Gov. Olene Walker hosted a delegation from Russia at the State Capitol today to review plans for the Moscow Utah Youth Games. More than 400 young athletes from Moscow and Utah will compete in the Games at Olympic venues Jan. 30 through Feb. 6, 2004.

"The Moscow Games provide a unique opportunity for these young athletes to further develop in their individual sports," said Walker. "My hope is that lifelong personal friendships will develop among the athletes, coaches, spectators and officials."

Former Gov. Mike Leavitt and Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov first conceived of the Games during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. The Youth Games are designed to foster a favorable environment for economic cooperation and to generate exchanges in the fields of sport, culture, youth programs and the arts.

"Not only will the Games create an opportunity to build cultural ties, they will also allow us to foster economic relations that have the potential to strengthen the economies of Utah and Moscow."

Athletes will compete in alpine and cross country skiing, curling, figure skating (demonstration only), freestyle skiing, hockey, ski jumping, long and short-track speed skating, tennis and volleyball. Many of the athletes will be competing at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games venues.

"This is a terrific opportunity to continue our Olympic legacy by hosting a friendly and spirited competition among our young athletes from Moscow and Utah," said Utah Sports Commission President Jeff Robbins.

The Summer Games, held in Moscow July 18-27, 2003, were highly successful, and Robbins believes Utah spectators and visitors will enjoy the excitement of the Winter Games.

The Games are a community-sponsored event.

Michael Cunningham, CEO of Springville-based Neways International, community contributor to the Games, said, "As an international company, we know how important it is to encourage the exchange of ideas and cultures, and sporting events like the Moscow-Utah Games provide a wonderful opportunity for this to happen."

The Russian delegation will spend the remainder of its stay visiting venues and planning the Games.

1:16:36 PM    

Ten volunteer naturalists are needed to help conduct education programs at the new Learning Center at the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area. The programs will be conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Farmington Bay WMA is located on the west side of Farmington city.

"These positions offer people a great opportunity to share their love of nature with fourth grade classes that come to the refuge," said Phil Douglass, Northern Region conservation outreach manager for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "Local businesses, charitable foundations, the Davis School District and some Great Salt Lake industries have contributed to create the Learning Center and equip it with quality educational materials."

Those interested in volunteering should contact Jodie Anderson, DWR Northern Region volunteer coordinator, at (801) 791-8589 before Dec. 15.

Education experience is preferred, but not required. Training and equipment will be provided for those selected for the positions.

8:21:50 AM    

Gov. Olene Walker on Friday announced her first official appointments to state boards and commissions, including naming members to the Olene Walker Housing Trust Fund Board. Walker selected four new members to serve on the board: Jerry Washburn, Mayor of Orem City; Craig Hackett, Bonneville Mortgage Company; and George Dimas and David Luna to represent the general public. Reappointed to the board are Jeff Bennion and Marty Henrie representing the mortgage lending community; Kimi Kier Noar representing home builders; and Claudia O'Grady representing rental housing.

"I am keenly aware of the impact appointed citizens have in shaping public policy," Walker said. "I am confident these individuals will serve the state well in their respective positions, and I appreciate their commitment to public service."

The Olene Walker Housing Trust Fund is so named to recognize the longtime advocacy for affordable housing Walker demonstrates. Her commitment in this area continues with the Walker Work Plan, which will improve Utah communities, today and tomorrow.

The fund includes state and federal dollars that assist in the construction, rehabilitation and purchase of multi-family and single family housing throughout the state. Utahns served by the fund include those with low incomes, first time home buyers and residents with special needs such as the elderly, the mentally and physically disabled, victims of domestic abuse, and Native Americans.

The fund is governed by an 11 member board. The board includes representatives of local government, mortgage and real estate industries, home builders and developers, rental housing and the general public.

Appointments made by the governor to other state boards and commissions are outlined below.

APPOINTMENTS TO STATE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Governor Olene S. Walker - November 2003

ASIAN ADVISORY COUNCIL

• appoint Kheng P. Ty, SLC, from Cambodian community
• appoint Maung Maung, Centerville, from Burmese community
• appoint Needra Nanyakkara, SLC, from Sri Lankan community
• appoint Kiyong (Young) Kim, Sandy, from Korean community
• appoint C.C. Patel, Sandy, from East Indian community
• appoint Murari Man Pradhan, SLC, from Nepalese community

COMMISSION ON CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE JUSTICE

• appoint Freddie Cooper, SLC, public education representative

CONSTITUTIONAL DEFENSE COUNCIL

• appoint Jim Rasband, Provo, citizen member

INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

• reappoint Tim Floyd, St. George, parent of a child with disabilities
• reappoint Barbara Jean Fiechtl, Logan, personnel preparation expert
• appoint Cheryl Alexander, SLC, agency representative
• appoint Connie Nink, SLC, agency representative
• appoint Debbie Justice, St. George, provider representative
• appoint Nancy Murphy, SLC, provider representative
• appoint Mark Valentine, Sandy, provider representative
• appoint Calvin Bird, Springville, state legislator

LIVESTOCK BRAND BOARD

• reappoint Dean King, Green River, recommended by Cattlemen Assn.
• appoint Christopher Hardy, Brigham City, recommended by Dairymen Assn.
• appoint Calvin Yardley, Beaver, recommended by Cattlemen Assn.
• appoint Darrell Kunzler, Benson, recommended by Cattlemen Assn.

UTAH BOARD OF JUVENILE JUSTICE

• appoint Adam Cohen, SLC, youth position
• appoint Paul Tsosie, SLC, to general public position

UTAH STATE HISTORICAL RECORDS ADVISORY BOARD

• reappoint Carol Spackman Moss, SLC
• reappoint Ann Buttars, Logan

WORKFORCE APPEALS BOARD

• appoint Tom Forsgren, SLC, employer representative

7:31:40 AM