Alaura Mellor - THE PYRAMID | Posted: Thursday, April 16, 2009 12:15 am
EPHRAIM- District 68 Legislative Representative Brad Winn, reviewed Legislative issues pertaining to Ephraim City.He told how it only took one year to go from the largest surplus to the largest deficit.
He said everyone regretS all the jobs people will lose and a lot of the services that will be gone, but there had to be cuts and the budget had to be balanced. The Legislature tried to soften the blow as much as possible by using bonds to pay for building and roads. As a caucus, they had three main focuses, the first being water development. They asked for $10 million to take care of this and received $8 million.
The second focus was rural rehab loans so that farms and farm cooperatives can receive loan funding. The third focus was rural health. This included supporting Snow College nursing program to promote students in this occupation.
Representative Winn also talked about what funds were and were not used to help balance out the deficit. He said the rainy day fund was not used because the federal stimulus money came through. The Legislature will use the rainy day fundonly if the economy continues to fall.
He ended his review by commenting, "Public service isn't always easy, but I think it's a very popular kind of thing, you get a chance to make a difference and it's a great way to impact the quality of life."
Apartment issues
There have been some apartment complexes recently built in Ephraim that supposedly will be used for student housing.The neighbors are wondering why the complex was allowed to be built. They have noticed it does not meet requirements of fire access, parking. Other complaints were voiced about power poles and fencing being ruined.
After much discussion and challenging accusations, the council decided to help the concerned neighbors and see what the city can do before they have to go to the county and clear up the issue.
Tennis court lights
The council received some complaints from citizens about the lights on the tennis courts and knows how much city members use the courts. They have decided to look into installing a timer on the lights that would prevent the lights from being left on all night and bothering those who live by the courts. The timer would turn the lights on at a certain time and shut them off at midnight.
Business permit
Brian Reed approached the city council to request a commercial home business. His business will be called Royal Sales and Services LLC, located at 322 East 300 North. He will offerS drop off locations for sewing machines, and vacuums for repair. He has arranged for the dropped off equipment to be fixed at A-1 Vacuum and Sewing in Orem.
He will also sell vacuums, bags, belts, and sewing machines through A-1. He also offer carpet cleaning and auto detailing, and even computer assistance. For additional information contact Brian at 435-340-1182.
CUAC events
Central Utah Art Center (CUAC) has some interesting future events. This month photos taken by Sanpete County students age Kindergarten through sixth-grade will be featured. They gave students the opportunity to use cameras and audio recorders and will call the project "Sanpete Portrait."
The photos will be featured from Friday, April 10 to Wednesday, May 6, and all the art will be for sale. Proceeds will go towards art education in schools.
CUAC Director Jared Latimer reported the gallery has been well attended with 1,440 receptions and 6,500 visitors in 2008. He has projected there will be even more in 2009.
Floors at CUAC will be refinished between May 8-20.