Dear Dad

Dear Dad, It’s time I wrote you a letter and let you know how things have gone this last year.

I’ve made a few improvements on the old place since you were here. I was able to repair the water damage on the foundation by the back bedroom and it got a little out of hand. I decided to fix the stucco on the front porch. The old place was looking a little drab so I decided to paint the trim but before I could paint the trim I had to fix that part on the top of the sleeping porch roof. Once I got that done I thought that it would look better with a stucco finish to match the rest of the house, so guess what? I did just that. As I went around the rest of the house I fixed the cracks and holes and got it ready for the final color coat. I thought about the color for several months before I finally chose the winner. I went out on the desert and saw a desert rose rock. I used that for reference to pick the color. I won’t tell you what one neighbor thinks of the color but the rest of the town likes it. I had 4 artists using our old home as inspiration for their paintings during the art festival. I think you would like it and know that Grandma would love it. Come by and sit a spell on the porch and we’ll watch the cars go by.

Remember that light that shines in the sleeping porch at night? Well, it’s still there. I went to the city council and tried to have it removed, you thought that I had asked to have Posey Lake moved to Boulder. I had 6 weeks of drama from some of the folks here in town. There is an under current of hurt feelings and favoritism that resides here in your home town of Escalante. It’s no wonder that you wanted to raise your family in Provo.

I added on to the new fence that I started last year. I took it out to the end of the old board fence. I have had a number of people come by and compliment me on the improvement.

Speaking of board fences, I found some old fencing boards that match the old fence around the yard. I have been able to build gates and repair some of the worn out boards. I guess after nearly 100 years that old fence still looks pretty good.

I planted some new fruit trees last year to replace some of the older ones. Several didn’t make it through the winter with the cold spell we had. Burr, it was a cold winter this year. I am glad the weather is finally starting to warm up. 

I have the garden ready for planting. Mostly, the same variety of vegetables. I did start some of your June Pink tomatoes inside this year, they are almost ready to plant. 

I am glad that you aren’t here to see what is happening in the world with Monsanto poisoning our food supply, the government sponsoring terrorist attacks, world leaders starting new wars to make money, and the jets in the sky are spraying chemicals to alter the weather. This is not the world that you knew. I didn’t want to stress you with all the details, but I have been watching these things change for a number of years. 

You are in a better place now anyway. How is everyone? How is your garden growing? I try to imagine what you look like now. What kind of clothes you are wearing. What you do for hobby or work? 

Mom is still doing well, she is slowing down a bit but still painting and keeping busy with the kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. You’ll have to ask her how many, I can’t keep track. She uses the internet to keep up with all the events in their lives.

I have 19 grandkids thanks to Pearlene’s kids. It’s been kind of hard for me to travel back to Arizona to visit. I sure miss her. Have you seen her? How does she look? I feel her often but I would sure love to see her again.

You two left in the same year, that wasn’t very fair to me. I was looking forward to really getting to know you as an adult. Pearlene was in so much pain when she left, but it was still so hard.

I haven’t found anyone to share my life with. I would like too, but Pearlene spoiled me rotten.

        Were you surprised when Richard showed up? We knew he was struggling, but he sure left fast. He was the only sibling that ever asked me why I left the church. I will miss him too. Say hi to him. We talked a few times last fall but I haven’t heard from him lately.

The reservoir is full and the irrigation water will be turned on next week. That’s good because the lawn sure does need it. Did I ever tell you that I placed a large crystal in the rebuilt reservoir? I blessed the waters and the dam that together they would make this valley blossom.

That’s all the news I can think of for now. Be sure and keep in touch. I can’t believe it’s been three years on April 24th since you left.

I love you, Gary

City Council April 16, From where I sit.

It’s dogs and street lights coming round the bend ... dogs and street lights, they are running neck and neck as they come down to the finish line. And ... it’s dogs and street lights, the winner. According to the Mayor, dogs and street lights are the number one issues that come up as problems in other small communities too. Whew, I would hate to be the odd one out in this race.

Are other small communities short on monies to cover all the expenses that come up every day? We were told that there is no money in the budget to pay for main street maintenance. We will miss the fine work of a former city employee who is now privately employed at her own yard care business. The mayor turned down an offer to take a bid from the former city worker to continue the care of main street. I guess that means regular volunteer efforts by the townspeople will be needed to take up the slack. How about some more garbage cans on main street, Mayor? Is there any money for that? How about regular garbage pick up of the few that are still there. Whoops, there goes another one to the city park.

The minutes of the last meeting were read, kind of ... while each council member hurriedly scanned them, and passed them.

Planning and Zoning passed a motion to approve the permit to build a new hardware store out by the High School. It was unanimous, with a round of applause from the crowd. I guess we all are looking forward to a place where you can find what you are looking for, the first time, and not have to wait until a week from Thursday to get it ... if you are lucky. Final arrangements are being put together to build the cement slab and steel building. It could be finished by the end of July, with another 2 months to stock and finish final preparations. Yahoo! Do I hear, a grand opening ceremony?

The Vagabond fine art gallery, business license was approved. It’s in a little shed on the corner of the property, be sure and leave the light on, so we can find you.

A business license was granted to a wholesale bakery on main street. Sniff .... Oh, heaven help us to stay on that diet!

A new home is being built to replace a tack - room dwelling. The horses are not a problem, we were told. Congratulations on climbing the highest mountain and not giving up.

Marathon update ... We have $6,700 in the account, this is run thru the city and is being turned into a nonprofit account so that it won’t have to be run through the city account. Should I run that by you again? An updated and impressive website is available for information and registration at http://www.escalantecanyonsmarathon.com

This course is going to be professionally certified at a cost of 1 to 2 thousand dollars. It first has to be run 3 times by bicycle with an odometer, to get an average of the mileage. Hell, I’ll ride the course for that much money. You can call anytime. I’ll even give you a fancy paper telling you so. Certification is good for 10 years. This is done to attract the more competitive runners. The Bryce Canyon half marathon is sharing equipment to make this event run smoothly. Manual timing or chips may be used depending on the number of runners. Be sure to bring your own dip ... for the chips. Volunteers are needed. This run will take place the second week of October.

A City staff member is being sent, all expenses paid, to a one day required, TAC conference. Bon Voyage.

Plans are progressing on new campground facilities at the airport. A prominent hill overlooking the area was proclaimed, “This is the place!” The Paul Bowmar project was approved by council.

Toilets and sinks were discussed for out buildings and garages. All agreed they are necessary, but what if that area becomes a rental. Who decides when it’s a rental? If it becomes a rental, worms will have to be dealt with.

Long story - short ... the city is in the business of selling water, so it was approved by the council to allow half baths in garages and out buildings. Worms notwithstanding.

USDA rural development would like to set up a roundtable discussion the first part of May on ways to help our community with ideas and funding. There are 1.9 million acres of monument here. We have dinosaurs that are being taken from here to other places. Wouldn’t it be nicer to display them here? Wouldn’t it be nicer to have our own visitor center and facility to study them here? Colleges who would send students to study for a semester here?  Do we want new ideas and money? Well, do we?

The playground equipment will be here in about a month. Our kids will now have a safe place to play. Volunteers are needed.

Little league has started, sort of. A new schedule is being worked up. 

“What about the marque?” What is being done? Is it moving forward? “I’ll say yes,” replied the Mayor.

An investigation is underway to discover a greasy culprit. The city is putting together a cost of what it has cost the city so far to take care of these problems. Some business is dumping grease into the sewer system and plugging up the works. Do you know who? If found, they will probably have to pay the bill.

Pot hole work continues with about one third of the work completed thus far. Thank you for the improvements. Wouldn’t it be nicer to have all our streets repaved? Sigh ... someday.

The land fill will be open by appointment each day from 1 to 2 p.m. You must call a city worker to schedule the drop off.

Visitors are making reservations for a gathering of the 50th anniversary of the Boy Scout tragedy in Carcass Wash.

I was a young boy spending the summer here with my grandparents when I heard the sirens. One after another, passing through town. On June 13, 1963, seven Boy Scouts and six adults were killed when the 2 1/2 ton cattle truck’s brakes failed and the truck overturned. Heavy equipment and gear trapped those who were riding on top of the load. Families and survivors will be here to mourn and remember. A monument was placed at the scene in 1993 to remind us of this event. Most of the Boys were part of the Provo Utah Explorer post. One survivor’s prayer under the truck was, ‘why? why? why?’ No one involved in the accident has forgotten it. 

Let us not underestimate the unforgiving, uncompromising, beautiful, serene, healing, and desolate desert that we live in.

City Council April 2 "from where I sit."

City council April 2 ... “from where I sit”

Ho hum and yawn. No sacred cows, barking dogs, stinky farm animals, gift horses or Trojan horses last night.

City council was simple and fast.

It is going be a stretch and reach to tell a story, but here goes.

A proposal to keep the dump open 24/7 was knocked down by city council because of liability issues. Some of us can’t be trusted not to get hurt while we are salvaging and exploring the landfill. It used to be a first come basis for getting the good stuff. A lot of us had keys and when we were bored we would take a drive and see if there were any good items we could haul back to clutter up our yard. Seems there are some midnight dumpers who are too lazy or inconsiderate to dump their yard rubbish in the landfill. The side of the road is beginning to reflect a Sanford and Son kind of clutter. The paint ballers are using couches to protect them from getting splattered in their games. The hill side is beginning to look like couch Henge, standing tall and telling us when the seasons change. It is now paint ball season, in case you want to know. A suggestion was made to get a dummy cop and cop car to discourage illegal dumping, the problem is, we all know where the local cops live and besides that you can’t hardly sneeze without someone noticing where you are or aren’t.

One local citizen got a knock on the door by our civil servant who was checking up to make sure the occupant hadn’t died. Seems the car hadn’t moved in a few days and neighbors were wondering if they should call the Sheriff or county coroner. So they did ... call the Sheriff. We can’t even hide behind closed doors without having someone knock and disturbing our seclusion. So here is a hint, if you are going to sequester yourself for longer than a couple of days, go out and move your car to a new position so the neighbors don’t think you died.

Help was offered to help set up an animal shelter.

The minutes were moved and seconded, kind of like my morning BM. 

We have another beer license approval with the Gas station by the High School being newly opened and now “beerable.” Is beer considered a drug? Hmmm, how far is the high school from the beer counter?

We can all look forward to a deck party sometime this spring with the approval of my neighbors deck permit. I have been watching the placement of little flags and strings set out in rectangular patterns this winter. Now I get to see the real thing. Congratulations to moving from the drawing board to the construction phase. Should I get out my party hat or just wait for the invitation to arrive?

Does he or doesn’t he? That was the question of the night. When you enclose your carport do you have to get a building permit? Well, here goes ... If you just do the sides, then you probably don’t have too. If you have it attached to your house then new building codes may be applicable. If you want to put a garage door, then you will probably want a door opener and that takes power, and that rhymes with ... I can’t think of a word. Anyway, that means an electrical inspection and that means, pay the man. So ... if this home owner does need a permit the council passed a resolution, just in case.

We are loosing our main street maintenance to a better cause. The one person who has been making a difference by caring for the plants and trees and weeds and kids crossing and garbage cans and city park bathroom maintenance is starting up her own yard care business. After months of frustration with city officials she is taking a new course. Good luck and thank you for a job well done. Now ... who gets toilet duty and garbage pickup. Can you see one or any of our other city workers doing as nice a job? Time will tell.

The Escalante High School has offered to do a once a year clean up for the city with 40 to 50 eager students. Can you think of a project that they could do to make a difference? Call the city and let them know.

$500 was donated to the fire department by a former resident who was a benefactor of the EMT’s help.

Run to the top of Zion, beginning at Torrey and ending at ... well, the top of Zion, will be coming through the City on June 12. Want to make some fundraiser money or donate some time? Call the city.

The July 24th celebration will be held on the 20th this year. Now there is contradiction and confusion for anyone outside of Utah. Who celebrates the 24th on the 20th? We do! Oh, by the way ... The theme, I think, is ... “The ties that bind us.” O, I could go on and on about that subject. Ties, ever wondered why men and even some women wear ties? They remind me of a hanging party when I see those drab striped and speckled nooses hanging around their necks. I’m not sure that is what they meant but you can probably work that out for yourself.

The Mayor praised the city council members for their help and support, the meager few dollars they get are not nearly enough for all the work they do.

The airport is trying to get a fuel tank approved for the planes. It only takes $7500 dollars. Got any to spare? Wouldn’t you like this to be a hub of activity for plane tourists?

Just in case you were wondering, we do have a real live cop here in town, a real nice guy. But watch out, he will write you a ticket if you are speeding too fast down main street. A new UDOT speed sign has been installed at the West end of town to remind you that the speed is 30 miles an hour through town. Does that also apply to 4 wheelers? They zoom down my street in a flash, and nearly every one has to rev his engine to let me know how great it sounds. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing all the Harley’s that love Highway 12. They too, love to impress with their finely tuned pipes. Sigh ... one of the drawbacks of living in such a beautiful place.

One last question, will you get a ticket for speeding if you are only over the speed limit by 1 mile an hour? How about 2 or 3 or 4 or 5? How about the color of the car? Will that make a difference? I’ll have to ask what the standard leeway is, just in case. I know when I go north and get on the interstate, if the posted speed is 60, they go 70. If the posted speed is 75, they go 85. Is it worth a ticket to find out? Not for me.