Freedon Heard in City Chambers

December 12^th City Council Workshop Meeting began in the City Hall Lobby with my meeting Sheila Smith, representing The Christian Science Society of St. George and member of the Inter-Faith Churches that represent St. George at large. This was to be the third year Ms. Smith was to give the invocation at the beginning of the City Council Meeting.

Also gathering in the lobby was the Pine View High School Choir who had been invited to sing before the council. No finer gathering of youth will you ever find than these young men and women. What an outstanding display of talent.  KUDOS to Pine View High School.

The beautiful sound of FREEDOM was heard as recognition came when the Choir sang CHRISTMAS SONGS and the INVOCATION spoke to what Christmas celebrated.  My friends, the fact that we as a city, as a nation, can still gather and hear expressions that we may not all appreciate or find value in is a monument to what America is all about. Yes, this is still able to take place in a public City Hall building.  We truly appreciate our city values.

The Council Workshop meeting moved from the council chambers into the conference room for presentation of agenda items.  Notably absent was the mayor… Who’s strong personality I am already starting to miss.

Gayle Bunker served as Mayor Pro-tem and a quorum consisted of Jon Pike, Ben Nickle, Gil Almquist, Jimmy Hughes.  Also present were council elects Randall and Bowcott.

I could not help but notice the soft tone of voice employed by City Manager, Esplin as the meeting moved forward. First on the agenda was a frank discussion on the improvement needs of the St. George Recreation Center.

It was reported that the city purchased the building located on 400 East in the year 1993 at a cost of $l.00.  This being the old National Guard Armory building that was improved upon for city recreational needs. The bottom line was that during recent refitting, foundation issues became apparent that forced work to stop.

To make things right an additional $167,000 will be needed; extending the cost to $211,000.  This money is to come from the city’s Capital Project Fund. City Manager Esplin brought attention to the fact that the city makes an effort NOT to compete with Private Business in the field of recreation and city expenditures over the years have been quite modest.

The council determined that although this year’s current budget does not included money for this newly discovered  recreational need, improvements should move forward.  The city has certainly gotten its monies worth from its original investment of $1.00.

Agenda item 2 was tabled and discussion on Cremation Gardens at Tonaquint Cemetery will be rescheduled.

Senior Sampler Readers will be updated on remaining agenda items in future issues.  Please feel free to communicate your concerns to edbacausa@gmail.com

Thank you, 

Ed