/1879818633282702083";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/1879818633282702083";s:4:"link";s:76:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2007/01/add-subtract-and-subdivide.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:17;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-1158737573465104958";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-01-19T15:11:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-01-19T16:15:53.806-07:00";s:5:"title";s:26:"Looking for Some Training?";s:12:"atom_content";s:4323:"<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RbFPX9_tDOI/AAAAAAAAACc/QuCjKNY2lMs/s1600-h/monk+training.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021882332692155618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RbFPX9_tDOI/AAAAAAAAACc/QuCjKNY2lMs/s320/monk+training.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RbFPE9_tDNI/AAAAAAAAACU/f94w52Aa6B8/s1600-h/stretch+training.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021882006274641106" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RbFPE9_tDNI/AAAAAAAAACU/f94w52Aa6B8/s320/stretch+training.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Since I have been dubbed the director of training here at the ULCT, I feel obliged to share some thoughts on the topic. But before I do, have a look at just three of the thousands of photos that appeared when I Googled (do we capitalize it when it's a verb?) the word "training." Wacky. </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RbFPEN_tDMI/AAAAAAAAACM/avK2-mQFe2Q/s1600-h/soccer+training.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021881993389739202" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RbFPEN_tDMI/AAAAAAAAACM/avK2-mQFe2Q/s320/soccer+training.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><div>The league has a number of missions, and near the top is providing training on a variety of topics that will be helpful for local elected officials and staff. We think that our training will, at the very least, help these folks create wonderful communities, and at the the very most, help them stay out of jail. Yep, that's how valuable our training is. </div><br /><div></div><div>Over the years we've traditionally hosted a few larger conferences (<a href="http://www.ulct.org/ULCTLeg.nsf/vML/8EBAB37333A4369387257267006621DE?OpenDocument">Mid Year </a>and <a href="http://www.mycommunity.net/ULCTLeg.nsf/vMultiLevelLookup/28CDF2C4178F2A85872571B1007A9188?OpenDocument">Road School </a>in April, and <a href="http://www.mycommunity.net/ULCTLeg.nsf/vMultiLevelLookup/6BB39233801F484187257213005537BC?OpenDocument">Annual</a> in September), a small one (<a href="http://www.mycommunity.net/ULCTLeg.nsf/vMultiLevelLookup/F2585EB1687438DB87257213005656E0?OpenDocument">Water</a> in October) and the bi-annual <a href="http://www.mycommunity.net/ULCTLeg.nsf/vMultiLevelLookup/BB9001BEFEC39D3487257005005A4C21?OpenDocument">Newly Elected Officials' </a>training shortly after the municipal elections. And we see no reason to stop any of these. They pretty much rock. </div><div></div><br /><div>In the past we've also spent time in cities and towns across the state providing specialized training on issues such as land use, open meetings, planning commission protocol, etc. These have been particularly helpful to smaller communities that have little (not to be confused with "short") or no staff. These trainings pretty much rock and roll. And they will continue--just in a different format. To reach more folks we'll be hosting these trainings on a regional basis around the state. We'll hit the north, the south, the southwest and the east. And maybe other spots. </div><div></div><br /><div>We're also trying a new thing we may call (once we can get the dates to line up on the proper day and week) "Last Thursday Forum." And it will be held the --you guessed it--last Thursday of each month and will address different topics each time. <a href="http://www.ulct.org/ULCTLeg.nsf/vML/A309FC495460DD2C87257265007C8527?OpenDocument">Here's the schedule </a>we've got worked up so far and there's more to come.</div><div></div><br /><div>We'll be putting more trainings on DVD so local officials can learn in the comfort of their own home or council chambers. Think Leagueflix. </div><div></div><br /><div>I'm open to other ideas as well. Anyone? Anyone? </div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RbFDON_tDII/AAAAAAAAABs/Y1USD0hLP84/s1600-h/horse+training.jpg"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RbFDOd_tDKI/AAAAAAAAAB8/3tdO7ioxCOM/s1600-h/soccer+training.jpg"></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/1158737573465104958";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/1158737573465104958";s:4:"link";s:75:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2007/01/looking-for-some-training.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}i:18;a:12:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-8146478017676397379";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-01-12T08:23:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-01-12T10:20:54.458-07:00";s:5:"title";s:15:"Friday Minutiae";s:12:"atom_content";s:3479:"<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RafB99_tDHI/AAAAAAAAABc/a3iNcGzkNbg/s1600-h/nytimes+city+mgr.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019193580085644402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RafB99_tDHI/AAAAAAAAABc/a3iNcGzkNbg/s320/nytimes+city+mgr.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RafBJN_tDGI/AAAAAAAAABU/niB77itR-m4/s1600-h/nytimes+city+mgr.jpg"></a><div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>It's Friday. A good day for somewhat random thoughts. </div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>City Head Gone Muscle Head:</strong> That guy in the photo with his head under the hood (okay, so there's no hood, but his head would be under it if there was one) found that being a city manager was so stressful that he quit and became a muscle car dude. Contrary to his former profession, he claims his cars don't complain about stuff and they listen to him. And, according to this <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/11/us/11managers.html?_r=1&hp&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;ex=1168578000&en=a5f8bcfecfcc850f&amp;ei=5094&partner=homepage&amp;oref=slogin">NY Times article,</a> he left a profession that seems to be finding fewer takers even in a time when more communities are opting for the city manager form of government. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div><strong>Blogging Mayors:</strong> Are there any mayors in Deseret who are blogging? I know of none, but then again I'm good at not knowing things (to find out for yourself, just call the league office and ask me a random question about city stuff). Anyway, here's a <a href="http://eroundlake.com/blog/index.html">link to a blogging mayor </a>in Illinois (remember, the <em>s</em> is silent) who seems to be using his blog as a very effective tool to keep his citizens informed about their community and his positions on various issues. Hey, not a bad thing to do as a mayor. </div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Until about a year ago I thought this blogging thing was an over-hyped fad and best used to post photos of the the kids so the grandmas would not feel so resentful that you moved far away (and subsequently diminish their desire to visit). But I've been proven wrong (again, not hard to do) and it appears this blog stuff is truly an effective medium of communication and somewhat of an equalizer to the extent that it allows pretty much anyone with access to a computer to have a public opinion. Now, whether or not that public opinion is worth reading is an entirely different issue. Perhaps this blog can be used as <em>Exhibit A</em>. </div><br /><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Can You Say?</strong> And one more truly random thing: the recent infatuation with the vaunted Boise State Broncos football team (trust me, they would have dominated the '04 Utes much like they dominated the '06 Utes) provided countless opportunities for local and national commentators to mispronounce <em>BOISE.</em> For the record there is no Z in BOISE. Let's say it together: BOY-SEE. Call me on the phone and I'll say it for you if you're still unsure. If I'm not here, ask for Neil. </p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p></div></div>";s:12:"link_replies";s:154:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/feeds/8146478017676397379/comments/defaulthttp://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=37304803&postID=8146478017676397379";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/8146478017676397379";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/8146478017676397379";s:4:"link";s:65:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2007/01/friday-minutiae.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";s:3:"thr";a:1:{s:5:"total";s:1:"4";}}i:19;a:12:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-1216312024226071473";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-28T15:19:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-29T09:19:34.450-07:00";s:5:"title";s:24:"Utah, we Know Thee, NOT!";s:12:"atom_content";s:3874:"First, let me congratulate all of you for being selected as <em>Time Magazine’s</em> Person of the Year.<br /><br />Here, have one last look.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013715781730459794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RZRL8I7QYJI/AAAAAAAAAAM/N_Ky07JJHB4/s200/time.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>Now back to reality. </p><p>In the previous post I chatted a bit about the general lack of knowledge in the area of civics/current events/government. This dearth becomes more obvious (and mortifying) when one compares it to how much we generally know about pop culture/sports trivia/and general National Enquirer-like sensationalism. </p><p>And this lack of civics-related knowledge seems to discriminate against no one. Our recent samplings (unscientific as they might have been) proved that this malignant civic ignorance cuts across the spectrum of our fine community. However, we did find that the youth of Zion were disproportionately represented when it came to not knowing something about something they should. Did that make sense?<br /><br />We can look at this in two ways (of course others will find more ways): 1. Some might say these youngsters don't have enough practical experience with the real world (meaning most aren't old enough to vote or pay significant sums of taxes) so why should they really care anyway?); or 2. Conversely, the younger demographic is in the best position to know this civics stuff since it hasn't been that long since they done learned those things in school (which then assumes they listened) as opposed to the rest of us who struggle to remember if we even took a civics or government class while we were in school; and some of us aren't all that sure we even remember graduating from high school in the first place.  Regardless of the reasons, the average Utahn is pretty clueless about civics.  </p><p>Can local government can play a role in addressing this ignorance?  We think so.  In recent months the ULCT has published a curriculum guide for 4th & 7th grade teachers who teach Utah studies. And we've also printed a pretty cool city services map to help teachers in lower elementary grades teach the kiddies about things their city or town might provide for them. Look, there they are below. </p><p>Both resources have been exceptionally well received by educators across the state; not only because they are <strong>free</strong>, but mostly because quality teaching resources about local government in Utah are fetching hard to find. </p><p>By the way, we've distributed these curriculum guides and posters to most of the school districts across the state, but a few have not responded to our kind offer. If you reside in the following school districts (Beaver, Daggett, Iron, Juab, Kane, Morgan, Piute, Rich, Wayne and Weber) and you think the teachers and students there would benefit from these resources, tell the administrators or teachers to give us a call and we'll send them what they want. Or better yet, you can call us, we'll send them to you, and you can deliver them yourselves. It's that easy. </p><br /><p></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RZRW147QYMI/AAAAAAAAAAo/a59PBAdUlws/s1600-h/services+map.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013727768984182978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RZRW147QYMI/AAAAAAAAAAo/a59PBAdUlws/s200/services+map.bmp" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RZRWeY7QYLI/AAAAAAAAAAg/k1kuvO56u9I/s1600-h/book.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013727365257257138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TsuSjUAC3yU/RZRWeY7QYLI/AAAAAAAAAAg/k1kuvO56u9I/s200/book.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p></p>";s:12:"link_replies";s:154:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/feeds/1216312024226071473/comments/defaulthttp://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=37304803&postID=1216312024226071473";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/1216312024226071473";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/1216312024226071473";s:4:"link";s:71:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2006/12/utah-we-know-thee-not.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";s:3:"thr";a:1:{s:5:"total";s:1:"0";}}i:20;a:10:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803.post-116613937599628125";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-14T16:05:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-15T10:16:16.120-07:00";s:5:"title";s:58:"Civics: A Dependable Japanese Car or Informed Citizenship?";s:12:"atom_content";s:2988:"<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1827/205/1600/905737/civic%201.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1827/205/320/303479/civic%201.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1827/205/1600/457228/Civics.gif"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1827/205/320/198057/Civics.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It's a reasonably well-known (and embarrassingly so) that most Americans know very little about who governs them and how they are being governed. But all is not lost; rest assured that many of those same folks will likely be able to rattle off all sorts of pop culture trivia, which, you have to admit, comes in very handy when playing Trivial Pursuit and winning radio station contests. But when it comes to civics, we're a mostly uninformed electorate.<br /><br />Want to find out for yourself? Here's a little test you can conduct in your own community. Ask a friend--or a stranger if your looking to make new friends--the following questions:<br /><br />1. Who's the mayor of your community?<br />2. Can you name 3 Utah legislators?<br />3. Who are Utah's 2 senators in Washington, D.C.? (A a tricky follow-up, ask them how many senators there are from Utah!)<br />4. What are the three branches of government?<br />5. For what purposes are sales and incomes taxes used in Utah?<br /><br />Don't be surprised when the average person can only answer two of these questions correctly. How do I know this? Well, in recent weeks we've been out in the streets (and in the malls) with the good folk of Utah asking some of these very questions. And while we find the occasional well-informed citizen who can rattle off an accurate response to every question asked, the majority really don't have a sense of who they have elected, the decisions made by those they elected, and how our political system functions. (By the way, if you attend the ULCT <a href="http://www.ulct.org/ULCTLeg.nsf/vML/F79D5CBC285EBC9987257005005A4E17?OpenDocument">Local Officials' Day on Jan 17</a>, we'll be showing a rather hilarious video of these interviews.)<br /><br />So why does this matter? Should it matter? Well, we think it should. There are a myriad of reasons and I'll not list them all (mostly because I don't them all), but at the most basic level, an informed citizenry can ensure that those they elect will act both responsibly and responsively.<br /><br />My next post will highlight some of the materials the ULCT has produced to help our school teachers make our young little Utahns a bit brighter on the topic of civics...at least the local government portion of it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1827/205/1600/626003/services%20map.jpg"></a>";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/116613937599628125";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/37304803/posts/default/116613937599628125";s:4:"link";s:83:"http://nonconforminguse.blogspot.com/2006/12/civics-dependable-japanese-car-or.html";s:11:"author_name";s:5:"Brian";s:12:"author_email";s:19:"noreply@blogger.com";}}s:7:"channel";a:11:{s:2:"id";s:34:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37304803";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2018-08-28T13:26:38.446-06:00";s:5:"title";s:20:"A Non Conforming Use";s:8:"subtitle";s:170:"Anything posted here has not been approved by a city council, board of adjustment, land use authority, appeal authority or anyone in authority. 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";s:13:"last_modified";s:31:"Tue, 28 Aug 2018 19:26:38 GMT
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