Eighteen Wheeler Philosophy

By Mel Hansen, The Eighteen Wheeler Philosopher

Never thought I'd say this...I miss building/mending fences.

I'm listening to a book about the constitution, right now it's talking about the First Amendment, Freedom of Speech.

It's jogged my memory of another "Fencing Lesson" I learned from my Dad as we were building a new fence around the grain field on the east side of the lake shortly after I had returned home from my mission.

At noon we sat in the pickup to have lunch, I turned on the radio to listen to the news and a few tunes whilst eating our sandwiches. Can't exactly remember what the news was specifically about, but it must've had something to do with freedom of speech cause I can remember my Dad saying after the news, "I fought for the right for every American to say what they want, but I didn't fight for what some think...is their right to be heard!"

I didn't comment on his statement at that time, but I found myself thinking about it the rest of the day. It's really a thought provoking statement.

On the way home I said to him "Dad, a person has to have the right to be heard...if not, what good is freedom of speech?"

His reply was..."No my boy! you have the "right" to say whatever you want!  It's up to others to determine if you're heard." 

No Bull

Anyone see the larger than life sized, anatomically correct bull on the roof of Merlin's Restaurant in Garden City the other day? It was huge.  It's gone from the roof now.

It seems our city fathers found the bull mildly disturbing, perched on the roof for all to see in its glory, so it has been banished to Merlin's back yard by vote of the City Council.

There is a sign warning people not to feed the bull.  Perhaps women and children should avert their eyes.

Photo by Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Garden City

Garden City Council Meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. January 11, 2018.  The Spa at Water’s Edge requested the City add a retail sale option to their current business license at 88 South Bear Lake Blvd.  After a brief discussion, the license was approved with the contingency that the individual must have an occupancy certificate before the business license would be valid.

Cody’s Gastro Garage requested the city to add catering to their current restaurant business license.  This business is also located at 88 South Bear Lake Blvd.  The request was made by Chris Shurian.  He noted that there have been several requests that large groups would like to have food delivered to their home or other location without having to bring the big groups to the restaurant itself.  He said that this license would allow him to buy the needed equipment to keep food at the proper temperature and have the types of equipment and vehicles to transfer food easily.  The requested was granted.

A request was made for a short-term rental license.  Scott Dotson will be the contact person for a short-term rental located at 794 N. Cambry Drive.  The owner is Streamline Consulting.  The license was granted.

Another request for a short-term rental was made by the owners, Robert and Kristi Smith for their property located at 865 Harbor Village Dr. #209.  Bear Lake Rental Properties will be the Management Company.    The dimensions of the rooms on their outline of the home as well as a lack of a diagram of the parking spots were left off from the request so the motion was made and approved with the contingency that these two missing items be drawn up and given to the City Office personnel.

Mitch Poulson, Bear Lake Regional Council,  appeared before the Council with a map showing the current and future trails throughout the County as well as other counties that are contiguous to Rich County.  The map uses different colors for trails for walking; walking and biking; walking, biking, and horseback riding; walking, biking, horseback riding; and four-wheelers and side-by-sides.  All types of facilities such as information, parking, restrooms, etc. are also included.  The maps will be available to individuals desiring to take advantage of these facilities.  He noted that the information on the map can also be made into an app that people can put on their telephones.

The Council was very receptive to the map and asked if the maps could also include trails and facilities that are also available in the winter.  There are more people coming in the winter to snowmobile, snowshoe, ski, etc.  This map could also be very helpful to those interested in winter activities. 

Poulson noted that they are trying to get the map ready for the coming summer, but there are still some items that need to be checked before final printing of the map.

The Council members re-appointed the following:

            Planning Commission Member, Lance Bourne

            Planning Commission Member, Jared Hislop

            Board of Adjustment Member, Mark Hislop

A motion was made and passed to reappoint the above individuals.

Mayor Leonhardt asked the Council members if they were satisfied with their assignments.  They responded that they were fine with the items they have been asked to work on. 

Garden City Council Reports

Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. January 11, 2018.  Pat Argyle, Garden City Council Member, reported on Heritage Park.  She noted that work on the park will be completed prior to Raspberry Days.  She is concerned about parking facilities for Raspberry Days and asked the Council Members to come up with some ideas for parking.  She noted that the first meeting for the Raspberry Committee was held the other day and hopes that everyone will look forward and take care of things early so that that Festival will go smoothly.

Howard Pope , Council Member, reported that he had met with Richard Monk concerning the swimming pool.  Glen Gillies noted that he has been doing a lot of work on the swimming pool.  He had cleaned the boiler and heating unit.  In the past only a minimum fee was assessed to reserve the pool.  The fee only took care of some salaries but not all the expenses involved.  Gillies noted that the fee to reserve the pool for parties needs to be increased.   

Gillies has purchased an extra circulation pump and there are six life guards working at the pool.  He suggested that a regular schedule for maintenance and cleaning be set up so that nothing gets overlooked in the future.  A lift for handicapped has been purchased as well as a new cover.  Things are going much better, and there is still some money that was set aside for the pool to continue to improve that area.

Mayor Mike Leonhardt told Pope that there will be a meeting February 12 dealing with trails.  The County Commissioners, the Forest Service and DNR individuals will be present.  It begins as 1:00 p.m.  He asked Pope to attend that meeting.

Ken Hansen, Council Member, noted that he has been working with Riley Argyle.  He said he was currently working on two projects—one to let out for a bid and the other one needs to be finished soon.  Hansen said that the library needs better lighting.  He said he would get the lights purchased and is willing to install the new lights.  He was told that there is a wiring problem on the east side of the library.  He said he would look into that issue.  He noted that the library needs some additional lights outside for safety.  He will also take care of that item.  Hansen was also told that the office used by the Tourism Bureau doesn’t have any heat in that area.  He said he would check out that matter as well.

Darin Pugmire reported that he is still working on 300 West going south.  Darrin noted that he is concerned about 300 West going from the City Offices to Highway 89 close to the KOA location.  He said that the road needs to be widened by at least two feet.  He also said that sidewalks would add to that area and should be at least 5’ wide if possible.  He is also concerned about the sidewalks in town. 

Mayor Leonhardt said that the computers in the city offices and the library need to be updated.  The current computer system is going down and working much to slow.  He said that hopefully they can get a new network up and working well soon.

No Ice On The Lake This Year

Photo by Lauriann Wakefield, Little Starling Photography, Garden City

Special Garden City Council Meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah. January 2, 2018.  According to the agenda placed in the post office, there was a special meeting of the Garden City Council Meeting.  The following items were noted:

The new mayor, Mike Leonhardt was sworn into office.  The two new board members, Ken Hansen and Howard Pope were also sworn into office. 

Several individuals from the community were appointed to several different committees as follows:

            Planning Commission Member, Lindsey Thomson

            Appeals Authority Member, Dan Kurek

            Administrative Judge, Travis Hobbs

            Library Board Member, Ronda Menlove.

After a roll call, there was an ordinance discussion concerning Ordinance #17-17, an ordinance adding storage sheds as a conditional use permit in the C-3 Zone.  Ordinance #17-18 was also discussed.  It is an ordinance changing the wording of “accessory building” to “accessory structure”.  Both ordinances were approved.

There was also a discussion to purchase the two bays in the public works building from the Bear Lake Special Service District.  This item was also approved.