Clayton Christensen - My Brother - Did a Great Job

It's always a tad awkward to have a family member come make a presentation to a group over whom you have stewardship, but the reality of the situation is that without your involvement, he would probably not have come. Last Wednesday, my brother Clayton was kind enough to come make a presentation to the Utah League of Cities & Towns, Local Officials Day at the Legislature. The audience contained business leaders, local officials, legislators and youth from around the State, about 900 in total.

It's a pretty broad audience by definition and the likelihood of having a message that resonated with everyone is challenging to say the least. If comments received from other local officials is an indication, he did well. It was an honor to have Scott Anderson, President of Zions Bank introduce him (especially since I work there) and it was nice to be joined by family members and friends.

I was also pleased to be able to bring about 20 students from Northwest Middle School to come hear Clayton and just prior to him, Liz Murray, who has an incredible story about getting her own life from the streets of NYC to Harvard. These students, participate in the AVID program with the intent long term of improving their own academic pursuits and subsequently their own lives.

I have a great admiration for all my brothers and feel lucky to be part of my family. Each (including my sisters!) have a different trait they bring to the equation and Clayton is no different. His generosity with his time and means in my behalf has been incredible and I am glad he takes pity on me. With the stroke recently of another local official, it reminds me how amazing it's been that Clayton's stroke was about 18 months ago, yet he speaks on a weekly basis to thousands of individuals. While he can struggle at times with some words, the courage and trust in himself it takes to perform so often, is just amazing to me.

I feel lucky and grateful

Dr Ron Coleman Making a Difference - Important Lessons

As we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights he fought so hard to establish, I reflected back on my own life and the important contribution and education of one of my former professors at the University of Utah, Dr. Ronald Coleman.  He opened my mind to a whole new facet of life and was there at a crossroad of my life that really made a difference for me. 

It was my sophomore year at the U and I had just returned from a 10 week internship from one of the big eight accounting firms and had hoped to get into the U's Accounting program.  Unfortunately, while I had done well in my accounting classes, I hadn't done that great in some general education classes. I found myself at a decision point of either going back and retaking a quarter worth of classes, or changing my major and moving forward.  While I had little doubt in my ability to pursue the accounting degree I was not sure what I should do.  I liked history, and so I enrolled in a class on Civil War Reconstruction to test the waters.  The class was taught by Dr. Ronald Coleman and it was clear that he had some great insights to the subject and I found his lectures really interesting.  However in taking his first exam, I didn't do well.  It would have been easy to have floundered in the class, but for the first and really only time in my academic pursuit at the University level, he asked to meet with me.  While his counsel to me in his class wasn't earth shattering, the fact he cared and the desire he had for me to succeed made a deep impression and I felt a need to not let him down.  I think I ended up with a B+ or A- in his class, but eventually changed my major to History.  

 I ended up taking another class as well from Dr. Coleman, this one on African American History.  While I had prided myself on knowing American History, I came to the harsh reality that I really had missed a significant component of it, and more importantly, the need to be aware of the rights of everyone.  Dr. Coleman taught us that you can't challenge someones faith and the origin of their faith isn't something that you can prove or challenge.  I remember him reciting a Negro Spiritual demanding that our eyes be closed and threatening that if we opened our eyes in the process, he would fail us. As Dr. Coleman recited the spiritual, I visualized exactly what he spoke and it gave me an appreciation that we find truth in everyone's faith.  I am also proud to say that years later, as a city council member, I sponsored the effort for the honorary naming of 200 East to Rosa Parks Blvd.

It was only fitting that when it came time to graduate with my Bachelor of Arts in History, I recieved my diploma from a new Academic Vice President for the University, Dr. Ronald Coleman.  Our paths have crossed a few times since, but I'm truly grateful he cared enough to make a difference in my life.  By the way, I spent the first 20 years of my career, working in accounting and finance, leaving my first employer as their Assistant Controller and later with my current employer as a Financial Analyst, before changing careers.  History taught me to think of things in a long range perspective and how to write in a more analytical way.  I probably use those skills daily.  Thanks Dr. Coleman for making a difference.

The Christmas I Remember Best

I wrote this for a Deseret News contest a number of years ago, and it wasn't chosen.  I understood why, but figured, I could always publish it myself, if for no other reason, than for myself.  I hope you'll enjoy.

            The Christmas I remember best was the Christmas of 1975.  I had just turned 10 years old and was attending the fourth grade in elementary school.  My father, Robert M. Christensen, had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease, a cancer of the lymph system a few months earlier.   For most of his career, Dad’s occupation had been in retailing and Christmas had historically been his busiest time of the year.  In addition to his work, he had served what would have been my ten years, in my church’s Stake Presidency, first as a counselor and later as Stake President.  It was a rare moment for me to have him home for any extended period of time and even more rare to see him unable to do hard physical labor.

            In 1975, Hodgkin’s disease only had about a 30% cure rate, but in my young and simple mind, I had accepted the fact my father would be ill, but never did I have the thought that he would die.  However as the months moved on, he became increasingly ill and the hospital stays seem to increase.  I missed the touch of his big soft hands and the little moments where he made me feel like I was his only concern in the world.  As the first part of December came around it was unclear when he would come home from the hospital. Fortunately, before Christmas Dad was allowed to come home to spend time with our family.  He had a difficult time getting up and moving very far and due to his weakened state, my family placed him in his own bedroom.  Being young and a very heavy sleeper, my parents decided to have me sleep on a bed in the same room with my Dad.  I could help him if needed, but also because I could sleep through the rest of the night due to his frequent need to get up and down.

            Early Christmas morning of 1975, my father once again was having a sleepless night.  My mother, Verda Mae Christensen was busy helping Santa place the gifts and as a young boy I lay awake anxiously wondering what it was that Santa would bring.  I could tell my dad was awake and started talking to him.  It was one of those rare moments you wish would go on forever and look back and would give nearly anything to have it again.  I really can’t remember much of what was said, but I knew he loved me and wanted me to be happy.  I don’t think I appreciated how much pain he endured and the myriad of thoughts you deal with as you realize your time on this earth will be drawing to a close.  My mother stopped her activity for a moment to go use the bathroom, so my father released me from our conversation and encouraged me to go check out the Christmas spoils in anticipation of Christmas morning.  Christmas came and went and about three weeks later, my dad passed away letting go of the physical strain of life and leaving a pretty empty void in my own.

            Thirty years later, I will now be 40 years old this Christmas.  While I can’t remember much about the presents received during Christmas of 1975, I remember the love and time of one who loved me.  My parents have now both passed away, and as we put up the Christmas Tree this year in the home in which I grew up, which is now my own, I lay on the floor adjusting the Christmas tree in hopes of getting it to stand straight.  As I looked across the floor, there lay my two daughters, Jessica and Sarah smiling at me, reminding me that the greatest gift of Christmas was there lying under our tree.  They represent many of my hopes and dreams and remind me of the good things of this life. And maybe just maybe, I can share with them the same gift my dad gave me, his love and his time. 

Picture from a family trip, being held by my Dad, Robert Christensen

With my daughters, Jessica & Sarah at the gravesite of my father

Making a difference in the lives of others

When the Savior commanded that we love our neighbor, I think it's easy to define that in a more narrower term than he intended.  Really, we are admonished to look out for everyone and it's sometimes troubling to watch some of my fellow elected servants turn their heads to the issues around us and quickly label one group or another as if we don't have a responsibility to them all.   This last week however, in doing some extra service, I had a couple of rewarding experiences that I wanted to mention, if for no other reason than to remind myself why I got involved nearly fourteen years ago.

Before I took office, back in the mid '90's, I participated in a United Way Funding Review panel on Homeless agencies.  After spending nearly two months reviewing different agencies each week, I came away from that experience knowing that the creation of transitional housing is the real key to the success of helping those in need.  Over the years of my public life, I've participated and been part of the creation of over 1,000 units of housing for low income families, with hundreds being set aside for those coming out of our shelter at The Road Home.  In fact, for the last four or five years, I've participated as a board member of Shelter the Homeless, which owns the shelter in Salt Lake City and Palmer Court, a new transitional housing complex.  I've heard personally many heart wrenching stories of those who have suffered on the street for decades, who now have a chance to be off the street and finally have a place to call home.  My friend Pamela Atkinson told a story once of her outreach efforts and how she once gave a hug to a homeless man and he had relayed that it had been years since he had ever received a hug. It's not uncommon for someone who is homeless to have had some tragedy or act beyond their control, leave them out on the street and yet I find myself guilty at times, judging them without knowing them.  It really isn't my place to judge, it's my responsibility to give.

Fast forward to this week and I was answering phones for the Annual Road Home Holiday Fundraising Drive and a caller called with a lot of emotion in her voice and said, "I don't really have any money to give, but I wanted to thank you for this housing in which I live, I am so grateful to have a place to call my own".   Later that night I was then helping to serve a Christmas Dinner at a transitional housing for Veterans, Freedom Landing in my district and a Vet, who had served our country and now was suffering from some extended medical problems, reached over to me and said, "If it weren't for this place, I would be down at the shelter with no place to live."  Both projects mentioned, were ones in which I had to work a little to make sure they got funded, but maybe in a little way, were making a difference and hopefully moving me a little closer to the charge given to me by my Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Today I celebrate my 46th birthday and I am ever so grateful for my parents, who chose to have me in their later years of life  Both of whom have had a profound impact on my life and my desire to do good.  I am equally grateful to my wife and children who have always been gracious in responding to my requests to help and were helping at the phone bank last night and playing the piano for the 100 Vets Wednesday night.  This has been a good week.

If you've gotten this far, take a moment and donate to The Road Home at www.theroadhome.org to make a difference youself in the life of thousands in our community.

Land of Misfit Christmas Decorations-We Have a Place for Yours!

A few years ago our front yard Christmas decorations started looking a little tired and we had wanted to refocus a little more on the Savior's birth.  We decided to replace the front yard decorations with the Nativity scene and figured our Snoopy Santa Clause probably didn't blend too well. 

In looking at other options for Snoopy, three legged reindeer, and partially lit Christmas Tree figures, I realized they still needed some love and could still brighten our lives some more.  I then realized that we have a fruit orchard that lines our back driveway could be the perfect place for misfit Christmas decorations.  It was truly a location of non-consumption, but for these figures it would be dark. Yet we drive in there and see it more than our front yard.  A neighbor gave us all her old Christmas lights, some of which only lit up half a string, but as I draped them over the fruit trees, combining sets to get the full effect, our little wonderland started to take place.  It was actually a nice change, and Snoopy with his cracked nose, continues to remind my kids of the lights of their youth. 

Well, as reindeer began to go to one leg, and sleighs were only 1/3 lit, I've brought myself to finally start throwing sections away and putting the poor animals out of their misery.  This year, things have held their own, but it is starting to need something for future years.  If you happen to find that you have that three legged reindeer or a partially lit Santa that isn't cutting it in your front yard anymore, but don't quite want to throw it away, give me a call or drop me a note, to carlton.christensen@facebook.com.  Chances are we can provide it a home and give it some love for another year or two.  Every decorations deserves to live until it's last leg!

Freedom Landing - a gem within our community

A couple of years ago, shortly after a transitional housing unit owned by the Salt Lake City Housing Authority opened on 1900 W and North Temple, I had an opportunity to tour it and see how it was being used.  The site had formally been a Days Inn and was sold at a good price to the Housing Authority, who did some renovation to it and used it for Veterans who need housing as they transitioned through some tough times, often related to medical or other needs.  The alternative for many, would be homelessness, which is not the way we should be treating those who sacrificed to serve our country.

As we we went down one of the hallways and knocked on one of the residents doors, I was unprepared emotionally for what I would experience.  Behind the door was a Vet, who had fallen on hard times and was being visited by his daughter, who at the time was the same age as my Sarah.  Because of his previous housing situation, this Vet was unable to have any visitors and it had been eight months since he had been able to have his daughter stay with him. His little girl was obviously excited to have the opportunity of being there that weekend and as we thanked him for the inconvenience and I struggled to hold back my emotions, he said to me, to "tell the rest of them thank you for providing us a place to stay".  Later as I got in my car, I started to cry and think how grateful I was that on a daily basis, I can go home to my family, hug my girls and enjoy the blessing of a beautiful home.

Fast forward to last night, and I again visited Freedom Landing.  However this time, it was courtesy of the Airport Trax Line Contractor, Stacy and Witbeck and their workers who had decided to make sure these men and women had a great Thanksgiving meal.  They started to pass the hat, and pretty soon the contractor invited sub contractors to participate and with every dollar raised, Stacy and Witbeck offered to match it.  What was hoped for being enough to pay the meal, ended up being enough to not only do the meal, but furnish a room with furniture, a big screen TV, money to provide turkeys for needy families in the area and some money to go towards the new Fisher House at the VA Medical Center for family members of injured Vets who are being treated at the Hospital.  I had the opportunity to help serve dinner last night to these men and women who had served their country, paid a price in health and other challenges and just wanted to make the best out of their circumstances. 

I had the opportunity after serving to sit down with half a dozen of the residents and hear their stories of where they came from, how they got there and what current challenges they faced.  The stories were varied but in the end, I again realized they were just like you and me, but with an extra burden and challenge.  As I sit down for dinner today with my family in our beautiful home, and we pray, I know I have even more to be grateful for in my life and included in it, is my experience with the residents of Freedom Landing.

See the KSL Story at:  Freedom Landing Thanksgiving for Vets

Collecting those Leaves

As the evenings are getting darker and the weather is turning cooler, it seems like fall is coming quicker than we want. If you have a house that gets more than its fair share of leaves, here is a reminder on the ins & outs of the brown yard waste bins.

The Yard Waste bins will continue to be picked-up weekly to collect your leaves and other compostable items. The weekly pick-up may require that you do leaves in stages or, based on last year, you may have noticed that two cans would be a big help. If you would like to request a second can, a limited number of extra yard waste bins (approximately 450) will be made available free of charge during leaf season. They will be available one per household while supplies last. The City started taking requests October 31 and bins will be delivered within one week of request. To request an extra leaf bin email your name, address and phone number to: slcstreets@slcgov.comor call 801-535-6999. (At the end of the season, remember to place your extra leaf bin at the curb on January 3 so it can be retrieved.)

Please also remember a few “Leaf Rules” – please do not  place leaf bags in the yard waste bin – these cannot be composted, and they contaminate the reusable materials.  (This even applies to “compostable” or “biodegradable” bags – these are not able to be processed by the compost facility at this time.)  Also, please take precautions to clear gutters of fallen leaves. Clearing the gutters helps greatly with the storm drain system and prevents pooling of water or ice during a storm.

For the soon-to-be-approaching Holiday season, the city will be collecting trees in the Yard Waste bins as well. Since the bin collection will continue weekly throughout the Winter, you may put the tree out in the bin whenever you are ready. If the tree will not fit in your bin, or is too cumbersome to trim, cut & stuff, City crews will also be collecting trees from the curb for two weeks beginning January 9.