I had a great experience several weeks ago. One of our senior residents, Bertha Adams, doesn’t get out too much so I went to visit her. She has watched Alpine change over her last 99 years. She imparted great insight to me. Her main piece of advice matches closely with the financial thoughts I have been writing about in recent months. She told me several times not to saddle our little children with debt. Live within our means at home and in the city. It was such a great opportunity for me to share that afternoon with her.

In a recent City Council meeting we were discussing City expenditures. The Council voted to withdraw our participation in the American Fork Recreation Program. There have been just fewer than 1000 participants per year in the recreation programs. Most of those have been with the Junior Jazz. The City (your tax dollars) has been paying $50,000 - $60,000 each year to participate. This expenditure allows Alpine residents to participate as full members of the AF program. American Fork Recreation uses the fees for facility maintenance and recreation
personnel. Our withdrawal from the program will take effect in 2010. The Council’s reasoning for this decision was based on several thoughts. First, they found that the current program was lacking in many respects. Second, the question was asked why the City subsidizes basketball but does not add similar money to other sports that our children participate in. Third, some were hoping to put the money from this program into a
future library. Please let us know what you think of this move.

We have been able to temporarily secure a new piece of park property for our youth. We have leased at a very low price, two building lots on Ridge Dr. for a BMX track. If the property sells, this amenity will go away. In the mean time, stop by and give it a try or at least watch these daring riders fly through the air. One issue that comes up every year is the use of motorcycles and ATVs in Lambert Park and on the NW side of town.
The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Committee is discussing the Lambert Park issues in their meetings. We also get regular complaints about the use of off-road vehicles on the west side of town. This is a tough thing for the residents there because it’s mostly their neighbors that are the culprits. It’s hard for a neighbor to complain to another when they are racing by, dragging mud on the street. Before we need to get into strong-arm enforcement, let’s see if we can’t improve our etiquette and not bother our neighbors. Stay on designated roads or trails; this goes for both sides of town. I have a Honda XR that I love to ride. I would hate to see us get to the point that we have to shut down the off-road riding; with the damage we see in Lambert Park and on the west side, we are going to have to seriously consider just that.