State of the city is strong, Price mayor declares

By Rick Sherman

Price Mayor Joe Piccolo touched on some of the negative impacts to the city over the past year, but focused on the positives during the State of the City address. Flanked by members of the City Council and his wife, Barbara, the Mayor delivered his Report and Comments for Price City 2015 at the Civic Auditorium on Friday.
“I can tell you that the state of our city is strong,” the Mayor declared, “We are in the black. Price City has a long history of living within our means.”
The address entitled, “Small Town, Big Time,” recognized the Price City Employee of the Year, and Safety Team of the Year, and also included a charge to the community.
Bryce Slaugh, an employee of the Water and Sewer Department, was honored as Employee of the Year, as selected by a vote of city employees who characterized him as dedicated and dependable.
The City Water & Sewer Department was recognized as the Safety Team of the Year. The employees have the best safety record in Price City with no recordable injury since March 2, 2009.
Mayor Piccolo highlighted the Labor Day dedication of the Miners Memorial at the Price City Peace Gardens, recognizing Dennis Ardohain and Frank Markosek for organizing and spearheading the effort. “I can’t tell you how proud I am to be a small part of such a great effort by Dennis and Frank,” said the Mayor, as he presented them with a commemorative miner’s brass oil lamp. He continued, “As the Mayor of Price, Utah, and from the City Council Members and First Lady, Price City would like to honor you and most of all, thank you for your hard work, for your dedication, for your commitment, for your donation to the Carbon County Miner’s Memorial 2015.”
Diana Wood of the Price City Community Progress Committee received a Visionary Service Leadership Award for the creation of the Price City Old Fashioned Christmas Event.
Connie Hamilton was honored with a Community Service Award for her contributions on a continuing basis to a long list of events, organizations and community enhancements. Mayor Piccolo stated, “Connie, you’re a valuable citizen and Price City reveres responsibly involved citizens.”
The mayor noted that 29 new businesses were added in Price City in the past year, and construction of major buildings in excess of $70 million was completed, including the Eastgate Apartment Complex, County Administration Building, and the Central Instructional Building on the USU Eastern Campus.
He also touted the enhancement of the Price River Trail with a new restroom, and pointed out that the City was instrumental in founding of the Price River Watershed Council which is promoting water conservation and working toward establishing a lower-elevation reservoir. The Mayor noted that the City survived the worst drought since 1994 without resorting to water restrictions.
Looking ahead, Piccolo said, “We’re not far from some other additions that say we have a bright future in front of us.” These future additions include an urgent care facility on the corner of 300 East and 100 North, and a $2 million renovation of the baseball complex just east of Carbon High School.
In his charge to the community, the Mayor repeated his signature statement that Price City is a small city but we don’t have to do things in a small way, “So it’s my challenge to you to do things in a grand manner. Meet people and make them like you every time they have an experience of being around you, so we will be founded in a continued state of success.”
Mayor Piccolo concluded, “When opportunity meets preparation, success is guaranteed. That’s our legacy.”