Blood Drive July 3!

Cache Valley Daily cites new Bear Lake Attraction

By Rod Boam
Cache Valley Daily, Reporter

"A Logan businessman bought eight acres of ground off of Hwy 89 in Garden City and is putting the final touches on a unique recreational facility. It will open on Saturday June 8 at noon. The park includes zip lines, rope courses and a 350-foot slide with a magic carpet to bring people to the top of the slide.

A couple of workers take test runs on the 350-foot slide with a magic carpet to bring people to the top of the slide. The slide is part of Bridgerland Adventure Park above Garden City.

Don and Claire Webb have been working on Bridgerland Adventure Park, located on the southeast side of Eagle Feather in Shundahai (west of Logan Rd.), for three plus years.

The roomy log lodge has a large gathering room and a large covered patio overlooking Bear Lake and most of the valley. There are three four-story towers that house two zip lines. There is also a nine-hole Frisbee golf course. The Zorb Ball, made of transparent plastic, is expected to be a popular attraction. Visitors can climb inside the large orb and roll down the hill. The Webbs have made the family-friendly park to appeal to Bear Lake visitors for the summer months. During the rest of the year, it will be used for corporate leadership training.

Bridgerland Adventure Park is located on the southeast side of Eagle Feather in Shundahai (west of Logan Rd.). The construction is on its final stages.
Patrick Bentley was the Program Coordinator for the Utah State University Challenge Course. He joined up with Webb and the two have worked side-by-side designing the ropes course, zip lines and some of the other activities at the new facility.

Bentley made a name for himself as the USU Challenge Course manager for 14 years. He is certified by the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) and he is a Level II Facilitator. Bentley is one of the only ACCT certified Challenge Course Managers in Cache Valley.


Test riders at Bridgerland Adventure Park take the magic carpet to the top of the slides.
He has been designing and implementing experiential education programs for the past 14 years. He has spearheaded leadership workshops, presenter trainings, corporate retreats, youth conferences, athletic teams, military programs, couples retreats, family and blended family retreats, and group date nights.

It’s really nice to work for someone who shares your enthusiasm for this kind of work

“It’s really nice to work for someone who shares your enthusiasm for this kind of work,” he said. “Claire is excited about what we are doing and that makes me excited to be here.”

Patrick received his Master’s degree from USU in Instructional Design with an emphasis in Adventure Programming and his Bachelor’s degree from USU in Parks and Recreation.

Bentley said safety is a big focus of their work.

Garrett Carlisle spruces up the kitchen after cooking dinner for the crew working on Bridgerland Adventure Park. He said he has been a cook since he was 12 years old.
The facility includes a kitchen that will serve hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries and other options. They are trying to create a unique dining experience with a lot of options.

“We were hoping to be done by now” Claire said. “But the weather has slowed us down a little.”"

Sunrise by Canoe

Photo by Andy Stokes

Garden City Fire Board Report

Leonard O’Reilly, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. June 5, 2019. Chairman Randall Knight presided with one of the current members absent.

Doug Pincock, led a discussion and further review of the revised Employee Handbook.    

Pincock also gave the board a complete explanation of how the tax increase would be formally presented. The first parcel specific notification will be sent by the county. It is anticipated that the second one would be sent a week later via local publications. This would mean that the prescribed public hearing would hopefully be scheduled for September 4th at the Garden City Fire Station.

The chief gave the following report of responses for the month:

Three Fires

Nine Medical response

One Carbon Monoxide

Three Structure Fires - Trailer, School, and Restaurant

Three Agency - Response to sheriff in Cache County to search for missing child as well as     help with fleeing suspect in another incident,

Teaching students at Rich Middle School

It was reported that 6 of the firemen attended BATC learning hazmat skills.

A further discussion was held concerning the ladder truck. It’s in disrepair because further needed hydraulic parts are hard to find. Many of the new structures being built now are such that this or a new ladder truck is needed for getting above the structures with water and/or manpower. They are debating repair or replacement.

Fence heights and a yurt area for children with handicaps

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  June 5, 2019.  How high is too high for a fence?  There was a brief discussion to get public input concerning fence height between commercial and residential buildings.  Currently, the ordinance allows for a six-foot fence.  The Commission thought that perhaps the City should allow a fence between a home and commercial building to go as high as eight feet.  Ordinance #19-17 will require an 8’ fence between commercial and residential homes unless the residential homeowner would prefer a 6’ fence.  The motion was made and passed on this item.

Ordinance #19-18 was approved as written

A Conditional Use Permit Application to allow for a dude ranch west of Buttercup Estates has been requested by John and Melissa Spuhler.  They recently purchased this ten-acre piece of property from the City and want to build on this property.  The project is unique.  The Spuhlers plan to build a high-end group of five yurt lodges surrounded by natural beauty.  There will be a one-fourth acre of raspberries and other fruit trees.  There will also be an area for small animals such as ducks, rabbits, a donkey, a small pony, and so forth.  This dude ranch will be built especially for children with handicaps. 

The two zones included in these ten acres is called Hillside Estates and Recreational Estates/Agricultural.  These two zones suit the project perfectly.  Bryce Huefner owns a triangular piece of property, lot 23, in Buttercup Estates.  He will be given an easement from Spuhler allowing him access to his property.  A 24’ wide road will allow ingress/egress to both Huefner and Spuhler.

The Yurts will be 150 feet above any homes in Buttercup.  The yurts are 40’ in size and 18’ high.  There are 11 sliding windows in each yurt and three rooms for sleeping.  Each yurt can handle 16 people.  Originally, only three yurts will be built.  As demands increase, two additional yurts will be added in a cluster arrangement.  The yurts are fully insulated.  There is also a bathroom, electricity, and running water.  The yurts have a life of about 15 years and will be built on foundations. Each yurt costs approximately $15,000 each.   One yurt will be ADA compliant.  The others with be for ADHD individuals.

The yurts will follow the City’s ordinance on setbacks and will make sure they have enough parking.  There will be 20 parking spots (9’ x 28’) next to the yurts and another 10 more parking spots above the yurts at the top area.  Eventually, there will also be a small home built on this property.

There is an old water tank on the property.  This tank needs to be either removed or taken care of so that no one will be hurt by this tank.

The Final for Phase 1 of Waterdance, a Planned Unit Development located approximately 185 South 100 West owned by Noman Mecham, was discussed.  There will be adequate parking for phase 1 because he will be putting a swale off Phase 1 to take care of any excess water.  There will be a dumpster on the south off Phase 1.  The motion was made and approved to accept the Final Phase 1 Plan of Waterdance.

A brief discussion dealing with the yurt development was held.  Water is important.  Water pressure in case of fire on the dry sidehill was a concern.  Also, drainage off the hillside down toward Buttercup needs to be addressed.  It was noted that the water pressure meets all current requirements.   Spuhler told the Commission that the natural foliage and ground will be left as it is right now.  It was suggested that perhaps a berm near the bottom of the property be built to make sure water does not get down on any homes in Buttercup. The suggestion was also made that a 10’ strip of asphalt or concrete be placed at the bottom of the gravel road going up to the yurts be built.  It would give better stopping for those coming back down onto the roads in Buttercup. 

The motion was made and passed that the cluster development be approved with the request that Spuhler take care of the suggested drainage idea, that the parking be for 30 cars, that there will be three trash dumpsters purchased and used by this development, that a fence be put up around the old water tank currently on the property, and that a 10-foot area coming off Buttercup going up to this development be made with either concrete or asphalt.

The Planning Commission members began to work on their bylaws.  The Mayor suggested that instead of working to make better bylaws, that any information needed by the Commission be written into an ordinance instead of trying to maintain bylaws. The Mayor felt this would be more efficient and effective.  He suggested the Commission put this item on the agenda for next month.

The meeting next month will be held the second Wednesday since the first Wednesday is so close to the 4^th of July.  Thus, the Planning Commission Meeting will be held on July 10 at the usual 5 p.m. time.

  

Woodruff Homecoming....fun!

Roene Price McKinnon 1926 - 2019

Roene Price McKinnon, 93, passed away on June 5, 2019 at 11:50 p.m. from ailments related to old age.

Our loving mother has gone to be with her sweetheart, Robert Gordon McKinnon, her son, D. Kent McKinnon, her grandson, Ryan Kimball who all preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Marcia Gunderson, Robert Brent (Roxanne) McKinnon, Randy Stewart (Yvonne) McKinnon, Lisha Givens-Wallace, Delayne Lolohea, Monalee Kimball and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

She held many callings in The Church of Jesus of Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved everyone that she ever met. She loved to sing and was even in an opera once. We are happy that she is where she can be joyful, with so much love around her and in her Eternal home, even though, we will miss her.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 15 at the LDS Church located at 2600 S. 500 West, across from LifeCare Center. A viewing was held at 9 a.m. with the funeral following at 10 a.m. Burial was  in the Memorial Estates Lakeview Cemetery. 

Huefner's are having a community party & bon fire!!

Dear Garden City Community Friends,

Come join us for a bonfire and tailgate party June 14, Friday night at 6 at our Bear Lake Landscape Office at 100 West 60 South (near the church field) here in Garden City.  

Everyone in the community is invited.  Bring food if you like, but if you can't or don't want to, come anyway so we can all visit.  

If you have a fun game, bring it.  We will be lighting the fire at 6.  We have a pretty good pile of branches and logs to burn so it may be a little warm at times!!  If the weather is windy we may have to just visit and play games.  

Bryce & Jennifer Huefner

Good Stuff

Respect
By John Brown

Are you a manager, school administrator, teacher, coach, church leader, or parent?mIf so, it turns out that you might have an ace in the hole. A huge opportunity to see better results than you’re seeing right now.

And it won’t cost you a dime. Truly.

Do you want those you manage to go above and beyond, show more creativity, and be more engaged?

If so, you’ll do this one thing.

Do you want to earn more revenue?

If so, you’ll do this one thing.

Do you want to decrease your employee turnover?

Again, you’ll do this one thing.

In fact, without this one thing, “even if people want to perform well, they can’t.” So what is it?

It’s respect. It’s showing those you manage more respect.

This is what Christine Porath of Georgetown University has discovered in her research of thousands of people over many years.  Respect.

What is respect? Porath defines it as “politeness and regard for others.” It’s about showing “every member of the group is inherently valuable”.

And it can have dramatic results. For example, in 2001, Campbell’s Soup had lost half market value, sales were declining, the business was collapsing, and there had been a series of layoffs. But then Doug Conant was hired as the new CEO. He turned things around in large part by showing employees respect. By 2010, employees were setting all-time performance records, including out-pacing the S&P by five-fold.

That’s just one of the many insights Porath shares in her short, but powerful TED talk on this subject titled “Why Being Nice to Your Coworkers is Good For Business.”

If you manage, coach, teach, or lead others in any way, take some time right now to watch it. It’s only 15 minutes long.  Now, you might be thinking this great advice doesn’t apply to you because you already do show respect. You’re a respect champ. However, there’s a good chance you might be in la la land. Says Porath:

“I’ve learned that the vast majority of disrespect stems from a lack of self-awareness. Only a masochistic 4% claim they are uncivil because it is fun and they can get away with it. More often people just do not realize how they affect others. They may have good intentions, but they fail to see how they are perceived.”

So it’s quite possible we think we do show respect, but the reality is we actually act a little like a jerk.

So how do you tell if you’re more on the jerk or helpful side?

Porath recommends a simple but effective approach in “The Leadership Behavior That’s Most Important to Employees” in the Harvard Business Review.

It seems the old adage that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar applies to more things than we realized.

After watching the talk and reading the article, if you want more information, check out “Do Your Employees Feel Respected” in the Harvard Business Review and then go on to Christine Porath’s website which has lots of helpful articles and videos.

Overlooking Sweetwater

Photo by Cheryl Edwards

Summer Eats at Bear Lake

Scott Heiner
Rich Civic Times

As summer gets into full swing at Bear Lake, things really liven up with activities and visitors galore.  One thing that especially catches my interest is the variety of eateries here.  I’ve decided to give my take on the many options, focusing first on new places that have sprung up.

Ephraim’s Restaurant

This new place has opened just south of the Shell station on the Logan Road.  Their theme is based on the story of the mighty grizzly bear, Old Ephraim, Utah’s largest and most legendary bear.  A better symbol of Bear Lake I can’t imagine.  Ephraim’s has a great frontier atmosphere, and equally great food.

We recently took the grandkids there and I was impressed with their extensive menu. They feature a wide variety including hamburgers, fish sandwich, fish and chips, Chicken Cordon Bleu and salads.  Curious foodie that I am, I had to try the most unusual item, “The Meateater.”  Between two toasted halves of a large hamburger bun are stacked in order: ham, a hamburger patty, cheese, another patty, bacon, and all topped with BBQ pulled pork.  It was so huge that I could only eat half and took the rest home for a second round.

The lunch and dinner combos all come with fries and a soft drink, but I decided to upgrade my drink for a raspberry milkshake.  I thought it was very good, but I had to get the opinion of my wife, the milkshake and ice cream gourmet.  She gave it top rating.  The grandkids appreciated the Kid’s Menu including hamburgers, corn dogs and chicken nuggets.  Ephraim’s also serves breakfast, featuring pancakes, French toast, breakfast burritos and scones.

Joe and Becky Weeks of Paradise, Utah purchased the former “Jake’s Place.” They have kept the same basic décor but have made significant improvements.  Joe Weeks is a member of the Weeks Family which runs “Weeks Berries of Paradise.”  Started by Joe’s father, Mervin Weeks in 1985, Weeks Berries grows their own fresh Raspberries, Currants, Blueberries, Blackberries, and Strawberries.  These fresh berries make their way into Ephraim’s menu of milkshakes.  Their full selection is impressive; nearly 40 flavors such as Peanut Butter Cup, Snickers, Butterfinger, Mango and Hazelnut.

Ephraim’s also sells a variety of fruit juice drinks from Weeks Berries of Paradise.  I bought a bottle of Black Currant juice and it was a winner.  One other item on Ephraim’s menu caught my eye: “Dutch Oven Chicken and Potatoes.”  In my opinion, anything made in a Dutch Oven is wonderful, so I’ll be going back before long.

Personal use of public property discussed

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  June 5, 2019.  When can a government employee use government property?  That was the question asked and answered by the Utah State Legislature with HB 163.  Unfortunately according to many County Attorneys including Ben Willoughby, Rich County Attorney, the answer was not clear.  Is making a phone call home to check on the children on a county phone eligible to be a third degree felony?  Or is stopping on the way home from a work related meeting in Logan for a gallon of milk when you are driving the county truck a felony?  Willoughby said that as the law is written it is.  Actually, he said, those incidences had more felony consequences than smoking meth.

He said the new law will go into effect on July 1, 1919 across the state.  Every governmental agency is scrambling.  Harmless use of public property incidental use is excluded from this statute. The problem is that no one has defined "incidental" use.  Calling home to see if kids got home safely may be but is it incidental if you make a five minute call every day?  When does it cross over?

Each county and agency must have a written policy now defining incidental use.

There may be a legislative fix in 2020 for the unintended consequences of the new law. Commissioner Bill Cox said that there are a couple of policies in other counties that specifies what can be used and not used.

Willoughby said that he surveyed other counties and found that they are falling into two camps.  The first is to list all the incidental uses that a public employee can do.  That has risks, because  a policy could leave out a situation that might happen.  The second camp uses whereas clauses to get a feeling for what underlies the option.   Most public employees use county property in a responsible manner and in good faith and should not unwontedly become felons.

Under the second option all use is authorized for property that is in the employee job description, the county clerk can’t use the county backhoe for example because that is not in her job description, but use of the phone is.  The county will not carve out anything that is unauthorized, said Willoughby.  The benefit of this approach is that you cannot overlook anything.  If a supervisor was concerned with an employee overusing county property there needs to be a section on procedure for the supervisor.

He presented the draft policies for Rich County which will be put in the personnel handbook as a section on personal use. Department heads will have to send written notification that the employee was inappropriately using county property.  This policy must be in place by July 1 

Sunset Over The Lake

Photo by Randall Knight, Garden City

Long Hollow Wind Farms near Woodruff to be built

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  June 5, 2019.  Long Hollow Wind Farms will build a wind farm west of Woodruff, Utah and south of Highway 89. 

Aron Branam, representing EDP Renewables, said that the company, founded in 2000, has developed wind farms throughout the country.  They have 500 employees and are producing approximately 6,000 mg watts in the USA and Canada.   The Wind Farm will interconnect with Pacific Corps creating 8 to 10 megawatts of electrical power.  They will tie into the high voltage power lines.  The company has been working on this site for two years.

They have purchased two towers which have been installed.  The target date for full installation will be 2021. There will be 18 to 23 wind turbines on ridge tops.  EDP has done environmental studies on the site since 2018 and has applied for a county conditional use permit.  Wildlife studies have been done for the last twelve months including one for endangered species.  Future studies will include activity monitoring, wild life and big game species observation.  The project needs a conditional use permit and want to start the process. 

 

He outlined the economic benefits.  There will be approximately 150 to 200 temporary construction jobs.  Three to five full time jobs at $50,000 each plus service jobs.  Branam said that there will be tax benefits of $10 million over 30 years.  Commissioner Bill Cox cautioned that in his experience large tax revenues were promised, but that the companies then appealed to the State Tax Commission for abatement and that in reality it would be a very small amount.  Branam said that they would do what they had done in other counties so that they would be on a level playing field.

Rich County has some of the best wind resources in Utah.  There is a tax benefit to companies building wind farms which is lost in 2022, so they need to be finished by then or lose their tax advantage.  Solar will still have their production tax credit.

They have met with BLM for right of way access but asked the county to work with BLM because if the county were to ask the BLM the cost to the company would be less expensive.  

Commissioner Norm Weston asked how they plan on getting to wind towers in winter.  The company will plow the upgraded roads they are building.  Cox said that wind blowing snow on road will impede road and they will have to use SnowCats to get in. 

The wildlife habitat will be improved through reseeding projects. The upgraded road will make it better for the ranchers on the road and the general public.  The company will build and maintain the road.

The Family Place Services to expand in Rich County

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  June 5, 2019.  Ronda Menlove, Garden City and Esterlee Molyeux, Executive Director of Family Place Services told County Commissioners that they wanted to expand their services to Rich County.

 

Family Place Services is a nonprofit started in 1983 with centers in Smithfield, Hyrum and Logan.  Their mission is to strengthen families and protect children.  

With a trained staff of over 70 people, they offer therapy, education, parenting classes, home visits, and children’s classes. 

If there is an emergency in the family and no one to care for a child, the Kid’s Place is available 24/7.  A parent can bring the child there to be looked after, or it can be planned as weekly care for a family with a chronically stressful situation it or just respite care.  Emergency care is from newborns to 11 years old but all other services, including therapy, are for kids of all ages. 

Former Legislator, Menlove, has obtained funding for a needs assessment in Rich County.  They will be working with the Rich County Schools and others and will hire a liaison person in Rich County to do the needs assessment and then create programs.  Family Place Services is getting a "wrapped" bus so that they can bring educational classes to Rich County.  They work with all religious groups. They have partnered with the Garden City Library.

Menlove said she funded a lot of the services for other counties as a legislator and has seen the positive effect on the counties they serve, so this has become a priority for her. 

Senator Christensen was approached and gave them two years of funding to help Rich County and they want to raise awareness of their services.  Their dream is to have a center here with a place to take children when needed.  Right now they are just getting started.

Commissioner Sim Weston asked if could they deal with a community trauma.  Family Place would send therapists out in a situation like that.

Commissioner  Bill Cox said that each community is so different that it will be a challenge.  But that perhaps the school mailing lists could be used for a survey of people with children.  The schools may be able to send out the survey since that list is private so could not be shared.

The Garden City Library offered, with their help, a class on what to do in the summer with the kids and there were five families that participated.  They offered a class on mental health too. 

They have met with Randolph, Garden City and Laketown City Councils.  They need to have the County Sheriff involved for help with abuse. They have specialized therapist who can help the child or the family.

Every  month they do free family events and would love to do a monthly activity in Rich County too.  Cox suggested that the PTO be involved.  The Rich County library could be involved as well as the Garden City Library.  “They both have great summer programs,” he said.