The fear of a fifth year of statewide drought became more real as January proved to be a month of higher than usual temperatures and below normal precipitation. Drought conditions continued throughout the year. It was not until Christmas Day that a snow storm arrived, continuing for several days with such abundance that hope returned for the drought's end. City officials could not bring more rain, but they encouraged everyone to become more conservation conscious. New habits and better use of water resources will become a way of life for all who live in this desert state. Many of us rejoiced as one of the biggest snow storms in years did arrive on Christmas Day, and continued on for several days, piling two feet or more of heavy snow throughout the community. Snow plows cleared our roads, and snow blowers and shovels, not used for several years, made an appearance. Everyone, even those who are not "snow people," appreciated this much needed moisture to replenish our drought parched lands and reservoirs. One storm doesn't end a drought, so we are hopeful this is the beginning of a wetter weather cycle. Branches and entire trees were destroyed by the weight of the snow, and much of the cleanup in yards must wait for better weather. Our city was fortunate not to suffer the prolonged power outages that occurred in other communities along the Wasatch Front. One of the big events of the year was the relocation of the city offices. Even before the year began, city officials knew that a new location must be found by early spring, as the building being used would be demolished by BDO. An eviction notice to be out of the building by May 18, 2003, was received in February. Possible locations were investigated. The decision by the Mayor and City Council was a site still in BDO, just east of the old offices. The new address is 1140 West 400 North, the south end of Building 15C. It offered several advantages over other sites, including more floor space. The last meeting held in the old building was the council meeting on April 17, 2003. Then suddenly it was moving day! There was excitement, some sober thoughts at leaving, and a tremendous amount of work, frustration and worry involved as the huge task of moving arrived. Files, furniture, mundane items, and nearly four years of accumulated papers, governmental necessities, and junk, made the journey to the new site, about a block away. Then came the moving in-no small task either! Over the two day period, May 1 and 2, 2003, much of the muscles required for the move came from the Weber County Sheriff's Corrections Department community service inmates. Special thanks also go to John Burt, Ron Kendell, Rich Adam, Grant Butler and Rob Smout who volunteered their help during the move. To those of us who merely saw the completed project, the offices look great-organized and efficiently laid out, with lots more room (to accumulate more of the above items?). By the end of the year we trust that the Mayor, staff, and council members were able to find all the items they needed to carry out their duties. Congratulations to all those who worked hard at the successful move. Destruction of the old building began about the middle of June. The removal of the truck scales embedded just north of the building, was a daunting feat even for big equipment, and required a week's time. Truckers, who had found them a convenient place to weigh their load, miss them. Then each day we witnessed the building going-the windows and doors, the roof, then a part of a wall-until all that remained was a shallow dip in the ground. A brick in the Mayor's office is all that we have of a building that served our small city well. In a related matter, a resolution was passed in March to form an ad hoc committee of community residents, with Orvil Holley serving as chair, to recommend possible locations for a municipal building. Council President Dennis Ilium wants the council and community to be involved in considering sites for the city office and possibly a senior citizens center. A grant for the development of a senior center was received from WACOG. One of the first matters of city business in 2003 was the election at the January 16th council meeting, of a Council President and Vice President. Upon the recommendation of Councilman Kim Slater, and by unanimous vote, President Dennis Ilium remained the President for the current year. Delbert Hodson remained as Vice President. One of the last acts of the year came as Mayor Butler expressed the thanks of the council, staff, and residents of the city, to Orvil Holley, for the many years of dedicated service he has given to the community, commencing long before the city was incorporated. Mr. Holley decided earlier in the year not to run for re-election. The Mayor presented him with a certificate during the Christmas party. His knowledge, wisdom, foresight and dedication will be missed.