This year there will only be a Republican primary election for County Commissioner since there is no challenger from the Democratic Party in Rich County. A close election in the Republican Caucus which had about 20 people attending meant that no candidate got enough votes to avoid a primary race.
If you are not registered you must register at the County Courthouse by June 13 or by June 16 online. Early voting will begin at the courthouse by June 16 if you have registered by the 13th
The election will be held June 24 at regular polling places starting at 8 a.m. To vote in this election, you must be a registered Republican.
Both candidates have family roots in Rich County and both are good public servants. Rich Civic Times Online asked each to write a statement outlining their vision for the county. As many know the staff reports are held in open meetings in Garden City and in closed meetings in the County. RCT asked each how they felt about giving the public more access and transparency in county government.
People often overlook voting for local offices, yet it is the local officials who have the most direct impact on the quality of life in an area. RCTonline urges everyone to vote in this early primary.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Tom Weston Answers to RCTonline Election Queries
My name is Tom Weston, and I am currently a Rich County
Commissioner. I am seeking re-election
to that position. I have a high amount
of admiration and respect for the county employees for whom I have an
opportunity to serve. They work hard
serving the public in their respected offices.
They do a great job. As a County Commissioner
Once a month we hold Commissioners Meetings. One hour prior to these meetings we hold a closed
session with the Supervisor’s of the different departments. We follow the state statute in this
meeting. By being a closed meeting, it
does not include the media. I will not
change this protocol. I enjoy being able
to visit with the other County employees one hour a month. Bike trails and parking, as well as other
amenities, are always an item that we give a lot of discussion. As a commissioner, I am always looking for
funding to help with these items.
Recently I was in a meeting with UDOT.
Bike trail/ walking path and parking were some of the top subjects we
discussed. An example of an area of
discussion was the bike path on the west side of the lake. I will continue to explore funding sources to
improve these discussed topics.
Budgets only go so far.
As a commissioner I believe in staying on a budget and doing the best
with the funding that I have. I feel it
is vital to plan necessary steps in advance for new projects and looking at all
possible funding. The infrastructures
that we have are inadequate at this time.
New asphalt along with widening the roads and shoulders is a must. I would like to see a new permanent structure
that would be staffed with enough personnel to be able to inspect and sterilize
water craft 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
These personnel would be trained technicians for the prevention of Quagga
and Zebra mussels. As residents of Rich County ,
we need to insure that our Beautiful
Lake
Commissioner Tom Weston
Pat Argyle Response To RCTonline Election Queries
On June 16, 1858, at
the Illinois Republican convention in Springfield, Abraham Lincoln kicked off
his bid for the U.S. Senate with a speech that would come to be known as the
"House Divided" speech. President Lincoln rightly predicted that the
United States would either become all free or all slave, but that the nation
would survive. In his speech, Lincoln quoted the Holy Bible when he said, "A
house divided against itself cannot stand."
Rich County has a long
history of division between the north and the south. I believe over the
years it has become somewhat better after consolidation of the schools;
however, it does seem to me there is still a sentiment of ranchers vs
non-ranchers. It is my desire to see this kind of division in our county
end. If our people are to become the best we can be we must do it
together in brotherly love.
Together we can protect our traditional way of life in
agriculture. Together we can face the inevitable changes
coming to the north end of our county while preparing for them in ways to
benefit all who live in Rich County. Together we can
face the challenges that threaten us all from federal and state
intrusion. Together we can create opportunities for our
children and grandchildren to be able to stay here and raise their families.
Together we can address the challenges we have unique to
agriculture. Together we can address the challenges we have that
are unique to the resort areas. Together we can address
the challenges we have in common because we all live in this beloved Rich
County. Think of the rancher out changing his water in his field.
Think of the miner on his way out to the graveyard shift. Think of
the restaurant owner serving up a meal. Think of the teacher grading
papers. Think of the many more people who either work from home via the
internet, dig foundations, study wildlife, keep the utilities working, and
many, many more. We are all so different, yet we are the same.
What do we have in
common? Let's start there and build upon that a unity in brotherly love
that will move us forward into the next chapter in Rich County's history.
Let's determine that the next chapter in Rich County's history will be
one that we can be proud of because we wrote it together. Adversaries
don't get very far together, but friends do.
If elected to serve as
your county commissioner I solemnly pledge to serve ALL citizens of Rich
County.
1. As a county-wide representative, I pledge to
fairly, and evenly represent the ENTIRE county and it’s residents.
2. As a county-wide representative, I pledge to be available to ALL residents by phone or email when any citizen has an issue that needs attention by the County Commission. I will return phone calls in a timely manner, and will be happy to discuss issues of importance to you.
2. As a county-wide representative, I pledge to be available to ALL residents by phone or email when any citizen has an issue that needs attention by the County Commission. I will return phone calls in a timely manner, and will be happy to discuss issues of importance to you.
3. As a county-wide representative, I pledge to
give fair-minded consideration to all sides of an issue when a decision needs
to be made. I also appreciate and expect for interested persons involved
in an issue to help me understand their perspective so that I can make the best
possible decision.
4. As a county-wide representative, I pledge to
honor and obey all laws and ordinances in my pursuit of county business.
5. As a county-wide representative, I pledge to
administer the business of the County Commission with total fidelity to the
trust placed in me by all the citizens of Rich County.
6. As a county-wide representative, I pledge to
conduct county business in an open and transparent manner, including open
public meetings.
7. As a county-wide representative, I pledge to
protect the sacred trust of tax dollars paid by the citizens of this county.
8. As a county-wide representative, I pledge to
consider my term in office as a service to our county community, and have no
personal agenda to pursue. I believe in service to one’s community.
9. I pledge to promote the principle taught by
Ronald Reagan that “A rising tide floats all boats.” Opportunities for
one part of the county invariably benefit ALL of the county.
10. I pledge to promote unity in the
county. I don’t see US and THEM. I see only US. Together we
can be great!
I am running for county
commission because of a desire to serve. I care deeply about this county
and ALL those who live here. I appreciate your vote.
Bryce Huefner Endorses Argyle
Garden City Residents: Please register to vote. If we want representation in the county commission we have to put some effort into winning the primary election which is June 24th. Go to https://secure.utah.gov/voterreg/index.html. Monday is the deadline to register in person or online.
This is what it boils down to: All three commissioners are ranchers. I like each individual but we need Pat Argyle to represent the needs of our community and businesses to the commission. ... There is no way for Pat to win unless, we get all of our community to register and then vote.
As many of you know, I have done a lot of research about our population and we don't have the ability to win unless we get out the vote. So get registered, talk to your neighbor and get them registered and pass this along. We have over one third the population of the county and we can win if we vote. I would go door to door but I am just like the rest of you and am trying to make a living. If we each reach out to one or two people it can happen.
This is what it boils down to: All three commissioners are ranchers. I like each individual but we need Pat Argyle to represent the needs of our community and businesses to the commission. ... There is no way for Pat to win unless, we get all of our community to register and then vote.
As many of you know, I have done a lot of research about our population and we don't have the ability to win unless we get out the vote. So get registered, talk to your neighbor and get them registered and pass this along. We have over one third the population of the county and we can win if we vote. I would go door to door but I am just like the rest of you and am trying to make a living. If we each reach out to one or two people it can happen.
If you want to know who is registered to vote you may access a recent list from the county by going to https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_T_tlvbO6-3ZkRMaHF2OW9Pb1pOaDNlLW5Xdk10UldRUnVN/edit?usp=sharing. This list is public information.
If you have any questions please send me a note or call me.
Bryce Huefner
If you have any questions please send me a note or call me.
Bryce Huefner
Farmers Market On Saturday Mornings
 |
| Farmer's Market in City Parking Lot Next to LDS Church in Garden City 10 am to 1 pm Saturdays |
Garden City Park Library Rummage Pre-Sale This Thursday June 12
ANNUAL LIBRARY RUMMAGE SALE
It is again time for the Annual Garden City Library Rummage Sale! The sale will take place on June 13 and 14 from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Garden City Park.
This year there will be a Pre-Sale on Thursday, June 12 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Garden City Park. A $5.00 entry fee will be charged for that evening only. World Mark Resort has again donated many items including 60 new T-shirts (many colors, and sizes available), new playing cards, first aid kits, DVD players, ice cream makers a camera, and many other items.
Several gently used toys, furniture, and a sail boat have been donated. Many local businesses in Garden City are also participating by donating great items! We are looking forward to a great rummage sale again this year, so don't miss out!
If you have any questions, or items you would like to donate to this worthy cause, contact Doris Mellor,event chair,( 435) 946-8956, Kathie Anderson, Library Chair- (801)518-5172, Robert Peterson, Board Member, (714) 875-9955, Elaine Negus, Board Secretary, (435) 757-3461, or Cathie Rasmussen, (435) 881-8761, Garden City Librarian.
*Remember- no clothing, beds, bedding, or large electrical items.
Will Rodeo Start This Weekend Without Ambulance?
Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times
Rich Civic Times
RANDOLPH, Utah. June
4, 2014. Jake Willis is presenting a rodeo every weekend in Garden City and needs an ambulance there to fulfill Garden City’s requirement to conduct a private rodeo. Kim Wilson and Mike Downing. EMT Association, addressed the ambulance issues. The issue is that
they cannot provide private ambulance service to a business on a regular basis
with their volunteers.
“The EMT are all volunteers, we cannot commit that there
will be an ambulance,” said Downing.
Willis said he would bring something else in but he has not been able
to. He is offering EMT who will stay at
the rodeo free tickets for themselves and their families. But Downing said as they are volunteers and
have jobs it might not be possible to staff every rodeo three times a week
during the summer, plus deal with accidents that happen at the same time in the
rest of the county.
An EMT coming from
another county would be considered a Basic. It is not sure whether that would fulfill
their legal requirements. “ Is a basic EMT going to be able to triage?” Downing
asked, “who has the liability? Will they
pay the EMT?” Idaho EMT cannot serve under the Utah
license. During this busy time all
ambulances could be out of the county.
Commissioner Bill Cox
said “as a private function and business it is a different thing.” Tom Weston said that Willis needs to have
someone he contracts with. Norm Weston
said he could hire an EMT who is not involved with the Rich County EMT
Association, so the county has no liability.
They will talk to the county attorney.
If they do use the Rich County Ambulance used they would have to pay the
same fee as other events which is $500 plus $150 per hour.
Sweetwater Fire Victims To Request A Tax Abatement
Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times
RANDOLPH, Utah. June 4, 2014. Kim Wilson, Assessor, said that the house that burned down on Sweetwater Hillside this spring will be taxed for the entire year a its value at January 1, 2014 unless there is an abatement meeting with the county commission. Right now if there is natural
disaster a homeowner can get an exemption, but not a fire or other disaster.
Technically the value should be there as of Jan 1.
Wilson said that Morgan County and Cache County abates the taxes to the point of damage, and that Rich County should adopt that. Wilson has talked to the owners who have said that they want to build it back exactly as it was, since it was new
construction.
Marathon Denied, Enterprise Zone Discussed
Rich County has a policy of not allowing races that close two lanes of roadway around the lake during the busy summer months. Mitch Poulsen, director of Bear Lake Regional Commission,
asked for an exception for a Bear Lake marathon and half marathon at 6 am in the
morning June 13-14 . Norm Weston and
Bill Cox said the problem is precedence
The half marathon will end at the LDS church in Garden City as does the
marathon. Norm Weston does not want to
double up the road. "We should stick
to our policy," said Commissioner Bill Cox.
Poulsen introduced the idea of an Enterprise Zone for the county. The State website has documentation on Enterprise
Zones. They are established to designate an area
where businesses may claim state tax relief in small counties. The State has a map online of existing zones.
The State wants to focus on small businesses. It opens
existing businesses to tax credits. It
is not land use, but used for job growth and creation and incentives to expand
their businesses. Adopt the whole county
as an enterprise zone, said Poulsen.
This gets a home garage business into a storefront because with the tax
credits it would be more affordable. There
is for example a tax credit of 25% for a 200,000 rehabilitation of a building
that was empty for two or more years.
There are other grants available for businesses who are adding
employees. The county needs to target what kinds of jobs they can get. Poulsen has been asked to look into this to get
even more information.
New Boat Launch Considered Near Gus Rich Point
RANDOLPH, Utah. June 4, 2014. A new boat launch site by Gus Rich Point is
being discussed by Garden City mayor
John Spuhler and City Public Works director, Travis Hobbs. Hobbs was concerned that launching around the
lake off the beach is now illegal due to HB 333 and if the lake goes down, most
boats would not be able to launch at current launch places. It has
been since the 1980’s that the last ramp
was built. In the whole area there is
one boat ramp and that is the marina.
Hobbs proposes putting a launch point in between Garden City
and Laketown which extends into the deeper part of the lake. Hobbs feels that the State might fund a new
launch pad. Spuhler said this would be a
help to a public safety issue, when the winds come up everyone heads for the
Marina. Often they are too far away and need to be rescued. This would create a launch site to get to on
the south side.
This beach from Gus Rich to Rendezvous is hard to manage, so
this launch ramp facility would provide
parking and launching from a safe point.
Hobbs presented a conceptual plan
to the commissioners and will talk to
the Laketown Council as well before presenting it to the State. There would be a fee for parking which would
generate revenue. Spuhler suggested
there be spaces for restaurants and boat rental shops which would also provide
extra revenue. There are no wetlands in
the proposed area.
Cox said that the next step is talking to the state. Hobbs
estimates that it will cost $2-3 million.
The marina expansion which is still needed would be $25 million because
it is larger and it will have boat slips. This proposal is for a launch site only,
but built out with the idea that it would work during very low lake
levels. Hobbs said State Parks should
manage it as it would be a money maker.
Adding rock will increase fisheries.
This is also closer to the “rock pile” fishing pile.
Tom Weston asked about the east side of the lake. Hobbs said that if this one makes money it
could fund a launch spot on the east side. The east side has two launch sites
now. The Rendezvous launch Is not usable
when the lake is low. The launch point at
the Marina is a bottle neck. If someone
doesn’t know how to back into the launch at the marina they can use up two or
three lanes.
Tom Weston said he likes the concept. “Could we set up a
meeting with the DNR, State Lands, State Parks, UDOT,legislators and other
affected organizations to get their input.
Then plans need to be drawn to get exact costs and look for partners.” He
said.
Mayor Spuhler said that
Garden City would be willing to pay for
a couple of thousand dollars to get more details to get costs tied down
so that presentations will be more concise.
Across the highway there is land available for even more parking. Hobbs
will get letters of support from the Bear Lake Regional Commission and business
owners and HOA boards. This would also allow
an inspection site for quagga mussels at
a single point. Spuhler said it would
disperse the traffic in the summer. Cox
said there is planning money available, he could check with those agencies to
see what kind of a study will need to be done .
Norm Weston said that Rich County should support the conceptual idea and
asked that the Regional Commission be involved in looking for planning monies.
Bear River Mental Health New Transitional Facility In Logan
Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times
RANDOLPH, Utah. June 4, 2014
Reed Ernstrom, director of Bear
River Mental Health Services, presented the annual mental health plan. There are ten mandated services, such as inpatient, outpatient services, cri, and crisis
management. The county funds are the most valuable dollars because they
leverage 20 to 1. County funds are used
for Medicaid matches and draw down $8 ½ million dollars. Ernstrom asked for
additional focus on early intervention.
Rich County has done this well because they have worked with the schools
here to identify youth and families in need of mental health help early on. There is a lot of concern about suicide
prevention. There are adult and youth
services. “ Early intervention monies come from the state,” said Bill Cox. “ The legislature helps us with state dollars
to help with the federal dollars.”
There is a new facility in Logan, it is transitional
residential group home, for people transitioning out of the state hospital or regular hospital
so that they can be monitored and
reintegrated into the community. There are ten bedrooms for both male and
female. That facility is available to
everyone from the tri couty area.
Both Rep Ken Webb and Congressman Jim Matheson were at the
opening and said that it was important
to serve the needs of Mental health,” said Commissioner Cox. If someone is truly in need but does not need
hospitalization they could be monitored there also.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
The Unmuddled Mathematician
By Chris Coray, The Unmuddled
Mathematician
Our world is getting a little complicated. For example, we have a TV, a DVD player,
the satellite receiver, and a DVR, all about 1 foot apart.
But there are also 3 remotes, one for each of these items. I have to somehow keep track of which buttons
to push, which inputs to select, and a whole variety of choices to make in
order to get proper operation. Push the
wrong button at any point in the process and the whole system goes into
never-never land. I think it’s possible
to buy a single remote to control the other 3 remotes. What I’m looking for is a remote that is so
big that it can’t be lost and will double as a coffin (or maybe a boat) when
the time comes for me to need one. Thank
heavens there will be no need for a mute button at that time.
Then there are phones.
The collective desire of Americans to have phones that pretty much do
everything has produced some amazing stuff.
The Muddled Male can control all the water tanks, pumps, and well houses
on the Sweetwater Hill from his phone.
Plus it does email, photos, sound recording, texting, Skype, data base
management, internet access, birthday parties, and can be a pacemaker if he
needs one. Ah, but what does one do when
a new model or feature comes out, as happens almost every day. The need to be at the tip of the arrow can
ruin a life. New bibles will soon have
an 11th commandment, “Thou shalt not try to keep up with all the
latest electrical gadgets”. A person
could go nuts with updates. Some people have
already reached the stage where they cannot bear to be two iterations behind
the newest item. Further, the “Neener,
Neener, Neener” factor is growing between the Hatfields and the McCoys, by
which I mean Apple and Android. They
don’t get along any better than congress.
There are other issues.
My wife is one of two people on the earth who own a Blackberry, the
other being the President of the United States.
She does not have his tech support staff, however. So when her phone died while still under warranty
she got a new one delivered. She spent
an entire day getting it set up, connected to the wireless, enabling feature A,
disabling feature B, and still was stumped by the process of connecting it to
her car so she could be in compliance with the new Utah laws on cell phone use
in cars. There was no instruction manual
for making the connection. Just sort of
a “Good luck, maybe you should have bought a different phone”. Finally, victory was achieved, followed by a
need for a substantial nap.
I know what’s coming.
Out insatiable need to have a single hand-held device do just about
everything in our lives (even if weighs 30 lbs) will produce exactly that. This omnibus device will come with a beanie
cap to hold the solar power collector to recharge the battery and a shoulder
mounted lightning rod for thunderstorms.
And the ultimate feature will be a water detecting electromagnetic force
field unit that will not allow the device to enter water. This is going to be great for potential
toilet disasters but when you see somebody jump off the edge of a pool or try
to enter the lake and then see that human rejected and bounced repetitively
above the water surface, please have no sympathy, as they are wearing their
phone. An app is available for immediate
back surgery to be carried out by the internal articulated arm that will be
part of each new phone. It’ll be right
next to the on-board pizza oven.
The Farmer's Market is Starting
 |
| Photo by John Spuhler As you enjoy the lake, don't miss the farmer's market on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. in the parking lot behind Lakeside Pizza and south of the LDS Church. |
Rummage Sale, June 13-14
ANNUAL LIBRARY RUMMAGE SALE
It is again time for the Annual Garden City Library Rummage Sale! The sale will take place on June 13 and 14 from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Garden City Park.
This year there will be a Pre-Sale on Thursday, June 12 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Garden City Park. A $5.00 entry fee will be charged for that evening only. World Mark Resort has again donated many items including 60 new T-shirts (many colors, and sizes available), new playing cards, first aid kits, DVD players, ice cream makers a camera, and many other items.
Several gently used toys, furniture, and a sail boat have been donated. Many local businesses in Garden City are also participating by donating great items! We are looking forward to a great rummage sale again this year, so don't miss out!
If you have any questions, or items you would like to donate to this worthy cause, contact Doris Mellor,event chair,( 435) 946-8956, Kathie Anderson, Library Chair- (801)518-5172, Robert Peterson, Board Member, (714) 875-9955, Elaine Negus, Board Secretary, (435) 757-3461, or Cathie Rasmussen, (435) 881-8761, Garden City Librarian.
*Remember- no clothing, beds, bedding, or large electrical items.
Near Death
Dangerous Driving
On June 1, 2014, two young children were driving a side-by-side ATV
south on Serviceberry Road in the Sweetwater Hillside at 4 p.m.
Their estimated ages were 10 and 8.
The passenger was a very young girl wearing a head band with cat
ears. While driving their vehicle out of
control they very narrowly missed a head-on collision with a motor vehicle
traveling the other way. A collision was
averted by the driver of the motor vehicle who drove off the road.
The point of this story is to warn parents
about the dangers of very young people driving ATV’s too fast, on the wrong
side of the roads, and out of control.
The children are too precious.
Please be careful and supervise the children.
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