Concept was okay, but there were basic safety issues
After just a few months of limited operation in Price, two residential transition facilities for ex-offenders are closing. The so-called “sober houses” were established by MentorWorks of Riverton to assist addicts, alcoholics, and non-violent offenders in making the transition back to mainstream society.
Executive Director Joseph White surrendered his business license rather than comply with what Price City Fire Chief Paul Bedont termed “basic life safety issues.” Chief Bedont said a recent inspection turned up some fire code violations, including a lack of smoke alarms and egress windows, and citations were issued. MentorWorks also failed to arrange for an inspection of the facilities prior to opening for business as stipulated in the conditional use permit.
Opposed at first
During public hearings last year- one at the Price Civic Auditorium and another at the City Council Chambers – opposition to the sober houses was loud and clear. Some residents feared the facilities would hurt property values. Some were concerned about safety, and others believed the homes would attract the “wrong element” to their neighborhood.
White responded by pointing out the program has a very thorough application and screening process, and only those who are serious about sobriety are accepted. Mayor Joe Piccolo also spoke in favor of approval when he said, “It’s worth a try, and if it doesn’t work the program will be closed. We have nothing in our community right now. If somebody wanted to get sober, about the best we can do is send them north. We’ve got to do something.”
The Price City Planning and Zoning Commission approved the concept of the sober houses, and based on the Commission’s recommendation a conditional use permit was approved by the Price City Council on September 30, 2015.
But because MentorWorks failed to comply with the conditions of approval, the council reversed the action during the February 10 regular meeting by formally revoking the license and conditional use permit. City officials expressed regret, but noted a responsibility to protect citizens and avoid liability issues.
City Attorney Nick Sampinos stated, “I think it’s important to also keep in mind that the process we have on the books, and that we follow day-to-day with every other business has been followed to a ‘T,’ and that Price City did not compromise on the issue of safety of the occupants of those two buildings. And I think that’s of paramount importance and I’m proud of how the staff and the council and mayor handled this situation – they’ve given them every opportunity to succeed. Unfortunately it didn’t come to fruition.”
Mayor Piccolo noted even though the venture failed, it still had a positive effect. He said, “The investment became too restrictive for him to make it work. That’s really what happened. It wasn’t Price City’s fault. Maybe it wasn’t his (White’s) fault – poor planning perhaps somewhere along the line to understand the significant investment that would have to be made there. Let’s focus on the fact that the community is more aware, the solution is on the table.”
Council member Layne Miller added, “The business was working. I spend a lot of time with the guys in the sober house and I can tell you that they are being successful. And I would hope that at some point we’ll have the opportunity to do this again, maybe with a different company, a different owner. But this is working. I’ve seen it work.”