Kindness Expressed at City Council

November 21st:
Council Meeting began for me when my attention was drawn to Allison and Tom McArthur (husband and wife) quietly seated, awaiting the start of council proceedings. I usually expect to see them at McArthur Jeweler’s on Main Street, but today I was taken with the soft, kind expression their faces revealed as they patiently waited for their turn to address the Council. One cannot help but be moved by an obvious sign of love and affection two people may have for each other.

I was not surprised to learn that their presence had to do with seeking City approval and sponsorship for the 2nd Annual Christmas Stoll Downtown Event to be held Saturday December 7th.

Approval was being sought for closure of city streets and City Sponsorship to highlight the Holiday Experience. The city wisely approved the invitation to be a part of activities that bring together the entire city.

The City agreed to match the funds expended by the Downtown Merchants, not to exceed $2000.00, and to make available the Stage for musical entertainment that is sure to bring forth the Christmas Spirit.

Tom and Allison were properly recognized for their public service that extends beyond providing for the young and old of the community. It was a nice touch to get us all feeling the Holiday Spirit and for providing an opportunity that ALL of us may come together as a City Family.

IT’S ONE OF THE MANY REASONS WE CHOOSE TO LIVE IN SAINT GEORGE.

We may question the expenditure of city funds and surely we will not all be in agreement with where the money goes, but this Council meeting also included The Annual Audit Report for fiscal year 2013. Please note that the City of St. George received the highest possible evaluation.

OUR CITY’S financial affairs appear to be in order and well managed. This was further made evident by the approval of a resolution to adopt what amounts to a refinancing of $13.000,000 in Electric Revenue Refunding Bonds intended to provide 6% Annual Savings that may total $600,000.
KUDOS to City Staff.

Speaking of good news, the City received notice from Fish & Wild Life that the permit for building of the Mall Drive Bridge may be rendered in 2 to 4 weeks allowing for bids at the first Council Meeting in December. This makes it possible for the City to receive the benefit of roughly $3,000,000 less than the City Engineer’s Estimate Cost of Construction.

Recognition was given to the City of Washington who made this possible by cooperating with building efforts. The building of Mall Drive Bridge in 7 months is sure to improve transportation needs for Washington and St. George residents. GOOD GOING WASHINGTON CITY.

The positive spirit of Transparency and Cooperation appears to be building up as we move to a new year and a new era of City government.

You may participate in monitoring “Promises Made and Promises Kept by City Government" by contacting me at edbaca@gmail.com

Thank you, Ed

Upward and Onward - Promises Made & Promises to be Kept

The regular Council meeting on Thursday, November 14th Administrative Conference Room, St. George City Hall.

Notably absent was the Mayor, who has now missed the past two Council Meetings (reportedly
attending a Conference in Texas) and Councilwoman Bunker, who’s
husband is said not to be doing well. We wish them both the best.

A quorum was made up of Council persons present; Jon Pike, Ben Nickle, & Jimmy Hughes. It fell to Councilman Pike to serve as Mayor Pro-tem and late arrival Gil Almquist made up the quorum. Mayor Pro-tem Pike graciously invited Councilwoman Elect, Michelle Randall to join them at the table. Councilman Elect, Joe Bowcutt was not able to be present and we wish him well with his back injury.

The meeting began with the council certifying the St. George Official Election Results. The final numbers did not change the results and they were presented as follows.:

City Mayor:
Jon Pike 8409 (61.09%)
Dan McArthur 5314 (38.60%)

City Council:
Michele Randall 7973 (31.74%)
Joe Bowcutt 5893 (23.46%)
Tara Dunn 5608 (22.33%)
Ed Baca 5579 (22.21%)

The filling of Councilman Pike's position on the council is yet to be done and is expected to take place this coming January when the newly elected council will cast their votes to elect Pike’s successor.

While the Council may select from the list of applicants expected to apply for the vacated position I feel it appropriate to state that Council Candidates, DUNN and BACA should be given primary consideration based on the votes garnered this past election that reflects the will of the people. I would feel comfortable with the selection of either DUNN or BACA and will of course support whoever the City Council appoints to this position. YOU should feel free to express your opinion on this matter to the newly established Council.

Having placed the election of new city officials behind us it is time to look ahead. The path to improved public relations and involvement appears to be the order of the day. HOT off the plate was a presentation made to the Council by Kendall Clements who represented “Escape Properties”, on the issue VACATION RENTALS. This has to do with property management of 2nd homes who wish to rent their residential or townhomes to those coming to visit or vacation in St. George.

Short Term Housing…renting homes for 1, 2, 3 Days? Mr. Clements referred to City Ordinance (SGC 10-14-22. Short term rental is usually considered to be less than 29 Days. The question was raised should “Conditional Use Permits” or “City Issued Licensing” be allowed to regulate the City Rental Ordinance? What value is to be given to a “PD” or Single Family Zoning? This of course begs for a discussion on WHY the City should have Zoning Ordinances. The collecting of REVENUE came to the forefront. Are we to drive the rental of homes further underground and thus lose needed revenue? Should a home buyer REALLY have an expectation to be able to raise their family in a residential/family community or is this to be trumped by the need to make as much money as possible for the Board of Realtors/Property Owners and Property Managers as mentioned by Mr. Clements. It was duly noted that Mr. Clements touched on his personal experience dealing with City Code Enforcement Officers and lack of acceptable public relations skills or respect given him.

This brings to light the REPEATED call I made during this last election, citing the need for Boards and Commissions. Namely a Human Relations Commission and a CITY ORDINANCE and ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION.

VOTERS must remain diligent in monitoring “PROMISES MADE & PROMISES KEPT” during this last election.

You may express your concerns by contacting me directly at edbacausa@gmail.com

Thank you,
Ed

Gratitude

As we find ourselves enjoying the warm, embracing weather that only St. George can provide in November, one has to feel a spirit of gratitude for the beauty that surrounds us. 

 Each of us possesses within ourselves, the level of appreciation to be given…….and I believe we each know who is to be the recipient of our heartfelt Gratitude. 

I am grateful that on November 5^th we were able to exercise our freedom and VOTE for the candidate of our choice.  Those elected to public office have assumed a great responsibility…….  Given to them by those who entered the voting booth, in equal standing with fellow citizens, regardless of wealth or station in life……each had but one vote to give, no more and no less than their neighbor.

 We should all be grateful that we live in a country that allows us to exercise this very special freedom. The first step is taken when we vote. The next step is to sustain those we voted for by contributing with an oversight that will enable them to measure the actions they take on the public’s behalf.

As Thanksgiving Day approaches I pray that we as citizens of St. George will come together to help improve and strengthen the fabric that makes this community the most desirable place to live, work and raise our families.

Thank you one and all, present and past citizens of St. George for the contributions and sacrifices made and for those yet to be made. The future of St. George is bright not because of who was elected…… but because of the PEOPLE who make up this community we call St. George. 

Thank you.     ED BACA

Your Vote Matters!

 

ED BACA

FOR

Transparency & Accountability

When elected I will adhere to establishing

Priority of Action…..Accountability for Action…..

Transparency and Oversight provided by Citizen Participation.

 

I will establish an

AIRPORT COMMISSION

CODE ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION

WATER AND POWER COMMISSION

HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION

 

I WILL LISTEN, I WILL HEAR, I WILL ACT IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY, I WILL RESPECT YOU!

VOTE ED BACA NOVEMBER 5, 2013



Our Responsibility to Vote

My friends and neighbors, I was struggling to find words that describe the distasteful and humiliating situation this general election has brought out, that has reflected so badly on our city.  Acts/or Failures of our city government, Intended or Unintended, are none-the-less undesirable and unwanted.

It has been made clearly evident that the DIXIE AMBULANCE ISSUE, THE ANIMAL SHELTER ISSUE, THE PROPERTY RIGHTS ISSUE, THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST, AND SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT ISSUE (which is now capped off with a pending civil suit that may cost the city and taxpayers thousands of dollars) is now confronting voters and begging for a solution.

As if this is not enough to bring you to your knees, the ugly allegation that city ordinance violations may have been perpetrated by an elected city official has now caused members of the community to demand an investigation of possible criminal behavior. WHAT are we citizens to do to rectify the mess we find ourselves in?

I mentioned that I was seeking the words to better express myself in reporting Chamber Activities when I happened to pick up my new cell phone seeking weather report on strong winds.

I don’t know what button I touched or what I did to bring to the screen a photograph of Thomas S. Monson, but there He was...facing me, and in large bold letters the words appeared stating “OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO RESCUE”

NOW, let me say that I STRONGLY believe in the Separation of State and Religion, but as I read the words I thought to myself this describes what is needed to be done in this General Election.

In my mind I changed the words of saving an individual spiritually into saving the City from further debacle of inappropriate governing.

I called out to my wife and told her what had happened.  She replied you were seeking an answer and you got it.  Follow your promptings.  Having been married 53 years I decided to follow my wife’s counsel.

So here goes the message I wished to send to VOTERS addressing the dilemma you may find yourself in when casting your ballot.

Please consider OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO RESCUE THE CITY… From City government that may have strayed from righteous behavior for one reason or another. From those that may have separated themselves from activity that provides fair, and honest, clean exercise of power when governing.

The City is almost certain to remain lost unless there awakens in us “VOTERS” a desire to rescue and save our City from further appearances of wrong doing.

Our task is not insurmountable, we “VOTERS” are acting to exercise our Constitutional Rights, our Best Judgment, by casting a VOTE for Good City Government.

VOTE NOVEMBER 5^TH for the candidate YOU judge will to be most capable of representing your values and principals when conducting city business.

ED BACA

A New Broom Sweeps Clean

The newspaper headline calls for POLICE INVESTIGATION of city officials, MAYOR and A Sitting COUNCILMAN included.

Your first response to stunning allegations of misconduct may be to ask yourself, WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR CITY? 

How could things have gone so bad so quickly without the public knowing about it?  It may very well be that THINGS like SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT have been going on for a long time but in this new era of communication, incumbents can no longer keep a lid on THINGS as they have in the past.

Using clichés like "You Can’t Put the Toothpaste Back In the Tube", OR "now The Cats Out Of The Bag"...The question is HOW do we choose to deal with this developing crises in city government?

May I respectfully remind citizens that in our judicial system of governing we have traditionally allowed that a person IS to be presumed INNOCENT until proven GUILTY.

We may take solace in knowing that this Election there are NO incumbents for City Council running for re-election and there will be a New Broom cleaning City Hall.

The call for police to investigate allegations involving the Mayor brings forth the issue of CONFLICT of INTEREST.  Should the Chief of Police or City Attorney be placed in the position of investigating or prosecuting their Boss?

This on its face appears highly inappropriate. Please note that Utah Election Laws, section 10-3-928 (2) (Duties of City Attorney) reads……May prosecute under state law, infractions and misdemeanors occurring within the boundaries of the municipality.  The key word is MAY.

Sub section (6) reads, may designate a city attorney from another municipality or a public prosecutor to prosecute a matter, in the court having jurisdiction over the matter, if the city attorney has a conflict of interest regarding the matter being prosecuted.  CLEARLY A CONFLICT OF INTEREST exists for both the Chief of Police and City Attorney.

It is time to have an INDEPENDENT investigation conducted on all matters that have been brought to the forefront during the past few months. It’s the RIGHT thing to do.

ED BACA, candidate for city council.

Vote for Ed on November 5th. Thank you.

Tough Love for Those Entrusted to Protect & to Serve

During the course of this Municipal Election, Code Enforcement of City Ordinances has repeatedly come to the forefront. As might be expected, the procedural process for adopting laws and establishing enforcement guidelines have rested solely on the shoulders of City Staff with final approval being voted on by 5 sitting council members.

Policy and Procedures & Rules and Regulations are to be developed and supervised by the City Manager and Department Heads. Employees are expected to be trained and educated on elements contained in each ordinance. Employees are then to conduct themselves accordingly; keeping to prescribed job performance expectations.

LET US NOW DIRECT OUR ATTENTION TO THE VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE OF PROPERTY RIGHTS and GOVERNMENT.

Particular attention to Property Rights and Code Enforcement is warranted, due to the recently filed Class-Action Law Suit naming the Mayor and City of St. George as defendants. Transparency on this issue is very important as it may very well cost the taxpayers a large amount of money to litigate this issue.

HOW DID WE GET IN THIS POSITION AND HOW COULD WE HAVE AVOIDED/PREVENTED IT FROM HAPPENING?

May I humbly suggest that we find ourselves in this predicament because those that have been entrusted to lead have succumbed to worldly temptations of power and have stopped LISTENING. I can vividly recall in my boyhood when I ceased to listen and adhere to the course I was expected to follow, my dear mother would say to me, “You are getting too big for your britches.”

Well, without describing in detail the failures that have led to the city being sued… the kindest way to put it, is to say, the predicament our City now finds itself can best be presented in the simplest and kindest terms by stating… The Mayor and City Manager appear to have gotten “too big for their britches.” As made evident by current events.

They no longer are LISTENING and more importantly RESPONDING to the folks who put them in office; they know better.

The Mayor and City Manager have grown too big to spank. There is an alternative.   It’s called an ELECTION!

Issues highlighted during this election cycle have been very disconcerting and troubling to say the least.

What has become Important in this election is that we, the people, can correct wayward, inappropriate behavior by putting individuals in office that WILL Listen, Hear, and Act in a Responsible way…And YES, be RESPECTFUL to the public when doing it.

The Mayor and City Manager should follow a mother’s admonishment.

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE!

I will Listen, I will hear, I will act in a responsible way, and I will RESPECT you. I am ED BACA.

VOTE NOVEMER 5^TH.  VOTE ED BACA, Thank you.