November Voting Materials Mailed

If you are registered to vote in Rich County, you should have received your voting packet which includes the official ballot, a self addressed stamped envelope, instructions and the Voter Pamphlet Information FOR Local Option Sales Tax.

This must be marked and mailed before November 2, 2015.

The .25% sales tax increase proposed would come directly to the county to help support our county road construction and maintenance.  As most of the sales tax is paid for by tourists this would help to have them pay their fair share of road maintenance.  There are about 350 miles of county road. $0.15 from each $100 spent would go for road maintenance.

The other $0.10 would go to a statewide pool of counties who vote for this tax.  Then 50% is redistributed based on proportion of population and the other 50% is based on point of sale in the county,

Choosing to maintain our roads today is the financially responsible and fiscally conservative approach

Prop 1 is NOT for the construction of major highways, it is dedicated exclusively to our local transportation needs.

There will be a PUBLIC MEETING to discuss Proposition 1

Tuesday October 27, 2015 at 6 p.m.

Rich County Courthouse, Randolph

Letter From Garden City Council Candidate

Pat Argyle as well as myself are both running for city council. This will be my second term. I feel obligated to run again because it has taken me four years to catch on to the know how's of how to help be a benefit to you all as citizens of this wonderful city we all live in. 

Pat has also put in four years and that was two years ago. In the meantime she has been in the Planning & Zoning and continuing to help the city and donating her time and talents. We both would love your vote this election year. We both want nothing else than to serve you and try to help our city grow in a needed and organized way. 

Please note that our only reason to run for this position is to help you as Garden City residence feel and know that our minds are open and we won't let any personal agenda get in the way of our service. Thanks for all you do as residents and if we can ever be of help in anything you may need you know that we are always here for you. 

 Regards, Darin Pugmire

NOT In Garden City Says School Board

Chris Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. October 21, 2015. In a process initiated by a group of citizens 19 months ago, the county has finally completed a state law-mandated reapportionment of the Rich County School District and a new board member will be chosen by the school board.

A request was made of the board that the open interview meeting be held in the new district, using the offices in Garden City.  This request was made because the new board member will represent Garden City and having the candidate interview meeting there would more easily allow citizens to attend and listen.  Board member Bryce Huefner spoke in favor of that idea.  Board members Scott Sabey,  Monty Weston, and  Eric Wamsley expressed willingness to have the meeting in either the Randolph district office or in Garden City. 

Board member  Pete Cornia stated forcefully that he thought the meeting should be in Randolph as that is where the district office is and the computers were there if needed.  The board caved to his intensity and voted to have the meeting in Randolph, with Cornia, Sabey, and Weston in favor.

Huefner opposed, and Wamsley abstained. 

Editor’s note:  There was a direct conflict in the reasoning and votes of board member Cornia with respect to board meetings away from the district office.   Cornia expressed opposition to having the special board meeting in Garden City to interview potential new board members from that district, yet while scheduling the next regular school board meeting for November, the board decided, with Cornia’s active support, to move that meeting to Laketown.  When asked by a citizen in the audience how the board could do in that,  when moving the meeting would mean the computers would not be available there, board member Cornia said, “We’ll manage.”

An opportunity for good public relations with Garden City citizens was lost.

The school board was notified Oct 9 by the county commissioners that the reapportionment was effective immediately.  U.S. Census data was the source of raw data used to complete the realignment of all of the 5 districts, which will result in several significant changes.  

First, a new school board member will be appointed within 30 days for the newly formed district 5, which consists essentially of that portion of the county north of US 89 and west of Bear Lake, and county citizens in that district currently have no representative on the school board.  This area is essentially Garden City north, but includes the Swan Creek area and extends to the Idaho border.  While precise data for the boundary exists, no person or office in the county has produced that data, even when asked, rather only general maps for all 5 districts that are not clear with respect to precise boundaries.

In a school board meeting October 20, the existing school board approved the following process for the naming of a new school board member:  Any citizen who is a resident of district 5 (this may be difficult to learn for those near boundaries) and who wishes to be considered for appointment to the school board for an interim period until the next district election needs to send a letter to the school district so that it arrives not later than noon on Nov. 4.  On November 5^th at 9 a.m. the school board will have an open meeting (required by law) in the district office in Randolph, where those interested will be interviewed by the board members.   

The existing board will then select the new member.  While the interview meeting is open to the public, board deliberations afterward are likely to be conducted in executive session.  A vote, however, must be conducted in public.

Fall Light

Photo by Perry Wakefield

School Board Addresses Several Issues

Chris S. Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  October 21, 20015. In its regular monthly meeting, the Rich School District Board addressed a number of issues in a wide ranging agenda. Besides the process of appointing a new board member for the newly created district 5 due to reapportionment (north part of Garden City and area from there to the Idaho border), the board:

1) Adopted a school bus policy that will limit the use of the district’s buses to carrying students, educators, district personnel and chaperons for academically related purposes only. A ratification vote for this policy is set for next month.

2) Expressed concern over the evaluation of home-schooled students at such time when those students re-enter the public school system. Superintendent Lamborn indicated that the evaluation and placement of such students is a school district responsibility but acknowledged that conflicts could arise,

3) Learned that the state has established a requirement that all students pass a basic civics exam before graduation from high school. The superintendent noted that parents could still choose to have their children opt out of this state-required exam, but no student will graduate until he/she has passed the exam. This exam is similar to one required of persons seeking U.S. citizenship.

4) Approved a number of funding changes resulting from a variety of federal and state programs, whose purposes include professional development of staff, assistance in very low income areas, special education, and early childhood education.

5) Noted a problem that exists with playing football with the Diamond Ranch Academy. A number of Rich athletes were removed from the latest game after head and other injuries, treated by EMS personnel and/or transported by ambulance with head concussions following a recent football game and this same issue has been reported by other schools that have played Diamond Ranch. Contact will continue with the Utah High School Athletic Association over this issue.

6) Approved the appointment of Betty Weston as a 4hr/day aide at South Rich Elementary.

7) Approved a taxpayer funded Christmas gift to all the employees of the district (101), including the board, of up to $50 in a certificate for a turkey/ham/etc., to express appreciation for all the work of the employees in the district. Total cost is $5,050.

Danger Cave Tour

DANGER CAVE FALL TOUR OFFERED NOVEMBER 14, 2015

Salt Lake City -- Learn the history of Danger Cave and why it is one of the most important archaeological sites in the United States. Utah State Parks staff will host two tours of Danger Cave State Park Heritage Area, Saturday, November 14, 2015.

Tour tickets are $15 per person. Individuals must purchase ticket in advance and have ticket in hand to attend the tour. Space is limited. For more information, email Utah State Parks Heritage Resources Coordinator Justina Parsons-Bernstein at jparsonsbernstein@utah.gov with Danger Cave Fall Tour 2015 in the subject line.

Please be aware the tour involves some very steep and rugged hiking. Meeting time and place will be provided after ticket purchase is confirmed.

Utah State Parks

From the Salt Lake Tribune. "Utah state parks officials are preparing for a rare tour of a cave in the west desert that contains evidence of human habitation more than 11,000 years old.

Authorities say that Danger Cave is one of the most important archaeological sites in the country. Well-known University of Utah archaeologist Jesse Jennings used was one of the first to use radon carbon dating when he excavated the cave in the late 1940s, and he confirmed that humans had been in the area much longer than previously thought.

It was named Danger Cave when a large rock fell off a cliff face, narrowly missing an excavation crew.  The cave is located near Wendover, about 120 miles west of Salt Lake City."

Newell Sorensen, Long Time Garden City Resident, Dies

Newell J. Sorenson, 88, of Lovell, Wyoming, born Apr. 24, 1927, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, in Utah.  He had been a long time resident of Garden City, Utah.  He was preceded in death by his wife Garnet Mangus Sorenson this year in June.  He leaves behind five children,  Scott (Patty) of Richmond, Kentucky, Sherry, (Allen) Taylor, of Payson, Utah, Jay (Tara) of Provo, Utah, Max (Tanna) Clarkston, Wa, and Chris of Tooele, Utah and 26 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Job Posting For BLCH

Bear lake Community Health Centers has an opening for a part time receptionist. Excellent public relations and computer skills required. Two years experience preferred. Email resume to hr@cvchc.org. Position closes 10/30/2015. Bear Lake Community Health Centers is an equal opportunity employer.


Cristal Mackley
Human Resource Specialist
Bear Lake Community Health Centers
(435)-755-6061

Cisco Sonar

The Deer Hunt
By Bryce Nielson

I was up before daylight this morning.  As I watched the daylight start to fill in I was thinking about deer hunting.  The light filled in and was soon there was enough to shoot.  This is the time of day when the bucks, who have been out all night, start to move into cover.  I stood on the deck listening for the first shots of the opening morning.  I heard nothing, no people in red on the ridges, no sense of excitement.  School wasn’t even let out early on Friday.

My thoughts slipped back to the 1960’s ( hell, I am starting to sound like the Muddled Male and the Unmuddled Mathematician) and I thought about the 1964 deer hunt.  I had waited for this hunt for my whole life for this day after I turned sixteen.  I had always watched my Dad return to Salina where he had grown up to hunt deer.  I had never been able to go until now.  Deer hunting was serious business.  He needed meat to feed his five hungry kids and now I could add to the larder.  My rifle was a war surplus Springfield 03-A3 bolt action 30.06.  I had been working on it all year trying to sportirize it after he bought it through the mail for $29.95.  It came wrapped in Cosmoline.  It took forever to get all the grease off and cut down the old military stock.  I removed a lot of wood and when I was through it was light, with open sights and kicked like a mule.  

I have hunted deer every year since.  After I left home the strategy was still the same.  Don’t worry about “horns” because you can’t eat them and knock down the first buck you see.  After I had a family that philosophy continued.  Fast forward 50 years.  Now my wife and daughters don’t eat deer meat.  My grandsons, however, love and request “delicious deer”.  They are the reason I will continue to hunt.  Their Dad doesn’t hunt so I wan them to have the opportunity to experience what I did as a boy.  If they like it and continue, great, but it is fine if they don’t.  I will understand.

As for deer hunting today things are drastically different.  The big family tent camps with everyone from grandpa to the baby standing around a smoky fire and sleeping on the cold ground are gone. The death mall came when Wildlife Resources limited the number of permits busted up the State into 26 areas that you have to draw on.  

Today’s deer camps are different and new family traditions are being made.  Trailers and  toy haulers of all sizes, OHV’s and magnum four wheel drive jacked up trucks, big screen TV’s, little yapping dogs running all over and the kids are having a blast, making memories.  As far as killing anything, that is incidental and just causes issues with cleaning, skinning, processing and then (uck) eating it.  The point is, it has become a family event with the same core values that I had as a kid.

Do I pine for the old days?  Not really. It is a new generation and they need to do things that match their perspective.  Besides, I find deer hunting much easier on my side by side Ranger.

Fall Fields

Photo by Laura Cluff

October Students Honored At Rich Middle School

October Citizen of the Month

6^th – Ryan Leifson, Amasay Nielson         

7^th – Jaidyn Groll,  Abril Maldonado           

8^th – Stetson Huffaker,  Hailey Davis

October Student of the Month

6^th – Riley Carrillo,  Chloe Negus                 

7^th – Riley Taylor,  Haylie Nye                       

8^th – Kyler Wilson,  Kya Cluff

Meteorite Seen Over The Lake

Kevin Eubank of KSL 5  shared this photo taken by Tom Reynolds last week

Garden City Council Meeting Report

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah. October 8, 2015.  Approval was given for the short term rental located at 730 S. Balsamorhiza, owned by Jeff Kump.  The Bear Lake Cabin Rental Management Co. will be handling this property.

Since George Peart checks for the amount of parking that is required at a short term rental, that item is no longer required on the forms submitted when the request is made.

A request to encumber parcels 41-21-40-123 and 41-21-40-124 made by Tally Johnson was approved.

During the public comment section of the meeting, the question was asked if Garden City had created an enterprise zone in Garden City.  The County had gone ahead and declared the entire County an enterprise zone.  However, Garden City has not followed through on this item.  There are some pretty good grants available for businesses if the City would create such a zone.  It was noted that this must be done before the end of the year if the City is going to allow businesses to take advantage of financial grants and other help to make businesses successful.  There are only two council meetings left this year where action can be taken.  Mayor Spuhler requested that this item be placed on next month’s agenda.

Several ordinances were approved by the Planning Committee and sent on to City Council for final approval.  Ordinance #15-31 is an ordinance updating business sign requirements.  It was noted that in the current ordinance, there was not enough information to distinguish between a temporary and a permanent sign.  The new ordinance defines the differences.  Also, the size of real estate signs was increased so that the “sold” item could be placed on the sign with perhaps some other information without going over the allowed size. 

Ordinance #15-32 is an ordinance adding home occupation and kitchen to definitions. 

Ordinance #15-33 is an ordinance stating that if off-street parking cannot be provide, a property owner may be allowed to make a payment—in-lieu to the town for parking. 

The above three ordinances were approved by the Council.

A public hearing was held dealing with the next two ordinances to obtain public input.

The Council approved Ordinance #15-34 which is an ordinance updating the requirements for water meters.  After a short discussion, the Council made some minor changes, and the ordinance was approved.

The Council also passed Ordinance #15-35 which deals with updating the definition for tampering with a water meter.

Resolution #R15-11 is a resolution updating the fee schedule and adding a fee for payment-in-lieu of parking.  It was passed by the Council.

An annexation discussion was held by the Council Members.  The homes and property along the lakeside of highway 89 going north to the Lakota and Little Switzerland is currently part of the County.  However, since water rates will be increased again this coming year, it was thought that perhaps it would be a suitable time to once again see if individuals in that area would be interested in becoming part of Garden City.  A map was spread out and the Council members determined the area that should be included in this possible annexation action.  The office workers were asked to begin working on this project.

The City Christmas Party will be held the first Saturday in December, which falls on 5^th. 

Some preliminary planning work is being done concerning building a city recreation center.  The best location found so far would be immediately north of the city offices.  The garage located there would have to be moved and a small strip of property on the west to allow for parking would be needed.  Most cities and towns have recreation centers and feel that it brings members of the community together and creates better communication and stronger ties among the citizens.

There are various ways that such a building could be funded.  Bonding was the first idea mentioned.  That, of course, is only one option.  The building would require between four and five million dollars to make a nice place that would also allow for expansion when needed.  Bob Peterson was asked to begin looking into this idea.

Mayor Spuhler is currently working on some marketing ideas concerning Garden City as a vacation destination.  He will continue to work on making Garden City better known as a wonderful place where families should come to play.  He thinks social media is an especially good way to let people know about what is here at Bear Lake.  Some budget monies will be spent on this marketing project.

Mayor Spuhler noted that a Trails master plan is currently being made for a trail system for Garden City.  The trails will be given permanent easements.  The trails will be for walking and biking only.  Motorized vehicles can use other trails that currently exist.  The trails will connect with Hodges Canyon on the South.  Bike racing is a possibility along these trails in the summer and snow shoeing in the winter is also something to be considered.  Garden City could participate in this activity by building the parking area and bathrooms.

"Utah's Wild Beast"

Painting by Utah Artist Henri Moser (1876-1951) of early fall at the lake.  Photo by Brian Hirschi

Council Member Reports

GARDEN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS

October 8, 2015

Reported by Anita Weston

Pat Argyle reported that she has been assigned to the parks and city beautification.  She would like to purchase seasonal flags that can be hung from the City’s light poles.  She noted that it would be fun to have something for Halloween, silk flowers in the spring, Thanksgiving items, and so forth.  She, however, wants to purchase the flags after the holidays this year so that they can be gotten on sale.  They would then be ready to use during the next year.

She would like to see some kinds of contests that could be held to gain citizens’ interest.  She noted that perhaps the quilters would be willing to sew some flags and have a judge determine a winner.  There might be other groups that could compete in various City activities.

She is also in charge of Raspberry Days.  She requested a copy of the Raspberry Days budget.   It was noted that that budget is not yet ready but would be available soon.  Pat indicated that she is excited and ready to go to work for the City.

Darrin reported that he had attended the County Commissioners’ meeting held the previous week.  He asked if the County had decided on whether to pursue the gun range or not.  Since there had been no negative comments at the hearings, the Commissioners indicated that it looked like the gun range is a “go”.  The Commissioners asked Darrin if Garden City was going to take care of the maintenance of the gun range.  Darrin noted that since it had been such a long time, he didn’t know what Garden City would be doing.  He said he would talk with the Council to see if they were still interested in helping in that way.

Darrin asked if the County could work on the road up Hodges Canyon and on over into Richardson.  The Commissioners noted that there were some real issues with the spring, with the road that is in bad shape, and with the problems the owners have been encountering.  They asked Darrin if he would be willing to go to the owners and visit with them to see what they would like to do.

Darrin reported that the Commissioners were especially pleased with the support the County Fair and Rodeo had received from people from the Garden City and Laketown side of the hill.  That activity was one of the must successful they have had, and they wanted people to know that they appreciated all of the support given by those individuals living in the County.

Darrin noted that a decision needs to be made on using the RDA (Rural Development Area) money.  He suggested that perhaps more parking could be placed on 200 North to make that lake access similar to all the others in town.  The current RDA monies will end in a couple of years.

It was suggested that perhaps the City could create and apply for a CDA (Community Development Area) grant.  In order to create such an area, a project must be associated with it.  An area needs to be set aside where the project will be built and designated for economic development.  Currently most taxes go to the County and the Schools.  In a RDA or CDA, more of the taxes collected from that area go into the development of that area.  Since a larger percent of tax monies from that area flow into that project for approximately 25 years, the project stands a much better chance of being successful.

Bruce Warner was asked if progress was being made concerning Elks Ridge and gaining an access from there to Raspberry Road.  Bruce noted that the individuals owning property on Elks Ridge must create a home owners association.  So far, this has not been done.

Chuck Stocking works with both the library and the pool.  He noted that the library board does not meet until the following week.  Individuals working with the pool may take advantage of full day seminar the following Wednesday dealing with critical services required when working with public pools. 

Summer Employee Housing Needed

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

  

GARDEN CITY, October 8, 2015.  A discussion in the city council ensued concerning housing for summer workers.  The Chamber of Commerce would like to have something done and asked if the City had any ideas to help provide employee housing for workers coming in each summer.  It was noted that the Diamond D Ranch facility is located on Manhead Road, about a mile north from the Junction where you can go to Randolph, or to Kemmerer, or turn left onto Manhead Road. 

The Ranch no longer works with troubled teenagers.  That leaves this facility empty.  There is enough housing for up to 200 people.  There are separate cabins, dormitories, a lunch room and kitchen, several activity areas, and so forth.  It was noted that a shuttle could be driven from there over to Bear Lake bringing and taking workers back and forth. The drive would be about 30 minutes—not really an unreasonable distance.  Because it is not in Bear Lake, the cost would be much less than trying to create housing within Garden City itself. 

Several employers could go in together and perhaps lease or even buy the facility.  The Chamber of Commerce could perhaps help by finding funding and/or getting employers to work together to make something like this workable. Many employers have been bringing in trailers and such for their workers.  This facility would be much nicer than putting several individuals into a trailer.  It might even work out to be cheaper in the long run.  At least it would be a possibility for employee housing and something that employers may be interested in looking into.