AWESOME
– FANTASTIC – INSPIRING
September 25TH City Council Meeting presented the opportunity
for the City to place its best foot forward…..Finally, something Tangible and
Positive to place before the Public other than…..Recent Character Descriptions
of City Council members……Placing on the Backburner BEHAVIOR PRACTICES that
detract from the Great Work of City Staff. (I am referring to the
need to keep you informed on my take of the Character Traits of Council
Members…..Most notably Councilman Almquist and his Sidekick, Councilman Hughes.
It
is not my intention to offend those having blood ties to Councilman Hughes who
seem to make up a great portion of the population….I merely wish to honestly
call them like I see them….Exercising my 1st Amendment
Rights…..Which I believe and expect both individuals and the public at large
support.)
NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS IN FORM OF UPDATE
My friends this Council Workshop Meeting began with
a tour of The Tonaquint Data Center. Appropriately referred to as, The Server
Hotel for Data Service. A state of the art…..High Tech. Fiber Optic Tier 3
Facility located in our fair City. It started in 2007 and opened in 2008
providing Interlink & Fiber Optics to a reported 16 million clients. Kudos
to Gaye, and his willingness to commit and invest in St. George.
AWESOME – FANTASTIC – INSPIRING…..I could think of
no better words to describe the “All Abilities Park” and the St. George Resource
Center now known as “Switch Point”. It is difficult to find words that
adequately express how valued these two Social Service Projects are to the City
and Washington County.
All Abilities Park was best described by Kent
Perkins, Director of Leisure Services saying “Open to All, Regardless of
Physical Impediments from Special Needs”. Still in development stage All
Abilities is located adjacent to Tonaquint Cemetery, access off of Dixie Drive.
Land has been acquired…..Towards the end of last year Interested Parties input
was solicited seeking a Theme and Elements to be featured. #1 THEME received
was DINOSAURS. #1 ELEMENT was a Train circulating around the Park with a
Tunnel. Based on what Public was saying a JURASSIC THEME, sites with different
elevations…..A new experience at each site with a different perspective
providing an Educational Experience with Excitement. Imagine a Train on 2,700
feet of track, Water Features, a Bridge to carry patrons overhead. A VISION, that serves as “A Memorial for kids who
may not be around very long”. Mr. Perkins summed it up connecting the human,
charitable aspects “The whole idea is to provide a venue where ALL can come and
PLAY TOGETHER” and much more. WOW!
SWITCH POINT closely supervised by Mayor and City
Manager and under the immediate direction of Carol Hollowell who appears to me
as Wonder Woman having an endless supply of energy and dedication to the
service of others has made great strides in providing food, clothing and
shelter for those in need. Long term goals educating, training and preparing
one to be gainfully employed now and forever is becoming a reality. Carol
reported receiving $232,000(Private Funds) $1,900.000(Federal
Government) $6,800.000(State Utah) $82,000(Church
of Jesus Christ of LDS) and approval of 4 out of 5 Grants
submitted with more expected. Even City Mgr. Esplin joined in by bringing 4
young men to the facility as volunteers resulting in a Teaching Moment for
them. Already City has experience benefits from this pilot program for the
Nation and the Grand Opening has yet to take place sometime in October 2014.
City Councilwoman Arial capped off the support and accomplishments by stating
“I like the feeling This City has Class”. All Abilities Park makes a Huge
Statement there is not a Park like it. She qualified her feelings based on
travel and public service experience. I join Councilwoman Arial in her
evaluation of our City.
Mayor Pike provided an update on Lions Rodeo Grounds
and Elementary School. An optimistic view on the potential to satisfy the
interest of all involved, State University, Washington County School District
and City. The consensus is that it is doable. Work has yet to be done but in
the spirit of cooperation a positive outlook appears on the horizon. Councilman
Hughes joined in with what has become his moniker(Dog and Pony
Show) on
how all parties and interest cannot be satisfied and presented his deep rooted
culture interest(Born and Bred here)
in retaining the Rodeo at this site.(He knows where the
votes are. Feels comfortable saying if you don’t like our decision you can vote
us out at the next election). City Mgr. Esplin placed him under
his wing saving him from further embarrassment.
This is my report. Thank you, Ed Baca
