VOL. 128 NO. 40 DAVISCLIPPER.COM FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020 We Remember ME MORIAL DAY PHOTOS ON PAGE 9 ROGER V. TUTTLE 2 FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020 NEWS THE DAVIS CLIPPER R esidents call for Witt to step down over concert debacle by Becky GINOS [email protected] KAYSVILLE — Mayor Katie Witt took some heat at last week’s virtual city council meeting from both the public and city council members themselves over an outdoor concert and market she supported without council approval. The concert, fea- turing country singer Collin Raye was set to take place at Barnes Park this weekend May 30 until the promoters backed out, moving it to Grantsville. But the damage was done. Residents blasted Witt during an hour long public hearing prior to the regular council meeting asking her to step down or be censured for what COUrtESY PHOTO most called an abuse of power. KAYSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS LISTEN TO RESIDENTS' CONCERNS during a virtual meeting last week. “This was more than just a concert,” said Sherri Jamieson. “I’m During the regular city council respond during the public comment I didn’t lean on you as council mem- all for the economy to reopen and to meeting, Council member Michelle period, she did take the opportunity bers. I apologize to you for that. I’m get out and do things, but this was Barber read a Proclamation renounc- to address the council. “It was my grateful for this community that has a political stunt. The residents of ing support of the concert along with mistake that I didn’t loop in the coun- so many people speaking and coming Kaysville were made to be pawns.” a Resolution to place a moratorium cil sooner,” said Witt. “It was a mistake together. Just because we disagree It was anticipated that the event on Special Event Permits until such to wait for information from the doesn’t mean it was political. I did this would draw more than a 1,000 people, time as the governor or county organizers. It was my intent to look for the reasons I’ve stated. I did not going against the governor’s directive health department approved mass toward defending the Constitution. I misspend funds, I didn’t take money of limiting large gatherings in the gatherings. know you disagree. I absolutely look or do anything illegal but I did hurt yellow low risk phase of recovery. The council voted unanimously in at the rights afforded us. I regret that your feelings. I apologize for that.” Witt had boldly stated she believed it favor of the Proclamation and after was a constitutional right to assemble some discussion the Resolution as and to allow businesses to rebound. well. “We’ve learned a lot from this,” “The value of a life cannot have said Council member Mike Blackham. a monetary cost,” said resident “This is the real deal, we’re in a Mindy Smith. “Life itself must take pandemic.” precedence over personal gain. “It’s been a challenging week,” Please continue to represent our city. said Council member Andre Lortz. I hope to see my parents survive this “There were no plans and it was pandemic, they’ve lived in Kaysville never brought forward to the council. for 48 years.” I would like to have seen this happen Another resident said her hus- but not just pushed through.” band is a frontline worker. “He’s still Council member John Swan sleeping in the basement to protect Adams said he’d had a lot of sleepless our family,” she said. “We’re pro small nights over the issue. “I’m appre- businesses but you threw caution to ciative that this (venue change) the wind for a Collin Raye concert. happened. I can take the heat, but I You should apologize instead of feel bad for Council member Barber. pushing it onto the council.” Her name has been pulled through Witt is running for Rob Bishop’s the mud. I know how many hours congressional seat and several resi- she spends for the city. I hope the dents accused her of using the event mayor will apologize for the way she as a political stunt. “I’m frustrated by has treated the city council and the this,” said Nephi Harvey. “I and others citizens. I don’t think she has repre- would ask you to step down. If you’re sented us as a city.” going to run for Congress, run for “This was hurtful and something Congress – if not be our mayor.” our city did not need,” said Barber. Sarah Johnson didn’t support “The repercussions go far beyond Witt’s actions but did call for civility. next week. We don’t support the way “The mayor has handled the cruelty this was communicated but we do and horror toward her with grace,” support the city staff. They’ve been she said. “Yes, mistakes were made put into a horrible position. It’s been but put away your claws and go do really hard to watch.” something for your neighbor. No one Although Witt and other council has the right to be so cruel.” members were not allowed to THE DAVIS CLIPPER NEWS FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020 3 Ground broken for Bountiful Veterans Park by Tom HARALDSEN [email protected] BOUNTIFUL — Construction has officially begun on the Bountiful Veterans Park. At a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday morning, members of the park foundation and board of directors were joined by Utah Rep. Chris Stewart, Bountiful Mayor Randy Lewis and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes as dirt was turned at the site just north of the Bountiful City Hall. Board chairman Chris Simonsen, who gave an emotional opening talk, told those gathered that Bountiful is Utah’s second oldest city and has the state’s second largest cemetery. Included in those enshrined in the cemetery are veterans from many wars B REAKING GROUND ON THE VET PARK WERE, from left, R. dating back to the War of 1812. Gail Stahle, Ron Mortensen, Chris Simonsen, Congressman “This park will be a place of solace, Chris Stewart and Bountiful Mayor Randy Lewis. peace and tranquility for the veterans P HOTOS BY TOM HARALDSEN and their families, including those who the monument will be inclusive to all agreed. He said Tuesday’s ceremony the veterans park, something “I know are still serving,” he said. Simonsen veterans and their families who have was particularly uplifting for everyone he’d be proud of.” Reyes added that the stated that more than 5,000 names lived in Bountiful, Centerville, West who has endured the 10-plus weeks park “is an important step to honor of veterans from south Davis County Bountiful, Woods Cross and North Salt of the COVID-19 pandemic, with its Utahns who’ve served our country.” have been submitted for inclusion on Lake. He stated that submitted names quarantines and economic shutdowns. The ceremony took place in the the walls of the monument, which have come from those in all branches “I know this continues to enhance rounded-out circle where the park will organizers hope will be complete of the military, including the Merchant my hope and belief that we as a nation be built. There were two groundbreak- through its first phase by Veterans Day Marines and the Reserves. can get past this, that we have the ing teams that tossed the first shovels this November. Stewart, who served for 14 years ability to rebuild, and that we will,” of dirt, each made up of both the Rob Vandegrift, designer of the in the U.S. Air Force, was asked to join he said. “This memorial is about the dignitaries and military veterans. park and a member of the board, said the board two years ago and quickly severe courage and sacrifice that these Vocalist Britni Schweiger performed servicemen and women exemplify. I’m both the National Anthem and God proud to be a part of this ceremony Bless America as part of the program, This park will be a place of here today and I can’t wait to come accompanied by Jim Jensen on the solace, peace and tranquility for back and visit when the park is anthem. So now, the park in officially finished.” underway. It is being built completely the veterans and their families” Lewis displayed a photo of his through donations – no public money “ father who was in the service, saying is involved. Learn more on the website » Chris Simonsen, Board chairman he often thinks of him when discussing at www.bountifulvetpark.org. Can businesses donate to the park? Q: Yes. We are a non-profit 501c3 organization. All donations, including “in-kind” donations, are tax deductible. Large donors will be specifically A: CONGRESSMAN CHRIS STEWART B OUNTIFUL MAYOR RANDY LEWIS IS recognized in the park with a special donor plaque. PRAISED DEVELOPERS OF THE PARK, and THRILLED to see the park developed in joined the Board two years ago. the city. 4 FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020 NEWS THE DAVIS CLIPPER THE DAVIS OPINI N CLIPPER A DMINISTRATION Thought R . Gail Stahle PUBLISHER Newspapers have NEVER been [email protected] of the Week ext. 114 from the desk of R. Gail Stahle, publisher L orie Matern more important than now Off ICE MANAGER “Simplicity boils [email protected] ext. 115 The opinions stated in this article are smorgasboard of features, many of down to two steps: solely those of the author and not of which are unappealing to other readers. Identify the essential. A DVERTISING The Davis Clipper. As far as I’m concerned, a newspaper can eliminate the bridge column, but Eliminate the rest.” Brad Roghaar hen you hear reports of print there are many hundreds of bridge S ALES REPRESENTATIVE » Leo Babauta [email protected] newspapers in decline, you players who cannot wait to read it every ext.