By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Nearly all the Nephi City Council members are former Juab
High School students and they like the traditions they
enjoyed as students--the bonfire and yell out--and want them
to continue.
However, the best place might be down at the rodeo
grounds in the west parking lot which is not
black-topped.
"We could suggest the students approach the county
commission for permission to use the rodeo grounds, but we
could also tell them they could use city property," said
Chad Brough, mayor.
Traditions are important, agreed council members. For
that reason, the council agreed to allow the students of
Juab High to use city property for the big bonfire this
year.
"The school district owns 20 acres by Nebo Heights the
students could use," said Randy McKnight, city
administrator.
He said the district used to allow the students to burn
the bonfire near the school at its new location.
"We used to have the bonfire at the end of the football
field," said Jim Wilkey, council member. He said that
happened when the present city hall and the county building
were both high school buildings.
"What about using that same area?" said Wilkey.
It was also suggested the city might allow use of
property by the golf course.
"What about allowing them to use property by the Little
League Field (the one on 100 North) next to Salt Creek?"
asked Kent Park, council member. "They could use the
property on the south side if they would clean it up
first."
"The farmer's kids can use their family's tractor and
farm equipment to clean off the weeds," said Park.
Brough said conditions of using the city property would
be that the class in charge clean up the property before the
fire so there was no fire hazard left and have the fire
department standby to control the fire, if needed.
Then the class would need to return to the site within a
few days and haul off any debris which did not burn
completely.
"Is there a way to put out the fire after the event?"
asked McKnight. "The bonfire burns and then continues to
smoke for three days."
That was what disturbed owners of homes near the area
where the bonfire was held.
"It is a good tradition and I would like to see it
continue," said Brough.
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