WVC officials encouraging residents to learn English
By pamela manson

The Salt Lake Tribune

Published Jan 4, 2011 06:22AM
Updated 13 minutes ago Updated Jan 4, 2011 06:12AM
West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder and Councilman Steve Buhler plan to announce a voluntary program Tuesday that encourages residents in their community to learn English.

The plan also promotes the use of English in signs, advertisements, promotions and menus used by West Valley City businesses and housing providers.

And it encourages residents to learn multiple languages, including their ancestral languages.

Winder and Buhler are holding a 10 a.m. news conference at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 W. 3100 South, in West Valley City. They will be joined by Utah Minuteman Project Chairman Eli Cawley and state Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City, who support the program.

West Valley City, with a population of approximately 125,000, is the second-largest city in Utah. It also is the most diverse, with 45 percent of its population ethnic minorities.

Buhler is slated to read a proclamation that says West Valley City wants to continue a tradition of welcoming its ethnic residents and promoting the American Dream.

“The West Valley City English Initiative is intended to unite the community through a common language,â€