The Magna Voice

Top Ten Reasons to Incorporate Magna

2008-07-15T21:19:00.006-06:00

10. The County is too big, slow and far away to effectively govern our growing community.

9. As a city we can make it easier for small business owners to get started. Salt Lake County is too bureaucratic to approve new business licenses. Many business owners get frustrated and are never able to get going, which is why Magna has such a small tax base.

8. We can preserve our community heritage, and proud history.

7. West Valley won't be able to take over.

6. Magna residents will be able to have more control over new developments in Magna. No more tiny lots, and more open space.

5. We can have a mayor and council serving only Magna that residents can go to if they have a problem with their community or government.

4. City government will be more responsive than the County since it would be local and smaller.

3. It will allow Magna to control its own destiny and not be controlled by others.

2. Incorporating is the only sure way to ensure parts of Magna are not annexed by neighboring cities. It will also give us a better chance to influence future growth on the West Bench.

1. Taxes, Taxes, Taxes!!! Whether we are part of the County, West Valley, or on our own, one thing is sure, taxes will go up; at least as a city we will have the most direct control over tax rates. If a more businesses are allowed to open that would reduce residents share of the the tax burden. Kennecott may be willing to add its property to the new cities boundaries which would make incorporation even more feasible.

County sabotoges Magna Businesses

2008-07-06T23:11:00.000-06:00

July 4th is a day of celebration in Magna. But for the owners of Abby's Mounts of Memories and Divine Solutions, this Independence Day was more of a reminder of the frustration brought on by bureaucracy at Salt Lake County.

For Dvine Solutions months have gone by waiting for approval from Salt Lake County to open an all-natural deli, and herbal products store. Meanwhile the owners have to pay rent, but can not legal open up for business.

At Abby's Mounts of Memories, a grand opening was intended to take place before the Forth, but they are also waiting on the County. Hopefully the Mount's will be able to actually open the store, before their time and money runs out.

Tell the Legislature what you think

2008-03-20T16:41:00.004-06:00

A survey will be distributed in the next few weeks asking residents if they would like to become a city, stay the same, or join another city. A Town Hall meeting is scheduled for Monday March 24th at 6:00 in the Magna Rec Center.

Magna has not had that low of a tax rate in the past, most cities in the county pay a lower property tax rate than Magna. The county has provided good service, but is slow to react to the needs of Magna. If any existing townships incorporate or annex into another city, taxes for Magna will probably go up. If West Valley annexes Magna the tax rate will go up. So expect a tax increase regardless of what happens.

If taxes will be going up no matter what the survey reveals, then the main issue may be about control. Do Magna residents want the County calling the shots... when they happen to get around to it? Do Magna residents want to be part of West Valley? Are the benefits of local control and preserving a community identity enough to motivate Magna residents to incorporate. Will Magna residents just sit back and do nothing?

The consequences associated with all these options are great. This survey is so important and may very well determine the fate of Magna.

Make sure you complete your survey when it comes!

If you would like more information on the survey click on the link below.

Oil Changes changes their mind

2008-03-10T22:05:00.004-06:00

After being threatened with a $200 a day fine from Salt Lake County Code Enforcement, Oil Changes Etc on Magna Main Street cleaned up a home they had been using as a junkyard. Thank you Mr. Sweaney for having some respect for the community and your neighbors.

BEFORE

AFTER

Magna Museum making progress

2008-03-10T21:49:00.001-06:00

The Salt Lake Tribune did a story on the Magna Mining Museum. Chick Paris was the primary source for the story.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_8518429

Shovel some snow

2008-01-22T22:37:00.000-07:00

While Cottonwood Heights residents are dealing with a fanatic one hour snow removal ordinance, Magna is forgotten as usual.
Salt Lake County actually has a similar ordinance, but it is not enforced at all in Magna:

14.32.100 Snow removal--Required.

It is unlawful for the owner, occupant, lessor or agent of property abutting on a paved sidewalk to fail to remove or cause to be removed from such paved sidewalk and any existing curb ramp all hail, snow or sleet falling thereon, within one hour after the hail, snow or sleet has ceased falling, provided that in case of a storm between the hours of five p.m. in the afternoon and six a.m. in the morning, the sidewalk and any existing curb ramp shall be cleaned before eight a.m. the morning following the storm. (Ord. 1265 § 18, 1994: prior code § 10-12-8)

So as usual Salt Lake County could care less about Magna, and worst of all many property owners could care less about their community. After spending millions of dollars to update Historic Magna Main Street, Salt Lake County does little to maintain their investment, and many businesses on Main Street fail to take advantage of the nice new pavement, and leave it buried in ice instead. Plus many property owners on Main Street are absentee landlords and haven't even seen their skating rink for sidewalks in months.

Lets do better Magna! Take pride in your town, and have consideration for the people that use the sidewalks.

Get out and shovel!

At least the robbers are friendly

2008-01-16T19:49:00.000-07:00

Police in Magna, Utah, are on the lookout for two men who allegedly stole beer from a grocery store after trying to pay for it and being rejected.

Deputies said the two men walked into the Smith's store picked up some beer and asked the clerk if they could buy it.

Since it was after 1 a.m., they were refused, Salt Lake City's KUTV reported Monday.

The suspects then allegedly also asked if they could steal some beer, to which the clerk replied yes, but Jesus is watching.

Investigators say the suspects showed a pistol, then took the beer and left $9 on the counter and could now face armed robbery charges if caught.

Dadnapped delayed

2008-01-15T17:08:00.000-07:00

Dadnapped, a Disney Movie filmed on Magna Main Street, has apparently been put on hold as a result of the writers strike.

Too bad, can't wait to see how Main Street looks on TV.

http://blog.celebsnapshot.com/2008/01/13/omg-disney-hals-production-on-high-school-musical-3--cyrus--jonas-brothers--more.aspx

Oil Changes Etc, hates Magna

2008-01-05T09:51:00.000-07:00

Here is an example of a lack of respect for Magna by a member of the community, and a lack attention from Salt Lake County.

Donny Sweaney, owner of Oil Changes Etc. is in open defiance of County code enforcement, after numerous complaints from town residents. After Mr. Sweaney purchased this home early last year he promptly turned it into a junk yard, to match the junk yard he runs across the street under the guise of an oil change business. Sweaney has ignored citations from the county, and the junk just keeps piling up.

It is a sad sight to see.

Latest plans for Magna still show park and golf course removed

2007-12-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

The University of Utah just released a study on the planned West Bench development that, for the most part, contains little new information, but provides secondary support to Kennecott Land and Salt Lake County's projections. Still included in the latest "plan" is residential housing being built where the Copper Park and Golf Course are currently located. The map used in the plan looks to be the same one used in the current West Bench draft plan. It doesn't look like anyone at Kennecott is concerned that Magna's largest community gathering place will be replaced with homes in four different shades of tan.

http://www.bebr.utah.edu/Documents/uebr/UEBR2007/UEBR2007No3.pdf

Magna Christmas Parade Canceled

2007-12-03T20:37:00.000-07:00

The annual Magna Christmas Parade was canceled this year, not because of the supposed "War on Christmas", but due to inclement weather conditions.

I guess we will have to wait till Independence Day to see a Parade on Historic Magna Main Street.

Kennecott planning to bulldozer Copper Park and Golf Course

2007-11-17T21:23:00.001-07:00

If you take a look at the West Bench master plan, you can see that Kennecott has its eyes on Magna's real estate. On the plan the area where Copper Park and the Copper Club Golf Course currently are is designated as a rediential neighborhood. So basically Kennecott is going to get rid of Magna's community center and replace it with more homes. Thank you Kennecott!

Link to West Bench General Plan:

http://www.pwpds.slco.org/zoning/html/GeneralPlans/wbplan.htm

Magna truly is great!

2007-07-29T12:58:00.000-06:00

Magna means "great" in Latin, and I thoroughly believe Magna is great. I hope to show how great a place Magna is and correct any misconceptions that may be propagated about Magna.

If you don't like Magna, thats your loss. If you live in Magna, wake up!

Magna needs concerned and active residents to take an interest in their community, and work hard to improve on and add to the many wonderful things Magna has to offer.