The municipal elections were held on November 6, 2001. All incumbents were unopposed and Mayor Keith Butler and Council Members Delbert Hodson and Kim Slater were reelected for a four year term. Nearly 20% of the registered voters exercised their franchise in the uncontested election, which was seen as indicating the voter's support of the City and its officials. The Weber County Sheriff's Metro Gang Unit presented a Gang Awareness Night at Pioneer School on November 1, 2001. Residents of the City were invited to attend. Detectives Gary Worthen and Vernon Hairston defined a gang as "three or more people who engage in unlawful, criminal behavior." They informed us that there are 100 active gangs in Weber County. Symbols, names, letters or colors are often used by gang members to indicate their affiliation. Citizens in attendance were given a list of things that individuals can do to help keep youth from involvement in gangs. This was also published in the November issue of The Pioneer Post Parents should watch for drastic changes in their children's behavior, including dressing in gang-related clothing, associating with a new group of friends, and acquiring new unexplained possessions. Getting out of a gang isn't easy, but can be done. Youth need adults to show their support and encouragement, and that the young person is special. Youth need to believe in themselves and know that gangs are a dead-end street, and that they deserve better. Shirley Nelson was the November recipient of the Mayor's Volunteer Service Award for her outstanding work in maintaining a clean and pleasant City office building. At the November meeting of the Park Committee, Mike Hunsaker reported on his visit with Charles McFarland of the West Haven Trails Committee. The West Haven Trail will be a loop trail about 3 miles long, and will not extend west of I-15. It will include the construction, beginning next spring, of a bridge crossing the river near the confluence of the Weber and Ogden Rivers. They have experienced considerable difficulty with beavers in their wetlands area, which is similar to the wetlands in our park. Deputy Sheriff Raymond C. Day was introduced as our City's first Community Resource Office. He has worked as a law enforcement officer since 1979, and for the Weber County Sheriff's Office for over 19 years. His assignment is to assist the community with any concerns and to help establish public safety programs such as Neighborhood Watch. He can be contacted at his office in our City Hail. The road maintenance contract with Weber County has been renewed for next year. This service includes snow removal, something most helpful to citizens with our recent much-appreciated snowfall. Such Interlocal Cooperation Agreements help governments work together with shared services, which are usually more cost effective and prevent duplicating services. One of the recommendations given at the Gang Awareness Night was the establishment of a daytime curfew ordinance, which allows the citation of youth found sluffing school. The City Council passed the curfew ordinance, and the Mayor signed it into law. Despite the current recession, revenues are still adequate to fund our current budget, although the Mayor warned this could change if economic conditions worsen The state has had to cut back programs and projects to keep within their budget. The annual Christmas party for City volunteers was held on Thursday, December 20, 2001, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the City office. A Christmas tree and gaily decorated tables formed the setting for the animated visiting and enjoyment of a buffet lunch by some 40 guests. Shauna Meyerhoffer was again responsible for the arrangement of this special occasion. Lynette Deru, chair of the Park Committee, with Darrell and Steve Mecham, met with the State Department of Wildlife Resources representative Russ Lawrence, on December 3. They walked through the park area on 17th Street to get his suggestions. At that time Mr. Lawrence advised them that the DWR would provide erosion protection along the river bank, after determining what type would be best in that particular location. He also said DWR could provide grass seed, and some trees and shrubs, if a list of the species desired was given him. Mrs. Deru, in consultation with Jerry Goodspeed, Weber County Horticulturist, developed the list, which was given to Mr. Lawrence. He indicated the species available through DWR and 66