A Treasure in our Community

by Senator Ross Romero
District 7

Recently I had the opportunity to tour the National Ability Center (”NAC”) in Park City.  It was great to see all the work the NAC does in and for our Utah community.  I hope you might consider the Center in your giving or volunteer plans this year.

The NAC is the nation’s largest provider of recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities.  Founded in 1985, the NAC has grown from teaching a few dozen ski lessons to wounded veterans in its first year to teaching more than 20,000 lessons annually in 22 programs.  While the activities at the NAC are designed to give individuals with disabilities a chance to participate in sports using adaptive techniques and equipment, the bigger purpose is to help those individuals reach their potential as human beings.  A physical or cognitive disability may change the way someone skis on the Greatest Snow on Earth or rides a horse on the trails of the Beehive state, but it shouldn’t inhibit their ability to be a part of society.

This year, studies by Harris Interactive and Disabled Sports USA showed that participants in programs like the NAC’s are twice as likely as their peers to be employed.  Those same studies show that individuals with disabilities who participated regularly in recreational or competitive sports programs are more fit, confident and positive people.  With more than 8,000 participants in the NAC programs last year, the NAC sees these results in many lives.

Programs at the NAC include skiing, snowboarding, the world’s only adaptive bobsled team, horseback riding, cycling, swimming, and archery, to name a few.  During the summer, they host Discovery Camps as week-long day camps for kids with disabilities  There are different camps for kids with physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders.  Having a camp where kids can hang out and do things with others who are in similar situations can have great results.

Helping people discover their abilities brings with it a unique and wonderful feeling.  The NAC records tens of thousands of volunteer hours each year because everyone from middle school students to retirees finds a place to help out.  Some like to help with a ski lesson, and others enjoy helping at one of the NAC’s annual fundraising events.  No matter where the help is given, it is always appreciated and needed.  If you are interested in volunteering or registering for a program, call Jenn Carpenter at 435-649-3991.  If you would like to help the National Ability Center with a donation to help its programs, contact Scott Lyttle at 435-200-0983.  Much more information is available at the NAC’s website www.discovernac.org.

Investing in the Local Community

by Senator Ross Romero
District 7

Earlier this summer I was contacted by the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Valley asking me if I had time to visit the Clubs and find out what they were doing to help our community’s youth.  The Boys and Girls Clubs offer after-school programs addressing educational achievement, career exploration, drug and alcohol avoidance, health and fitness, gang and violence prevention, cultural exploration, leadership development and community service.  I was very interested to learn the Clubs help over 11,000 youth each year.

I was pleased to learn youth who participate in Boys and Girls Clubs programs statistically have a 15% higher overall GPA, a 90% high school graduation rate, and 26% are likely to earn a college degree.  I was informed during my visit that it takes $454 for a child to participate in Boys and Girls Clubs programs for a year (”454 Club”).  In contrast, it takes $82,402 per year for a child to be admitted to a full time juvenile detention facility.

Last week, I was invited to the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Valley “Thank You and Get Acquainted Dinner” for the “454 Club.”  It was a great event, which again highlighted the wonderful work being done at the Boys and Girls Clubs.  The guest speaker was Dan E. Jones (our very own Senator Patricia Jones’ husband).

Needless to say, my wife and I are now sponsoring a Club member and wanted to make sure others knew about this great community organization and the work it is doing.  If you would like more information about the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Valley or about the 454 Club, please contact Toni Geddes, Director of Development at 801-284-4248 or t-geddes@hotmail.com.

Aerial View of Capitol

I snapped this great aerial photo of the Capitol Complex from my son’s airplane last month. -Janeen-

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What to do with those “extra” tickets this summer…

by Senator Ross Romero
District 7

During the last Legislative Session, I and Senator Hickman were asked to speak to a gathering of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Utah (BBBSU) who were enjoying a field trip at the Utah State Capitol. Senator Hickman and I shared with the group how we became involved in public service, some of our goals, and why we thought service was important. During this brief interaction with the group, I was impressed with how committed the Bigs were to their Littles and the bonds that were developed through these relationships. I saw first hand how important this mentoring relationship is in helping the youth in our community have a role model to look up to. Some important information about the Littles includes:

82% of children served in Utah are from families without two parents (single, parent, grandparent, or other guardian-led homes).

82% are from low-income homes.

52% are minorities.

BBBSU will provide Bigs to almost 1,700 children in need throughout the state of Utah.

A recent study conducted by a national research firm Public/Private Ventures (P/PV) examined the impact of the BBBSU program on youth and found that when compared to their peers, Little Brothers and Little Sisters who met with their Big Brothers or Sisters for at least one year were:

46% less likely to start using drugs.

27% less likely to start drinking.

33% less likely to act violently.

52% less likely to skip a day of school, and earned higher grades.

Recently I learned I was the highest bidder of four 10th-row tickets to the sold out Stadium of Fire 4th of July Concert with Miley Cyrus. As much as I like the idea of going to the show to heckle Glenn Beck (the host of the event), I thought some Littles might appreciate the concert opportunity more than myself. I therefore contacted BBBSU and have donated the four tickets so some Littles might see their “superstar” peer. I hope this donation idea might catch on with others who have tickets this summer which conflict with travel plans and which might therefore be donated to BBBSU.

If you have any interest in learning more about BBBSU, please review their website at: www.bbbsu.org. If you have “extra” tickets of your own you would like to donate this summer, please contact Kim Sharples at 801-313-0303, Ext. 135, or if you’d like to make another kind of donation, please contact Merridith Ferne at 801-313-0303 Ext. 124 or email her at merridith.ferne@bbbs.org.

Election Day Today

November 6, 2007 - Election Day

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!

Mystery Solved

Two weeks ago, a Mystery Photo was posted on this blog. When, Where, How?

On August 10, 2005, a trailer truck owned by R&R Trucking, Inc., hauling 35,500 pounds of explosives rolled and exploded between the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon and the intersection of Highway 89, creating a large crater 70 feet wide and 30 feet deep. The incident sent 20 people to the hospital.

The driver was on his way from Ensign-Bickford Company in Spanish Fork to Oklahoma when the truck tipped on its right side and was torn open. Three minutes after the wreck, the explosives blew. The driver was going too fast. The road reopened two days later–way to go UDOT. (info obtained from The Tribune)

Utah tops the list!

Slated to “kick off” the third week of every September and run throughout the school year, the America’s Legislators Back to School Program gives elected officials in all 50 states the opportunity to meet personally with their young constituents and to answer questions, share ideas, listen to concerns and impart a greater understanding of the legislative processes necessary for developing effective public policy and engaged citizens.

UTAH TOPS THE LIST WITH 81% OF LEGISLATORS VISITING SCHOOLS IN THEIR DISTRICTS DURING 2005-2006. Click here to view the top ten states.

Congratulations to our 104 legislators and to Shelley Day in the Office of Legislative Research & General Counsel who coordinates the program for the Utah Legislature.

Sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures, the program is designed to teach young people–the nation’s future voters and leaders–what it’s like to be a state legislator: the processes, the pressures, and the debate, negotiation and compromise that are the very fabric of representative democracy. The program is emphasized as a bipartisan event. Legislators of both political parties are urged to participate in this national event and help bring civics to life for young people.

Mystery Photo…

What happened? Can you identify when, where and how???

New photos in the Gallery….

New photos posted today in the Photo Gallery. Roll your mouse over the picture for an explanation; click the pic for an enlarged view.