Understated Projected Expectations of All Abilities Park & St. George Resource Center

AWESOME – FANTASTIC – INSPIRING

September 25^TH  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 1^st 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