RESPECT AND FAIR PLAY FOR WOMEN OF CITY

SUN BOWL - A PERFECT FIT FOR YOUNG WOMEN AND UTAH YOUTH RUGBY

DIXIE RED HILLS CLUBHOUSE - A TRAVESTY OF JUSTIC ENDURED BY LADIES

March 26^th Council Meeting began with recognition of the Community Education Channel. For those who subscribe to Caple T.V. it’s a simple matter of turning to channel 22. A live presentation of City Council Meeting and if by chance you happen to miss it you can always watch replays. We have come to take televised city council meetings for granted as they have become common place. In our world…..Freedom of Speech is akin to breathing. It just comes naturally. Mark Mortenson, who sits on the Board of C.E.C. representing St. George City shared with us that C.E.C. does amazing things. It comes out of the confines of Dixie State University providing a litany of Public Service projects throughout Washington County.  Although C.E.C. operates independently you may find representatives from other cities on the Board. City pays $1.00 per capita and the cable company collects $1.00 from each subscriber all of which goes to the successful operation of C.E.C. under the umbrella of Dixie State University.   

City Manager Esplin reported that C.E.C. was first started to get information out to the public. To show how a particular service operates, something relative to city’s participation. Over the years the education channel has grown, bringing various production services to the public. Esplin suggested that C.E.C. could show case each construction phase of the Electric Theater or All Abilities Park showing the internal workings of the city. Mayor Pike offered the thought that city could introduce “some of our people.” Being the skeptic that I am, I immediately recognized the fact that giving a podium to a council member on an election year tends to give political advantage to those running for re-election.  This was dispelled with the suggestion that presentations could be made by others employed in any number of city departments.  All in all not a bad idea to bring the public up to date on who and what may be impacting the city at any given time.

FAIR PLAY WITH TAXPAYER MONEY

Putting this concept into practice I have chosen to connect a current day event that is deserving of recognition with one of past years that appears to have died on the vine. I ask that you keep in mind the Sun Bowl Rodeo and the male dominated Lions Club.

My thoughts turn to old fashion values. One is treating women with respect. This is exemplified by displaying respect and giving recognition to those who deserve it. I am of course referring to the women of the city. In support of this principle I will assume that we all admire and hold in esteem the women of our city. This should be matched with deeds.

COMMUNICATIONS FOR READERS TO PONDER (Segments: Between DRH and Council member.)

Date: 14^th Nov 2008. I haven’t had any response from my last two emails. I guess I can understand your reluctance to reply. If I was in your position, I think my conscience would be bothering me, too. I am not going to say that we have been lied to, but I will say that we have reached a point where we find it hard to believe anything that comes out of a city office.

Date: 17 Nov 2008. So sorry not to have responded to your earlier email. We honestly thought the new club house would be up and running by now…..I am so sorry about this – I know it was begun and footings (or some of the ground work) done, but from what I understand it will be a while before it can be resumed. I’ll keep you posted.

Date: 17 Nov 2008. I apologize that you haven’t heard from me with your concerns. I have been out of town since the 10^th……Please let me know if you haven’t gotten an answer yet on the clubhouse. You are correct that we have planned this project for some time and worked it into the budget finally. If you still have questions, I’ll get the answers for you.

Note: During the intervening years in which the Ladies of St. George were being put off as indicated by the above listed communications the Lions Club (I believe) appeared before the Council and requested and received financial city support in the form of “Sponsorship” for the Lions Rodeo Event. (To date promises made to DRH Ladies have not been kept.)

Note: Following presentation on C.E.C. the City Council gave approval to expand the use of the Sun Bowl by allowing Girls Rugby Matches with a potential agreement with the Utah Youth Rugby’s Girls Division. This fits in with Councils stated position to increase use of the Sun Bowl, for the intended purpose of justifying, spending of taxpayer dollars on the refurbishing of the Sun Bowl. To its credit Utah Youth Rugby, represented by Matt and Boyd Kenewisher stated that city would NOT be asked to waive fees for their use of Sun Bowl and in fact they would work to raise money in support of city improvement efforts.  WOW! Is this refreshing news? It’s kind of like…..Ask not what your city can do for you, but what you can do for your city.  Welcome, Utah Youth Rugby.

PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT

On its face does it appear the city is acting fairly and responsibly in how it uses city resources? Does it appear to you that the city favors the Lions Club over Dixie Red Hills Ladies Club?  I cannot help but to think of President Hinckley who said “Who can put a price tag on the influence a mother has on her children, a grandmother on her posterity, or aunts and sisters on their extended family? We cannot begin to measure or calculate the influence of women who, in their own ways, build stable family life and nurture for everlasting good the generations of the future.” The women of DRH are such women and are deserving of better treatment.                                                          Thank you, ED BACA