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03-26-21: STOPPING HATE; WATER CONSERVATION; RAIN BARRELS; CANYON TRANSPORTATION, etc. View this email in your browser From the Harvard Gazette, The Scapegoating of Asian Americans Announcements PUBLIC MEETINGS East Mill Creek Community Council Thurs., 4/1/21, 6:30 pm Join virtually HERE NEWS We All Have a Role in Stopping Hate An Urgent Message from Mayor Silvestrini Yesterday, at a business in Canyon Rim here in Millcreek, two young persons of Asian descent were publicly accosted with racial slurs. I can’t begin to express how disappointing and unacceptable this behavior is, and that it happened right here in our own community. Within the last week, following a mass shooting in which Asian American citizens were killed, there has been a surge in hate-speech and violence ---PAGE BREAK--- directed against people of Asian descent generally. This unfortunate state of affairs has been exacerbated by those who have attributed the COVID pandemic to China, and somehow decided to deride all Asians throughout the world as collectively responsible. We must reject this hate and violence. Our Millcreek family includes members of all kinds of different national origins, including those of Asian descent. Our community is stronger because of its diversity. We work hard to appreciate and celebrate this and to make all feel welcome in our city. We must all speak out and act to stop this type of hate. How do we do that? In Speak Up At School: How to Respond to Everyday Prejudice, Bias and Stereotypes (made for educators but helpful to anyone), the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) suggests that simple questions are a good way to interrupt everyday bigotry. "What point are you trying to make by saying that?" "Why would you say something like that?" "Did you mean to say something hurtful when you said that?" The important thing is to say something. As a middle-school teacher quoted in the SPLC publication noted, "Put yourself out there, and you will make a difference." Some suggested strategies to improve our own potentially implicit biases include: Recognizing stereotypic responses within oneself and society, labeling them, and replacing them with non-stereotypic responses Viewing others according to their personal, rather than stereotypic, characteristics Adopting a first-person perspective of a member of a stereotyped group Long-Term Reduction in Implicit Race Bias: a prejudice habit-breaking intervention, fig.1; Journal of Experimental Social Vol. 48 Issue 6, November 2012. Our Millcreek Promise Program seeks to help those who can use a hand and to build community, bridge divides, and lift all boats by engaging people of different backgrounds, working together for the good of us all. I refuse to see our good work undermined by racial hatred in our city. ---PAGE BREAK--- No one in Millcreek should live in fear or be subject to hateful intimidation because of their race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender orientation or identity. We are better than what happened yesterday in Millcreek. Jeff Silvestrini, Millcreek Mayor Think Seriously About Water Conservation MILLCREEK. As spring is upon us, we haven’t had to pull out our snow blowers or snow shovels too many times over the last few winter months. Maybe that was good for our aching backs, but it is not so good for our water outlook. According to the Utah Division of Water Resources,100% of Utah is in a drought and this winter’s snowpack hasn’t provided enough to offset the record dry conditions that we saw last summer and fall. On top of that, current soil moisture is at an all-time low and these dry soils will soak up moisture and reduce runoff that typically fills reservoirs, lakes and streams. Last week, Governor Cox issued a Drought Executive Order declaring a state of emergency due to drought conditions. This week, Salt Lake City Mayor ---PAGE BREAK--- Mendenhall declared a Stage 1 Advisory of Salt Lake City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan. Because most Millcreek residents are provided water by Salt Lake City Public Utilities, this declaration impacts us. A Stage 1 Advisory is educational and is meant to provide residents with best conservation practices to stretch the water supply when the high-demand season begins. A more restrictive stage of the plan may be imposed later. Here are some recommendations from Salt Lake City on how you can help: Sign up for a free water check from a Utah State University Extension. This will help you determine efficient watering levels for your lawn and landscapes. Adjust automatic sprinkler controllers to reflect the season and weather, including shutting off during rainstorms. Check sprinkler systems for broken or misaligned spray heads. Check indoor faucets and fixtures for leaks and repair Find helpful tips here. Take advantage of Salt Lake City’s water-saving tips for a water-wise landscape and garden. Read the Salt Lake City Water Shortage Contingency Plan for complete information on the five stages addressing water shortage and drought. Purchase a Rain Barrel and Harvest the Rain To Water Your Garden MILLCREEK. Millcreek residents can pre-purchase rain barrels for a greatly subsidized price of just $50, while supplies last. Rain barrels are also available ---PAGE BREAK--- for just $75 for residents outside Millcreek.. Both prices are still a significant discount from the rain barrel’s $129 retail price. Residents can pre-purchase discounted rain barrels now on the Utah Rivers Council website. “Our residents in Millcreek eagerly await the annual program with many returning to purchase their second or even third barrel,” said Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini. “Harvesting rainwater is a good way for us to better conserve water, especially during this historic drought. Collecting rain, using it and not letting it become storm water also reduces demand on our system. I encourage everyone to do what they can to reduce water usage. Setting up a rain barrel is a great way to start.” After the barrels are pre-purchased online, residents can pick up their rain barrels on Saturday, May 1st, at Millcreek City Hall. Volunteers will be on hand to teach participants about the importance of rainwater harvesting and other water conservation strategies that individuals can take during this state of emergency. “It takes each and every one of us to do our part in conserving water. Harvesting rainwater is one of the easiest ways to reduce outdoor water use and is an important step towards managing our water supply for future generations,” said Jon Carter, Campaign Director of Utah Rivers Council. For more information call (801) 699-1856. GOT AN IDEA FOR A PROJECT TO IMPROVE CANYON TRANSPORTATION? The Central Wasatch Commission has announced the launch of the 2021 Call for Ideas for projects to be implemented in Millcreek Canyon, Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, and the Wasatch Back. Purchase Your Rain Barrel HERE ---PAGE BREAK--- This Call for Ideas is specifically focused on projects that would improve canyon transportation or transit, protect the ecosystems or watershed originating in the project area, steward year-round recreation, and sustain the economic viability of the Wasatch Canyons. Idea submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis, but priority will be given to those submitted by Wednesday, April 12th 2021. 2021 Tier II Application Deadline: Friday, May 28 at 5pm SALT LAKE COUNTY. The Zoo, Arts and Parks (ZAP) Tier II category provides funding for diverse arts, cultural, and botanical organizations not funded in Tier I, including the local arts and cultural councils in Salt Lake County. These organizations are instrumental in providing affordable access to arts and cultural opportunities in the community. Budgets range from the thousands to millions; management ranges from volunteers to paid staff; and they represent all areas of the County. Whether you prefer to be in the audience or the limelight, these organizations have something for everyone. All Tier II-funded organizations have programs available to all Salt Lake County residents and visitors. Learn more and submit an idea HERE Apply Here ---PAGE BREAK--- Register HERE ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- Spring Cleaning Time in the Garden Done Right! MILLCREEK. Our partners at the Wasatch Front Waste & Recycling District have started the weekly green waste collection pick-ups. As you start your outdoor spring cleaning, collect and correctly dispose of the leaves and debris that blew in over the winter. Use your green can (no plastic bags please) or mulch the material into your garden. Do not blow or rake anything out into the street or gutter. Gutters empty into storm drains and storm drains empty into the streams that we all love. Additionally, plugged storm drains can cause flooding. Remember, we all live It's Orange Cone Season Slow Down in Construction Zones Watch for Construction Workers Choose an Alternate Route if Possible ROAD CONSTRUCTION ALERTS If You Do Not Already Have a Green Waste Can, Order Yours HERE ---PAGE BREAK--- 700 East from Empire to Red Maple - Sidewalk Installation underway 1300 East from Elgin to Miller - Utility work underway, 1300 E will be partially closed 3900 South from 700 East to 700 West - Road overlay work, partial road closures 3900 South from Wasatch Blvd to 2300 East - Ongoing roadway improvements, partial road closures Millcreek is working to improve our transportation infrastructure. Click here to view current, upcoming and completed projects in Millcreek from 2018 to present. It's here. It's effective. It's free. It's available to everyone over the age of 16. This is our shot to get back to normal, let's take it. HOW IS COVID IMPACTING MILLCREEK? Case Counts through yesterday (3/25/21)*: Millcreek (surrounding cities) cumulative and current cases by zip code: 84106: 3,365 total cases (72 current cases) 84107: 4,150 total cases (48 current cases) Find Out Where You Can Get Your Shot HERE ---PAGE BREAK--- 84109: 2,474 total cases (36 current cases) 84117: 2,514 total cases (31 current cases) 84123: 4,580 total cases (63 current cases) 84124: 2,144 total cases (26 current cases) TOTAL: 19,277 (increase of 153 since 3/18/21, our last reported data). * The County's information is updated Monday through Saturday, supposedly at 2 PM. Join the Millcreek team! Promise Program Manager ---PAGE BREAK--- Meetings with the Mayor Fridays from 2-4pm have been set aside for citizens to meet with Mayor Silvestrini (virtually only for the time being). Please call [PHONE REDACTED] to schedule a slot. VISIT us at Click here to subscribe to this weekly newsletter Copyright © 2021 Millcreek, All rights reserved. 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