Ready or Not

Ready or not ... here we come!

To deny who you are, what you are, and why you are, is a crime against humanity. 
You can’t deny yourself forever ...Inside each of us is the ability to completely change humanity in any way that we can imagine. 
Do you know why you are here at this moment?
Can you feel the power of the universe inside you this very moment? 
With one thought you can experience your wildest dreams, see unimaginable sights, travel to any place or time that you desire. 
Where will you go? 
Who will you converse with? 
What furthest reach of the universe will you experience? 
It is time to remember who and what and why we are here. 
All your lifetimes blending into one very real and accessible data base. All of those moments have brought you to this place and time. 
You are ready.
I am ready. 
Is the world ready? 
Ready or not ... here we come!

It hit the fan ...

City council ... “From where I sit.”

First things first, a big thank you for the cookies and drinks at city council. A little sweetness to get us all in a good mood is a good thing.

It seems that there are a few too many parked cars and trailers and piles of horse shit on the city right of way. You offenders who park your RV’s and motor homes better watch out too. The city officials are on the lookout and will be handing out citations to violators. While you are at it, line up those rusty and abandoned cars on your property and clean up those piles of trash. 

A point of interest was made to those who use their sewer clean out for a dump station. It is against the law. The chemicals in the holding tanks are killing the good bacteria in the settling ponds. If you don’t want to be brought to justice for murdering the good bacteria, you better stop now or Ryan might have to forward your mail to the pokey ... and that’s what it’s all about.

That brings me to another point. Who would like to start a great business venture? How about a dumping station for all those tourists who will be coming through here this summer? The state park dump station is out of order, don’t you just hate it when you really have to go and   find an out of order sign on the door? We would sure hate to have a whole bunch of bacteria killers on the loose.

Have you noticed strange men poking about in your neighborhood? They are doing a study on storm water issues. They will be here for 6 or 8 weeks snooping around the ground and gathering data. Remember last year when we got 3 1/2 inches of rain in one fast thunder storm. I do.  The North side of town is particularly prone to flooding. I have been contemplating a boat launch area on the side of my street. I wonder if the city council would approve my request? If you see a boat parked next to my fence, you’ll know I got the permit. This storm water issue is an on going study that will help the city to determine the best course of action to keep lagoons from appearing whenever there is a rain storm. This should only take a year or two or more.

I finally got a ruling on that pesky light. It is helpful for those who park on that part of the street at night. I am still looking for solutions to direct the light to where it is needed most. Any good suggestions?

The horse, dog, and now chicken shit has finally hit the legal fan and will be processed through legal channels.  We were reminded that we do live in a rural community and that animal smells are a normal part of life, unless they break existing city codes of reasonable farm activity.

The fire department reported that they have had thousands of dollars donated to them by private citizens. The city still has money set aside to help, but still lacks the funds to upgrade all equipment. Many thanks to those who have given generously.

That reminds me of one of my pet projects. I desperately need to get to Hawaii. Donations would be appreciated. I will take lots of pictures.

Our saw mill is owned by the USDA. Mayor Taylor indicated that the city is attempting to have it donated back to the town. Wouldn’t that be great! Maybe we can take some of that burned timber on the mountain and put it to good use. It’s either that or a fire.

The truck scale at the saw mill is now owned by the city. If you need to weigh something really, really big, you can call Vicky at the city offices.

A death sentence has been handed down for the Yucca cactus that are on main street. Risk from the sharp end of the cactus is to blame. If you want to rescue a Yucca and give it a good home, let the city know. A letter of reference, income and a check for a green thumb may be required.

The city is trying to get UDOT to donate the land at the city yard, or at least get one of those 99 year leases secured.

The little league dugouts are moving forward. The block has been donated, the mortar is ready and when the weather cooperates, the work will begin. If you are ready to dig in and help, contact the city.

It seems the city had a really big amount of bills to pay this month, we were assured that the money had been set aside to pay them. Whew, the utilities won’t be turned off this month.

Bored and tired of reruns and the same old thing on TV? Come to city council and join in the action.

Words

Words

Sticks and stones ... we know the rest. ... will break my bones but words will never hurt me.

The power of words can be seen everyday in the media and the internet. The air waves are full of insightful and clever sayings parred with pictures of famous celebrities or historic figures.

We pass them around showing our support and trying to get others to see our point.

After all, we are always right. 

Right?

Wrong.

I made an error in judgement this past week. I wrote a story based on my own viewpoint. I attended a public meeting and recorded the proceedings through the filters of my own biased feelings. It was the way I saw it.

My words hurt and cut deeply. I thought I was being candid and funny.

I apologize to those I hurt.

I have met with one party and will see the other soon. In the future, I promise to be part of the solution and not the problem 

I was somewhat surprised at the support that I got from some who wanted to join my crusade. I didn’t like the feeling that came with that notoriety. It made me feel ashamed at my attempt at humor, especially at the expense of someone else.

I may still have issues with items that come before the people of this small community, but I will address them openly and honestly to those who deserve this respect.

I can learn from my mistakes.

I hope you can too.

Mayor Maynot

Mayor Maynot

Last night’s city council was an interesting lesson on bullying. 

Gratitude was expressed for the fire departments fine work on last weeks fire at the Moqui motel.

A yearly report on the scenic byway 12 through Escalante was presented. We have a new overlook at the head of the rocks going towards Calf Creek. An updated visitor center and rest rooms in Red Canyon will be open soon. Too bad, the timing wasn’t better, those tourists who are traveling now will just have to hold it a little longer. 100,000 new tourist guides for Highway 12 are available by mail if you want one, or get one at local businesses.

August 7 will be a momentous day when the Bike tour of Utah comes through town. We were told to get out our cow bells to cheer them on when they pass through. A kind of rolling barricade will precede them to provide safety along the narrow roads. We were assured that they know what they are doing in moving this barrier to give safe passage for the riders. 

My lights? Seems they just like my attendance at city council. No decision was made pending phone calls to the business owner that is renting the old seminary building. We were reminded that this is a can of worms and not to open the matter. In my experience of catching and selling worms in my younger days, if you have a can of worms, you better go fishing and use them up or they will stink like the dickens ... and what about the people who are afraid of the dark? They like the Motel 6 slogan: We’ll leave the light on for you. What about liability, and safety? Someone said they almost tripped when they came into city council because the street light was out. Hmmm, how about calling Garkane and having them replace the light by the city building. The light in question is around the corner and blocked from emitting any light on the city building. If ever I want to read at night in my bedroom, I don’t even have to turn the lights on.

After the fire last week, the fire department is requesting new equipment to replace, update and repair failing parts and clothing. They were asked to prioritize their items as the whole list is many tens of thousands of dollars. Hopefully, monies will be found and allocated so that future fires will still be managed in a professional manner.

This brings us to Mayor Maynot.  A longtime local business here in town told us that they want to place a new sign on main street. They told the town people attending that this was not our concern, they only wanted to address the city council. The sign will paid for and belong to the business. At a cost of 25 to 30 thousand dollars. They will use it to advertise  and promote their own agenda. They gave a copy of the sign to the council members and said that it may or may not look like the picture. They will have exclusive control over the content of the messages. They told us that they may or may not allow local messages on the sign. It may or may not be a flashing or blinking sign, but that it will be lit by LED’s. You know the kind, the ones they use at the games to flash advertising to the fans. We heard one argument that flashing signs are not allowed on main street, and that it may or may not be permitted under existing city ordinances. The strong-arm bullies were flexing their muscles when they said ... you will take our sign and like it, or we will take our money and leave.

My question is this: Why didn’t this sign have to go through Planning and Zoning like other signs? Does it comply with existing ordinances?

Mayor Maynot said that as part of his campaign promise to update Escalante this sign would help fulfill his prophecy. He said that if the sign was approved in this meeting that he would get together with the powers that be and make sure everyone would be happy. Well, Mayor Maynot ... we will hold you to that promise!