Blanding City Council discusses “bashing”

by Roma Young
Blanding Mayor Calvin Balch started the December 9 meeting of the Blanding City Council with a heated observation that the November 25 council meeting, which he was unable to attend, was “good old boy politics at their best.”
Balch referred to the process that resulted in a unanimous resolution at the November 25 meeting. The resolution condemned the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for policies related to Recapture Canyon.
It had been the second meeting that addressed a resolution regarding Recapture Canyon. The resolution was sponsored by Councilman Joe B. Lyman.
At the November 11 council meeting, the resolution was introduced and discussed, even though Lyman was not in attendance. At that meeting, the Mayor expressed concern about the resolution, adding that the May 10 Recapture Canyon protest may have been a case of “two wrongs don’t make a right.”
On November 25, Lyman defended his proposed resolution, and it was approved by a unanimous vote. Balch was not able to attend the November 25 meeting.
Balch said several minutes of the November 25 meeting were used for nothing more than “Mayor bashing”. “Then,” he added, “a resolution was passed without discussion.”
Several council members said if that was mayor bashing, the November 11 meeting was “councilman bashing.”
They felt it was a respectful disagreement between the Mayor and Councilman Lyman. The Mayor then moved the meeting along according to the agenda without further discussion.
The natural gas and water reports were given by City Manager Jeremy Redd. Gas use is still down and may be tied to the warmer weather.
While discussing water use, Redd said, “We need snow on the mountain.”
The monthly report of Police Chief Lloyd Watkins showed that crime numbers are down a little. When asked why the police are doing a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check, Watkins said the Department of Motor Vehicles requires a check on new vehicles before they can be registered.
The police also take the opportunity to “run the VIN” and make sure a vehicle is not stolen.
Chief Watkins was told about the reward program that was adopted by the council in the past. It is to make local residents aware when a person has a warrant out for their arrest.
Chief Watkins said he was unaware of the program and liked the idea. The city will check into the details and get it up and running again soon.
The council approved the 2015 meeting schedule. The city holiday schedule was also approved.
The Council reviewed the Ten-Year Capital Project Plan. Several items were added to the list.
The list is a starting point to give the council a chance to add additional items as they hear from citizens.
The City extended the bid deadline for an electric project. It became apparent to city officials, after four companies expressed interest in the project, that they need to clarify bid specifications in order to secure competent bids.