A LOOK AT YEAR PAST 2014

 LOOKING TO THE FUTURE 2015

My friends and neighbors I truly hope you enjoyed the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ as much as I did with my family. We can all be grateful for the bounty that our country and city provides and can honestly expect the year 2015 to be even better.

Next city council meeting was extended to January 8^th due to the holidays. As this year draws to a close we can look back and appreciate the decline of the unemployment rate which hovered about 4.6 percent and saw an increase in new and returning Industrial Business in St. George City. The City is enjoying an upward climb in the issuance of building permits……We can hope to see improvement in the time lag experienced in getting permits and inspections processed. Completion of roads and transportation corridors has occurred with more on the horizon…..Three needed signal lights are scheduled to be placed at the most needed locations thus making travel more enjoyable with an increase in safety.( At River Road &  St. James and River Road & Brigham Road.  Mall Drive & 3000 where St. George and Washington City expect to see commercial development.)  The concerns of Little Valley residence continue to be addressed and with the widening of bridge on River Road north of Brigham Road. (This should make Councilman Hughes look really good for this upcoming election year as he continues to tout and express his personal interest for Little Valley residents where he lives and owns property.)

Speaking of looking good it appears that the OLD BOYS who make up the Lions Club that put on the Sun Bowl Rodeo are sure to get the votes of the Council Members who they supported at the last election. (It only takes 3 votes to prevail and the Lions Club seems to have them in their pocket regardless of the cost.) We can expect a new and vibrant Sun Bowl right next door to a new Elementary School thus making it possible for the Old Boys to walk across the street from their office to the Sun Bowl site. (The Lions members may be old but they sure know how to count votes and how to influence desired results. To be fair the Lions Club contributes greatly to the community with the continued support of City Government.) Still…..wouldn’t it be nice to have public input on an expenditure that may cost tax payers millions of dollars…..Especially those that reside in close proximity to Sun Bowl and have the joy of hearing the magnificent speaker system modern technology has brought to us…..Not to mention the shutting down of a major intersection for 3 days……And let us not forget the beautiful aroma of horse and cow droppings accompanied by flies…..All of which local homeowners get to enjoy.  Please forgive my feeble attempt at humor at the expense of a bunch of Old Men. Heck, I am old too even older that Councilman Bowcutt, who appears never to tire of reminding us he is a long time member and supporter of the Lions Club.  Where else but in American can a simple citizen such as I have the freedom to speak with such candor?

As this year comes to a close ending Mayor Pike’s first year in office I find it timely to list his Key Campaign Promises. As I move about the community folks often approach me with the question…….How is our new Mayor doing?  I will attempt to list HIS accomplishments in the manner and order Mayor Pike listed his promises to voters.

1.    Establish Long Term Strategic Plan to help formalize city leader’s goals for future. Follow other cities plans. Outline basic values and vision. Do quickly- start working on plans first few months.  Folks there is no question but that Mayor Pike has taken immediate action…..Having publicly addressed areas of greatest need. As mentioned progress has been made on roads etc.  However, I have yet to see a written outline of defined long term plans. You and I can continue to monitor progress as mayor continues to work on this promise.

2.    Request City Mgr. and Dept. Heads to present their forecast of plans …..What they are and pull them together so we can visualize what city is going to look like in next five years. The mayor has done this and verbal input has been provided and received by the mayor. You and I can look forward to seeing the written responses which we can reasonably conclude that by now have been provided.

3.    Recruit Help…..Improve communications with public/citizens. Folks there can be no doubt that the mayor has kept his promise. In fact I believe this has become a Hallmark of his administration…..It stands out as a major accomplishment distinguishing him from his predecessor.

4.    Improve/Regain lack of trust. There is ample proof that the mayor has acted on this promise as evident by the Animal Shelter accomplishments. Follow up methods to improve lack of awareness of problems have been addressed and this is expected to be an ongoing process. I continued to look forward with great anticipation as to when and how the City Manager will be held accountable in forwarding concerns of Dept. Heads and solutions to issues and concerns in public forum.

5.    Address Property Rights advocacy group issues, lawsuits, code enforcement policies, 4^th Amendment rights- entering private property to search for infractions.

Folks this continues to be the Big Gorilla in the room that no one in city government wishes to publicly address. There has been some important movement in this area and I have reason to believe the mayor is working on it and will continue to do so. The irony of this issue is that we the public will not have/see a clear level of accomplishment on this matter until the 5 City Council members decide to keep their word to reform Code Enforcement and to set in place a way for the public to see how the City Manager and City Attorney are to be held accountable for job performance and the doing away with Selective Enforcement that favors those of their choosing.

6.    Promise to Create New Boards:  Animal Shelter Advisory Board-Done. Veterans Board-Done.  Airport Board-Done. Human Relations Commission-Yet to be done. Energy and Water Board-Yet to be done. Committee to analyze/review city’s code enforcement ordinances-Yet to be done.

                                                   Thank You and Happy New Year                            ED BACA

CITY FACED WITH HARD QUESTIONS ACCEPTS REALITY AND ACTS RESPONSIBLY

ACTS IN PUBLICS INTEREST – PUBLIC SAFETY TO DOMINATE

YOU CAN’T DO WHAT YOU WANT WHENEVER YOU WANT APPLIES

 TO DANCING AND EMPLOYEE CONDUCT

City Council Meeting of December 11^th made known that the City’s primary responsibility is to protect the public……An act of tough love was taken in dealing with citizen and employee conduct that speaks directly to this issue.  Awakening the youth of the city to this fact appears to require the use of KID GLOVES to appease and mollify them into awareness that PUBLIC SAFETY comes first….. Even when applied to DANCING as a form of Freedom of Speech. (You can’t yell FIRE in a theater simply to exercise freedom of speech). In a perfect world everyone would use common sense and comply with Health & Safety Regulations which is foundation for most laws……Driving a vehicle…..Building Occupancy……Managing large Outdoor Crowds….. Simple things like making sure responsible people have adequate number of toilets so they don’t find it necessary to use bushes, lawns, sides of buildings or expose their private parts to those utilizing the same space.  We know the majority of people comply with laws……We couldn’t hire enough public safety officers to enforce the law if the majority of folks didn’t readily comply and agree to obey.

History and experience has shown us that a small number of folks will NOT comply…… Due to ignorance, immaturity or uninhibited behavior caused by consumption of alcohol or marijuana etc. which often times accompanies public events.  Therefore, in order to protect the majority of us from the unwanted threats to our Health and Safety…..City Government MUST ACT to protect us and they do so by requiring PERMITS – SPECIAL EVENTS PROCESS…..That even apply to Public Dancing Events.

Displaying a sensitivity and genuine interest in permitting as much freedom of expression as possible, Mayor Pike opened the door for Tiffany Barton to speak to the Dance Issue…..Even though this meeting did NOT include a Public Hearing as part of the agenda. This I believe is in keeping with his election promise to…..Listen and to Hear and provide greater transparency in City government. Tiffany made her point…..What was touched upon tonight “Is not what we brought to the table.” Well, she was right. The Dance Interest Group was asking for the same thing many of us have been requesting……REFORM City Ordinance(s) and Enforcement Practices. The public is demanding City Government to CLEAN UP IT’S ACT when it comes to Selective Enforcement….Equal and fair treatment under the law in the way fines and waivers of penalties are applied. YES, the process has to be streamlined…..It is NOT necessary for all 214 request for Special Events made this year to have to come before the Council…..Anymore, than, those wanting to dance should be made to feel disenfranchised, when it comes to how they are treated or made to feel when seeking a Special Event Permit to dance. Folks this isn’t Rocket Science……It gets down to doing the right thing and treating people equally, fairly and with respect. It also means for those wanting Special Event Dance Permits to recognize Health & Safety Issues.

NEXT: Hearing for an employee (Fireman’s) appeal of the City Manager’s decision to uphold a department head’s recommendation for demotion…..Failure to comply with required safety-certification training. (Required to attend 75% of assigned training each year). Presented were circumstances and conditions, including supervisory adherence to accepted practices relating to employee-management interviews/counseling practices. My friends, the bottom line of all of this is that Fire Fighter’s Training is absolutely essential in providing for Public Safety. Having heard both sides of the issue Council voted to uphold the demotion.

Public Interest/Public Safety concerns prevailed on both issues presented to readers. As the title of this article stated the Council acted in a responsible manner. THERE IS HOWEVER…..A bigger issue that has been raised…..For some time now…..On how city government implements and administers City Ordinances and how it trains and supervises employee conduct and performance. The city council is charged with the responsibility of overseeing and supervising Department Heads that run the daily operation of all facets of city government. BEFORE these matters and issues reach the level of City Council action…..We seem to be forgetting that they first lay at the feet of the City Manager and to a lesser degree the City Attorney…..They work in harmony. It appears that NO ONE seems to hold the City Manager accountable…..I believe many of the issues concerning civil litigation, employee relations, city ordinances, enforcement practices, special event permits all at one time or another come before the preview of the City Manager……This includes how and which building permits are signed off as having been completed in compliance with city codes……Such as sewer lines, roadways, use of public easements, drainage issues….The list goes on.

My friends, the symptoms common to longevity that we see in U.S. Senate and House of Representatives appear to be present in our long time City Manager. We know that the City is not the same, as when Gary began his service almost 40 years ago. The standard of approval for signing off on building permits leading to Certificate of Occupancy has changed. The storage of equipment, Recreational Vehicles on private property has evolved with new and expensive housing. The laxity of uniform enforcement and issuance of fines has led to lawsuits…..The inoculation of  the City Manager from accountability…..Has in my opinion led to pitting neighbor against neighbor. One wanting and expecting the City Ordinance preventing recreational vehicles from being stored in the front yard…..Being in conflict with a neighbor who is accustomed to doing just that….. Regardless of ordinance requirements…..Employees charged with enforcement of standards appear confused and follow the example set by their leaders…..Arbitrary or no enforcement becomes the norm. We should not only be telling the youth…..But telling ourselves….. There is a time and a place for everything. The time for reform is now within City Government.   

Thomas Jefferson “I have ever deemed it more honorable and profitable, too, to set a good example than follow a bad one”. (The writings of Thomas Jefferson 1853-1854 edited by H.A. Washington)

Thank you, ED BACA

TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT ST. GEORGE POLICE OFFICER

HECTOR DOMINGUEZ AND RUDY GRACIA DID WHEN MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY

My friends and neighbors I began preparing for Thursdays December 4^th city council meeting by going to Church on Tuesday….. In my efforts to monitor and report to you the application of city resources I found my way to the Catholic Church who was co-hosting with SGPD an, event entitled “Together United” intended to recognize the needs and concerns of The Hispanic Community…..And most importantly to provide a vehicle for ongoing communications between a minority group and city government…..In this case the Hispanic community of St. George and Washington County. (The first in a series of planned meetings)

It is important to note that while many of us may be inclined to conclude that this specific interaction between City Government and Hispanic’s is part and parcel of the long standing Immigration Issue confronting our nation…..For the purpose of limiting discussion to the extension of KINDNESS expressed and extended by members of SGPD to a segment of our population found to be in need……I will zero in on SGPD sanctioned and approved efforts to bring to you…..What is meant by the term…..To Protect and Serve…..And in doing so contrast what the Thin Blue Lines does here…..Thus providing a response to the loud outcry taking place in major U.S. cities condemning all Police Officers as profiling racists. This is simply not true…..Especially here in St. George, Utah.

To do this, I thought it important to ascertain the level of commitment being made by City Hall in acknowledging and understanding the complexity of responsibility we have for each human being that resides in St. George…..Irrespective of race, color or creed. For you see, there are, deep roots entwined in every facet of our daily lives involving a minority of one sort or another…..Those implanted years past and that continue to grow to this very day….. Creating the multi-colored facets of what we know to be The City of St. George.

Upon arrival at the Catholic Church I was not sure what to expect from City Government as I have grown weary in my expectations that one day, City Manager Esplin, would recognize the importance of establishing a formal structure…..Which I call a Human Relations Commission…..Designed to establish ongoing communications and interaction with all segments of the community that will of course include a place at the table for minorities.

This rainy night I expected to see and hear yet another Dog and Pony Show orchestrated by city government. I failed to see or recognize anyone representing the upper echelons from City Hall…..Instead I was met at the door by two smiling faces who identified themselves as Officer Hector Dominguez and Officer Rudy Gracia. I was warmly welcomed and spoken to in Spanish which caused me to be embarrassed as my Spanish language skills are lacking.

My friends, I have learned over the last twelve years of monitoring City Government that nothing takes place, unless and until, the City Manager endorses or approves of it. I was surprised and disappointed not to seeing anyone from City Hall signifying his stamp of approval. I asked of the officers if the hierarchy of the police department had arranged or approved of this meeting. I was informed that they had been encouraged and provided with resources to reach out to the Hispanic community. At the December 4^th council meeting I had occasion to speak to Chief of Police Stratton on this matter and learned that this act of service was the brain child of these two officers. Chief Stratton stated that he was extremely proud of Officer Dominguez and Gracia. The character of these individual officers helps the community to know the quality of men and women who serve on SGPD.

I was pleased to learn that this meeting was a result of the innovative actions of two Kind and Caring Police Officers…..Who in the course of their duties identified a need…..And Chose to Act…..In the service of their fellow man. It was heartwarming to learn that these two officers had unselfishly given of their time by appearing on their day off from work to provide a service to those unable to speak fluent English…..And desired to assimilate into the main body of the community by better understanding laws that regulate accepted conduct. It put me in mind of the book “The Diary of Anne Frank”. It described a girl, who along with her family were forced to hide and remain out of the mainstream of society for fear of discovery by the Gestapo. Imagine the daily agony experienced.

As I looked upon the faces of nearly 200 men, women and children filling this meeting room I could not help but compare this gathering of minorities to that taking place in other parts of our nation in which police are castigated and attacked as uncaring predators intent on inflicting injury to minorities. This does not represent the City of St. George or the men and women of SGPD.

Having highlighted the role of the Catholic Church in this article I will leave you with a quote from President Thomas S. Monson, “It is impossible to stand upright when one plants his roots in shifting sands of popular opinion and approval… We will all face fear, experience ridicule, and meet opposition. Let us ----all of us ---- have the courage to stand for principle.”  President Thomas S. Monson, Be Strong and of a Good Courage” Ensign, May 2014, 68-69.

Thank you, ED BACA