THE CATS OUT OF THE BAG!

THE UNFAIRNESS OF IT ALL HAS UNQUESTIONABLY BEEN REVEALED….. WE NOW KNOW THAT THE HAND OF PROFIDENCE HAS SMILED UPON THE LIONS CLUB – SUN BOWL WHO HAVE RECEIVED RICHES (TAXPAYER MONEY) MORE ABUNDANTLY THAN THAT OF THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS. THEY APPEAR TO WEAR STIFF NECKS AND HIGH HEADS BECAUSE (INTOXICATED WITH CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT) THEY SUPPOSE THEY ARE BETTER AND POLITICALLY MORE DESERVING THAN THEY ARE. (Source of inspiration Jacob 2:13)

JUST ASK COUNCIL MEMBERS ALMQUIST, BOWCUTT, HUGHES AND RANDALL TO EXPLAIN THEIR STATEMENTS IN SUPPORT OF LIONS SUN BOWL AND COMPARE WITH TREATMENT GIVEN TO DIXIE RED HILLS LADIES GOLF ASSOC. THE RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.)

THE CAT WAS LET OUT OF THE BAG in the Conference Room of City Hall on Feb. 26^th.   Wayne Pace followed up on earlier request that City support a Quarry Trail at the Red Hills Golf Course. Folks, many of you may not know that a Rock Quarry exists adjacent to the Golf Course, on BLM Land and known as a Turtle Preserve. The significance of the Quarry is that it was the source of the Stone used to build Historic Schools and The Temple. Mr. Pace asked City to permit building an attractive Entrance and Trail to accommodate public access to the Quarry. A critical issue exists in that the Trail may impact City Golf Property and The Tortoise Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. This not only impacts the sanctity of the Turtles that BLM wishes to preserve, but more importantly is the fact that the Trail lies across the path where Golf Balls may be in flight and accidently strike a hiker/tourist going to the Rock Quarry. City Mgr. Esplin asked, “Who is going to accept liability if someone is hit? A non- golfer, out for a stroll to the Quarry Trail approved by the City. That’s the risk you take. Gary advised Council that the City has an obligation to mitigate conditions that may endanger the public. “I guarantee you we (City) are playing with fire…..If Council wants to go forward they do so knowing the risk. I don’t see how. You are still in danger, what risks are you (Council) willing to take? The Mayor asked the City Attorney, Guzman for his legal opinion. Mr. Guzman stated, if someone gets hit…..tough one to defend. Don’t see how you avoid liability.  Folks, the discussion ended with Mr. Pace being advised to first obtain an understanding on what BLM will approve and then return to Council for further discussion.

Red Hills Golf Course having come to the forefront set the stage for Council Woman, Arial to inquire about the status of Dixie Red Hills Clubhouse which of course cannot be discussed without recognizing Dixie Red Hills Ladies Golf Association….. Who, I believe have literally, been begging for help….. To relieve unsafe and unsanitary conditions endured for MANY YEARS. Folks, I direct your attention to the above listed concerns expressed by the City of its duty to mitigate dangerous conditions and the recognition of liabilities that extend to the City. Evidently when it comes to dangerous/ unsafe conditions facing the Women of the City, it appears that they are summarily dismissed and ignored.  I am referring to almost 13 years of requests for relief forwarded to the City by a Women’s Club…..I ask that you compare the same period of time with ALL the SUPPORT and Financial Assistance given to the Lions Club…..Where the Men who live in and OUT of the City seem to run the roost when it comes to getting support from the City Manager, Past and Present City Council Members and Mayor. It is Mind Boggling and Shameful to see the Double Standards applied when spending taxpayer dollars.

My comments on the experiences of the oldest and largest Lady’s Association in the city may seem Harsh, but I believe accurate. Without reviewing each communication dating back to 2/27/06 I will provide a short recap of communication sent to City dated 2/1/13. “We had 87 players at Dixie Red Hills Ladies Golf Assoc. The hallway was so crowded that one could hardly get in and out of building. I’m pretty sure that if the Fire Dept. ever arrived, they would have shut us down. Many of us just waited out in the parking lot in the 30 degree temperatures until we could get in and pay our green fees”. “City’s budget includes money for several new parks. How is it that there is never money to replace an almost 50 year old building that surely isn’t up to code in many areas?” Suffice it to say that the building has been condemned for 8 years and the Ladies have been denied access to upstairs section because it is a Fire Trap. Only one way out and the carpeting is so bad the Ladies now meet in the parking lot. It did not go un-noticed that Sun Brook Golf Course (Where the City Mgr. regularly plays) recently obtained new carpet. Member statement: “The restrooms are not to code. No Handicap Accommodations. The bathroom on the Course has Holes in the wall”. “Went to see Mayor and was informed by staff that it would take him a while to read all the communications from so many years. Not even the remotest idea of conditions cited. It was just a waste of time”. It appears, to many that the Lions Club-Rodeo receives all the attention. In 2009 the Ladies Assoc. were told that money had been allotted in the budget for a Pre-Fab Building. It never happened and the Ladies were left dismayed as promised relief faded away.

 During the brief discussion this topic generated, the City Manager referred to it by saying “It reflects on us”. The Council was informed that if they choose to act on this, do it with your eyes wide open….Budget for it if we are going to do it. Gary acknowledged that there is a danger of falling through the floor and there is no way to save or renovate existing building. It has to be completely demolished and a New Building erected. The City will be preparing a new budget and this is the opportune time to act. No person and No city is perfect. It is understood that financial limitations exist. However, the facts previously cited confirm and reinforce the importance of setting priorities and the need to stop most favored treatment to one party or organization…..Especially over such a long period of time. It is a matter of doing right…..The city should not ignore need to address liabilities any more that they should continue to ignore the need for 24/7 Fire Stations in Little Valley and Code Enforcement Reform. There is nothing wrong in recognizing areas that need improvement.                                                                                       Thank you, ED BACA