December 23, 1999 City's residents honored for volunteering By JO ANNE KEEFFLER_ Standard-Examiner correspondent MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE - Starting a city on a shoestring takes a lot of help. Marriott-Slaterville, which became a city last summer, held a volunteer appreciation dinner last week to recognize more than 40 of the volunteers who helped get the new community up and running. "When we started this city we didn't even own a pencil," said Mayor Keith Butler. "We just asked individuals for help and never got one refusal." Many of those attending the dinner, like Rich Adam, a self-employed tax accountant who serves, unpaid, as city trea-surer, offered their services to the city because they wanted to help. Shauna Meyerhoffer, a homemaker and mother of 6 who donates her time as Special Events Coordinator, organized the dinner. "If they want food, I bring it. If they want a party, I plan it. I guess I'm a party girl," she said. Meyerhoffer has lived in the area for 20 years, first in Marriott and then in Slaterville. She said she volunteered her talents to the fledgling city because it's a nice place to live. Shirley Nelson, the volunteer city custodian who spends several hours each week cleaning and maintaining the city hall, agrees that Marriott-Slaterville is a won-derful community. She says, "The whole place is like family." Like Meyerhoffer, Nelson is a long-time area resident. Her parents moved from Marriott to Slaterville the year she was born. She and her family now live in the family home. Von Allred, a member of the board of adjustments, explained, "This is where our roots are. Where we want to be. We want to make it a good place." Allred's sentiments were echoed by city recorder William Morris. "My great-great-grandfather, William Morris, came here from England in 1855.1 feel really attached to the community," he said. "It's my heritage. I want to pass it on to my children." Morris, a second-year law student at the University of Wyoming who is paid a small stipend for his services, makes the five-hour trip from Laramie at least twice a month to take care of city business. While more of those attending the volunteer appreciation dinner were long-time Marriott-Slaterville residents, Carl Parker, who serves on the planning commission, is a relative newcomer. Parker, a retired railroad worker who lived in California and Texas, has only lived in the area nine years, but his wife has lived in the community most of her life. Marriott-slaterville New city honors residents The Marriott-Slaterville City Council honored three residents at its recent meeting. City Council member Ren Meyerhoffer, whose term expires next month, was honored for his contributions as a member of the community's first City Council. Planning Commission Chairman Randy Phipps was recognized for his extensive volunteer efforts. Council members cited Phipps's outstanding community service and the hours he has spent working on the general plan. Shirley Nelson, who volunteers several hours each week to clean and maintain the city hall building, was also honored. In other business, the council approved Norma Blaser's application for a business license. Blaser will operate a dog kennel on a Pioneer Road site adjacent to the Central Weber Sewer Improvement District's treatment facility. 278