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.
