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| Photo by Brittany Williamson Lundgren |
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| Photo by Tammy Calder |
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Fatal Crash Closes Logan Canyon Morning Of Raspberry Days
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| Highway back up due to accident Photo by Bryce Huefner |
The driver of the SUV, 18 year old Ryker Dattage, grandson of Bear Lake friend Eldon Dattage, was killed instantly and the three passengers in the truck were injured. The accident involved so many vehicles that the canyon was completely closed for an hour until a lane had been opened.
Later that morning dispatch was reporting that the canyon had been opened enough for one lane to be used and the road was cleared by noon. Electronic signs kept people from entering the canyon southbound, but dispatch was reporting long lines into Logan Canyon.
Letters To The Editor
To the Editor: I want to simply address some of the "negatives" put forth about Short Term Rentals by the editor Garden City has done a fairly good job of creating an ordinance to address these issues and could be looked at as a guide of a way to regulate STR activity to help keep the peace (if an area chooses to allow STRs).
While I still feel some of the current STR ordinance is unfair and needs revision, that is a whole other topic for another day. The most important thing I would like policy makers to remember is that ordinances should be fair compared to similar activities. There is very little difference between STR and Long Term Rentals (LTR), and again very little difference between STR and homeowners living in a home. The use of the home is not changing. The home is a private place to come home to and prepare meals, sleep, and relax. I believe this principle is why these homes are not required to be built to commercial fire and building codes.
Joey Stocking
Ed. Note: Joey Stocking is correct in noting that Garden City Ordinances for STR are good, including the requirement that there be a property manager less than 15 minutes away from the property, and if HOA boards accept STR then it would be advisable to have them and Rich County adopt Garden City Rules so that there would not be confusion about what is acceptable and what is not.
To The Editor: Anita, I would like you to know that I have posted the agenda and schedule every month that I've been the Fire Chief at least three days prior to the meeting and I've always posted it at the post office, city office and fire department front door window as required by law. I have not been derelict in my duty to inform the public (which you are a member of) as to the time, place, and agenda. You have never asked me to send you notification of the meeting date and agenda so I have not done so. It is not my responsibility to pick and choose which members of the public to single out for an invitation. A request must be made before I will consider it. As a reporter for this blog, it is your responsibility to use facts when you make statements concerning the failure of the Fire Board to adequately post the agenda and schedule. It's your story however so you are entitled to say what you will, but I ask you to please get the facts straight and not dramatize the story to make on No Fire Board Report This Month?
Mike Wahlberg
Ed. Note: Most of the governmental bodies when changing a regular date for a meeting will notify RCTonline by e-mail or phone call. Anita Weston checks the post office, the city office, the fire district office and a governmental website which provides details for all meetings in the state of Utah and found nothing there.
To The Editor: Tammy Calder, thank you for covering the Bear Lake Rendezvous last year. This year the Rendezvous is in the same location in Laketown on August 20th-24th. It would be great if you could write a pre-event blog to help promote it to the locals ahead of time. For info please contact us at info@bearlakerendezvous.com
While I still feel some of the current STR ordinance is unfair and needs revision, that is a whole other topic for another day. The most important thing I would like policy makers to remember is that ordinances should be fair compared to similar activities. There is very little difference between STR and Long Term Rentals (LTR), and again very little difference between STR and homeowners living in a home. The use of the home is not changing. The home is a private place to come home to and prepare meals, sleep, and relax. I believe this principle is why these homes are not required to be built to commercial fire and building codes.
Joey Stocking
Ed. Note: Joey Stocking is correct in noting that Garden City Ordinances for STR are good, including the requirement that there be a property manager less than 15 minutes away from the property, and if HOA boards accept STR then it would be advisable to have them and Rich County adopt Garden City Rules so that there would not be confusion about what is acceptable and what is not.
To The Editor: Anita, I would like you to know that I have posted the agenda and schedule every month that I've been the Fire Chief at least three days prior to the meeting and I've always posted it at the post office, city office and fire department front door window as required by law. I have not been derelict in my duty to inform the public (which you are a member of) as to the time, place, and agenda. You have never asked me to send you notification of the meeting date and agenda so I have not done so. It is not my responsibility to pick and choose which members of the public to single out for an invitation. A request must be made before I will consider it. As a reporter for this blog, it is your responsibility to use facts when you make statements concerning the failure of the Fire Board to adequately post the agenda and schedule. It's your story however so you are entitled to say what you will, but I ask you to please get the facts straight and not dramatize the story to make on No Fire Board Report This Month?
Mike Wahlberg
Ed. Note: Most of the governmental bodies when changing a regular date for a meeting will notify RCTonline by e-mail or phone call. Anita Weston checks the post office, the city office, the fire district office and a governmental website which provides details for all meetings in the state of Utah and found nothing there.
To The Editor: Tammy Calder, thank you for covering the Bear Lake Rendezvous last year. This year the Rendezvous is in the same location in Laketown on August 20th-24th. It would be great if you could write a pre-event blog to help promote it to the locals ahead of time. For info please contact us at info@bearlakerendezvous.com
Friday, August 1, 2014
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Upcoming Events At The Lake
Bear Lake Visitors and Convention Bureau
Montpelier, Idaho Sesquicentennial
August 06, 2014 10:00 am - August 09, 2014 6:00 pm
Celebrating 150 years of memories! Events include a melodrama, discounted tickets to the National Oregon/California Trail Center living history tour, Dutch oven dinner, chuck wagon breakfast, and craf...
August 08, 2014 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
This is the perfect place for families to come enjoy a western experience while vacationing at Bear Lake! Events include: bull riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, calf roping, breakaway roping, ...
August 08, 2014 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
This is the perfect place for families to come enjoy a western experience while vacationing at Bear Lake! Events include: bull riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, calf roping, breakaway roping, ...
August 09, 2014 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Our market will showcase locally homegrown produce, fresh eggs, fine arts and handmade crafts. http://www.gardencityut.us/farmers-market.htm
August 09, 2014 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm
The Due West Concert kicks off the Rich County Fair!
Laketown, Utah Arena, Gates open at 6:30pm and the concert starts at 7:00pm. Ticket Prices:
12yr & up $10
4-11yr $5 For more inf...
Laketown, Utah Arena, Gates open at 6:30pm and the concert starts at 7:00pm. Ticket Prices:
12yr & up $10
4-11yr $5 For more inf...
August 09, 2014 8:00 pm - 11:30 pm
Live music performed by Scotty Haze at Cooper's Restaurant and Sports Bar at Bear Lake West, Fish Haven, ID. Show begins at 8:00PM. Call 208-945-2222 for more information.
August 09, 2014 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm
The Bear Lake Dance Place is great fun for all! Everyone welcome. A mix of music. Sat-teen/yg adult night. Only the hottest beats! Rent for private events! Like us on Facebook!
August 13, 2014 7:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Join Cindy, Laurie, Brian & Snoose as they return to play the best in cowboy music for your listening pleasure at the Allinger Community Theatre! All show tickets are $12 and for an additional $20 ...
August 14, 2014 12:00 am - August 16, 2014 10:00 pm
Bear Lake County Fair- Montpelier, ID. Parade, concerts, horse pulls, hypnotist, rodeo, and truck pulls. Call 208-847-0344 for more info.
August 14, 2014 12:00 pm - August 16, 2014 10:30 pm
Rich County Fair in Randolph, UT. Rodeos, fireworks, livestock sale, parade, home art displays, movie in the park, and dutch oven cook-off. 435-881-3184.
August 15, 2014 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
This is the perfect place for families to come enjoy a western experience while vacationing at Bear Lake! Events include: bull riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, calf roping, breakaway roping, ...
August 16, 2014 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Bear Lake Valley Health Care Foundation Annual Golf "Fore" Health Golf Tournament. For more information, contact Bear Lake Memorial Hospital or Craig at 208-847-1630.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
The Unmuddled Mathematician
Dreams of Athletic Glory
By Chris S. Coray, the Unmuddled
Mathematician
As a young girl in school my wife actually loved playing
athletic games. The problem was that she
didn’t have a lot of talent. This became
a painful experience for her. As was
often the case teams were chosen by other kids and she was always chosen last. This is not a good thing for a young man or
woman. I think many times her unthinking
friends wanted her to be second base.
Not play second base, but be second base. She carried internal mental scars all her
life, while still really wanting to play the games. She loved volleyball, soccer (in those days
it was baseball with feet), but she ended up mostly in right field where no ball ever went.
Fast forward 25 years.
In Logan she had become a prominent citizen. And there was a big charity event planned to
raise money for those with handicaps.
One of the highlights of the event was a wheelchair basketball game
pitting a team from Ogden that was made up of those who lived their lives in
wheelchairs against the celebrities from Logan who would for this game also
play in wheelchairs. All ticket proceeds
went to the charity. The Ogden team
really knew how to play. The Loganites
did not.
My wife really got into this event. She spent a couple of days planning and
buying her coordinated outfit to wear at the game, including headband, shoes,
the works. She got really excited. This was a big enough charity event that Miss
Wheelchair America was invited and she came, and was willing to play in the
game.
The game itself was a lot of fun. The Ogden group was completely dominant but
the Logan folks did their best. My wife
even got involved in a fast break. Not a
legal one, of course, because she tucked the basketball under her sweatshirt
and breaking all rules, just pushed the wheelchair as fast as she could toward
the far basket, never dribbling, but laughing a lot, and then hurling her shot upwards toward the
hoop. The hoop is a lot farther up while
sitting down so her shot fell about 4 feet short, even as an attempted layup.
After the halftime ceremonies other celebrities started the
second half and the teams were mixed up.
Bobbie, who was resting, wanted back in the game. Finally she got her chance. She was sent in, ran to the nearest player in
a wheelchair, and while trying to tug the occupant out of the chair, said, “I
need this wheelchair”. “So do I,” said Miss Wheelchair America. Lots of laughter from my wife, the crowd and Miss Wheelchair America. My wife found another chair for her
substitution back into the game and continued right to end with joy all over
her face. It made up for a lot of years
as a kid. She is a very good sport.
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Raspberry Days July 30- Aug2
Go to www.bearlake.org for complete listings of activities.
Wednesday: July 30 at 7 p.m. the Miss Berry Princess is chosen at the stage at 50 S 100 W in Garden City.
Thursday: July 31, Craft Fairs at two places, 50 S 100 West in Garden City and local crafts at the Garden City Town Center. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Parade a 6 p.m. Entertainment after. Family dance at the Bear Lake Dance Place.
Friday: August 1, Craft fairs and entertainment all day at Raspberry Days venue and city offices
Laketown Rodeo 7:30 p.m. Laketown Arena.
Saturday: August 2, Raspberry Days 5 k run, 8 a.m. Pancake Breakfast 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. Garden City Park. Craft fairs 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Entertainment all day. Laketown Rodeo at the Laketown Arena at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
No Fire Board Report This Month?
Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times
A report of what occurred at the fireboard meeting for July
was not written this month. The Garden
City District Fire Board normally holds their monthly meeting the third
Thursday of each month. In the past, the
writer was also sent an agenda or could check at the post office to make sure
the meeting was being held. That didn’t
happen this month.
Actually the agenda has not been posted in the post office
for a number of months, and the agenda hasn’t be mailed ahead of time
either. The agenda must be picked up
when you get to the meeting.
Anyway, this reporter made her way to the fire board office
to attend the fireboard meeting at the usual time and on the third Thursday of
the month. When I arrived, there was no
one there. I checked the door. It was locked. I looked at the side of the doors because
sometimes the agenda is posted there.
The meeting had been held the previous evening—Wednesday
night. I felt badly that I was unable to
get fireboard information to you this month, especially when it is the time of
the summer when there is a much greater fire danger and decisions are generally
made concerning fireworks and other problems that require the services of the
fire department.
I will try extra hard to discover and attend the next
meeting. I hate to have to go directly
to the fire office several times until the agenda is posted there—at least I
think it may be hung there. Since it is
an open governmental meeting, it is supposed to be posted somewhere in a timely manner.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Fires!
Statewide Fire Restriction Order
Effective July 12, 2014, the state has put into effect fire
restrictions that until rescinded are the law in all private
unincorporated and state lands in Rich County (and others). These include:
1)
No open fires of any kind, except campfires
built within facilities provided for them in campgrounds, picnic areas, or
permanently improved places of habitation (some
areas have even stronger restrictions, not state law, but those are locally
enforced, as in some HOA’s),
2)
No smoking except in a closed vehicle or
building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3
feet in diameter that is barren or cleared to mineral soil,
3)
No fireworks, tracer ammunition, or other
pyrotechnic devices,
4)
No cutting, welding, or grinding metal in areas
of dry vegetation,
State and Federal Fire Officers and firefighting forces in
the performance of official duties are excluded, as are persons with a specific
permit specifically authorizing the prohibited act at a specific location.
Violation of these restrictions is a class B misdemeanor.
These restrictions do not apply to lands In incorporated
areas.
How Do Short Term Rentals Affect Subdivisions In Bear Lake?
Over the years we have heard both pro and con about allowing short term rentals in the subdivisions of the Bear Lake Valley. Some CC&R allow them and some do not. Positively, it makes so that larger homes can be built in the subdivisions since they can generate income and so we are seeing homes with 10 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms worthy of Architectural Digest being built on the hills around the lake. And it provides "hotel" space for recreational visitors who are a major part of our economy. If the cabins are used as "hotels" they also pay a resort tax and sales tax.
Negatively, those same bedrooms often house 20 to 30 people with ATV, boats and cars which park on common streets and block traffic. These "hotels" are often built as private homes without being built to commercial fire and building codes. Renters often do not know or observe the firework or fire pit restrictions on our dry hillsides. Owners are often out of the county or state and cannot be contacted to control noise or dangerous situations.
Sweetwater Hillside CC&R prohibit commercial use. The Bylaws prohibit rentals. This issue will be addressed at the annual meeting. Other subdivisions are faced with similar issues. RCTonline would like to hear from people who have opinions on how short term rentals do or do not affect them. Editor
Negatively, those same bedrooms often house 20 to 30 people with ATV, boats and cars which park on common streets and block traffic. These "hotels" are often built as private homes without being built to commercial fire and building codes. Renters often do not know or observe the firework or fire pit restrictions on our dry hillsides. Owners are often out of the county or state and cannot be contacted to control noise or dangerous situations.
Sweetwater Hillside CC&R prohibit commercial use. The Bylaws prohibit rentals. This issue will be addressed at the annual meeting. Other subdivisions are faced with similar issues. RCTonline would like to hear from people who have opinions on how short term rentals do or do not affect them. Editor
Sunday, July 20, 2014
The Muddled Male
Tiger
I have
always been a model of obedience and compliance in spite of what Ann, my wife,
might have told you. Suffice it to say
that any negative comments she may have made to the contrary are to be ignored
since she has been known to carry a grudge for a very long time. Take Tiger, for example. Tiger was a stray cat we took in about
forty-five years ago when we were a young married couple living in Washington
State. Even though I was kind enough to
allow Tiger to eat and sleep at our place free of charge, his demeanor toward
me always seemed to be a mixture of arrogance and disdain.
Tiger loved to lay on our driveway and warm himself in
the sun. So much so that he considered
that spot in the driveway as his personal and private property. Each time I would approach the driveway and try
to drive the car into the garage, Tiger would just lay there and stare at me as
if to say, “This is my spot and you
better not try driving past here.” His
game of chicken would always end at the last second with a quick little
sidestep to avoid me running over him as I drove the car into the garage. And then came that fateful day when he didn’t sidestep. Actually, I don’t know whether he forgot, or just
moved too slowly in his declining years.
Whatever the reason, we held a nice memorial and then buried him in
grass town, a place in the woods where the neighborhood dumped their lawn
clippings.
I thought that after Ann’s initial tirade against my
ineptness as a driver, things would calm down and we could go back to being
friends. Silly me. The untimely exit of Tiger continues to come
up every time Ann becomes upset with something that either I do wrong or I
didn’t do but should have. Forty-five
years later I am still being punished for that minor flaw that crept into my
otherwise sterling character all those years ago. Today, as I am writing this column, it is our
fifty-ninth anniversary and I already know what Ann will say when we sit down
later today for a celebratory supper at a nice eatery where I will order my
usual extra-large portion of buttermilk-battered French fries. Instead of, “Bob, my darling, thank you for sticking by me all these years. I have loved every minute of our time
together.” I suspect she will say, “I should have known that someone who would
run over my favorite cat would order that culinary disaster. Your gastronomic choices have filled my life
with long periods of worry and despair.”
A week ago I tried a dry-run of our planned celebration of
Ann’s birthday hoping to develop a husband/wife communication technique that
would help me avoid the reprimand I was certain to receive at the real
celebration. We were in Logan, so I took
Ann to Chick-Fil-A, one
of her favorite places to eat. She loves
the grilled chicken, and I love the waffle fries. Especially when she happens to forget that a
waffle fry is just a lacey version of a French fry. When we arrived we found the place full of
people. I don’t mean kind of full. I mean chuck full as in almost no place to
sit. There were adults, teenagers, and a
whole bunch of little ones running in and out of the play area dropping food
and spilling drinks as they ran back and forth beneath the sign that said, No drinks or food in the play area. And the adults who were supposed to be
watching them were oblivious as they busily chatted with each other. The reason for all this activity, we noticed
from the sign at the entrance, was that this was customer appreciation day, and
anyone who came in dressed as a Holstein cow would receive a free chicken
sandwich. We were surrounded by people wearing
cow’s ears, tails, faces and arms covered with Holstein spots, and a few customers
with make-believe udders. Because Ann
and I were the only customers dressed as people, we were the only ones who had
to pay for the chicken sandwiches we ordered.
We completed and paid for our food, fought our way to the only two seats
available, sat down, and then Ann said, “All
these people in cow costumes are cute.
Tiger would have loved this. Too
bad someone didn’t allow him to live.”
And that is how our dry-run ended.
Well, maybe I am exaggerating a little, but I knew what she was
thinking.
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