Ogden Standard Examiner Story About Drowning In Bear Lake

By Andreas Rivera, Standard Examiner Staff

GARDEN CITY - Emergency crews recovered the body of an apparent drowning victim out of Bear Lake on Thursday. The victim was identified as 37-year-old Justin Peterson of Layton, according to a release from Utah State Parks.

Peterson was last seen at the docks of Bear Lake State Park marina on Wednesday night by his family.
Utah State Park Rangers and Richfield County Sheriff search and rescue crews began searching for Peterson the next day. Local divers also assisted in trying to find his body, which was recovered just after 8 p.m. Thursday near the marina.

Park Rangers believe Peterson had somehow fallen off the dock and was unable to get back up. Rangers are still investigating the tragedy and the body is with the State Medical Examiner for autopsy

Contact reporter Andreas Rivera at 801-625-4227 or arivera@standard.net. Follow him on Twitter at @SE_Andreas

Beaches And Ordinances

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. June 12. The Garden City Council discussed ordinance changes.  There is now a requirement of a cash deposit of 125% of the value of the infrastructure rather than a developer giving a bond  If the infrastructure is not completed, then the cash is used to finish the project or the developer can give the city  150%  for the build out of that phase.

There was also a discussion on business licenses, if a business is on a transient business license , it costs $1500 for the whole summer which is much cheaper than other resort places said Mayor John Spuhler. Councilman Bruce Warner thinks it keeps businesses out of the area.  But others on the council said it protects existing business from people who come at peak times and take away tax paying businesses.

Council man Warner said that “the city gets a lot of grants which make our finances look good, as if we have a lot of revenue.”  He asked “how are we doing in our other spending especially with water?” Spuhler said that now with the new rates the city is now paying for water .

Warner asked, “do we have a general fund reserve for anything or an emergency that comes up?”  Spuhler said there are some dedicated accounts like resort tax which have funds, above the general fund.  Warner asked if there was any unused excess.  Councilwoman Bess Huefner said that the city is  saving for 300 West.  Huefner said that cities are allowed a certain  amount of excess by law.  The resort tax is creating a lot of revenue for parks, library and pool.   Warner  suggested that the resort funding be used  for transportation costs rather than another tax.

Huefner said that the city need a new lawn mower and the city should be budgeting for it. There are large park mowers that could be obtained for $10,000 each and should be put in the budget.

Spuhler said that it could be put in next year’s budget.   “I’d rather spend money on one 14 passenger bus to try it out this summer.  They will need to budget $20,000 for an ADA compliant bus, a driver and trailer to pull beach toys.  It will be wrapped to protect the paint with the logo “Where Families Come to Play”.  The money will come out of the tourism and recreation budget so it will not come out of the general fund. 

State Lands is receptive to Garden City making a plan to improve the beaches to remove the phragmites and other noxious weeds if the city plans for wildlife preservation.  They will then allow mowing of invasive species and they will even do it themselves right away.  “But,” said Spuhler,  “ if you want to disc the area then you need a study.”  “If we mow now,” said Spuhler,  there might be an area  that you could disc  right now without a study.”  Planning money is easier to get than action funds.  Warner asked if there were places where sand could be brought in to improve the beaches.  It was noted that the sand has to be Bear Lake sand from the north end and it is almost gone.  The jetty marina concept could be a possibility, perhaps a strip of beach could be added to the jetty.

Huefner said that we need to purchase beach front land for the future and to do a study which will allow the city to clean the area below the areas that are for sale now, so that they can look like Ideal Beach.  If the city purchased the lands there would need to have a wetland study done giving the city permission to disc everything below high water mark.  “It is almost prohibitive to buy beach land now.”  Huefner said, “but if we don’t plan for beaches now it will be gone and we are not allowing hotels on the beach. “ 

“If we buy the two properties it will be several million dollars,” said Spuhler.  “How do we pay for that?”   Bess Huefner said that we ought to look for the future to preserve beaches for the future growth.  We need a study on what our options above the high water line.  Gary Cox, city administrator, said that there may be money from the Army Corps to restore beaches since the draw down from Rocky Mt. Power has degraded the beach. 

Bess Huefner talked about the Mud Lake Symposium  The north end of the lake has good beaches because of the water and wind patterns.

The Unmuddled Mathematician

Chris Coray, The Unmuddled Mathematician

Many years ago when I was in graduate school studying the only perfect discipline, summertime provided a break.  Fortunately, there were libraries full of books that contained only hard math story problems so I was saved from a horrible vacuum.

Anyway, during many of those summer weeks I would drive out to Flaming Gorge and work on the Green River below the dam.  By work I mean that I would rent rafts to people who wished to float a small section of the river and if needed I would be the guide for people who were a little nervous about trying the river on their own. 

The most popular stretch of the river was from the dam to Little Hole, a take-out point 7 miles down river.  It is a beautiful stretch of water with no rated rapids, just an occasional little wave.  The water temperature in those days was very cold, just about 39 degrees, as the dam had not yet been modified to mix warmer water from the lake surface.  While the fishing was also pretty good, most trout moved quickly down the river to a point where the water had warmed up. 

All kinds of visitors floated that stretch of water.  It was about an even split between those who wanted to float on their own and those who wanted an experienced person with them.  If the former I would rent the raft and agree to a pick-up time at Little Hole.  Mostly on guided trips I could keep everybody dry except for wet shoes but on one trip there was a lady who spent the whole time whining and constantly applying more and more make-up.  She was having none of the outdoors experience until the raft accidentally found the only wave on the whole stretch and sort of rinsed her make-up off all at once.  Boy, I had to work hard to get the raft into that one little wave.

By far the most unusual trip was a father-daughter pair who wanted to float the 7 miles on their own.  You probably have a mental picture of this couple.  Your picture is wrong.  The daughter was 67, the father 91.  They had no previous experience on a river.  But I rented the raft (not smart on my part) and as I prepared to launch them from the ramp just below the dam I made darn sure that their life jackets were properly and securely fastened.  The pick-up time was set for 3 hours later, about 5 p.m.  The 91 year old guy wasn’t too limber as he climbed into the boat and I was considerably nervous wondering for a second if the daughter had nefarious plans.

At 5 p.m. I was at Little Hole, peering up the river.  Around the bend came the rented raft, with just one person sitting upright.  Wading out into the shallows I grabbed the rope and asked the daughter, “Where is your dad?”  Her answer was short.  “Daddy’s gone”.  

What?  She further said that her father had fallen out of the back of the raft about 3 miles upstream and she hadn’t seen him since.  This was bad.  That water was really, really cold.  The daughter didn’t seem upset.  On the other hand, I was.  I got the daughter out of the raft, sat her on a rock in the warm sun, and hadn’t a clue about what to do. 

In less than ten minutes my anxious staring up river was rewarded by a bobbing head with orange life jacket.  As fast as I could move I got out into the water and snagged daddy.  He was, in order, alive, wet, cold, quiet, and unruffled.  He wasn’t speaking much.   I got him out of his wet shirt, warmed him up with a dry towel, and loaded him into his daughter’s car and waved a cheerful goodbye, at least cheerful to me.  To this day I do not know how he survived and the phrase, “Daddy’s gone” still floods my memories with the trip of that pair. 

I have been tossed into a river by big white water.  Being in the raft is better.

School Board Candidates

There are four people who will be on the primary ballot for a position on the Rich County School Board.  The primary election will be held on June 24 at regular polling places or early voting at the Rich County Courthouse.

In alphabetical order the four candidates are:

Tammy Calder



Tamalyn E. Calder

Hello residents of Rich County.  For those of you who don't know me, my 
name is Tammy Calder (Tamalyn E. Calder on the ballot) and I am running
for school board member in the Garden City precinct. 

I have served on the Rich School Board for 16 years and would love to continue to serve you and your children for another term.  There is a common theme in the political arena at this time that it is "time for change", and I couldn't agree more.  There is ample room for both change and improvement in many of our governing bodies.  With that in mind, I am asking you to re-elect me at this time because of my stability,experience, and desire to offer our children the best education possible
in this ever-changing and challenging world.

I believe strongly in keeping a small-town atmosphere and work ethic in our schools, while still preparing our students to compete in a global work force. I bring a "feminine" view point to our current board that includes four male counterparts, which is important in decision making. 

I do not believe in making political promises to sway your vote.  I will tell you that I will do everything in my power to make the best choices possible in educating our children, spending our tax dollars wisely, keeping a balanced budget, and constantly monitoring policies and procedures while making changes when necessary.  I am more than happy to listen to your concerns and discuss alternatives to current methods of instruction. 

I believe our administration and teaching staff is second to none and that they truly have the best interest of educating our children foremost in their minds and in their hearts.  I have lived in
this community since 1983 and am proud to call it "home".

Lastly, I would like to ask everyone to come out and vote in the primary election on June 24, 2014.  Traditionally, primary elections have very small turnouts.  With four of us running for this single school board position, it is important to get as much representation as possible.  I would appreciate your vote of trust and confidence in serving you with another term on the Rich School Board.  Thank you.

Bryce Huefner

I recognize the impact a local school board has on the education of its children.  It is a solomn duty and honor to hold such trust of the people.

As many of my friends and neighbors in the community know, I am very concerned about the education of our youth.

There are several things I would like to work for if elected:  1) Work to keep the federal government out of our school district.  The constitution of the United States of America expressly prohibits programs like Common Core and federal school lunch programs and we shouldn't allow the federal government to have power over our lives or our childrens' lives by taking money from "them".  2)  I will work to see more input by parents, also known as constituents.  We have felt for years that the school board represents the administration and teachers not those who elected the board.  3)  I will bring some business ideas to the table that can save money and improve the education.  4)  I will be tough but fair to employees in the district.

I say tough because I will work to have the boards' benefits; pay reduced to $0 then the board can require tough changes by the administration and other employees.  I say fair because I realize people rely on equitable treatment when providing a service for pay.  

Andy Stokes









Tiffany Wahlberg

My name is Tiffany M. Wahlberg.  I attended Utah State University where I earned my Bachelor’s in Accounting and a Master of Accountancy.  While living in Logan I worked for two large accounting firms.  In 2002, my husband and I moved to Garden City, where I opened my own accounting practice.  As a CPA, I assist individuals, businesses and governmental entities with budgeting, tracking finances, and meeting filing and other legal requirements.

My husband and I have four children, three of which will attend Rich County Schools next year.  Their education is very important to us.  A good education lays the foundation for a successful, happy life.  It paves the way for a successful career.  I am running for the position of Rich County School District Board Member to ensure that my children receive the best education possible, while building friendships and enjoying extra-curricular activities.

The school board's responsibilities include adopting policies to set the vision and goals for the district; helping the district achieve those goals; hiring the superintendent, teachers, and other employees of the district; and adopting and overseeing the annual budget.  As you can see, the school plays a very important role in providing a quality educational environment.  In working with other governmental entities, I have assisted them in very similar roles.  My experience in these areas would be a very valuable asset to the school district and community.  When hiring employees, it is important to review all candidates to ensure that the individual hired not only meets, but exceeds the minimum qualifications.

Every child is unique.  Each has their own strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and hobbies.  Schools should offer opportunities for each child to grow and thrive.  Curriculum should allow for adaptation to meet those challenges and strengths.  Courses and extra-curricular activities should be offered that provide a variety of opportunities.  Staff should be hired who are prepared and committed to helping each and every child excel.

Because the school board does play such an important role in a child’s education, it is very important to work closely with parents and others in the community.  Transparency in government is not only desirable, but required by state and federal laws.  As a member of the school board, I will push to have all meetings open whenever possible, ensure meetings are only closed when allowed by law, encourage public input at meetings and on important decisions, and encourage publishing meeting agendas and minutes on the website
.

Please remember to vote in the upcoming primary for both school board and county commissioner.  Thank you for your vote.

Library Rummage Sale

GARDEN CITY LIBRARY RUMMAGE SALE WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!!!

Thanks to all who donated items to the Garden City Library Rummage sale, and to those who purchased many treasures.  thanks to Garden City’s  businesses that  supported the library:  World Mark Resort,  Bear Trapper, Lakeside Pizza, Chevron,  Merlin’s, Texaco, LeBeau’s, Café Sabor, Quick-N-Tasty, and  Bear Lake Pizza for donating gift certificates, drinks, food, DVD/VCR players, Bear Lake T-Shirts, etc. 

A big shout goes out to the Young Men from Garden City 1^st and 2^nd Wards who volunteered their time and strength:  Drew Moldenhauer, Tyler Nicol, Cole Peterson, Gage Peterson, Rome Peterson, Keegan Terry, Kyler Rasmussen, and Korry Rasmussen. hank you to the following volunteers who donated their time: Bob Peterson, Kay Wise, Cathie Rasmussen, Anita Weston, Jill Peterson, Bobbie Coray, Judy Johnston, Mark Anderson, Brenda Crookston, Chaz Crookston, Dawn Brady, Shane Rasmussen, Kathie Anderson, and Barbara England.  A special thank you goes to Nadine Sprouse who was our cashier for the sale.   

Most important, we thank Doris Mellor, who spent many tireless hours organizing this year’s very successful Library Rummage Sale,

    

     All the money raised at the rummage sale will benefit the Garden City Library patrons.  Please come to our library Mondays, 2-6 pm, Wednesdays, 10-6 pm, Fridays, 2-6 pm, and Saturdays, 10-2 pm.  The library has books, audio books, movies, and computers available.

     DON’T FORGET “AMAZING ANIMALS” SUMMER PARTY ON JUNE 18^TH AT 11: OO A.M. AT THE GARDEN CITY LIBRARY- (3-10 years old)   A light lunch will be provided.   (FREE)