In the meantime, the planning members of the two communities had not been idle in other directions. Believing strongly in the old adage of "not putting all of your eggs in one basket," they looked at other options. Inheriting or acquiring the characteristics of their independent, resilient and sometimes reticent forebears, they researched, contemplated and pondered alternative possibilities. Incorporation seemed a choice, although a new (1997) Speaker Brown sponsored incorporation law made formation of new cities extremely difficult. Spearheaded by the research of Duncan Murray and William (Bill) M. Morris, the group decided to meet with residents concerning a request for a feasibility study for incorporation of the two communities as one city. Separate incorporation of the two areas was not possible. Under state law Marriott had the tax base but not the population to incorporate. Slaterville had the population, but not the tax base. However, joint incorporation would meet the guidelines. No annexation by other entities could be made during the period of the study, locking up the borders for at least that period of time. The first meeting concerning incorporation was held at Pioneer Elementary School on May 14, 1997, with 50 residents in attendance. The vote for the feasibility study was 48 in favor, with two against. Petitions were signed that night, and others were circulated within each community. Another meeting on June 11, 1997, at Pioneer School, gave citizens the opportunity to meet with David Church, attorney for the Utah League of Cities and Towns, who was qualified to explain the pros and cons of incorporation. Five sponsors of the request were selected at the first meeting on the motion of Orvil Holley: Rob Smout, Contact Sponsor; Keith Butler, Delbert Hodson, Steven Mecham and Dennis Ilium. Aided by other concerned residents, the sponsors circulated petitions. Duncan Murray, attorney for the sponsors, submitted the Request for a Feasibility Study for "Marriott-Slaterville City," on June 24, 1997, to the Weber County Clerk/Auditor. The request was signed by 171 landowners (over the required 10%), whose signatures were then verified by the County Recorder and Assessor's Office. The tremendous effort, worry and work expended by the members of the elected/appointed members of the Township Planning Committees cannot be properly appreciated by the residents. Hours of work, planning, and executing the plans, along with out-of-pocket money never reimbursed, constitute a great debt owed by the citizens of the communities to these fine planning leaders. The request for the study was approved by the Weber County Commission. A three member committee was named to oversee the study. Bill Morris was appointed to represent the involved communities, Martin Moore, County Surveyor, represented Weber County, and Bob Linnell was appointed by Governor Leavitt to represent his office. On November 19, 1997, this committee selected Wickstrom Economic and Planning Consultants to carry out the study, which was to be finished by January 31, 1998. A preliminary report on the feasibility study was made by the extended date at end of February, with the final report submitted to the committee by March 31, 1998. The report was relatively high in favor of the incorporation, showing 90% feasibility. Necessary legal steps were followed, culminating in hearings in both communities concerning the report. The hearings were scheduled for May 14, 1998, at Pioneer Elementary School in Slaterville, and May 21, 1998, at the Farm Bureau Insurance Office in Marriott. Susie Becker reported the findings of the Wickstrom study to both meetings. Most residents at both meetings were strongly in favor of pursuing incorporation. The acceptance was not unanimous; a few citizens were just as strongly opposed. Intense efforts in circulating the incorporation election petition resulted in obtaining signatures of more than one-third of the property owners. Necessary legal steps were carried out; approval of a special incorporation election on August 4, 1998, was given by the Weber County Commission, and printed publication notices duly made. The ballot had three parts: shall the area be incorporated as the City of Marriott-Slaterville; if passed, under what form of municipal government shall it operate, and if passed, shall members of governance chosen be elected by district. During the ensuing period, both opposition and supporters worked diligently to bring the differing views to ail residents of the community. At times the matter became heated and divisive. However, over and above all the rhetoric, plans for the election went forward. 65