What’s Right With Escalante?

I watched Precision Pipeline load up the last of their equipment this week. They have done a great job, been a cooperative and community minded company and I wish them the best. They helped our maintenance department in a number of different ways over the past 10 months. Thanks Trent!

The relief society event last Saturday was great fun and the various Christmas Trees were inspiring. From family photo histories to fruit and gingerbread, there were tons of ideas and the demonstrations reminded me of the state fair commercial booth. I even managed to flip a crepe without dropping it on the floor.

To continue our discussion of what’s right with Escalante, I want to talk about the Airport. Escalante Municipal Airport was in dire condition when we first came to Escalante. The weeds were waist high, the one lone hangar in need of care, and the out of area pilots that flew in didn’t even know there was a pilots lounge complete with computer, phone and restroom.

Mayor Porter was open to having an Airport Advisory Committee to bring some changes about and the changes began. Private investments brought four new hangars to the facility in 2007. The committee started working towards getting the lights repaired and the runway shoulders mowed. A project proposal to the council for two Eagle Scout projects brought steps from the main level to the pilots lounge and replaced the electrical building to protect the new (to Escalante) transformer that controls the runway lighting.

The committee continued working towards placing signage on the new building to let pilots know about services available and emergency contact numbers. The final step was the placement of a donated trailhead box to use for the pilots log and a brochure on what’s available in Escalante. In the meantime, the committee continued to work with UDOT to borrow their tar pot to do a crack seal on the runway. It wasn’t the preferred alternative, but was better than letting the runway completely deteriorate. The committee and city crew spent 5+ days blowing out all the cracks and then placing all the tar in the place of dirt, weeds, and rocks. It’s a little bumpy in spots, but at least it would save the tarmac for now.

The airport consultants, Armstrong Engineering, has been working with the city and Mayor Porter for the past several years. With all the improvements by the city, they were able to acquire the money to replace all the runway lights. In addition, they made the case to the state aeronautics division of UDOT to look at the runway for possible resurfacing. The state came down and did core samples, and the commission approved a resurface for Escalante Municipal Airport, summer of 2010. We will be the first in a pilot project for the state to spend $700,000 and the highway department will do the work. Thanks to Kirk Nielsen, the Aeronautical Planner, for giving us permission to print this news. And thanks to all those in the community who have helped make this come about through their volunteer efforts. City crew Blaine Porter and Gary Blauser, Glen Caudhill, Paul Bowmar and his employees, Dale Henrie, Eagle Scouts Daniel Munson and Kaden Griffin and their work crews and parents, State Highway workers Gary Cottam, Dan Spencer, and Wade Barney, Council member Greg Allen and of course Mayor Porter. Working together you’ve made a huge difference.

And speaking of councilman Allen, kudos to him for his green project. The Little League Field is green. He’s worked tirelessly all summer to get the school property level, water pipe in the ground and sprinklers working. He’ll have the well proved up in plenty of time. Thanks Greg and all your volunteers!

Senior Center Menu: Oct 1st Tuna Casserole; Tues 6th – Chicken Sandwiches; Wed 7th – Lasagna; Thurs 8th is an evening meal with BBQ Ribs. Call 826-4317 by 10:30 to be included.

Until next week – - – - -