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Show le Papnn OUjrrmtirle Wednesday, March 15, 1989 Number Payson City Government Governing Body 11 Volume 100 Payson City Officials Review Power Structure The Payson City mayor and city Fuellenbach noted, however, that council had an discussion as individuals, council members of the city administrator position have no administrative authority. and the duties of the mayor and "As a councilman, I have no aucouncil members during a special thority to tell any city employee what to do. That is the mayor's meeting Saturday. Mayor Curtis Arrington started job. the discussion, saying he felt the Formerly, Payson City had a council should revise the resolution system under which councilmen establishing the administrator post. were assigned as administrative "I believe we should also have a job heads of city departments. Fuellendescription separate from the bach noted that this was a valid resolution, detailing the duties and system. However, the appointments limitations of the administrator. are made by the mayor with advice And we should hire the individual and consent of the council. "If the through a contract" mayor does not want to have counReferring to Rod Watkins, who cilmen assigned as administrators, has tendered his resignation, effec- he does not have to make the aptive April 1, Arrington said, pointment." Mayor Arrington and "Although I do not agree with what former Mayor Tassainer chose not has happened philosophically, there to have councilmen assigned as adneeds to be a way to dismiss an ministrators. administrator. We need some While the council members are mechanism." not administrators, they do have the The council discussed how they right and the duty to gather inforcould outline the responsibilities of mation about the city from any the administrator and protect the employee. individual holding the position "Many of the problems we have through a contract. "With a con- in our city government are the retract, we all would know the condi- sult of city officials not tions under which he was hired, and understanding their roles," Fuellenso will future city officials," the bach explained. "If we have a council member trying to give direct ormayor said. the ders to superintendents, it creates The council agreed to enabling resolution and develop a problems. If we have a mayor who contract for the next administrator. makes major policy decisions They also called for advertising the without advice and consent from the administrator position. council, it creates problems." Councilman Kent Fuellenbach "We need to have an open flow said he felt the mayor and council of information in both directions needed to work out an understanding along the chain of command, and a of their responsibilities. He gave a peaceful means of resolving conpresentation of research he had done flicts in the power structure," the on the government of third class councilman said. cities from Payson City ordinances and the Utah Code. Councilman Stephen Hanson Fuellenbach said the laws call for said he felt there had been some a governing body consisting of a problems with getting information city coun- in the past. "There were legal promayor and cil. "The council holds the legisla- ceedings that I didn't hear about untive authority. They pass laws and til they were over," he said. "The resolutions that set the policy for more information we have, the the city. Basically, the council can more trust we have, and the more tell the mayor what to do," Fuel- rumors are eliminated." lenbach said. It takes an absolute Mayor Arrington said he had no majority, three votes, of the council problems with councilmen talking to pass any law or establish a city to employees or superintendents. But, he told them that they could policy. "The mayor is the chief execu- not direct projects, plans, or work tive officer of the city. Once we, as orders, that it came directly from a city council, set a policy it is up the mayor. to the mayor to carry it out," FuelArrington proposed a weekly relenbach said. All city employees are port to the council to discuss proresponsible to the mayor through jects and plans. "This exchange of the chain of command. information would be flowing freely. The council can then work "Our system is sometimes called on the situations," he said. Accorda weak mayor form of government ing to Arrington, the council because the mayor has no veto members should act as a liaison. power over council actions," the "The employees need not fear councilman said. "If the council, as retaliation. It is unhealthy to create a body, wants something to hap- a serious atmosphere where they fear for their jobs. Out of respect pen, it will happen." th te five-memb- er for you council members, the employees will drop what they are doing to complete what you ask them to do. Some are afraid to talk to councilmen because of the fear of retaliation." Arrington also said, "We have been more together than apart. The sooner we clarify the job, the smoother things will get done." "I want to bury the ax and move forward. I have no regrets for the decision I made. I feel it was made in the best interest of Payson City," said Councilman Hanson. "It's tough to make decisions, and I have to live with mine." A citizen questioned the availability of the mayor and council. "Mayor, you work out of town, and we can't reach you. Who do we give our complaints to? Also, why do we pay over $30,000 Payson City is governed by a governing body con- city council and a mayor, siting of a governing body derives its power from the citl- of the community through the election process, city council holds the legislative authority and through ordinances and resolutions, sets policies for the city and directs the actions of the mayor. The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the city. All city employees report to him through the city admin-Ths istrator. It is the mayor's duty to see that the ciis policies are executed and the laws of the munity are enforced. Individual council members have no administrative authority, e coun-zen- com-Th- e to an administrator when we have you to run things?" said Clyde Wilkerson. Arrington responded that he has always been available. But, now that he has an office in Heber, people feel he is not around. "I have been here at least two days a week, and in the evenings. I get my messages," he said. He also noted that the city was too big to function without a full time administrator. Councilman Mez Stewart addressed the finances of hiring an administrator. "We have the most economic form of government we can have. If we didn't have an administrator, we would need a full time mayor or council, and you wouldn't want to pay us the money we would need to work full time," he said. Councilman Hanson felt that "We need a fresh start to look at things. We need to start at scratch." Councilwoman JoEllen Whitelock said, "I hope we can put our differences behind us and start working together for the good of the community. The consensus of the council was that the resolution would be redefined, the mayor would have Seven Arrested by Southend Task Force in Drug Bust Law enforcement officers from Payson, Springville, Spanish Fork, and Utah Valley Community comprise the Southend Task Force (STF). The group joined forces to arrest several people during a drug bust on Friday. According to Gary Adams, a member of die Payson Police Department, a family who lived in suspects to sell marijuana. The suspects purchased the substances and were followed to a trailer located near UVCC. The mother, 39, and another person who lived in her house, age 26, were arrested during the drug bust. One other woman and two other males were also arrested. The suspects allegedly paid $3,000 for three pounds marijuana from an undercover cer. Santaquin Trying to Save Trumboldt Santaquin City is trying to raise administrative authority, and if $1250 to help in restoring Trumthere were problems of great boldt Park in Santaquin Canyon. Trumboldt was to be abandoned magnitude in the city, they could come before the council and be by the U.S. Forest Service because of damage to the bridge caused by a placed on the agenda. Councilman Fuellenbach suggested a formal Hood. However, concerned citizens process for conflict resolution be rallied and signed a petition with established. over 1,000 signatures. With this City Treasurer Joan Nelson noted that small problems could be handled through the city offices without involving the council. But if there were controversial issues or problems that couldn't be solved, then they could be solved by the council. Councilman Mike Rogers did not attend the meeting. Payson was under investigation over six months. The Payson police executed a search warrant for the home Friday afternoon located In the vicinity of 700 West 1000 South. The officers found drug paraphernalia and arrested the father and his son. In Springville, members of the STF worked undercover with the Santaquin City was asked to donate $1250 toward the project, plus labor and equipment. Representatives from each city organization presented their ideas. The money was needed by April. However, the citizens felt they couldnt raise the funds in such a short time. Each organization felt they could donate later in the year. support, the Forest Service decided to upgrade the area. A new bridge was designed by a The Jaycees will put out donaBYU engineering class. With these tion bottles, support in advertising donated efforts and donations of in the local paper, and a jackpot supplies and services from contrac- roping night with the roping club tors, the new bridge should be in- would donate the proceeds to the stalled at minimal cost Additional project. A donation board would plans include work on the re- also be erected at Trumboldt at a strooms and parking area. cost of $25 per name. of offi- Seven suspects face charges ranging from possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute to possession of drug paraphernalia. "These are the first of many forthcoming arrests," said Leland Bowers, Springville Police Chief. More suspects are under investigation and the STF plans on making more arrests. This is the first in a crackdown on drug traffic in the area "There are definitely drugs in Payson," said Adams. "But, without the manpower, time, or money we have a hard time fighting narcotics trafficking. If it wasn't for the task force, the Utah County Sheriffs Office-- we couldn't do all that we're doing. In other investigations: The McDonald's restaurant was broken into last week. It appeared that the burglars were trying to take a safe from the building, but found it too heavy to carry. The suspects abandoned the theft. The Payson City Police are still investigating the crime. Garth Olsen Remembers Peteetneet From Both Sides large and comfortable. In the spring and fall the big windows kept the building. One man remembers the best of classrooms cool. On the north side both worlds. Garth Olson attended in the winter, it was sometimes the school as a student, and later cold." An ornate dome for a bell tower became the principal. With emotion, he remembers the also stood atop the front of the "large building. The woodwork on building it never housed a bell. In dren. Peteetneet Elementary is the stairways and banisters were later years it was torn down closed and stands quiet with memo impressive. The classrooms were "because the person didn't want to the tower-- it was too steep." In 1923, Garth attended third grade at Peteetneet with Vera Hurst as his teacher and Lewis Bates as his principal. He continued there through fourth and fifth grade. "All the hills were gravel, there was no grass, just trees around the school," he said. In the early years, there was no sidewalk, "just a dirt walkway on each side." The Orem Railroad line ran its track along the north side with a cut in the large hill. A bridge ran across the track, and some students had to cross the bridge to attend. The railroad line was discontinued, and the cut was filled in. The bowl surrounding the building was then filled in and An historic building stands majestic upon a favorite hill in Payson. The halls once echoed with children's voices and laughter, and teachers taught reading, writing, and arithmetic there for over 86 years. The hills were used as a playground and sledding for thousands of chil- ries reverberating throughout the three-stor- y re-ro- of landscaped. In those years the students enjoyed "sleigh riding" down the hills surrounding the school. Across the street was an empty field that became a softball area. Boys also played marbles. The students also went home for lunch (they had an hour) or they brought it to school. After recess or lunch the students Garth Olson reminisces about his years at Peteetneet had to line up and march in. ProSchool with a young friend. Olson attend the school as a grams were performed in the central student and later was the principal at the historic Payson hall, with the steps to the second floor acting as seats. school. ? One of the legends was that the bones of old Chief Peteetneet were kept in the bottom of the building. "I believe it was some biology class that had a skeleton, and the rumor became a favorite tradition," he said. Olson went on to attend Taylor Elementary, and complete his education in Payson schools. He received his degree from BYU, and became principal of his alma matter from 1941-195During his tenure as principal, he also taught sixth 3. grade full time. Later, they allowed him a half-da-y preparation time as principal. 9 The school published its own school paper called the "Peteetneet Star," "Peteetneet Bugler," and "Peteetneet Sea gull." "We wanted the students to learn writing skills and yet instill in their minds to try and accomplish creative. Writing was important. The contests also taught grammar, spelling, and other skills. vFncouraged them to write stories 9r poetry. We also had contests and the winners would have their creations printed in the school paper." "We also had spelling bees, math contests, and times tables. I was told by a former student, Dennis Dixon, that he still remembers the times tables races. These types of drills would instill the concepts in the children," he said. School began in September and let out in early May. "During the war years, we attended on Saturday so the children could get out earlier in the spring and help with the farm labor. We even attended school In the 1940s the PTA started a hot school lunch program during these years. The menu included a bowl of soup and piece of bread, or sandwich. "This all cost a nominal fee." The district then took over and school the community project, ra- received help from the federal govof with the registration helped tioning of sugar, stamps and gaso- ernment Peteetneet received recognition in line. They also held a war bond "The first week 1950. In a local newspaper item, it drive in 1942-4the students sold $1200; the second stated that the "fire department was week they doubled it to $2400," he pleased with the quick response of said. They also sold stamps for the the Peteetneet School who exited war bond. "The student organized a the building in 40 seconds, were 'Knitting Club making afghans and lined up and counted. After they from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for awhile to help with the labor situation," he said. They held a special patriotic day program during the war years. As a 3. sending them to soldiers." They also helped send Red Cross boxes to the servicemen. With a shortage of items in the country, students also "scrounged to get copper, aluminum, and grease. This helped the war effort and gave the kids a chance to show their patriotism." With the building of Geneva Steel, an influx of students caused the rooms to be crowded. "There were about 50 children per classroom. In those days we didnt have room for tables, reading circles, and other things," he said. In the fall, a fair was held. The left the building they remained quiet and in classes." The students still loved to play the game of 'bumps with marbles. The kids would toss their marbles against the building and see how far out they would come. "The students would throw the marbles as high as the windows, cracking some of them. After they didn't heed my warnings, I banned playing marbles from all parts of the building," he said. A field day was held with races. May poles in the hall. "In 1947, in conunction with the state's centen- nial celebration, all elementary students brought pets, hobbies, classes decorated a May pole in the flowers, vegetables, and other city park." The hill was still important to things to display. Since there was no auditorium, the studentbody did winter fun. "I still remember the dancing in the halls. "Boy, could bob sleds and red flyer (sleds). They they dance up a storm! We did tried to see who could go farthest down the hill. That was quite an square dancing and rounding dancIn two the ing. halls, we did the activity." Also during the war years, the Virginia Reel." According to Mildred Olson, Garths wife, the stu- principals would canvass the town dents said, "He was a swell teacher, Continued on page 6 always teaching us new dances. |