Once There Was a Town Council Meeting — Part II

This is the second part of a discussion about the Town Council meeting of January 14, 2025. I will include the first part from last week’s TSS in case you want to review it; however, I will include it at the end in case you do not want to review it.

Random Items:

-I found it disrespectful when council requested the same information a citizen said he had given them twice already. Maybe it was just a bit of disorganization. The information was about code violations at Red Cliffs that have taken months to improve and are still not completely resolved. That is not good.

-Comments were made by council about how over crowded the Canyon Community Center is. it gets a fair amount of use, for sure, and occasionally compromises have to occur, but overall it has availability. For instance, I had no trouble finding several different options of times and days to hold meetings of the newly formed writer’s club (though it was decided to meet in a home instead). If you’re locked into a day and time, it gets challenging. By and large, however, it is a convenient, accommodating, and well-used facility. It is not, at this point, bursting at the seams.

-Trying to keep adjectives out of it: the Mayor was unaware of a floor plan of the proposed medical clinic that was in a letter sent to Town Council by Rick Wixom. I made a GRAMA request for that letter and it was in the information given me. When I wrote about it in the last issue, I thought it possible that they had inadvertently sent me something not included in that original letter, and found it almost amusing, that, I, a nobody, knew something they did not. In further research, there is confirmation that they did receive it in the original letter from Rick Wixom, who also said he did not think it was included in that letter. In other words, of six people, five of whom received it, and one who wrote it, only one (Pat Campbell) knew what was in it. That was the very letter for which Mayor Bruno basically chastised Mr. Campbell for making public.

-The idea of a community oversight committee was discussed and rejected by the entire town council. There may be more on this in the future.

The Medical Clinic

In discussing the potential use of a medical clinic, town council members discussed the need to plan for the future, definitely wise. They gave as one reason the “obvious” point that Springdale is growing and will continue to do so. The other “obvious” point they raised is that tourism here will also continue to grow. Those two things mean medical needs in Springdale will continue to grow. TSS pointed out that, in addition to those potential futures, other metrics indicate the opposite might just as plausibly occur including the increase in medical facilities in Hurricane, growth on the east side of ZNP, Increased competition for tourists, increase use of online medical care, increase use of mail for medications, the potential that Springdale will see a downturn in population due to decrease in quality of life here, potential limit of tourists in ZNP areas, maybe even the whole park. Another indicator recently noticed is the decrease in income from property taxes in the most recent Annual Financial Report. That is not necessarily an indication of population decline, but it definitely does not scream population increase. When the town council discusses the need for a medical clinic, or anything else for that matter, they need to consider all possibilities, not just the ones that support their preconceptions or their desires.

Point of fact, it may sound like I am against a clinic. I , personally, am not convinced of its need but I lean more towards it than against it. However, I ALWAYS lean against lack of transparency and not completely thinking things through. I am always against a town council member deciding they want something and then barreling through without citizen consideration, and without the honest acquisition and contemplation of information that does not support their agenda.

One of the most troubling pieces of information brought to light (by citizen questions, not by the powers that be bringing it up on their own) is that there are NO guarantees (beyond November of this year) that Family Health or anyone else will be willing to run the medical center. if, and when, it is built. Let that sink in a minute.

The First, the Last and the Middle

With any luck, and a bit of community concern and input, some things can change for the better. Most notably, transparency and respect shown by our elected officials for Springdalians. It hasn’t happened yet, but there is hope. At this recent meeting, and most meetings, there comes that time for deliberation. The five members of Town Council then discuss the pertinent agenda item and come to a conclusion, or decide to table it for later discussion. I want to say this with the right tone of voice, being both respectful and grateful for all their time and effort, while being absolutely clear and informative: They usually make no reference to items mentioned in letters or in public comments. And that is reprehensible. The valid points citizens made remain unaddressed. I do not understand this at all. It is just not right. It is fixable.

At the candidates night Mr. Aton commented that he wanted everyone to come to the next meeting. It is discouraging to come and be ignored. This can change going forward. This should change.

Another public input buzz kill is the way the meetings are structured. This is entirely changeable. When a citizen makes a comment, it is entirely reasonable for there to be some discussion and response from council but it is not allowed. It could be. Up to them. Making more items public hearing would be another way to let citizens know their opinions matter. Again, it could be; it is within their purview. Dear Town Council, we are in this together. Or should be. Don’t block us out.