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Friday, October 3, 2014

Garden City Usurping County Land Rights On Gun Range


Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. October 1, 2014.  A public hearing for gun range in Garden City will be held at the  City Council meeting at Thursday October 9 at 5 p.m.  Richard Droesbeck, Utah State Parks, said that he has performed some sound tests and also shot at the Logan Range to see how the sound would travel.

At the city meeting the public can see the drawings and research that has been done and make comments.  Droesbeck reported that  Danny White went to an HOA meeting of the Sweetwater trailer park  which would be adjacent to the gun range to hear their concerns.  State Parks has alternate sites, but the Mayor of Garden City wants to have the gun range close by the city.

Commissioner Bill Cox said  “This is actually county property.  Why are the public hearings in Garden City.  It is up to the county to push this.  Who pays for the liability insurance?  Will Utah local Governments pay for something that is out of their area,” said Cox, “I don’t think so.  Gun ranges are high risk as far as insurance.  There are a few things that we have to know before we sign off on it.  Garden City did not notify the county of the meeting, other than sending the agenda. This is county land not city land.”

Droesbeck said that there was a meeting called by Garden City with State Senator Lyle Hillyard about the suggestion for a jetty on the south end of the Garden City Fire District.  Evidently Hillyard suggested that expanding the marina might be more cost effective and serve more people. “ Again,” Cox said, “where they are proposing the jetty is in the county.”  Droesbeck said that Garden City proposing things outside of city limits is problematic without county approval.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I am a bit confused by your article here are the facts as Garden City has had a very good relationship with the county and I was completely surprised by your article:
1. We have a signed MOU, clearly outlining a joint venture between the county and the city to explore the Gun Range. This MOU was given to the State Parks several months ago. 2. Garden City, went to the County, Laketown, and the Bear Lake Regional Commission for approval to proceed on the Jetty concept all three agreed with unanimous approvals. In those meetings a basic design and location were discussed. 3. Emails with invitations to the meetings as well as emails to commissioner Cox dated 8.11.2014 with the Jetty design and cc to DNR. The commissioner accepted the meeting with Sen Hillyard but did not show up. I saw him later and he apologized due to a scheduling issue he as not able to make it. Those are the facts and anyone wanting to read the MOU on the Gun Range can do so as it is all public record. We value our relationship with the county and other cities.
John Spuhler
Garden City Mayor