Mayor Otis Hunt Willoughby

There are so many things going on in Alpine this summer. I have a long list of things to write about this
month.

First of all, I was informed by Hata Puriri that he has chosen not to run for reelection this year. He has been a valuable asset to the council and we will miss his voice in the coming years. As I have mentioned before, there are three council seats open for election this year. Filing dates for running are from July 1-16. Please come into City Hall and file to run. It is a great experience to be involved in the city process.

In a recent council meeting we discussed the continued trouble we are having with ATVs in Lambert Park. I need to
preface my remarks by letting you know that I have ridden motorcycles since I was 12. I love to be out on trails in the hills. The use of Lambert Park by ATVs has led to lots of destruction. We asked the riders to stay on designated trails; this hasn’t worked. The hills in Lambert Park are being eroded away by the use of the ATVs. In coming council meetings we will be discussing the possibility of closing the park to ATV use. I hate to see it come to that, but Lambert Park is such a jewel in this community, I would not like to see it destroyed.

The Westfield Road project is making great strides. They have taken out many of the hills and curves. When this project is completed, there will be a tendency for us to drive above the posted speed limit. Please watch your speed on this and every road in town.

We have recently been discussing a down-zone petition for property on the south side of town. The City’s General
Plan has designated zoning that ranges from ¼ acre in the center of town to 5 acre lots on the outskirts. We have
planned the city’s infrastructure on a total build-out of 14,000 residents. This number is derived by taking account
of all the undeveloped land in current zoning and planning for its inevitable development. If we begin down-zoning
individual parcels, we end up increasing density and may find ourselves unprepared to provide the level of service that we enjoy to all of the residents. I know there are more landowners that are watching to see what happens with this first request so that they can use it as an example.

As development occurs, there is the possibility that historic properties are torn down to make way for new homes.
The recent article about a home on 100 South that is scheduled for demolition has rekindled interest in historical preservation. In the past we have had a Historic Preservation Committee. This committee has lain dormant for some time now. If you are interested in participation on this committee, please email or call me.

Several years ago the city partnered with Highland and Alpine School District to develop a library at Mountain
Ridge Junior High. Many of us donated time, money and books to that effort. For various reasons, the partnership
dissolved and the Alpine portion of the books have been stored in boxes. The Library Committee met with Highland
and divided the books between the cities. The committee recommended that instead of the books deteriorating in
boxes, they should be offered for use to the local schools. The books would be on loan until such time as Alpine gets its own facility or the books are beyond their useful life. Alpine Elementary, Westfield Elementary and Mountainville Academy have expressed interest in receiving these books on loan. I would rather the children of Alpine use the books than have them rot in boxes somewhere.

That’s my list of topics for now. I hope that your are enjoying your summer and that you are planning on joining me
for a hike to Lake Hardy on August 10th.

owilloughby@alpinecity.org