Friends of Virgin, Inc.
P.O. Box 790005
Virgin, Utah 84779-0005
www.friendsofvirgin.com
If you wish to be removed from our mailing list, write to friends@friendsofvirgin.com

Friends of Virgin pledge to volunteer time, talents and efforts to:
•	promote understanding by researching and reporting on key issues;
•	encourage civic involvement by collaborating with fellow residents on common causes;
•	advocate for open government and adherence to ordinances and regulations.

Board of Directors:
Adele Pincock, president
Linda Collet, secretary
Sandra Grow, treasurer
Nancy Isom, director
DRD Properties South, director

Opinion
	First of all, a hearty congratulations to Virgin’s newly elected officials John Grow, Lee Ballard and Gary Wilcox.  Despite some of the spitfire surrounding this election, we feel giddy that 86% of Virgin’s registered voters turned out to vote.    Furthermore, we feel delighted and proud that so many in our community rallied to action during the election season.  From the seven individuals who were willing to run for office to begin with, to the many supporters and activists who got out and about to encourage residents to vote.  We especially wish to thank the candidates for their willingness to serve in an official capacity.
	But now we are faced with what some perceive to be a challenge in filling the Town Council seat left vacant by John Grow’s election to mayor.  It seems to us, however, it is no challenge at all.
	Consider the fact that, whether we realized it or not, we were essentially voting for three council seats.  Both mayoral candidates were council members with two years left on their terms so no matter who was elected, a vacancy would occur.  When you consider the voter turnout and the fact that the second highest vote getter won his seat by just one vote, it seems logical and just that the next highest vote getter should fill the vacancy.  Filling the vacancy in any other way would, in our opinion, have the effect of disenfranchising 107 residents whose votes would essentially be cancelled in such a case.
	Furthermore, the town has set its own precedent.  Remember when Matt Spendlove was appointed to the Planning Commission after losing his bid for Town Council in 2004?   In this manner, town officials have respected the voice of voters.  We think it’s reasonable to fill vacancies this way.  Besides, in this case, the third-highest vote getter is willing to serve, as was demonstrated by his bid for reelection.  He has a public record that many residents support as was evidenced by the many votes to reelect him.
	The Town Council will address the vacancy during its meeting this Wednesday, January 25th.  We encourage residents to attend this meeting and request the Town Council respect voters’ wishes and abide by its own precedent.  This solution seems reasonable and fair.

Meeting Watch
[editorial comments italicized in brackets]
P & Z; 11/02/05
Bill Adams, Larry Amodt, Mike Crawford, Allen Lee and Marcia Rasmussen present.  No conflicts of interest declared.	
	Hurricane Fire Chief Ed Campbell was scheduled to be present to discuss Fire Code Appendices but was unable to attend the meeting.  Commissioners  instead asked VVFD Assistant Chief Sandra Grow for clarification on various topics contained in the appendices.  Commissioners asked about hydrant flow requirements, financial responsibility for upgrading existing lines linked with new subdivisions, inspection permits, and secondary access to new developments.  Although some questions remained unanswered, the Commission voted to recommend adopting the appendices. 
	An ERA/Porter Team real estate agent was present to inquire on behalf of some clients if the town would be receptive to a subdivision of 62 homes on 68 acres, adding that some building lots would be less than one acre. [the exact location of the proposal was not disclosed]  Commissioners stated Virgin’s requirement for one-acre lots and indicated they couldn’t say they would approve any project without knowing its location and seeing a plan.  No action was taken.
	A public hearing was held on removing Chapter 9, Planned Unit Development, and all references to it from the Virgin Uniform Zoning Ordinance (VUZO).  Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend such action.  [Commissioners have indicated they intend to work on a more appropriate ordinance addressing cluster-like developments previously addressed by the PUD chapter]  	
	During Items from the Floor a resident leasing the Bull Cinch building inquired about the possibility of living in the building while operating a business there.  Commissioners indicated the possibility of allowing some kind of residential use in the Commercial zone was likely at some point in the near future and asked the topic be placed on the agenda for consideration by the Town Council at its November meeting.
	During this discussion, commissioner L. Amodt commented on the need to review and study land use ordinances, the General Plan, the Development Management Act, and International Fire Codes.  He suggested Virgin should consider revising its one-acre zoning requirement to include larger lot sizes in the Rural Residential Zone.  Other commissioners agreed, adding the public-opinion survey supported such changes.

P & Z; 12/07/05
Bill Adams, Larry Amodt, Mike Crawford, Allen Lee and Marcia Rasmussen present.  No conflicts of interest declared.
	Planning Commission voted 4-1 to approve the final plat for Phases 2 and 3 of the Rio de Sion subdivision.  Bill Adams voted no.
	Developer Vince Blackmore was present to request approval of a preliminary plat for Wind Walker Estates subdivision.  He stated that a contract currently exists for the sale of the property but that he would remain involved in the project.  [Blackmore had previously received approval of a concept plan for this subdivision under the name  River Rock Estates]  The plan calls for 60 lots on 63.6 acres with two acres of open space and a ‘no-build’ zone in the wash.  An access off of Sheep Bridge Road is proposed.  Blackmore stated he would install curb and gutter on the east side of the road.  There was some debate over whether the town or developer is responsible to asphalt the west side of the road and if the town is even obligated to grant access to the development from Sheep Bridge Road. [an inquiry to the town engineer is presumably under way to clarify these issues]  Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend approval on the preliminary plat when Sheep Bridge Road obligations are addressed and concerns about the building envelopes adjacent to SR 9 are worked out.
	Real estate agents Dan Hobson and Kay Hancock were present to discuss access to their clients’ property located on the north end of 575 East. [formerly owned by Allied Development]  The owners want to subdivide the 7.5-acre parcel which is currently landlocked.  Some commissioners recommended they seek access through the North Creek Equestrian Estates subdivision [this is the development that includes the large wash on the north side of Hwy 9 near Virgin Goods.  The properties adjoin each other]  No action was taken.
	Resident Lee Ballard presented some information and ideas on preserving the area’s dark night skies and encouraged residents to visit www.darksky.com for more info. [we really liked her idea of an annual summer celebration of our star-filled skies].
P & Z; 01/04/06
Bill Adams, Larry Amodt, Mike Crawford, Allen Lee and Marcia Rasmussen present.  No conflicts of interest declared.
	Isaac Barlow of Majestic West Excavation  was present to request a business license to operate a mobile crusher and perform reclamation efforts at the BLM quarry off Sheep Bridge Road.  The applicant was told he would need a separate meter for hydrant use for dust control purposes.  The commission unanimously voted to approve a license that includes provisions the applicant provide porta-potties on location, actively control dust associated with their work, use the south route to Hwy 59 rather than drive through town and share cost of any repairs associated with China Man’s Wash.
	Discussions on cluster developments and UDOT recommendations for accessing subdivisions off of Hwy 9 were tabled.

Town Council 11/16/05
Bruce Densley, John Grow, Bill Johnson present	
	The Town Council met to certify the General Election Canvass.  Results are as follows:  Mayor:  John Grow 120 votes; Bruce Densley 102.  Town Council:  Lee Ballard 122 votes, Gary Wilcox 108, Bill Johnson 107, Darwin Hall 103.
Town Council 11/30/05
Bruce Densley, John Grow, Darwin Hall, Bill Johnson and Gary Wilcox present.  No conflicts of interest declared.
	A representative for JBL Ranches, a private property parcel located outside of current town limits, was present to request a letter from the town indicating the town’s intention to deny a petition for annexation from JBL Ranches, should one be submitted in the future.  After much discussion, council voted not to write such a letter until the town attorney reviews the matter and that this expense should be covered by the requester, JBL Ranches.  [the purpose of the letter is presumably related to access issues for the property owners]
	Approval of the International Fire Code appendices was tabled.  An increase of four-dollars per month on basic water and fifty-cents per thousand gallons overage was approved.  After some discussion, council approved the Capital Facilities Plan with an increase in residential impact fees to $11,364, and an assumed growth rate of 50 homes per year.  Council voted to rescind Chapter 9, Planned Unit Development and all references to it from Virgin Uniform Zoning Ordinance.  
Town Council 12/28/05
Darwin Hall, Bruce Densley, John Grow, Bill Johnson, Gary Wilcox present
	[A quick note regarding the JBL Ranches letter discussed in November.  We understand the council did receive a letter from attorney Russ Gallian on the matter and voted during the work meeting to send a letter stating if JBL Ranches petitioned for annexation it would most likely be denied because the town recently denied a petition for property located nearby JBL Ranch property.]
	Three council members declared a conflict of interest regarding the Rio de Sion final plat approval:  Bill Johnson [an adjacent property owner], Gary Wilcox [seller of the property], and Darwin Hall [related to seller].  There was some discussion on aspects of the development including planned lighting for streets, homes, and flags.  Council voted 3-2 to approve the final plat for phases two and three of the subdivision.  [before the vote, a resident asked G. Wilcox if he’d filed a disclosure statement with the town stating his potential monetary gain from this project; he had not.  Wilcox ultimately abstained from voting.  Bill Johnson also abstained.]
	By majority vote the council denied approval of Wind Walker Estates preliminary plat because the application checklist was incomplete.
	A public hearing was held on proposed ordinances amending the current definitions of ‘family’ and ‘congregate living facility’ in VUZO.  A public hearing was also held on a proposed ordinance amending the commercial zone by removing the hotel/motel use [presumably this use will be inserted into the resort zone] and inserting a provision allowing limited residential use for businesses.  The council tabled approval of these amendments until the town attorney can review them.
	Assistant Fire Chief Sandra Grow gave a report of monies spent from last year’s FEMA grant award and submitted a request list for the $13,000 still available from the grant.  Council approved the request.
	Planning Commissioner Marcia Rasmussen presented information regarding Senate Bill 60, the Land Use Development Management Act (LUDMA) adopted by the Utah Legislature during its 2005 session.  Her report included:  (1) the need for Town Council to designate a ‘land use authority’ as required by LUDMA; [most likely the P&Z commission] (2) the need to examine the possibility of restructuring the membership of the Board of Adjustment; and (3) the need to determine if our current ordinances comply with LUDMA’s requirements.  No action was taken.
	Council again tabled approval of the Fire Code appendices.  A few residents voiced concern over the threat of danger posed by the existence of a dirt dike on an uphill-neighbor’s property.
Town Council 01/04/06
John Grow, Bruce Densley, Gary Wilcox and Lee Ballard present
	The Town Council convened a brief meeting before commencement of the January P&Z meeting for the swearing-in of newly elected officials.  J. Grow, L. Ballard and G. Wilcox were sworn in for four-year terms.

Of Potential Interest 
	As many of you may already be aware, La Verkin is considering an application to develop over 500 acres that sit atop the twist.  On January 20th FOV Board member Sandra Grow spoke with La Verkin city manager, Ben Reeves, about the project known as ‘Mosaic’.  A summary of her report follows.
	Total acreage for the proposal is 566.34, 342.1 of which is developable.  The developer has proposed 1700 homes, but that number is reportedly negotiable.  The current zone for the location of the proposal is ‘Planned Community Development Overlay’.  Once the city completes a development agreement with the applicant, that agreement becomes a legally binding document and ultimately supercedes any related La Verkin city ordinance.
	We realize some readers may roll their eyes at the notion of becoming involved in the approval process for a development proposed in a city not our own.  But this project will impact our quality of life on many levels.  A large, mixed-use development such as this, with high building densities and structure heights, will create a glow in our horizon, decrease our air quality, create new risks as we travel on Hwy 9, and threaten recreational and view shed access in the area. 
	La Verkin officials have expressed a willingness to hear and consider input from residents and officials of neighboring communities.  So, if you’re so inclined, write a letter to LV officials and ask them to require the Mosaic plan specifically address these issues and provide remedies to limit visual impact and protect the public’s safety.
	[Mosaic will likely be heard by the LV planning commission at one of its February meetings, Feb 8th or 22nd.  Call La Verkin city offices to confirm]

Meeting Dates
(in chronological order)
Town Council:  Wednesday, January 25th  7 p.m.; work meeting at 6:30p.m  [Be sure to attend this meeting as the Town Council vacancy will be addressed]
Planning & Zoning:  Wednesday, February 1st, 7 p.m.; work meeting at 6:30
Town Council:  Wednesday, February 22nd , 7 p.m.; work meeting at 6:30.
Planning & Zoning:  Wednesday, March 1st , 7 p.m.; work meeting at 6:30.
Town Council:  Wednesday, March 22nd, 7 p.m.; work meeting at 6:30.

History
[the following story was printed in the History Blazer  in April 1995]
	In January 1912 the southern Utah town of Kanab made history when its newly elected mayor and city council took over governance of the small farming community. It was reportedly the first time in the history of the United States that an entire town board, including the mayor, was comprised of women. The board was headed by Mayor Mary W. Howard* and also consisted of four councilwomen: Vinnie Jepson (later replaced by Ada Seegmiller), Tamar Hamblin, Blanche Hamblin, and Luella McAllister. Each of the five women was married and had a family ranging from two to seven children. In addition, three of the five women gave birth during their term in office. Besides assuming  responsibility for Kanab's management,
 each woman did her own housework, made her own carpets, rugs, and quilts, and attended to her religious duties.
	The female board spent an active two years in office, leading some supporters to claim that they had done more for Kanab than all the previous boards combined. Their first official act was to protect local merchants by increasing the license fee for peddlers and traveling salespeople. Other ordinances included the regulation of stray animals, a dog tax, a law requiring residents to use "fly-traps," and the prohibition of "flippers and slings" within town limits to protect birds from thoughtless youth. The women also outlawed foot races, horse races, ball games, and all "noisy sports" on the Sabbath. And, in keeping with the national trend towards temperance, the female board made Kanab a "dry" community with a strict antiliquor ordinance.
	These active women also arranged for the town cemetery to be surveyed and plotted, purchased lumber and had bridges built over town ditches, joined with Kanab's Irrigation Company and built a large dike to protect the town from flooding, and, finally, appointed September 12, 1912, as "Stink Weed Day" and awarded prizes of $10, $5, and $2.50 for the best clean-up jobs in town.
	Toward the end of the board's term Mayor Howard noted that prior to the women's election nine-tenths of the townsfolk did not know who the members of the town board were. In contrast, she asserted, even the children know all the names of the female board, and they are discussed "in every home for good or ill."
	As the influential women's two-year tenure drew to a close, many of their supporters urged them to run again. In response, Howard declared: "We are not at all selfish, and are perfectly willing to share the honors with others. We are in hopes they will elect ladies to fill the vacancies." This hope was dashed when the Kanab town board returned to male domination in 1914, bringing an end to the history-making female rule.
	*  "Howard" is a pseudonym for Mary Elizabeth Woolley Chamberlain who used the assumed name to escape polygamous persecution.  See Adonis Findlay Robinson, History of Kane County (Salt Lake City, 1970); Mary W. Howard, "An Example of Women in Politics," Improvement Era, July 1914. 

A Special Request to Our Readers
	We value your feedback and interest, and thank you for reading this newsletter.  If you are able to make a donation to help us cover the costs of publication, we would greatly appreciate it:  P.O. Box 790005, Virgin UT  84779.  Memberships and T-shirts available at www.friendsofvirgin.com.  Thank you for your ongoing support.