Ferron readies town for Peach Days celebration

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

Ferron City Council discussed their annual Peach Days celebration at the August council meeting.
The council heard from the participants who represented Ferron at Girls State including: Sarah Swasey, Sierra Benson, Madi Allinson and Julie Doria. They learned a lot and were thankful for the sponsorship of this event by Ferron City. They attended meetings and met soldiers and veterans. They met the Lt. Governor, Spencer Cox and listened to many speeches on patriotism.
Swasey said she didn’t really like politics until she was given this opportunity, she now knows how important it is and how our country operates. “Meeting the veterans was amazing,” said Swasey.
Allinson said the opportunity for a hands on experience really helped them to learn first hand how government works. There were 360 girls from Utah attending. Some of them will continue their learning at the Girl’s Nation. The girls state organization helps to lobby to pass bills that benefit veterans.
The girls golf team from Emery High approached the council for a donation. They said they are always asked when they go away to meets where their home golf course is located. They feel this could be an opportunity to help promote Millsite Golf Course as the golf team attends meets throughout the state. The council said they will approach the golf pro Kris Abegglen to see what will be the most useful to the golf course.
Michael Garrett asked for approval to host a pigeon show in the Ferron community building. He said he has been raising birds since age 8. The birds will all be in cages. The council approved the pigeon show with a cleaning deposit for the building.
The council opened the bids for cemetery maintenance. It was decided not to adopt a contract at this time. Only one bid was received. Council member Ronnie Bloomer said the contract needs to be more specific with the assigned duties for the maintenance person. Ryan Mills was the bidder on the contract. The council will collect more information and revisit the contract in a future meeting.
Shelbee Murdoch, Emery County Miss Outstanding teen asked for a sponsorship to help her attend the Miss Utah Outstanding Teen Pageant. The council approved $100.
Lori Ann Larsen and Dennis Ardohain asked the Ferron council for a donation for the Emery County Miners Memorial. She said mining is important to the county. The Carbon County Miners Memorial will be dedicated on Sept. 7 Labor Day. The Emery County Memorial will be dedicated Aug. 2016 during the Emery County fair. “We would like to see all the cities in the county support the Emery County Monument. I have worked in the mining industry for 32 years. We would like to invite everyone to attend the dedication on Sept. 7. at the Price City Peace Gardens. The angel on the monuments will only be used for these monuments and was designed for them only. The dedication plaque will include all the miners who died in Emery County coal mines. There will be a lot of Emery County names on the Carbon County Miners Memorial because they died in Carbon County. The same is true of the Emery County Memorial which will have several Carbon County miners who died in Emery County mines.”
Ardohain said, “When we started it was slow going, but then things mushroomed. We have 28 people on our committee. I worked 42 years at Deer Creek. A lot of research has been done for this project. Twenty-one names were added to the list who have perished in our mines due to this research. Family members will read the names at the dedication on Labor Day. Cecil Roberts is bringing money from the United Mine Workers for this monument. The stones have been imported from China and they are solid black granite. This project has brought people together, these men and women deserve to be put to rest. All of the names from Emery County miners who have passed away in coal mines aren’t listed together anywhere.”
The Ferron council thanked Larsen and Ardohain for their presentation and they would like to see Ferron City listed on the donor plaques, they will address the item in their budget.
Ferron City will place a donation jar at the free dinner during Peach Days to collect money for the Miners Memorial.
The council is waiting to hear if the county is going to move on the gas tax. Ferron City could use the money for sidewalks if this tax is implemented. The tax has to be put on the ballot along with public hearings.
Council member Adele Justice reported the branding teams formed by each of the cities has been compacted into one team for this side of the county and one for Green River. The team which Ferron formed will continue to meet and come up with ideas for the town. The survey taken indicate people would like to see restaurants and motels developed. They also want existing businesses to be more accommodating to locals as well as visitors. The survey question asked, “What do you want Ferron to be known for was answered with: Millsite Reservoir, desert and mountains and a friendly town with friendly people.”
Ferron will include in the city newsletter that volunteers are needed to help with the upkeep of the Molen Cemetery. City Hall workers Jamie Anderson and Tami Bennett will attend business license training in Logan. Plots will begin to be sold in the new portion of the Ferron Cemetery. There is a problem with illegal dumping of grass clippings and tree branches. A no dumping sign will be put in problem spots.
Councilmember Joe Trenery reported half the town has been chip sealed and the drainage project is coming next.
New rain gutter for city hall will be coming soon. City workers will continue to spray weeds and get the city ready for Peach Days. Council person Ronnie Bloomer would like workers at the fairgrounds one day a week to get the grounds ready. A control board was hit by lightning at the golf course and will need to be replaced. Mayor Trent Jackson said he has met with golf pro Kris Abegglen and he has some ideas for getting the word out on Millsite Golf Course. He wants to put a billboard along I-70 to attract traffic off I-70 up to Millsite to play golf. The Peach Days pageants went well with good talent and contestants. The stockshow went well, but there were some problems with the clean-up. Ferron City will bill the stockshow for Ferron City’s expenses for the show.
Council member Abby Jensen reported the dinner will be pulled pork, baked beans, potato salad, rolls and peaches. Things are online for the fire department breakfast. The horse races are lined up. Not many vendors have signed up to come so far. People have missed the talent contest during the dessert contest so this may be returned this year. There will be free hot dogs at Mayor’s Park after the parade. The Field of Flags celebration will be Sept. 12 at 7 a.m. The parade is at 10 a.m. The new sound system for the rodeo grounds will be in place before the celebration. Jo Sansevero will be the announcer for the parade. A grand marshal hasn’t been chosen at this time. The soap box derby will take place immediately following the parade.
On Sept. 9, exhibits will be accepted at city hall for Peach Days. On Sept. 10 at 3:30 p.m. is the sidewalk picasso followed by the dessert contest and a bike ride.
Sept. 11 will be the dinner at the fairgrounds park at 6 p.m, team roping, fireworks at dusk and a movie in Mayor’s Park.
Sept. 12 will begin with the Field of Flags at 7 a.m. followed by the firemens breakfast at the fire station. The golf scramble will last all day at Millsite Golf Course. The parade begins at 10 a.m. Family fun day in the park will begin following the parade. Exhibits will be on display at the city hall Sept. 11 and Sept. 12. Paddle board races will be held at Millsite Reservoir on Sept. 12 at 11 a.m.
Ticket events at the fairgrounds park include: vendor booths, horse races at 1 p.m., ranch rodeo in between races, demolition derby at 6 p.m. and a dance following the derby.