Richard Davis, Utah County Democratic Party chairman, doesn't mind Democrat Bryan Horn challenging state Rep. Craig Frank, R-Pleasant Grove, for the District 57 seat.

But Davis wants to clarify that Horn's position in favor of protected domestic partnerships for all genders is not an official party platform.

"Individual candidates running for the nomination can hold their own views, but those do not necessarily reflect the party's views," Davis said. "The county platform specifically supports marriage between a man and a woman."

Horn said Monday that the issue is much deeper than the typical gay marriage debate. He said domestic partnerships are important to recognize for any gender, citing for example a heterosexual couple that lives together for 20 years but wouldn't have the same rights as a married couple if one were seriously hurt and in the hospital.

"Who is the state to say 'We know better'?" Horn said.

He added that while domestic partnerships are an issue, he wants his platform to center around the environment and funding for public education.

The American Fork Public Library will begin registering children for preschool programs Sept. 4-15. The library will be closed Sept. 3 for Labor Day. The theme this fall will be "Way to Go - Boats, Planes, Cars and Trains." It will be a half hour of transportation (cars, trucks, trains, planes, etc.) stories, crafts and activities for children ages 3-5. Registration is $5 per child for seven weeks.

Parents are asked to stay with their children during the program. The library is also offering a "Mom and Me" activity time for children 18 months and older. Cost for this activity is $1 per family and will be held 30 minutes before the preschool activities.

For more information, call the library at 763-3070 or visit 64 S. 100 East, American Fork.

The city is accepting registrations for flag football for grades 2-9. The registration deadline is Aug. 31. Late registrations are accepted for $5 per person. Those interested may go to the city's Web site, www.cedarhills.org, for registration forms.

Speaking at the Town Council meeting on Aug. 9, Mayor Lynn Gillies asked Fairfield residents to cooperate with surveyors from Civil Science who will be surveying the town for about one month. The survey is being funded through a Community Development Block Grant. Surveyors will need access to some private properties in order to complete the survey. Landowners are asked to provide the surveyors with safe and accessible entrance and exit from property.

The Highland City Council was told about a plan for the city to connect several roads in three locations.

"The roads end and you can see where another road continues but you can't get through. One is at 6520 W. 10700 North, another is west of 6000 West on 11200 North and the last one is at 10620 N. 5800 West," said Barry Edwards, city administrator.

Two of the connections will be put on rights-of-way the city already controls. The roads will be 24 feet wide.

"The folks at the end of those roads will not be very happy because it will put more traffic in front of their homes, but we really need the connections," he said. "It doesn't make sense for people to have to go way around to get to a road they can see from the end of those stub roads," Mayor Jay Franson said.

Highland Mayor Jay Franson told the City Council a field trip has been planned for Aug. 28 at 5 p.m.

"We will be traveling around Highland to see what needs to be focused on in the city," Franson said.

Cowboy poet Colen H. Sweeten Jr., a Springville resident, died of cancer on Aug. 15. Born in Lewisville, Idaho, Sweeten went to school in Holbrook and Malad, Idaho, and served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in California. He served as a radar operator in Southern California during WWII and went on to become a farmer. He and his wife, Ruth, raised a family in Malad and then lived in Boise for nine years where they both worked and retired. They moved to Springville in 2000.

Sweeten was a member of the Cowboy Poets of Idaho and Utah and has published five books of poetry. He received many awards for his work, including the Idaho Governor's Millennial Award for Excellence in the Arts, the Idaho State Historical Society's Esto Perpetua Award for preserving Idaho heritage, American West Heritage Foundation's Pioneer Skill Preservation Award and the Cowboy Poets of Utah Pioneer Heritage Award.

Viewings have been held in Springville and Malad. Funeral services will be at noon today in the Malad Stake building.