Nettech News: septiembre 2020

miércoles, 30 de septiembre de 2020

Letter: Churches should take a stand on religious tests

FILE - In this May 10, 2017, file photo, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. | Associated Press

Now that President Donald Trump has nominated Amy Coney Barrett to fill the vacancy created by the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, should not be permitted to be one of the questioners at any potential confirmation hearing for Barrett. In 2017, Feinstein raged against Barrett at her federal judgeship confirmation hearing, badgering her about her deeply held Catholic faith — declaring that in her opinion, certain of Barrett’s earlier rulings reflected insertion of her Catholic dogma and doctrinal teachings.

Article VI, section 3 of the U.S. Constitution states, “but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” Feinstein violated that rule and should have been censured. Mitt Romney’s religion was also used against him in his presidential candidacy.

Should not religious leaders take a position demanding that a nominee’s religion is a matter of public record but not of consideration for public office? They don’t have to like or support Trump or his push for filling the vacancy, but they must respect the Constitution which gave them the freedom to practice their faith.

James Oshust

Millcreek

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/34czoCX

Letter: Churches should take a stand on religious tests

FILE - In this May 10, 2017, file photo, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. | Associated Press

James Oshust

Millcreek

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/34czoCX

‘Star Wars’ legend Mark Hamill absolutely roasted the presidential debate with one tweet

This file image released by Lucasfilm shows Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” After two consecutive record-breaking years at the domestic box office, 2017 was the year the momentum slowed, even with the late adrenaline boost of

This file image released by Lucasfilm shows Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” | John Wilson, Lucasfilm

Mark Hamill compared the first presidential debate to a ‘Star Wars’ film.

“Star Wars” legend Mark Hamill absolutely roasted the first presidential debates, comparing it to a “Star Wars” event that hasn’t really been liked by fans.

Hamill said: “That debate was the worst thing I’ve ever seen & I was in The Star Wars Holiday Special.”

Ouf.

That debate was the worst thing I've ever seen & I was in The Star Wars Holiday Special.
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) September 30, 2020

What is ‘The Star Wars Holiday Special’ exactly?

For those unaware, “Star Wars Holiday Special” was a special short-film released in 1978 in which “Star Wars” characters joined together to celebrate Life Day — the Christmas-like holiday in the “Star Wars” universe.

It isn’t something that’s been liked by fans since it’s so ... out there.

“It’s been more than three decades, but, even now, its legacy lingers, much like the stench of something hard-boiled that was overlooked in an Easter Egg hunt and not discovered until July,” wrote Jim Bennett for the Deseret News back in 2012.

Bennett further explains the slow drip of a sow:

“Sure, it started out fine — Han and Chewie were on the Millennium Falcon, with Han promising to fly Chewie home to celebrate the Christmas-like “Life Day,” even if they had to make their way past the entire Imperial Fleet to do it. Wow! Action, adventure and derring-do! All of which the audience never got to see, because the story then cuts to Chewbacca’s home planet, where his father Itchy — probably short for “Itchbacca” — his mom Malla and his baby brother Lumpy — Lumpbacca? — are all waiting for him. And that constitutes the entirety of the special. We get to watch the Wookiees wait.”

A new holiday special?

“Star Wars” will have a new “The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special” in 2020. It will debut on Disney Plus.

“Star Wars” legends Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron will return to celebrate Life Day. It will take place after “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.” Rey and BB-8 will visit a Jedi Temple in the special. The temple will send the character through time to interact with previous characters from the “Star Wars” universe, including Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda and more, Disney Plus said in a release.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/2GopXIB

Logan massage therapist faces additional criminal charges

Adobe Stock image

LOGAN — A Logan massage therapist accused of inappropriately touching women in five other cases now faces additional criminal charges.

Freddy Anthony Perales, 58, was charged in 1st District Court Wednesday with object rape, a first-degree felony, and forcible sex abuse, a second-degree felony. The victim in that case was abused in 2015, according to court records.

Since June, Perales has been charged in multiple cases of inappropriately touching women under the guise of giving them a massage, according to charging documents.

In total, he is now charged with five counts of object rape, a first-degree felony, and nine counts of forcible sex abuse, a second-degree felony.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/3n7jZwj

Disney Plus released a first look at its newest Marvel series

This image released by Marvel Studios shows the Hulk, from left, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie and Tom Hiddleston as Loki in a scene from “Thor: Ragnarok.”

The Hulk, left, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie and Tom Hiddleston as Loki in a scene from “Thor: Ragnarok.” | Marvel Studios

“Marvel’s 616’ will be an original documentary series about the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Disney Plus released the first trailer and information about the upcoming original documentary series “Marvel’s 616” — an anthology series that will show fans the creative thinking behind Marvel.

The series debuts on Nov. 20.

You can watch a trailer for the new series below.

Here’s the official description of the show from Disney Plus:

“‘Marvel’s 616’ explores Marvel’s rich legacy of pioneering characters, creators and storytelling to reflect the world outside your window. Each documentary, helmed by a unique filmmaker, showcases the intersections of storytelling, pop culture, and fandom within the Marvel Universe. Episodes in this anthology series will cover topics including Marvel’s world-spanning artists, the trailblazing women of Marvel Comics, discovering the “forgotten” characters of Marvel, and much more.”

Here’s the full list of episode titles:

“Japanese Spider-Man,” directed by David Gelb.
“Higher Further Faster,” directed by Gillian Jacobs.
“Amazing Artisans,” directed by Clay Jeter.
“Lost and Found,” directed by Paul Scheer.
“Suit Up!” directed by Andrew Rossi.
“Unboxed,” directed by Sarah Ramos.
“The Marvel Method,” directed by Brian Oakes.
“Marvel Spotlight,” directed by Alison Brie.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/30DgVif

More Utah firefighters headed to California

Park City firefighters look over equipment as 39 firefighters from various Utah agencies meet at the Maverik Center in West Valley City on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, before deploying to California to fight fires. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

WEST VALLEY CITY — Nearly 40 Utah firefighters are headed to California to help with the destructive wildfires in that state.

The group gathered at the Maverik Center in West Valley City Wednesday morning before leaving for their deployment. Once they arrive in California, they will receive their field assignments, according to a statement from Utah firefighters. They will be gone for up to 16 days.

The group is divided into two task forces that are comprised of firefighters from multiple departments, including Wasatch County, Cedar Mountain, Layton, Murray, Weber Fire District, Lone Peak, Bluffdale, Salt Lake City and Park City.

Three other Utah task forces sent to California and Oregon under the same mutual aid agreement returned last week.

California’s record-breaking wildfire season has burned more acres in 2020 than any other year in history.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/3n4tDzP

More Utah firefighters headed to California

WEST VALLEY CITY — Nearly 40 Utah firefighters are headed to California to help with the destructive wildfires in that state.

Three other Utah task forces sent to California and Oregon under the same mutual aid agreement returned last week.

California’s record-breaking wildfire season has burned more acres in 2020 than any other year in history.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/3n4tDzP

Computer programmer arrested in child porn investigation

Michael Rex Sandberg, 26, of Saratoga Springs | Utah County Jail

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A computer programmer in Utah County has been arrested for investigation of possessing child pornography.

Michael Rex Sandberg, 26, of Saratoga Springs, was booked into the Utah County Jail on Tuesday for investigation of 20 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

The investigation began Aug, 31 when an investigator with the Internet Crimes Against Children task force discovered several files of suspected child pornography were being distributed over a peer-to-peer program.

The task force served a search warrant on Sandberg’s residence on Tuesday, including his basement bedroom, according to a police affidavit.

“Sandberg explained that he is well versed with computers in that he works as a freelance software programmer,” according to the affidavit. “On-scene forensics showed thousands of files of child pornography on Sandberg’s computer located in his bedroom.”

The images were of girls between the ages of 2 and 8, the affidavit states. In addition, agents found a “manikin-doll that appears to be a young female child” in the man’s bedroom, the affidavit states.

The task force has requested Sandberg be held without bail or a very high bail.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/34atZwd

Lori Loughlin’s prison includes yoga, abs class and pilates

In this Aug. 27, 2019, file photo, Lori Loughlin departs federal court in Boston with her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, left, after a hearing in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal

Lori Loughlin departs federal court in Boston with her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, left, after a hearing in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal on Aug. 27, 2019. | Philip Marcelo, Associated Press

Loughlin will have to surrender to the facility on Nov. 19 by 2 p.m.

Lori Loughlin received the opportunity to pick which prison in which she wanted to serve her sentence for the college admissions scandal — and it’s a place that offers coffee breaks, yoga and pilates.

What’s going on?

In early September, Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton reportedly signed off on Loughlin’s prison request, saying it would “be designated to a facility closest to her home in (California), preferably the camp at FCI Victorville, if commensurate with the appropriate security level.”

Loughlin will have to surrender to the facility on Nov. 19 by 2 p.m., according to Us Weekly magazine.

Loughlin and and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, were accused of paying $500,000 in bribes so that their daughters, Olivia Jade and Isabella Rose Giannulli, could be crew recruits for the University of Southern California. They pleaded not guilty for almost a year before switching their plea. Loughlin was sentenced to two months for her role in the scandal.

So what does Victorville have?

Victorville — Loughlin’s chosen prison — has about 300 inmates total, according to Us Weekly.

The FCC Victorville handbook reveals that the prison camp includes a number of recreation programs that offer peaceful vibes. In fact, such activities include:

Pilates.
Stretching.
Abs class.
Cross training.
Yoga.
Crochet.
Ukulele.
Song writing.
Jump rope
Calligraphy
beading

The prison also offers specific “coffee hours,” along with brunch, on Saturday and Sunday.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/2SaFdvh

Whatever happened to Pac-12 player demands? Did love of game trump desire for change?

FILE: In this Oct. 10, 2015, file photo, a PAC-12 logo is displayed on the field before an NCAA college football game between Washington State and Oregon in Eugene, Ore. | Ryan Kang, Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY — So the Pac-12 is going to play football this fall after all. The league finally joined the other four Power Five conferences in playing a season because it was safer (insert big eye roll here) and because they were being shown up and left behind by rival conferences.

The Pac-12 will play seven games, beginning Nov. 6. Apparently, the league believes it’s better late than never, but November?! The Pac-12 ...

Wait, stop everything. Timeout. Aren’t they forgetting something? Has everybody suffered collective amnesia? Aren’t they forgetting all those demands that the players issued about two months ago?

Yes, they are, and thanks for reminding us.

Remember in early August, when Pac-12 players — using the hashtag #WeAreUnited — threw down the gauntlet and said working conditions had to change or else? They were Norma Rae and Cesar Chavez with shoulder pads. The Pac-12 players drew a line in the synthetic turf and issued a long list of grievances that had to be met or they would “opt out” of practices and games. Days later, Big Ten players issued their own list of demands, mostly related to COVID-19 protocols, but said nothing about opting out of the season.

About a week later, the Pac-12 (and the Big Ten) canceled the season, so none of the above much mattered. Then in September the Pac-12 (and the Big Ten) resurrected their seasons but there was not a word about those demands. So essentially the dialogue went something like this:

Pac-12 players in August: We won’t play unless our demands are met and that is final.

Pac-12 response: OK, we’ll look into it and support reform for NCAA rules. Thanks for your feedback.

Pac-12 in September: We’re going to play ball this season.

Players: Great! When do we start?

Nothing has changed. And it’s likely little will change. The #WeAreUnited movement will flop like so many others that have tried to change the NCAA’s antiquated and unfair way of doing business.

The Pac-12 players demanded COVID-19 protections — and they were granted those. Their other demands were given lip service and little more. The players wanted to protect other sports from being cut as a result of the pandemic. They wanted to save those sports by using endowment funds and “drastically” reducing the excessive pay of administrators and coaches and ending lavish expenditures on facilities.

That hasn’t happened — and never will. They overshot their mark there.

They also demanded an “end of racial injustice in college sports and society.” And “economic freedom and equity.” And medical insurance for sports-related medical conditions to cover six years after college athletics eligibility ends. And the right to earn money for use of their name, image and likeness and the ability to complete their athletic eligibility after participating in a pro draft if they are undrafted or decide they want to return to school instead. And the ability to transfer to another school one time without losing eligibility. And half of each sport’s conference revenue to be divided among athletes.

Most of those things are perfectly reasonable and should have been granted a long time ago, and #WeAreUnited had some leverage to make them happen. They had the NCAA and their conferences and schools right where they wanted them: Desperate to play football so they can pay their bills. The athletes could’ve held the conference’s feet to the fire; instead, they put out the fire.

To have enough clout to force change, they had to live up to their hashtag — #WeAreUnited. Almost right from the start, they were not. Only days after issuing their opt-out threat, some players even fled to the #WeWantToPlay group headed by Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Several Pac-12 players said early on that they supported the #WeAreUnited movement but wouldn’t opt out of the season. And when the league said it would end the ban on football this fall and begin play in November, nobody opted out for the cause.

In mid-September, USC players actually wrote an open letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom stating “we want to play.” Arizona players followed with a letter of their own, making the same request.

The weakness of the players’ cause is the same as it has always been. The allure of simply playing the game is too strong to make a stand and back up a threat not to play. Nothing has changed in the way college football does its business.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/3jiS2zz

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martes, 29 de septiembre de 2020

Utah State Prison: Inmate dies after altercation with another prisoner

Razor wire and fencing at the Utah State Prison on Monday, Sept 14, 2020. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

The death isn’t tied to COVID-19 but comes as prison deals with virus outbreak

DRAPER — An inmate at the Utah State Prison has died after state corrections officials say he had some sort of altercation with a fellow prisoner late Monday evening.

The prison did not release the deceased inmate’s name but said in a prepared statement that his family members have been notified of his death.

The confrontation occurred in the state’s Oquirrh Facility at the prison’s Draper site, which holds many of the state’s older offenders.

The inmate death reported Tuesday is not suspected to be related to COVID-19, the prison said.

However, the announcement comes as a coronavirus outbreak at the Draper location has spread since it was identified Sept. 23, with a total of 45 confirmed COVID-19 cases in one wing. Separately, two new inmates tested positive.

The prison said Tuesday on its website that it suspects those who fell sick within its walls contracted the virus from a health care provider who treated several inmates. The medical worker was wearing full personal protective equipment, according to the prison.

The employee was not showing symptoms at the time but tested positive for the virus a short time later.

The prison said each inmate treated by the provider has been tested and is in isolation but did not say how many came into contact with the employee.

The outbreak is the first among the prison’s general population. Until last week, each confirmed case came from new inmates who tested upon arrival and were quarantined for 14 days.

The Draper and Gunnison sites are in “modified lockdown,” restricting where inmates can go within the buildings and where they can recreate.

Mike Haddon, executive director for the Utah Department of Corrections, said the agency worked diligently to prevent the virus from spreading within the prison.

“We are genuinely concerned about the possible transmission of this virus, which is why we are following and exceeding CDC recommendations and working with local health officials to contain any potential outbreak,” he said.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/33bGh8i

No, it isn’t fair, but the Senate should move forward with Amy Coney Barrett

Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett looks over to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. as they meet with on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. | Susan Walsh, Associated Press

We should’ve had a Justice Garland, but two wrongs don’t make a right — so we should have a Justice Barrett, too.

With the announcement over the weekend of Amy Coney Barrett as President Donald Trump’s nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court, the president and his Republican allies in the Senate have angled one step closer to a total 180-degree flip-flop from their 2016 stance. And though it’s unfair to the Democrats who correctly point out the right’s hypocrisy, confirming Barrett as the next associate justice of the Supreme Court is the right thing to do.

Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution states that the president “shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint ... Judges of the supreme Court.” It’s pretty straightforward: It’s the president’s job to nominate justices, and it’s the Senate’s job to advise and give consent to the nominations. Notice the Constitution doesn’t say it’s the next president’s job or the next Senate’s job; it mandates that it’s the responsibility of the current ruling powers.

That responsibility should rightly be taken now in 2020, and it should’ve been taken in 2016. At the time, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell justified the delay of the Senate’s part of the job by claiming “precedent” — a term that doesn’t officially mean much but seems to take on a kind of worshipful reverence whenever politicians start talking about the judiciary — and now both sides are claiming precedent to justify their stances this year. The thing about precedents, though, is that — go figure — they can be bad. And bad ones should be overturned.

McConnell may not have set a bad precedent in 2016, but he did solidify one. And both parties have now at one time or another insisted that voters should have a say, by way of a presidential election, in who gets nominated to the court. Well, they did have a say — nearly four years ago. The American people don’t elect presidents to serve for three years and then sit idle during the fourth; they elect presidents to govern for a full, four-year term — which means that the sitting president should be making decisions right up until Inauguration Day the following year.

And though Republicans’ hypocrisy is on full, blatant display this cycle, Democrats’ hands aren’t any cleaner in the messy battle that Supreme Court nominations have become. The Washington Post’s Megan McArdle explores some of the historical details of the court wars, writing that “everyone has a bad case of strategic amnesia about their own side’s escalations” and “by the time you’re in the 18th round, with everyone intent on punishing the punishment-for-the-punishment, the strategy has not only failed, but also backfired.”

As McArdle observes, it’s difficult to pinpoint when these court wars began or who’s to blame for them. It might be easy to target Republicans due to their current antics, but one needn’t go back any further than the aftermath of the Merrick Garland kerfuffle to see Democrats playing dirty. Rather than voting appropriately to confirm the eminently qualified Neil Gorsuch, Senate Democrats instead filibustered him and then almost unanimously voted against him out of spite. (Consider RBG, liberal icon and Clinton appointee herself, whose nomination was opposed by only three Republicans. When the nominee is as qualified as Ginsburg and Gorsuch and Garland, that’s how these things are supposed to work.)

Barrett, too, is eminently qualified; even her ideological opponents say so. So if Democrats want to rise above the fray, they’ll vote near-unanimously to confirm her — but of course, they’ve given every indication they intend to fight just as dirty as Republicans. Last week, a guest author argued in the Deseret News that a constitutional amendment may be the only way to stop the never-ending court wars. He may be right, but such an amendment should guarantee a Senate vote on a presidential nominee, not prevent it.

By all indications, we should’ve had a Justice Garland, but umpteen wrongs won’t ever make a right — so we should have a Justice Barrett, too. Rather than exacerbating the continuous blame game, it’s past time for Congress to just do its constitutional duty.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/348wVcW

Utah custodian, manager of school cleanliness for decades, wins national award

Layton High School facilities coordinator Rod Southam unpacks portable desk shields at the school in Layton on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. Southam is the winner of the national U.S. Department of Education RISE award, which honors classified school employees who exemplify excellence in work performance, leadership and community involvement. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Amid pandemic, ‘schools are the most clean and germ-free than they ever have been,’ Southam says

LAYTON — Every year, before Layton High School’s 2,080 students return to school, Rod Southam takes a moment to admire the gleaming gym floors, freshly scrubbed desks and spotless windows.

“I just say to myself, ‘Can we keep it looking like this all year long?’”

After decades of working as a school custodian and now facilities coordinator at Layton High School, Southam knows that pristine state won’t last, but not for a lack of trying by the team of custodians he oversees.

It’s their job to keep the 347,569-square-foot school and campus clean and safe — a responsibility that’s gone next-level during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, they’ve been asked to focus on disinfection.

“I think the schools are the most clean and germ-free than they ever have been,” he said Tuesday.

While some people might shun the job because of potential exposure to COVID-19, Southam said school custodians understand they play an integral role in mitigating infection and keeping schools open.

“I would want to be the first in line to protect the kids, that’s for sure,” he said.

Layton High School facilities coordinator Rod Southam stands in the hallway between classes in Layton on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. Southam is the winner of the national U.S. Department of Education RISE award, which honors classified school employees who exemplify excellence in work performance, leadership and community involvement.

It’s because of that degree of dedication and pride in his work that Southam was recently honored with a U.S. Department of Education Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) award, said Jason Lewis, Utah School Employees Association president.

“Rod stood out as being a mover and a shaker at both Layton High School and his community,” Lewis said in a statement.

The award honors classified school employees who exemplify excellence in work performance, leadership and community involvement.

“He brings pride to his school with his work ethic, professionalism, leadership and his overwhelming care for everyone in his building. For decades, Rod has been an influential employee with scores of instances where Rod has gone above and beyond his position,” Lewis said.

Southam oversees a team of 16 custodians during the school year, which bumps up to 20 workers in the summer, when the deep cleaning of schools typically occurs.

Southam got his start in the Davis School District as a part-time custodian and stuck with it because he recognized it was stable employment and he really enjoyed being around students and staff.

“It was like I’m not going to have to worry about a company going out of business. Each year, it just became better and better,” he said.

Southam’s been at Layton High School for the past 13 years of his 31 years with the school district.

“I’m a Lancer at heart because I started my whole career as a part-time custodian here at Layton High. I had two really strong and great mentors that were ahead of me. Those two guys really blazed the path and created the interest for me to become a head custodian,” Southam said.

Custodians are responsible for keeping schools clean, but the job transcends buffing floors, emptying trash cans and wiping down lockers. Students come to view custodians as trusted adults in their schools.

Over the years, students and staff have expressed their appreciation for his labors in many different ways, he said.

He has worked at elementary, junior high and high schools.

Little kids “just adore you. They’re hugging your legs and want to help you put up a table or do this and that and they just love you to death.

“Then you work your way all the way to high school and the kids still love you, but they show it in different ways.” He and his colleagues are occasionally given thank you cards, donuts and other treats by students and staff.

“They’ll bring banners in the hallway or the office and and occasionally in an assembly, they’ll recognize and acknowledge us. So yeah, we get props and it’s very appreciated,” he said.

On occasion, students reach out to them for help.

Once, when Southam was working in a junior high, a student walked up to him, grabbed his arm and told him she was about to have a seizure.

“So I just held her tight and gently laid her down on the floor and of course, I called administration right away. But, you know, the very fact that she felt comfortable to even come to me for that moment, you know, that was that was nice to know,” he said.

Layton High School facilities coordinator Rod Southam adjusts the temperature of a refrigerator at the school in Layton on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. Southam is the winner of the national U.S. Department of Education RISE award, which honors classified school employees who exemplify excellence in work performance, leadership and community involvement.

Layton High Principal Chadli Bodily has high praise for Southam.

“This is the best custodial crew I’ve ever worked with and it is all because of Rod and how he is able to manage and inspire employees and put the needs of others well above his own,” Bodily said in a statement.

Last Friday, the school surprised Southam by summoning him to an “emergency meeting” in the school’s commons area.

His wife and daughter were in on the surprise and had known about the award for a week before it was sprung on him. Gov. Gary Herbert’s education adviser, Karen Peterson, presented Southam the award in front of the school faculty, staff and his family. There are only two such awards presented each year in Utah.

“It was shocking, I’ll be honest with you, it was shocking for the award and because everybody involved kept it secret. My wife had to hold her tongue for over a week,” he said.

Southam said he has been blessed with good health, really enjoys his work and plans to stick with it. “I’ve got several years to go,” he said.

Layton High School facilities coordinator Rod Southam works at the school in Layton on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. Southam is the winner of the national U.S. Department of Education RISE award, which honors classified school employees who exemplify excellence in work performance, leadership and community involvement.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/30gXUBG