Paradise
will go for a FEMA grant to fund its newsletter
By Jen Beasley
September 23, 2005 | PARADISE -- The
Town Council agreed Wednesday to apply for a FEMA (Federal
Emergency Management Agency) fire protection and safety
grant to fund a monthly newsletter to provide information
on fire safety, emergency preparedness and town announcements
to the approximately 500 households served by the Paradise
Volunteer Fire Department.
Two serious four-wheeler accidents in two weeks spurred
Councilman Dave Anderson to propose sending out reminders
in the water bills, informing residents that unless
they drive safely on their four-wheelers, the council
may be forced to tighten restrictions on where and how
they can be used. Anderson said he was concerned because
the recent accidents were reminders of more serious
ones in the past.
"We've got a past history. We've got one death, we've
got a paraplegic out of four-wheelers," Anderson said.
"In our small community with the number of four-wheeler
accidents, it's at an epidemic stage."
Councilman Dale Anderson was concerned that by sending
notices in the water bill, the council would be overstepping
its bounds. "I'm not sure it's our place," he said.
Fire Chief Troy Fredrickson, who suggested the council
apply for the FEMA grant, said the newsletter would
allow the town volunteer fire department to issue important
safety information, and would also allow the council
to issue safety notices such as the one about four-wheelers.
The council agreed to apply for a $35,000 FEMA grant,
and not send any notice in the water bills. In the meantime,
the council agreed to ask the Cache County Sheriff's
Office to keep close watch for reckless driving on four-wheelers
in the area, especially southeast of Paradise in undeveloped
subdivision lots where many of the accidents have occurred
with people riding on the dirt hills and ruts.
In other business, the council:
--accepted the general plan for the town.
--discussed the possibility of doing lot trades to gain
the land needed to build a riding arena in town, and
the possibility of getting access to available lots
through the cemetery.
--agreed to carry out plan to send notice in the next
water bill that those with delinquent payments will
have their water shut off if the bills are not paid
in full by the deadline.
NW
MS |
