Dear Editor:

There is an action being taken by Mt. Pleasant City which every citizen ought to be aware of. The city published in The Pyramid, announcing a public hearing which was held June 23.

The notice stated the city "intended" to vacate 200 South between 200 and 300 West. The notice didn't mention the reason for doing so was to give the street to Wasatch Academy.

Information has since surfaced that Wasatch Academy had approached the city, speaking with former Mayor Chesley Christensen, Recorder Sally East and likely others of the city council requesting the transfer of that public property and road to the academy for their purposes.

Also, it is now known the school does not have a definite plan for the land. Some years ago, the school tried to close one and one-half blocks on 200 West, through to 300 South. That action was denied at that time.

It would be useful for everyone to realize that over the past years, the academy has acquired 18-20 residential properties surrounding their original two-block campus. Those properties have been removed from the city tax base due to Wasatch Academy being a non-profit corporation private school.

In the hearing, it was said this "intended" closure would not be precedent setting, but in fact, it very likely could be. With all the properties now in their ownership surrounding the school, it stands to reason that future closures will be requested, especially 200 West.

The block bordered by the street in question and 200 South below 200 West, is the location of Dean Staker's home, as well as Blake Rigby's. Wasatch has collaborated on master plans twice, the latest in 2008, with Staker's home removed to make room for either a building or a parkway on property he has owned for 60 years.

We believe those plans, one a public document, were presumptuous, assuming and discounting. Staker believes with each encroachment on his space, his property value might very well go down. He is also concerned with the apparent alignment of the city with Wasatch Academy.

Recently activated federal laws governing eminent domain profoundly in favor of municipalities over private ownership is a concern. He is apprehensive that at some time, there might be a push to force him or his family after him off their land and out of their home for the benefit of Wasatch Academy, deemed in the public interest.

The city's intent to give the land to Wasatch raises other questions. With Mt. Pleasant scraping funds to even patch road potholes, what business does our city leadership have giving away for the benefit of a private corporation a public street? The street did not belong to Mayor Christensen, it does not belong to City Manager Sally East or council members, but they will likely give the street away.

It is in excellent condition and does not now need repair. Their argument is that one less street will be one less street to maintain. If the decision is finally made to divest of the street, let Wasatch buy it and the city could use that money for street maintenance.

It now costs $40,000 per boarding student to attend Wasatch and with 230 students, anyone can do the math. With that kind of yearly budget, give or take a million and with the dropping of so many properties from city tax rolls, let Wasatch buy the street.

Wasatch has said they intend to offer their sports facilities for public use. The historic North Sanpete gym, which was carefully restored by civic minded people in town, is now owned by the academy. It is true it is now a center for community activity, which is a win-win situation.

It is also true and many people probably do not realize, that in fact, Wasatch Academy acquired the $1,000,000 building for $60,000. Some people are wondering, what is the tie? Is it that everything Wasatch wants, Wasatch gets?

They will argue they employ many people, which is true, but so do Terrel's Marketplace, Bro's Tire, Horseshoe Mountain Hardware and many others. That should not be criteria for the divestment of public property as a gift to a private school.

The comment was made in the hearing that if this is indeed a valid transaction between Mt. Pleasant, the citizens and Wasatch Acasemy, a private non-profit corporation school, it should come before the voters of the city to decide, not left to five people now on the council to give a public street away.

Once it is closed, it will never be open again for use. I urge all fellow citizens to check into this important question, realizing this is not just a neighborhood issue. It pertains to every citizen. They "intend" to give a public street away and it is a bad idea.

Contact the city, council representatives and Mayor Sandra Bigler with a strong voice and plan to attend the next city council meeting scheduled to be held Tuesday, July 14.

Ron Staker

Mt. Pleasant