Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Lake Powell Pipeline is Hirschi's Topic

Jack Petersen, one of SGR’s new Sergeants-at-Arms was on duty greeting Rotarians and others visitors to the 3726th regular weekly meeting of St. George Rotary. Ray Robinson lead the SGR Choir in the patriotic "America." Stan Gubler invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance and Eldon McArthur asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Greg Basso took a turn at Horseplay while Richard Brown collected fines on behalf of St. George Musical Theater.

President Jeff Morby announced Don Dunham had suffered two strokes following SGR’s last meeting (Don was moved today from ICU to the nursing floor - a hopeful sign for his recovery!).

Steve Davis, with a classification of Chief Operating Officer, has been proposed for membership by Jim Coleman. Any comments relating to this proposed membership should be directed to any member of the board.

PROGRAM: Linda Sappington introduced Scott Hirschi, Washington County Economic Development Director. Hirschi, a former Washington County Commissioner and chairman of the Habitat Conservation Plan to protect the endangered desert tortoise, is now involved in efforts to bring valued-added companies to the area. According to Hirschi, value added companies are non-competitive with local businesses, have higher wages - in some cases 15-18% higher than the state average - and, "produce here, but sell to the world!" Hirschi noted, "Washington County has a reputation for being somewhat isolated from the world - a bright spot in a troubled economy!" As a strong proponent of the Lake Powell pipeline, he hiked and biked the entire 160-mile length of the project alongside Lin Alder, who is solidly opposed to the pipeline. Along the way, the two leaders met with community leaders and others in dozens of meetings to discuss the pros and cons of the project. The Lake Powell pipeline could deliver approximately 90,000 acre feet of water - "the true wealth in a dry land" - by 2020 to accommodate the community which has sustained a 6.2% annual growth since 1965. Alder’s argument is that "the feds won’t pay for it and we can’t pay for it by ourselves." Hirschi admitted "there will be some magnificent construction challenges and we aren’t even sure the Kaibab tribe will allow the pipeline to cross over land they consider sacred. In the end, the argument is all about growth vs. conservation." For more information, call Scott Hirschi at 652-7750.

No comments: