Calvin Richard Watts 1924 - 2018

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Calvin Richard Watts, died Nov. 5, 2018, and crossed over calmly and peacefully to be greeted by his wife, daughter, parents and extended family. 

Cal was born Sept. 13, 1924, in Rexburg, Idaho, the youngest son of eight children. His parents were John Austin Watts and Lucy Ellene Nichols Watts. Cal's mother died of cancer when Cal was just 15. He spent his earliest years in Rexburg, playing in the fields and waiting for the train to come through town. A child of The Great Depression, he and his family knew poverty, but unity and laughter made them rich. His family moved to Logan in 1932. Nearly every Watts descendant has attended Utah State since. Go Aggies. 

An athlete, he ran track and played basketball for Logan High School (Class of '42) and basketball briefly at USU. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. A talented pilot and flight instructor, he flew the B-29 Bomber. He was very proud of his military service, when he learned of his strengths and drew upon them. He achieved the rank of second lieutenant. 
He married his beautiful high school sweetheart, Ann Adams, on July 22, 1945, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and was sealed to her (after 58 years of marriage) in the Logan LDS Temple in December 2002. Their happy marriage was one for the ages, lasting nearly 71 years. 
Cal co-founded Cache Valley Builders Supply with his brothers in 1946. As time passed, he bought out each of his siblings, passing the business along to his sons. The lumber, truss and pre-hung door business thrived for 54 years until it was sold. 

Cal had an optimism and warmth throughout his entire lifetime, truly loving his family, lifelong friends and dear neighbors, showing concern through empathy, generosity and humor. He so enjoyed an afternoon at Lava Hot Springs, days at their Bear Lake cabin, and the years of male companionship with The Bluebird Coffee Club. His wit and wisdom can be summarized in his favorite sayings: "We are blessed, not lucky," "I'll be 'go to hell,'" "Live life with the least amount of regrets," "Always leave everyone better than you found them," and "Don't fail to mention it" when someone expressed appreciation. The only thing he wanted written in his obituary was to say, "Thank you for letting me call you my friend."

Cal is survived by his children, Craig (Dorothy) Watts, Randy (Kathie) Watts, Kim (Anita) Watts, Lisa Watts (Rob) Baskin, 18 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. His lovely wife Ann, beautiful daughter Judy Watts Johnson, and his beloved siblings preceded him in death. 
Funeral services were under the direction of Allen-Hall Mortuary on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, at noon at the Logan 20th Ward, 875 N. 1500 East, with a viewing from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., just preceding the service. On Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, there was  a viewing from 6 to 8 p.m. at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center St., in Logan. Sincere gratitude to Terrace Grove Assisted Living, Karmon and her excellent staff, and Sunshine Terrace Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Sunshine Terrace Foundation or your favorite charity

Tourism Grant Applications

Bobbie Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. November 7, 2018. Tammi Leonhart, Bear Lake Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau, told County Commissioners that these were the recommendations of the BLVC Board for grants.

Each application was reviewed, and discussion took place with those who presented following motions were made as a recommendation to the Rich County Commission.

       • Bear Lake CVB Operating
       • Bear Lake Advertising
       • Bear Lake Visitor Centers
       • Wilford Woodruff Homestead
       • Bear River Heritage Area
       • Town of Randolph
       • Town of Garden City
       • Town of Garden City
       • Town of Garden City
       • Bear Lake Rendezvous Chamber
       • Bear Lake Rendezvous Chamber
       • Town of Laketown
       • County Seat
       • Rich County Sheriff's Office Total

$61,491.49 Operating Budget
$120,000.00 Advertising Budget
$32,560.00 Visitors Center Budget
$10,000.00 Maintenance on Homestead
$6,000.00 Rich County Heritage Tourism
$10,000.00 Park Picnic Tables & Trees
$35,000.00 Garden City Pickleball Courts
$60,000.00 Stage & Pavilion at Heritage Park
$60,000.00 Restrooms at Heritage Park
$6,000.00 Winter/Summer Maps
$4,000.00 Videos & Facebook
$25,000.00 Rodeo Arena Light
$20,000.00 Commercials
$80,000.00 Extra Seasonal Help and Equipment

$ 530,051.49

Eighteen Wheeler Philosophy

“My Hello Mighty!”
By Mel Hansen

June Marie Saxton certainly doesn’t need an endorsement from the likes of me, but my pretty little wife and I have now become admirers of her literary talent.

My wife has read to me this book in the past week and a half whilst I’ve either been sitting next to her on the sofa or over the phone, via Bluetooth, while I’m on the road.

I really love watching and listening to my pretty little wife as she reads to me. She really gets into each character...giving each one a particular voice and attitude!  It’s like she becomes the character in the book herself, her facial expressions and tones/levels of voice are priceless! I could listen to her read all day!

We fell in love with June Marie’s book instantly!  And “My Hello Mighty!” at times I was beginning to think we were never going to get through the book! If Gwenda wasn’t laughing, she was crying, and I even had to fan her with my hand at times to keep her eyes dry and contacts from falling out! Gwenda enjoyed reading it to me. I do believe she’s become fluent in the Native American Shoshone language!

Junie is a talented young lady! I’m honored to know her and her family! Her parents were very instrumental in my life. They loved me.  They had faith in me, despite all of my shenanigans! I miss them. I’m positive that Bishop Weston and Pam are very proud of their daughter.

This book even has a character in it named Melvin! He’s a bit of a twit, but I don’t know of a Melvin who isn’t.

My favorite line in this book is  "Salvation means not getting caught!” Can I ever identify with this line of reasoning, for it could have been mine and my buddies motto when we were hellyuns growing up in the Bear Lake Valley! We never worried too much about the consequences of our actions.  Just not getting caught was our #1 priority, and if caught, you were the only one involved!  Protect your buddies at all cost!

So my little Junie, my pretty little wife will be reading to me the rest of your books, and after each one is finished, I’ll be sure to  "Spit across the sidewalk"in your honor!

You’re a damn good kid!  And thanks for sharing your talents with us.

Over 80% Of Registered Voters Voted!

RANDOLPH, Utah.  November 9, 2018. Voting was up this year due to the interest in local and statewide races and the ease of voting with a mail in ballot.  Not all the ballots have been counted as there may be a few that have been mailed in from out of country but as of Friday 1,114 of 1,374 have been returned a 81% return.

Fall Sunrise

Photo by Tavis Buys

Sweetwater Needs More Water Rights

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  November 7, 2018. Bear Lake Water Company representatives, Frank Corgiat and Ken Hull told Commissioners about the lack of enough water rights at the Sweetwater to support short term rentals.  They had asked for a year long moratorium.  But any  type of moratorium would have to go to a public hearing and include all building which Corgiat and Hull did not want. 

Corgiat outlined the steps the Water Company had been taking which included radio read meters and changing billing time to 6 and 6 months, as well as significant increases in high water usage fees.  They did  get some additional  canal  shares and are looking for more.  The CC&R will allow no outside watering except for trees and bushes and they will enforce that.

We need more data and we will do everything we can to get water, said Corgiat.  Our water lines are too small for commercial use.  The short term rentals have to be renewed every year, Corgiat asked commissioners to make sure the short term rental owners know to contact the water company as part of the license process.   Commissioner Bill Cox said that the County could do this, but advised them to keep track of the County P&Z agendas to see who is getting approval for short term rentals.

Corgiat said that the problem will not be solved by charging more for water. “It is not amount of water and what we charge it is the fact we don’t have water rights,” said Corgiat.

 

“If people are renting and they are not getting a permit we need to address this,” Hull said, “who enforces it?” 

Cox said, “we have got to figure out how to do that.  Garden City has an enforcement officer.  If they are advertising  without a permit they are being policed.” 

Cox suggested that the HOA report violations of rental units to the Bear Lake Regional Commission. 

County Commission Business

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  November 7, 2018.  This year there was actually a decrease in health care costs to the county.  The Hoffman Insurance representative said that there was a net 4% decrease in costs saving the county over $18,000. The County Commissioners will review the bid and make a decision by the next commission meeting.

Sid Winters, South Eden Ranch Development, told County Commissioners that he has an agreement with the Boy Scouts to put a well and water tank on their property on the east side of Bear Lake for his new subdivision. The Scouts can use the water in summer.   

Winters said that the engineering is 90% complete and that the infrastructure costs are $1.2 million. According to the county P&Z ordinances, an escrow account of 120% of the value of the water project is needed. They have three buyers for lots who are willing to pay now, and that money will go into the escrow account.   

They are working on final plat approval for the 1 to 1.2 acre lots. They plan to start construction of infrastructure in March or April after four years of preparation. They must go before the P&Z and get final approval at the end of the month.

Teresa and Steve Anderson want to build a garage on a separate lot on Sweetwater at 334 W Mashie Circle  so they have petitioned the County to allow them to encumber the two lots.  George Peart, County Building Inspector, said the HOA doesn’t allow a garage on a separate lot and they will need to deal with that.  The county allowed them an encumbrance.

Arrest of Bear Lake Concession Owner

Brian Hirschi, Logan, who is the owner of  concessions  on the Bear Lake State Parks and an endorsed rental business owner, was arrested October 29, as a suspect in an Idaho bar fight in Lava Hot Springs according to the Bannock County Sheriff's Office.

Other bar patrons of the Blue Moon Bar & Grill intervened in an argument between Hirschi and his wife, which led to a fight between Hirschi and one of the bar patrons.

The intervening bar patron was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, the sheriff's office said.

Hirschi was booked into jail and arraigned. He has no prior criminal record.

Red and Gold Days

Photos by Carol Ann Dyer

Monte Cristo Accidental Shooting. Charges

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  On September 23, 2018, a fourteen year old was shot and killed.  He was with his parents and sister in the Eli Ridge area of the Monte Cristo Mountain Range near Woodruff in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest driving on a dirt road off Highway 39.  Their Jeep was pierced with a single round.

Another family was doing target practice on a cardboard box to sight a hunting rifle.  Beyond the target was a dense forest.  They were unaware that there was a road beyond, but they did not investigate beyond the trees behind the target.

The shooter has been fully cooperative throughout the investigation  which has been done by the Rich County Sheriff's Office with assistance from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.  It is clear that she never intended to endanger anyone.

After careful review of the evidence, the State has filed a single charge of Negligent Homicide, a class-A misdemeanor in the First Judicial District Court.

 "This is a sad reminder to never shoot until  you know for certain what is downrange," said Benjamin Willoughby, Rich County Attorney.

Garden City Library Grants

The Garden City Library has recently received the “Children & Teen Book Enhancement Project” grant and the “KUED Mini Reading” grant.   We received over 100 books for toddlers through young adults that will greatly enhance our library collection and patrons reading selections.  Funds for the “Children and Teen Book Enhancement Grant”  were provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Serviced and Technology Act and were administered  by the Utah State Library Division.

Along with that, the “KUED mini grant”  allows the library to host a reading marathon through the month of November.  Children 5 years old through 8^th grade are encouraged to participate by reading 20 minutes each day for the entire month.  The Garden City Library hosted a read-athon on November 2^nd, where children and parents could get comfortable, read, and eat sandwiches.  At the end of the reading marathon, the library will host another event on December 8^th for those who participated in the month program.

Garden City Fire District Board Meeting

Leonard O’Reilly, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  November 7, 2018. Chairman Randall Knight presided and all other board members were present.

Fire Chief Mike Wahlberg reported on the progress of the station addition.
The 2019 Draft Budget was discussed in depth and subsequently approved.
The upcoming Christmas party was set for Tuesday December 4th at 6:30 and the fire board set for the following day, Wednesday but earlier at 5:00.

Wahlberg reported on the responses for the month:
2 - Fire
5 - Medical Calls
1 - Carbon monoxide call
1 - Major call - The department was the first responders to the scene of the semi truck accident that destroyed the Pugstones Sporting Goods building as previously reported in the RCT. It was first and foremost a possible fire incident, which did not occur, but took the lead of the accidents for three days.

Much was discussed about this runaway truck and what needs to be addressed for alleviating this kind incident from happening again; mandatory brake checks at the summit, larger signs to alert the drivers of the 8% grade and a reduced speed limit for truckers.