Health As spring came, we were alerted to a looming health threat to our residents: the West Nile Virus, which has become a seasonal epidemic in North America. The illness can range from no symptoms to severe problems and death. The virus is carried by mosquitoes. With our plentiful mosquito population, we all need to take proper precautions to guard against bites. The best prevention is avoidance-use repellent and wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors. Stay inside during dawn and dusk hours. Make sure you have good screens on windows and doors. If a dead bird, the link between the disease and mosquitoes, is found, we were advised not to handle it but report it to proper authorities. As the season passed, fortunately no cases of West Nile Virus were reported in Weber County. We are fortunate to have a full time mosquito abatement district. Without their efforts, our hungry mosquito problem would be much worse. Additional interest in public health was shown as a senior citizens health day was held at the City Office on May 17, 2004, during regular office hours. Blood pressure checks were made and health readiness information packets for use in case of an emergency were given out. A flu vaccine clinic scheduled for October had to be cancelled as a result of vaccine shortage. New Business The entrepreneur spirit flourished this year as numerous new businesses were welcomed into our community and licenses issued. Home businesses included John J. Lucas, T & C Design, LLC, at 1170 South 2000 West; Toonco, 145 N. 1200 W., and Paleteria Medel, 2449 W. Pioneer Road. Also, Sewing Schools of America, (retail sewing machines) at 1307 West 1200 South (Jeremiah's), B and M Predator, which will remove pests and dead animals, and a conditional use permit for Coy Animal Care Center were approved. Others include Mother Earth Minerals, Inc., and Brass Crown Planting and Landscaping, D & S Embroidery, H & H Electric, All Auto Creations, Chazco, Inc., Quality Motors, Inc., Phillips 66 Ogden, LLC, KHB Consulting, Footzonology, Ye Old Seamstress, and Coy's Pet Retirement Center. Footzonology's license approval required obtaining a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission. A class "A" beer license for Phillips 66 was also approved. Additional new businesses licensed include AOM Distributors, LLC, DBA 3 Day Outlets, at 731 12th Street; Boat and R. V. Storage at 1250 South 1775 West, owned by James and Elisa Steele; Moore Transportation, Inc., 927 West 12th Street, and Advantage Mortgage Solutions, 2151 West 700 South. Because of concern about parking of trucks by Moore Trucking too close to the VFW property, their license is subject to strict review by the Planning Commission on any issue. The Planning Commission received an application for a conditional use permit for a gravel operation and seasonal amusement water ski pond on 1700 South. The gravel was approved in part but the ski pond was denied, with the right to reapply when more information is available. The Animal Scene Dogs were the center of action in April 2004, after complaints against the Canine Connection were received. The business was operating in Marriott-Slaterville City on a conditional use permit which allowed a maximum of 30 dogs at the facility. Following entry with a search warrant, about 104 dogs were removed on April 23. Veterinarians at Burch Creek Animal Hospital were appointed as guardians of the dogs removed. Norma Blaser, owner of the Canine Connection, will be allowed to have 20 dogs back at a time to sell them, until June 23, when her permits will be relinquished. The city and the Weber County Animal Services requested residents spay or neuter pets to prevent unwanted animals. In the six months ending in February 2004, 53 animals, 37 of them cats, were taken to the shelter from Marriott-Slaterville. The expense to our city was $2,756.00. Residents need to take responsibility for the care of their pets. Weber County Animal Services encourages us to spay or neuter our pets, to cut down on unwanted and unloved animals. Their employees deal daily with the sad result of stray and deserted pets. Taxpayer expense associated with this situation compounds the problem.