Orangeville City Receives Report

By COREY BLUEMEL Staff Writer

Rue Ware gave his report concerning the Memorial Day activities at the city cemetery to the council at a recent council meeting. Mayor Thayne Cox welcomed Ware to the meeting and expressed his appreciation to him for handling the holiday planning so well.
Ware expressed his thanks to David Hinkins and Drew LeRoy for supplying the water and ice for the visitors to the Orangeville Cemetery over the Memorial Day weekend. As the number of visitors was down this year over last year, there were several cases of bottled water left over which was sold at the Orangeville Day Celebration.
Cards were handed out to the visitors and they were asked to fill them out with name, address, date of visit, comments and suggestions. Ware reported that the majority of the comments were very positive and can be used to make next year’s holiday even better. Ware also reported that the bulk of the visitors during the weekend were present on Friday.
One comment which was received was that several of the headstones are in need of leveling. Some are falling over and need attention. Mayor Cox will see that the work is done.
Ware made several suggestion of his own to the council for consideration for next year. He stated that the greeters hours should be looked at and the council might consider shortening the length of time that each greeter is at the cemetery. He added that one consideration may be to stop the greeters at 6 p.m. as the greatest percentage of evening visitors are local people who do not require direction.
“I also think that the council should think about having a small flag ceremony on Monday, Memorial Day, evening. If the flag was lowered to half staff and Taps played, it would be a nice event. I think it would be a wonderful way to end the weekend,” said Ware.
City Recorder Murleen Bean made a suggestion to help with the cemetery. She urged the council to consider purchasing a canopy that can be used as shade for comfort at graveside services. She noted that during the middle of the day, it can be very warm and uncomfortable for people attending services at the cemetery. The council expressed the opinion that this is a wise thing to consider.
Councilperson Carol Ware also suggested some accommodations be made for the greeters who are at the cemetery to get out of the weather. At times, the weather had been extremely inhospitable and the greeters need somewhere to get inside.
Councilman Kelly Alton expressed his appreciation to Rue Ware for the effort he had put into the making the holiday at the cemetery a memorable experience for the visitors. “I have received many positive comments from citizens concerning the event,” said Alton.
Rue Ware also reported that the posting of signs noting historical sites in and around Orangeville has been completed as far as it can go to this point. The remaining 14 signs need to be placed along state roads and the permission for their placement has not been received from the state road department.
Linda Jewkes, vice-chair of the Emery County Economic Development Council, reported the activities of that council. Jewkes explained the rural Utah survey that is being taken online. The results of this survey will be compiled to determine what can be done to help rural Utahns with economic development. The survey will help determine what types of businesses are desired and what direction the residents of the smaller towns in Utah want to take in securing their future. All rural Utahns, especially government officials, are encouraged to take the short survey online at http://utahreach.org/wingspan/surveys/. The results of this survey will be presented at the Rural Summit to be held in Cedar City on Aug. 12-13.
Jewkes also reported that the economic development council is ready to begin printing the directory of businesses in Emery County. This directory will be used in a packet of information to be used for recruitment of business to this area. Skyler Tanner is compiling the remainder of the booklet which is all of the other critical information concerning life in Emery County, other than the businesses. Tanner’s information concerns living conditions, amenities and recreational activities, among other things. This recruitment material will be taken to the Emery County Economic Summit to be held at the Museum of the San Rafael on Sept. 14. Jewkes also noted that Jon Huntsman, Jr., candidate for governor will be the keynote speaker at this summit.
City Treasurer Cindy Nielson requested the council clarify the policy for city workers who are instructed to turn the water off to a residence for non payment of the water bill. Nielson explained that several times in the past month, the city worker has not turned the water off as instructed. As a result, when the property owner came in to pay the overdue bill, the shut off charge was disputed.
The council informed Nielson that her actions have been according to policy, and the Mayor would speak with the city worker about the water shut off orders.
Councilman Pat Jones suggested that the residents be informed about how payments are made for water to the special service district.
He stated that the city is billed for and must pay for each water connection in Orangeville. If the property owner falls behind in the payment, the city has no alternative other than to disconnect the water.
The Orangeville City Council members each proceeded to give their individual reports informing the others of their actions during the month. Each has been busy with their departments.
The next Orangeville City Council meeting will be Aug. 12 at 7:30 p.m.