JOYOUS FEELING OF GRATITUDE

WHEN VIEWING REDISH GLOW OF EAST RIDGE SUNRISE

The Mayor’s Walk began in the cool darkness of the early morning where people, of all ages gathered at what is known as Sand Town Park.  The Mayor’s race has become the prelude to the annual SG Marathon, which celebrates its 40^th year. The delegation from SG sister city Ibigawa, Japan mingled with members of our community thus experienced a warm welcome. Mayor Pike pointed out that in contrast to our beautiful mountains and open spaces covered with billowing white clouds,  Ibigawa is a city green with plants and trees,   made possible by frequent periods of rain. The delegation from Japan was clearly excited to join festivities that acknowledged the sister city relationship that continues to grow. Our friends from Japan appeared to have never ending smiles on their faces.

Mayor Pike began the event by acknowledging Walk sponsors and thanked the many volunteers who made possible such an event. At each station manned by police officers the mayor called out their names, thanking them for working extra hours. Citizens of SG reflected great pride in knowing SG City is loved and respected throughout the world.

The mayor armed with a microphone and accompanied by two energetic volunteers carrying portable speakers took off from the starting line talking, almost as fast as he walked….. Eagerly announcing to all, the history of SG and identified buildings, art objects and treasured items held dear to old time residents.  Upon reaching the round-about at Diagonal and Main he excitedly called out……Look at the Sun Rise, emanating a, reddish, vibrant color, rising from East Ridge. Overhead were pockets of beautiful white clouds. Casting my eyes upon the marvelous Sun Rise, I could hear the crowd react. In unison we exclaimed a loud AHHHH.

 As we approached St. George Blvd. and Main Street we were informed of a new development to take place at this site called “City View”. It will contain retail and office commercial space, 110 multi-family housing units, a mid-block pedestrian corridor, a 60 room boutique hotel, and structured parking. It will consist of three buildings at four stories each. At the south end of City View are, the ongoing, refurbishing efforts taking place at the Historic Tabernacle connecting the past with the present which may take up to two years to complete. My friends, immediately west of this location, on Tabernacle, across from the Court House where the old Wilkinson Light Business was located, is the soon to be Joule’s Plaza. This too will include a large “Mixed Use” style of Residential and Commercial businesses, a meaningful contribution to the Down Town refurbishing effort.  This I believe may help keep Property Taxes down by providing the opportunity for increased sales tax revenues. The Mayor’s Walk thus crossed the finish line where volunteer support groups provide food and drink.

Having been inspired by the beauty of the day and a word picture of past, present and future expectations, one can easily see the “Brighter Side” of SG City.  My friends, this is the opportune time for me to update you on the growth taking place in our city. Looking to the eastside of the city you will soon see the completion of the Mall Drive Underpass that will allow you to travel below the freeway expediting travel to Ivins and Santa Clara and points beyond.  The Dinosaur Crossing Commercial Center (Smith’s Food King Market) development is moving rapidly towards completion located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Mall Drive and Riverside Drive. New Signal Lights are scheduled to be installed on the crest of Foremaster and Five Sisters Dr. (East of Hospital) to be followed at the appropriate time with Signal Lights at Foremaster Drive and Medical Center Drive.  The ongoing building of residential homes in what we call Little Valley continues to grow at a fast clip and within a short period of time we will see a New High School in Washington Fields (City of Washington) that will service students from SG City. Thankfully SG City was able to purchase land to build a new Fire Station that will soon service this area and the Industrial Area located at the south end of River Road.  My friends, if you were to stand at the New Airport and looked west you will see the beginning of MORE residential development, that one day will probably extend all the way to Sun River. Along the Southern Corridor you may expect to see, literally another city within the SG City limits bringing in another 35 to 40 Thousand People. You can see why the citizens of SG will of necessity have to be provided with an increased number of Commercial Businesses.  This may provide a greater understanding of why a major intersection, like the one at Sun River and the Freeway is an appropriate location for Commercial Development. (Types of businesses are to be in compliance with Zoning and City Ordinances). Providing the infrastructure, Roads, Electricity, Water & Sewer lines, Fire and Police Services poses a challenge and opportunity for the entire city.

How we go about meeting these challenges will to a varying degree fall upon the shoulders of each one of us. Some of us may prefer to leave things as they are. Others may decide it is important to move forward. We may talk about keeping our children here, with us. To do so will require us to create conditions that enable them to raise their families in SG.  This means we need to provide education, higher paying jobs and affordable housing.  We find ourselves at odds trying to decide if we want open spaces…..such as they are, or an increase in density to obtain lower cost housing. However you may feel about the mentioned issues one clear and present challenge stands out.  It is difficult to provide in a timely manner adequate Roads and Transportation.  This issue has been addressed by Washington County Commissioners, who have authorized placing on the ballot this election year (November 8^th) a sales tax increase to fund transportation.  This would add a 0.25 percent tax …one cent on every four dollars to non-food sales taxes across Washington County. This translates to a cost of about $40 per year to the average resident. It is expected that more than a third of the increase would come from tourist and visitors.  SG City could receive yearly, approximately 1.4 million for roads, with another 1.6 million going to Sun Tran Bus Service.  My friends, I will make an effort to provide for your evaluation, a $43 million short term list (5 Years) of projects that could be moved up on the time completion schedule, if this ballot issue was to be approved by you, the voters. You can see, even with an added increase of 3 million dollars per year, completion of all suggested 25 short term projects within 5 years would not be possible due to insufficient funds.   Unfortunately delaying the start of roadway projects I am told can only be expected to increase the cost.  It gets down to that old saying, Pay me now or pay me later.  I believe it is best to place a matter of this magnitude before the voters, trusting in their judgement.  Please let your voice be heard on this very important issue. I am available for public contact each Thursday between 9:00 & 11:00 A.M. at SG City Hall.  Please feel free to schedule appointment. Thank You.                                                                                                     ED BACA