BIG WIN FOR ALL THREE

UNIVERSITY - ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – CITY

LIONS CLUB & CITY POLITICS

AWAITING VERDICT ON DETAILS OF SUN BOWL PRESERVATION

January 22^nd City Council Meeting could not have begun on a more positive upbeat note, with the city receiving a tremendous THANK YOU from Justin Tubbs…..Who in effect was speaking on behalf of all Special Need’s recipients for the All Abilities Park. Justin, assisted by two Sisters, stood up, his leg in a brace, and with walking tools, made his way to the podium. Justin addressed the Mayor and Council and stated, “Thank you so much, for allowing a person like me to break ground at the All Abilities Park…..I think I’ll just live there.” Justin went on to state “I think I’m in St. George now, and it’s AWESOME!”

Justin, let all of us know, those present in the Council Chamber and the entire City of St. George……Just how very thankful he was and how AWESOME he thought the All Abilities Park to be. Justin got the Mayor to say the word AWESOME with him and soon the entire City Council joined in……Followed by the entire audience all loudly saying AAAAWE-SOME! Justin then turned, assisted by the Sisters and walked out of the Council Chambers still saying the word AWESOME.  Folks, it was truly an inspiring moment for all of us to hear Justin speak and gain a better understanding of what it means, “To be in the service of your fellow being.” It makes you proud to be a member of this community and a citizen of St. George.

Agenda Item 6 G. Staff Reports: Take public comment on the sale of approximately 6.0 acres of City property located between 100 South Street and 200 South Street in the vicinity of existing Elks Baseball Field…..Folks, this in effect is about Selling Elks Baseball Field and adjoining acreage owned by City……To Washington County School District who wants to build a new Elementary School on this site so they can finish negotiations to sell the old/existing…..East Elementary School…..To Dixie State University…..Who needs and wants the property on which East Elementary School sits…..Located directly across the street from the University. It makes perfect sense to bring these 3 governmental agencies together to meet the needs of each entity. A declared; WIN, WIN, WIN for all involved…..One that would serve the best interest of the community.

On its face it doesn’t appear to be too complicated, does it?  THE FLY IN THE OINTMENT is that the site of the New Elementary School / Current Elks Baseball Field is located next door to the Sun Bowl…..Home of Lions Club, Annual Rodeo Event site…..The Lions Club has asked the City to HELP them build a New Sun Bowl or help them renovate the Old Sun Bowl. In other words subsidize or give Tax Payer $$$ to the Lions Club to lessen their burden. After all the Lions Club gives a great portion of the money generated from the Rodeo to needy causes. Therefore, it is alright to spend Taxpayer $$$ so that the Lions Club can satisfy its goal of being an active civic organization giving its money to individuals or organizations the Lions Club determines to be deserving of support.  Not a bad deal is it?

Attach yourself to City Government by annually asking for and receiving Taxpayer $$$ so that you can successfully operate. (Rodeo co-sponsored by City) As stated at this City Council meeting by representative (s) of City Government this could make it a Win, Win, Win, Win….The forth winner being the Lions Club. Of course as Councilwoman Randall would have you believe…..This is all done with absolute Transparency. Never mind the fact that all sales and purchases of property are done behind closed doors.....And of course Taxpayers should discount any appearance that Lions Club Members…..May be active politically…..In Municipal Elections…..Councilman Bowcutt is believed to be an active member of the Lions Club. (I don’t think you can get elected without support of Lions Club, as former mayor belatedly learned.)

If this is not enough to get you thinking about how Power and Authority Corrupts I will share with you what took place during the last election campaign in which candidates and supporters were present. The issue of the Sun Bowl was raised. Candidates Bowcutt and Randall were present as were Councilman Almquist, Pike, Hughes and then Mayor McArthur. Almquist and Hughes openly supported candidate Randall who supported the Lions Club and Sun Bowl…..Mayor McArthur was known to be courting the support of the Lions Club of which I believe he was a member. As a result of the political interest being voiced in support of keeping the Sun Bowl at its current site…..The then existing City Administration brokered an agreement with the Lions Club that the Sun Bowl would be kept at the existing site for 5 more years thereby insuring that the Rodeo would continue to be held at this location. On its face, it appears to me for the City to now represent that the Preservation of the Sun Bowl is only now to be decided is somewhat disingenuous…..as all the players involved (Save Mayor McArthur) currently serve in City Government…..And have openly declared their support of the Lions Club. The Lions Club has been the winner for the past year and remains in the Driver’s Seat. The only thing to be decided is whether to tear down and build a NEW Sun Bowl or to Renovate and how much Taxpayer $$$ will be spent on the project and where will the Taxpayer Money come from?

This City Council appears to have committed itself to supporting the Lions Club. One can only hope that they are not being described in Doctrine and Covenants section 121.39. “We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.” Public discussion and complete transparency is called for when deciding the fate of the Sun Bowl. Let it be known I am a flag waiver and I love anything cowboy. I would like to see a Rodeo in City…..Where we see American Flag fly.   Those elected should act in best interest of City at all times.          Thank you, ED BACA