The packed Council Chamber was alive
with excitement of coming events……The cogs in the Cart Wheel could be heard
comfortably straining, carrying the City forward…..The Pioneer Spirit of the
PEOPLE is alive and well……Attracting Tourist/Visitors from distant lands (Brought
here by the Marathon Race, Huntsman Senior World Games and the Beautiful Land
known as America….the Land of the Free.)
City Manager leads the charge with loyal
Staff…..
(All appeared comfortably familiar with task at hand and mingle nicely with
visiting friends.) City
Manager was seen to smile and interact more openly than usual……Expressing
happiness and pride in what was unfolding as he helped to host those
representing our Sister City from Japan. (For the
moment, gone was the Autocratic Demeanor he has developed with almost 40
years
of service as City Manager.) A
welcomed observation, for those of us that watch the behind the scene
manipulations of city government and recognize the significance of his
accomplishments. (You don’t last 40 years as
City Manager without having a strong presence and influence on those elected to
City Council and in helping to get them elected…..including the selection of
Department Heads who perform above expectations.) Little
to no change with replacement of Figurehead, former mayor as long as City
Manager Esplin remains in power……Pretty impressive. Kudos to Mr. Esplin.
This meeting featured the Huntsman
Senior World Games and the City’s Annual Marathon Race. (That
bring in Millions of Dollars to City coffers.) Top
billing was given to ARTS (All forms)…..Todays
agenda included “Awarding the Bid for the Renovation of the Electric Theater”
to the tune of $3 Million. An amount exceeding the $2.2 Million budgeted for
the continued development of the “ARTS”…..Intended to supplement the City’s
Ability to generate sales tax revenue. (Establish
and maintain attractive Tourist activities/enticements.)
The public may occasionally need
reminding…..The City is an Incorporated Business Entity……Acts in concert with
Chamber of Commerce goals promoting profitable business ventures. However you
may feel about the transition taking place, you can bet that the people appear
to have accepted the fact, that there is more to life than work and going to
Church. TOURIST TOWN, USA appears, more worldly each passing day. It’s a fine line the City is walking,
combining making money and helping those in need and being of service to
others. Spiritual Values appear to be waning…..The fabric that helped to create
and bind this community together is being tested.
This theory is supported by City Manager
when he stated…..Financial support for the Electric Theater is made possible by
the City selling acquired property and is able to place money raised in the
General Fund…..Thus giving the City latitude on where and how it spends money. (We
all know who works in the DARK
and who works in the LIGHT.)
As a matter of practice sales and purchases of property IS done BEHIND CLOSED
DOORS. It is problematic that the Public is kept in the dark on such matters. The
previous Council Meeting ended with the Council moving to a Closed Session for
the purpose of discussing the Sale of Property. The accepted practice…..Ever
increasing, seems to support the fact that, the Spiritual Side of Community,
that we hang our hat on to protect
us is diminishing.
One is led to believe that people come
to City seeking only recreation and to party. Surely in our minds we can see
Cart Wheels of past turning to bring people here for a greater purpose. If they
are to judge us by the honesty and integrity of our city government will they
come to the right conclusion?
Thank you, ED BACA
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