2003 projection__670_ Growth Rate__around 2.5%_ These statistics give us an idea of where our community is moving, and a tangible image of our community's dynamics. We also see areas where we need improvement, such as education attainment levels. We also see how our community contributes to the county and to the state. Let me conclude by saying that just as the Ogden and Weber Rivers join together in our community to become one, so too has Slaterville and Marriott united. Our community has been the hub of activity since early times when fur trappers and frontiersmen including Miles Goodyear traversed this land, and the Shoshone Indians, in upwards of 100 Indian lodges and 200 warriors, camped along our river. Our early records indicate that a large portion of the "country was covered with timber, brush, and heavy wild grass..." and numerous wild animals including "wolves and bears" occupied the flood plain along the river.4 As we have entered a new millennium, the river in our community still runs strong as it has for centuries. Our river and streams are valuable assets for out future. They still attract a variety of wildlife and give the community a beautiful landscape. In following our title as Utah's only open space preservation city awarded to us by the Utah House of Representatives in February 1999, we continue to seek grant funding through a variety of sources, both state and federal, to fulfill this title. Our city was one of only four (4) cities in the state to receive a small grant to develop a master forestry/tree plan from the State Division of Natural Resources. This plan will be presented to the community in early 2000. Our grant committee, consisting of Duncan Murray, Bill Morris and Randy Phipps, will identify grants for different projects to preserve our rural community character, to aid our growth for future transportation, and to fund other public services. Many outside officials have commented on the quality our projects. I encourage our staff to continue to seek grant funds to aid our community in keeping a zero municipal property tax, and still accomplish our lofty goal of making Marriott-Slaterville "the best little city in the west." May we all work together to bring this to pass. Sincerely, Keith H. Butler Mayor 4 Ibid. Ogden City and Weber County - A Historical Sketch. 4 287