News

By COREY BLUEMEL Staff Writer

Makaila Clark of Ferron has done something great for children with cancer. She has made a donation of her long locks to help a child in need. “I wanted to do something for the kids that have cancer and don’t have hair” stated Makaila Clark, 7, daughter of Jack and Shannon Clark of Ferron.Makaila took 10″ of her hair to Glenda Hansen at Hair Ease in Huntington to donate to Locks of Love. Glenda explained to her that her hair would go to help someone that was unable to grow their own hair and thanked Makaila for donating it. When asked why she decided to do this she stated, “My Mom wanted me to cut my hair so I decided I would cut off 10″ because that is what you have to have to send to Locks of Love and I wanted to do something nice for someone with cancer. I can grow my hair back.” Makaila said the worst part was the first time she cut her long hair and her Dad asked why she cut her hair. She said she cried and wanted it back so she kinda knew how the kids felt when they didn’t have any. According to Makaila the best part of having her hair cut is, “My hair is not heavy on my head anymore but you do get sunburned on your shoulders.” Makaila plans on growing her hair back and donating it again only this time she wants her Mom to donate her hair too.
Leigh Bloomer was the stylist who cut Makaila’s hair.

Five dedicated fathers from Parowan to Castle Dale were presented with awards from the Utah Foster Care Foundation on Fathers’ Day weekend. The fathers represent five different areas of Utah and were honored for their contributions to children in foster care. Governor Mike Leavitt presented the awards on June 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the foundation’s Chalk Art Festival at The Gateway.
“It’s a team effort to be a successful foster family,” said Kelsey Lewis, director of recruitment for the Foundation. “All of these dads were chosen because they opened their hearts and homes to children in need. Their dedication is reflected in some of the personal thoughts from the children about their dads.”
One teenager said, “My dad is always willing to talk or listen to me, especially at time when I’m struggling, even if it means interrupting his work. He knows when he is needed.”
Another child with special medical needs said, “My dad came and held me at Primary Children’s Hospital even before he knew if he was going to be my dad for sure. When he is in the room, I do not need anyone else.”
The Utah Foster Care Foundation is a non-profit organization that finds, educates and nurtures families to meet the needs of children in foster care.
Castle Dale Foster Dad, Cole Clarke was one of those honored.
Clarke said, “It was really a lot of fun for the kids and they enjoyed it.”
Cole and his wife Rene have opened their home to foster children for a number of years.
Castle Dale is undergoing a major drainage project. They are placing new pipe and doing repair work to the road surface after the pipe is in place. Mayor Neal Peacock said the project finally made it to the top of the list for funding. He said that three major drainages come together and overload the system and cause flooding for the south end of Castle Dale. The new system follows a new route and the old existing drainage pipes are still in place to help with the water load. The water will be carried from points of collection to Cottonwood Creek. Hopefully the new system will alleviate the problem with flooding.
At the June city council meeting the Green River City Council addressed several ordinance situations. Councilman Tom Burr brought the first to the table. Extensive discussion of the overnight parking regulation ordinance being considered for adoption was held. Councilman Burr clarified several items in the ordinance. The ordinance states that it will be illegal for any vehicle larger than passenger cars and with a load rating of larger than 12,000 pounds to be parked on the city streets overnight during the hours of 9 p.m.-7 a.m. This would mean all work trucks, farm trucks, motorhomes and bigger trucks will not be allowed to park overnight on the streets.
Burr cited damage to the asphalt from lubricants and weight damage as reasons for the consideration of this ordinance. He also stated that at times, many of the streets are blocked to emergency vehicles. Zoning laws are already in place that prohibit commercial vehicles from overnight parking. The council moved to accept the ordinance and stressed the need of enforcement.
The next ordinance discussion was the handling of the nuisance ordinance. Councilman Burr handed out a list of 25 concerns that need to be addressed concerning this ordinance. A hearing officer was the first concern discussed. Mayor Johnson read the ordinance that stated that the mayor or an appointed representative would hear the appeals brought. The council felt the need to specifically name a representative. Mayor Johnson instructed the council that he would handle the appeals himself until July’s meeting when he would officially name a representative.
During the course of the month, the council will each answer the 25 concerns listed and a master list would be compiled and addressed. These concerns will come before the council as an agenda item for action at the July meeting.
Grease traps and their requirement for businesses was next for discussion. Councilman Ben Coomer stated that before those businesses that are not in compliance with the ordinance could be confronted, a survey should be done. A concrete set of standards should be written before the building inspector can enforce the ordinance.
The council determined that an outside company should be consulted to do the survey. At the July meeting, further action will be taken with this ordinance.
Green River City Council met to hear comments from the public during two public hearings and to discuss regular agenda items. Both public hearings concerned budget matters. The first was the adoption of the tentative 2003-04 budget and the second involved opening the 2002-03 budget for changes.
During the first public hearing, Councilman Tom Burr made some corrections to the museum funds. Mayor Glen Dale Johnson read a letter to the citizens of Green River stating that the 2003-04 budget is basically the same as the 2002-03 budget. He stated that if the property tax increase is adopted, revenue to the city could increase as much as $75,000,
In the second public hearing, the 2002-03 budget was opened and reviewed. The departments with budget deficits were noted and the departments with surpluses were also noted. The approval was given to the mayor and City Recorder Conae Black to make the adjustments necessary to balance the budget.
At the conclusion of the public hearings, the council moved into the regular city council meeting. Cheryl Searle was first on the agenda with a request to renew the lease of the medical center property for the Utah Parks and Recreation. The lease agreement was reviewed by the council and Mayor Johnson made two wording changes and the lease agreement was accepted.
Other business addressed by the council was the adoption of LeGrand Johnson as the contractor and low bid for the improvement work at the airport. The council also approved the renaming of Medical Drive to Sandbagger Avenue.
Councilman Arden Sherrill moved to reopen the item concerning the Green River Community Bible Church. He moved to give the church a second hookup with no impact fees. After some investigation, it was determined that the need by the church would require only the normal charge for a regular hookup.
Mayor Johnson requested that Carol Ekker and Joni Pace organize a volunteer appreciation party. The two will set the date and menu. Johnson said that with the hundreds of hours that volunteers give to the city, some recognition and appreciation is warranted.
Mayor Johnson signed the proclamation declaring Aug. 16-21 as Green River Health Center Week to coincide with Gov. Mike Leavitt’s designation of Utah Health Center Week. There will be a celebration planned to commemorate this event.
At the recent city council meeting, Green River City employees gave their reports to the council. The first to report was Diane Chandler of the emergency planning committee. She reported that Judy Lang had been to the last meeting and given them some good information. Lang’s suggestion was to divide the city into parcels and establish phone trees. This plan goes along the same lines as neighborhood watch. Lang also suggested using the LDS church’s maps as a starting point for the city sections.
Chandler also reported that Lisa Weihing and Doug Ekker would be the CERT trainers and that Mike Winters will be in charge of communications. Their goal on the emergency planning committee is to get a good system working that will tie in with Emery County’s plan. Their meetings are the fourth Wednesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. at city hall.
City Treasurer Janet Keele thanked the council for allowing her to go to the treasurers conference. She felt that experience was a valuable one and would be very beneficial in the future. She also stated that the records management class was a great resource.
Mindy Cassingham reported the Smart Site progress. They have received white boards and paintings. The carpets and drywall work are complete and the air conditioning work will be completed by June 11. There is one remaining need, and that is for a refrigerator. As soon as the water is turned on, they will be on track to open the facility. On June 13 at 3 p.m., there will be a tour of the worksite.
Cassingham also stated that a computer has been set up at the John Wesley Powell Museum that displays continual photos of the Green River area. This computer will also allow visitors to send emails to home for a small fee. She has also received the topographic software that will allow printing and selling of area maps. The kiosks are down and are in need of reprogramming.
Concerning Channel 18, Cassingham reported that new slides have been added of the attractions in the area. She expressed the need to inform businesses of the service that this TV station provides.
Christine Monroe, from the community center made the council aware of the cuts to the senior citizens meal program. Because of budget constraints, the number of meals has been cut from three to two. She pointed out the need for these meals and how important they are to the seniors. She also reported on the progress of the newspaper. People are encouraged to bring their articles to Connie Copenhaver as soon as possible for typing and a printer needs to be ordered.
Monroe informed the council of a PAC board meeting on June 19 at which Judy Lang will speak about the neighborhood watch program. The children at the community center have completed a service project in which they painted Maxine Baker’s fence. Monroe said the children will begin painting the curbs on Main Street soon.
The community center’s summer hours are noon-8 p.m. Monroe reported that during the last month, the center has had 1,117 guests, 355 volunteer hours and served 937 Kids Cafe meals. She also stated that the summer reading program has 68 children enrolled and will host their summer performance July 22 at 3 p.m. in the Community Church.
Conae Black reported that the codification project is moving along well. Joann Wetherington informed the council that the JWP Museum has three new volunteers and both pools are up and running with a new life guard.
Councilman Ben Coomer said he is busy coordinating the roto-mill project. Also, the deadline for completion of the Shooting Sports Park is June 30 and they need some help to finish several of the projects.
Councilman Arden Sherrill informed the council that the curbs and streets projects are moving along nicely. Councilwoman Carol Ekker reported that everything at the medical center is on track.
Councilman Doug Richards told the council that Solomon Street looks great. He also reported that at the recent Emery County Travel Council meeting, the Emery County commissioners have requested the $14,914 from Grand County that belongs to Emery County for the transient room taxes collected. The animal control building that was recently purchased is adequate for their needs, the one project remaining is to pour a concrete pad for the building.
Trent Fluckey, airport operator, said the FFA had inspected the facility and their want list included a lighted taxiway and that this could be accomplished with the electrical work in the airport project. He also said that several roads are being chip sealed.
Mayor Glen Dale Johnson reported to the council that the city has received the paperwork on the road easement widening. Also the Make-A-Wish Foundation has asked for a donation.
Mayor Johnson also reported on the visit last week from the Utah National Guard. Several interested groups came in a Black Hawk helicopter to tour the missile base. He accompanied the visitors and they had a good meeting and are making progress in that project.
The next Green River City Council meeting will be held July 8 at 6 p.m.