Animal Shelter

Today at city council work meeting Best Friends Animal Society will be discussing the St George animal shelter.

I went and toured both the St George shelter and the Ivins shelter on Monday. I showed up at the St George shelter unannounced at 8:30 in the morning. They were very friendly and let me in even though they don't open until 10:00 and it was a Monday morning. The smell was overwhelming. They were still in the process of cleaning cages when I arrived. They had many animals waiting for adoption; cats, dogs, 2 ferrets, and a rabbit.

It is extremely noisy in the area the dogs are kept. They have ordered sound absorbing panels for the shelter but they have not yet arrived. The shelter staff realize their shelter is outdated and they are not opposed to a new shelter but they can only work with the resources they have. I don't think there would be opposition to a no kill shelter if they had the room to hold the animals they receive.

Also the shelter would greatly benefits from kennels with access to the outdoors. It would significantly improve the smell and condition overall.

There is a distinct contrast in the St George and Ivins shelter. Obviously Ivins is a newer facility and I was told the price tag was about 375,000 dollars. There was also a lot of donated labor and materials.

Ivins is very fortunate to have the "Friends of Ivins" group to raise funds for them. It also helps alleviate the burden on the taxpayer. St George would benefit from a group willing to do the same for our shelter. In order for a similar type of group to commit to a project like Ivins the St George shelter would have to commit to a no kill shelter. Ivins also told me they are not an entirely no kill shelter. There are times they have to put an animal to sleep due to health issues and viciousness.

With the number of scouts in our area trying to come up with Eagle projects the shelter could benefit from these projects. Ivins has had several Eagle projects their shelter has benefited from.

There is a lot of work to be done and I think it will take a team effort to accomplish what is ultimately desired. With the city and the community working together I believe we can find solutions to improve the shelter.

Growth

A topic of interest to many residents is growth in our city. There are times I would like to rewind to the days of the late 70's when my family moved to this area. St George was a small town and most everyone knew each other. The crime rate was extremely low, there was open space everywhere, there was only one high school, and we had a drive in movie theater. We must never leave our traditions in the past, even if they only serve as reminders of the "good ol' days."

 Much has changed over the last 3 decades. Change does not have to have a negative connotation attached. We have grown tremendously over the years. And we have benefited from that growth, and also encountered new challenges.

 I believe we need balanced growth. We have to make sure we have the resources necessary to support growth ie: water, power, infrastructure, and public safety. We cannot grow at an unsustainable rate. We have to plan wisely for the growth ahead.

 Another candidate seeking a seat on the council this year has said, “Growth is the moving force/cause behind most all municipal concerns in one way or another.”  I am in agreement with that statement.  Balanced growth will be our best ally for the future. If we work together as a team, in an open transparent manner, I have complete confidence we can successfully resolve any challenge or municipal concern we encounter. I have said that part of my platform is preserving the valued traditions of St. George. One such tradition has been our long-standing ability to resolve our common challenges. We can do so again.

Lake Powell Pipeline

On Wednesday night at the candidates forum the most common question asked of me was how I feel about the Lake Powell Pipeline. I will address this question as best  I can with the information I have thus far.

 

I feel the major concern regarding the pipeline is the price tag attached to it. A billion dollars is hard for most of us to comprehend. I have met with Ron Thompson and others at the Water Conservancy District. I have also read and studied the many arguments made in opposition to the pipeline.

 

We can all agree Washington County needs a reliable water source for our future. If we do not have reliable water sources we cannot survive.  We also cannot attract businesses to our community. A community that is economically successful benefits us all. Water is key for that success. We should look at all reasonable options when it comes to water. We can all do our part to be responsible and conserve. Conservation is not the only answer. Even with strict conservation we still need to develop water sources for future generations. I am not convinced the pipeline is the only solution to our water needs.

 

At this time there is no reason not to believe what the Water Conservancy District has said in regards to how they will pay for the pipeline. Karry Rathje, Public Information Manager with the Water Conservancy District has said, "Tax increases or raised water rates are not planned to fund this project.  Low interest government grants and bonds in addition to upfront district funding, generated primarily from impact fees, will be used. A portion of the district's share of the Lake Powell Pipeline down payment has already been paid.  Financial planning is well underway to ensure adequate funding for the project, which will have a 50-year payoff schedule." What is essential is that the financial planning and accurate projection be completed prior to commitments imposed on future generations.

 

I am still watching closely and doing my research on the pipeline. We still have questions that need to be answered. What will the final cost be? How will that cost affect each individual in Washington County? Is Lake Powell the only viable option? Answers to these and other questions will provide us with the transparency essential for the community to feel comfortable with the final decision regarding the pipeline. My efforts will be to assure that openness.

 

Residents are encouraged to attend the presentations given in regards to the pipeline. The next Citizens Advisory Committee and Gov. Herbert's listening session will be held on Thursday July 25th at 7:00 pm in the Dunford Auditorium at Dixie State University. This issue affects us all. We need to attend and become informed.

My response to a frequently asked question.

I have been asked numerous times about my ability to work effectively with Jon Pike if I am elected to the City Council of St. George. Some people presume that Jon was in some manner responsible for the demise of Dixie Ambulance, which our family owned for 14 years, so now I must obviously hold some sort of vendetta against Jon. This is simply not the truth.

I will work very well and cordially with Jon Pike, in whichever role he occupies following the November election.  Likewise, I will work the same with Mayor McArthur should he be re-elected.  Although I cannot speak for Jon Pike, I presume from his consistent demeanor that he also will work cordially with me, as he will with Mayor McArthur, if he is not elected Mayor.

 

My family and I believe that the decision, made by the state Department of Health, was flawed and made under suspect circumstances. Many people in the community have affirmed to us they believe as we do. However, that decision is behind us. We are disappointed, yet, refuse to be defined by setbacks upon which others outside the City of St. George build their resumes.

The incident with Dixie Ambulance demonstrated to me the essential need for transparency in government.  It also re-enforced the need for a community to engage in team work of all interested residents. Lastly, my experience showed me that traditional values are truly important to St. George..

Upon election to the City Council I will work transparently, as part of the team we call St. George, with a dedication to preserving those values that have made us the truly great city we have become. My pledge is to cooperate with anyone that assist use in being transparent, team-oriented, and honorable toward our goodness as a city.

With respect to past decisions as a wise man once said “focusing upon the stumbling blocks behind me, does not cause me to walk a straight path forward.”  I will work without fear or favor with all members of the City Council and whoever is mayor.

4th of July Parade

You may have noticed some of my large signs starting to go up around St. George. We will be getting more out this week, along with yard signs. 

I couldn't do this without the support from such an incredible family. My husband, dad, sons, sons in law, and nephews have endured this heat to get the signs ready and placed. 

My children and grandchildren were troopers to get up early on the 4th of July to join me in the parade. We missed Karli and Marty but they had good excuses as to why they couldn't join us. I enjoyed seeing so many of you and look forward to 5 more weeks until the primary on August 13th.