Explore Escalante
jana@exploreescalante.com
What a wonderful weekend. The village was full, and merriment abounded. The rain on Saturday dampened a few spirits, but all-in-all it was a great day.
The Boy’s Scouts and volunteers fed about 500 and the carnival saw several hundred folks. To all those that made it happen – thanks!!
At the July 21st City Council Meeting, Tim Olsen of Broken Bow RV Park ask the council to finish reviewing and control the water drainage situation on 500 W from Garkane’s facility. Mr. Olsen has dug a water catchment basin to hold off some of the flow. But a significant amount still runs down to the Circle D. Ken Ruick, owner of the Circle D, said he was disappointed the City and Garkane had done very little to solve the problem. Yet Tim has done work on his property and the Circle D has installed a retaining wall and drain system to protect their Eatery, and the backside of the Motel. He looked forward to the City and Garkane doing their share.
In other business:
• Heard a request from Mike Spark to build a new home on 420 W 350 N while they live in the old one. Council authorized him to go back to Planning and Zoning with a building permit request with the stipulation the water meter can only be hooked to one home and the old home must be removed from the lot upon completion of the building.
• Awarded Municipal Airport Runway Lighting Project to Mesquite Electric.
• Presented outgoing Councilor Lott with a plaque of appreciation.
• Discussed the need for a sprinkler system design and bid for the Community Center, Library and Town Center Park. Jerry Taylor will be the contact for the project.
• Officer Dunton will have a report for the Council at the next meeting regarding Allen Porter.
• The speed sign will be activated .
• Council Dunn thanked Emilee for 7+ years of service and was proud to have served on a Council where so much had been accomplished.
• Anyone interested in serving on the Council for the remainder of Emilee’s term should submit a letter of interest to Mayor Porter at City Hall.
Countdown to Election 2009. – 100 days Who are your choices?
City Council – Two positions open – two filed: Jeff Dunn for a second Term; Lenza Wilson for another term after a few years break.
Mayor – Incumbent Don Porter file for a second term; City Councilor Jerry Taylor filed.
Until Next Week – - –
Explore Escalante
jana@exploreescalante.com
The wildflowers have been absolutely exquisite. Tracy and I have wandered around the plateau and so enjoyed the various plants in bloom. The prickly pear cactus on Smokey Mountain Rd comes in three colors. The Penstemons offer at least three colors. And the Mule Ears on Main St are so bright; they almost hurt your eyes. What a delight.
At the last council meeting Nicole Croft received the City’s support for this year’s Saturday Market. It will open July 4th weekend and go every Saturday until Halloween. Find a card table, put a fitted cover on it and get ready to buy, sell or barter goods, food stuffs and plants. Questions? Contact Nicole Croft.
Betty Alvey brought me a letter from her daughter Linda (Alvey) Stokes. Inside was a letter from Riverton City, where she lives and works, announcing her Riverton City Choice Award for Excellence in Education. In addition, the Utah Association of Family and Consumer Science Teachers (UATFACS) chose Linda as Teacher of the Year! Congratulations. Moms pretty proud and we’re very happy for all. More wonderful goodies for Story Catching.
What’s Story Catching? Digital Scrapbooking, now available at Gallery Escalante. Story Catching is based on writing more and less pictures and stickers. More info is available at the website.
Have you been to Bryce Canyon City lately? If not, you should take a ride, get a treat and visit Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel. Randsom Owen’s latest artwork is hanging in the lobby and they are very nice. The Hotel is pretty much complete and was very busy the day Tracy and I stuck our noses in.
Don’t forget June 19th is the recital for Evolution Dance Company, 7:00 PM at the High School.
That’s a very busy weekend in Escalante. The Orem/Sunset Heights LDS Stake are to be in the area for their Aaronic Priesthood Encampment June 16th – 20th. 16th they’ll lunch in Town Center Park and from 1:30 to 4:30 they’ll be working on various service projects, both for the US Forest Service and Escalante City. Allysia Angus and Jerry Taylor have been working on the logistics and projects to keep 350 boys and their 100 adult chaperones busy. If you have any projects you think might benefit from their service you can contact Jerry Taylor or Vicki S at City Hall.
Although I did thank the Boy Scouts and congratulate them for their various service projects, I did not acknowledge their work to have flags on Main Street for Memorial Day. This year the leaders, Tim Olson and Dale Henrie, with scouts Justin Olson, Afton Nez, Jake and Caleb Christensen made sure there were flag holders on every block, and then placed and removed flags for the weekend. Thank you each one for your efforts. Both my parents are WWII Marine Vets and appreciate when people remember their efforts through displaying the flag of our great country.
The City agenda is long and gets more complex all the time. There are two new businesses in town. Rick Howell is working on turning the big house on 300 S into a Bed and Breakfast. Although the Council approved his request for a conditional use permit and a business license, there are structural changes that need to be made to meet code. Rick indicated he’ll return for a building permit when he gets the design complete. Jeff Dunn was approved for a business license for his Handyman Business. The state has a new classification for folks that want to work for others but don’t want or need a contractor’s license. The Handyman has a license and insurance to protect the consumer for fraudulent businesses, yet does not have the same requirements as a contractor. More details available on-line at http://www.utah.gov.
Mayor Porter reported the Fire Station will go out for bid mid June and congratulated the Clinic staff for a fine BBQ.
Councilman Allen talked about the on-going drainage issues; the completion of the electrical project at the airport; and the intergovernmental agreement between Escalante City and the Garfield County School District for the Little League Field. When the final agreement is signed by all the parties I’ll tell you about it.
Councilman Graham reported on the Filtration House. The Council approved purchasing ½ Acre of land from Lenza Wilson for the Filtration House to be located next to the water tanks on the hill. In addition, Lenza will work with the City to provide utility easement for power to the filter system whenever needed. The well house, on property off Highway 12, will consist of a little larger concrete block building to secure equipment within the terms of the City’s current lease for that location.
Desert Doc gave me a whole list of people from various places, and I’ll be darned if I can find it. Sorry Doc. Needless to say, there are a ton of motorcycles in town this year and more arriving every day. Watch for them as you travel.
On Thursday, June 11th Tracy will take me to Brian Head for a meeting of the Community Impact Board. City Treasurer Ronda and I will be presenting an update on the City projects funded by them thus far and a request for $30,000 matching funds to have the City Engineer create a Park Master Plan. That would provide time for public meetings and feedback for improvements to Town Center Park, Mohr Christensen Park, the Rodeo Grounds and the Little League Field at the High School. It will provide an opportunity for folks to talk about how they’d like to see the parks used and what equipment should be there. The final designs can then be used to apply for funding for the improvements. The whole process will take 1-2 years. But it’s a start. The Gallery will be closed the 11th.
Until next week – - – - -