March 2004 The city and the Weber County Animal Services has requested residents to spay or neuter pets to prevent unwanted animals. In the last six months, 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. A looming threat to our residents is 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, which our area has in great abundance. 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 you find a dead bird, the link between the disease and mosquitoes, do not handle it but report it to proper authorities. With the spring time comes clean up time. A burn permit, which can be obtained from the Weber Fire District, is allowed during the month of April. Agricultural burn permits are available from the district all year for qualifying parcels. New businesses were welcomed into our community as licenses were issued. Three were home business, with no visiting clientele: T & C Design, LLC, at 1170 South 2000 West; Toonco, 145 N. 1200 W., and Paleteria Medel, 2449 W. Pioneer Road. Sewing Schools of America, (retail sewing machines) is at 1307 West 1200 South (Jeremiah's). We wish success to these new ventures within our boundaries. The proposed Quail Meadows subdivision was recommended for denial by the planning commission and then sent to the city council for consideration. After considerable discussion at the March 18, 2004, council meeting, the subdivision request was sent back to the planning commission with several comments. (1) Make sure that Weber Basin will allow the storm drainage to go under the canal, and that the Marriott Irrigation agrees with the drainage ditch where the water will drain. (2) the planning commission should recommend the type of sewer system for the development. (3) Marriott Irrigation should be contacted about their interest in running the secondary water system. (4) Make sure that the drain under the canal is adequate to handle a 100-year storm. Elaine Jensen, from the Weber County School District, has asked that the request for boundary adjustment be withdrawn, as Ogden City would not work with them on this matter. A drainage problem on 2150 West was solved when Roto-Rooter cleaned out the ditch when called by the city. UDOT declined any help to the city on the problem of heavy trucks using 1200 West to enter the freeway because of the construction on 2700 West in Farr West. Bits and Pieces George Gus Mahas celebrated his 80th birthday on March 18, 2004. Norma F. England Amidan, died March 19, 2004, at the age of 89. Congratulations to Paul and Barbara Barrow who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this month. They were married March 26, 1954. Jennifer Wilson was named to the 5A State Drill Team.