April 21, 2006

In the on-going discussion about Margaret Dayton and her opponent, here is another important, but not-often noticed, difference.

Margaret has been very supportive of the most helpless in our community, the mentally disabled.

She has fought to maintain the land belonging to the American Fork Developmental Center where so very many handicapped from around the state have their own "residence."

When the Developmental Center was first established, it was in a somewhat out-of-the-way place. Due to amazing growth and building in recent years, however, it is now near an LDS Temple, a high school, and new housing development. There has been much pressure to take the land away from the disabled for other use.

Margaret has worked to have that land kept for the purpose for which it was set aside. She also arranged for $100,000 in funding to help upgrade the center's dental clinic.

She has connected with the Utah Mental Retardation Society to help them care for their family members who need the safe, controlled, and dignified setting that is made available at the American Fork Developmental Center.

We appreciate her focus on this important issue.

Mark & Mary Robinson