This week of Council activity began on an upbeat
tempo beginning Wednesday at Fort Pierce Industrial Park. Hosted by Industrial
Brush Corporation…..A Value Added Business under the leadership of company
President, John Cottam…..who was kind enough to introduce the audience to his
wife Joan and his two sons, James and Thomas…..all of which were active
supporters and contributors in making St. George the new home for Industrial
Brush Corporation. The building site is soon to be completed for this company
that makes brushes for Industrial & Food Manufacturing Businesses. Helping
to make this move to St. George was SITE SELECT PLUS…..formally known as
Washington County Economic Development Council…..Who continues to be led by the
most capable…..Scott Hirschi, Director. Kudos
and a well done to Mr. Hirschi who excels at bringing State and County
Government together in a positive way. State and County business interests continue
to flourish with Mr. Hirschi at the helm supported by the cast at Site Select
Plus.
Citizens of St. George should know that Councilwoman,
Bette Arial was one of the first to arrive as a city representative. Cameron
Cutler, Director of Public Works reported on transportation accomplishments for
city. Mr. Cutler is proving to be a welcome breath of fresh air in city
government……exuding a spirit of excitement for his work as a successful
engineer…..And a refreshing expression of honesty and concern in city
government. Please know…..Mayor Pike arrived and remained throughout the
meeting. City Manager, Esplin (Who usually keeps a low profile) and his aid, Mark Mortensen also made their
presence known…..Overall, a good representation for the City with Theresa
Foxley, Managing Director of Corporate Recruitment and Incentives with the
Governor’s Office of Economic Development.
NOW…..If Only the city could do as well representing
the City’s Interest in improving Code Enforcement Practices we might have
something…. Equally Meaningful take
place……As it relates to keeping City Moral and Ethical Standards alive and well.
With Pioneer Day approaching the Council did make more than a symbolic effort
to show…..That it could, in the absence of Councilman Almquist, show a
semblance of Moral Value…..Without fear of putting the City or Almquist in a
Bad Light….As it fights a Class Action Lawsuit. I can say this as there was no message
conveyed by (The Absent) Mr. Almquist, as to
his position/vote on enforcement of a City Ordinance that had to do with Revoking
the Business License of Mike’s Smoke Shop for allegedly failing to comply with
the Spirit of the Law…..Something we have been led to believe….. Mr. Almquist,
may be well acquainted with (Spirit of the Law)…..
And, may have found time or wanted to share with us had he been present. Well,
council members present did have something to share with us.…..Councilwoman
Randall had the courage to express her moral values and made the motion to
REVOKE the business license of Mike’s Smoke Shop….. Which was, seconded by
Bette Arial. Being the straight shooter that he is…..Councilman Bowcutt reminded
us that he is a recovering alcoholic and expressed that his experience with
substance abuse was such that he had no doubt that the owners of Mike’s Smoke
Shop knew what was going on within the business. Being the consummate politician
that he has evolved into…..Councilman Jimmy Hughes proceeded to waltz around
the issue of a person having the right to decide what he or she might want to
do with their body. (I have come to conclusion that Mr.
Hughes is a Property Rights Advocate and believes that less government is
better on most any issue)….. As
Mr. Hughes spoke I started to uncomfortably squirm in my chair until I came to
the conclusion that Jimmy has mastered the art of putting on a Dog and Pony
Show…..Which I suspect he learned at the feet of our former mayor and missing
city council member Almquist…..And so patiently I waited the final vote on the
issue to revoke. Finally…..All, including Jimmy who finished waltzing around
the issue voted unanimously to enforce a City Ordinance by revoking the
business license.
There will be more to be said on those the mayor was
counting on to head the review of City Ordinances and appropriate enforcement
practices.
Thank you. Ed Baca
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