FATHERS DAY. A DAY THAT CAN INVOKE VARIOUS FEELINGS.

Today is Fathers Day, which may mean different things to different people. My father was Alma Jones, who was my best friend, always giving advice in an indirect way. When he passed away at 81, I turned to his older brother-Vic Jones as my substitute father. We would often go to the cemetery and would talk of  the " good ole days" where he grew up in Nortonville. I would take notes of his life. I first became a father in 1979, and quickly became aware that clean diapers didn't grow on trees, and neither did the food. I spoke to my son Justin as if he was an adult, and he responded in such a positive way. My heart was broken in various parts when he took his own life at age 38, after suffering through various forms of depression, and only realizing then that all of our monies were spent sending him through various and costly programs, which may have made matters worse. My heart was rejuvenated when I recently came across a photo where I may have promoted this photo to be taken standing in an illegal manner with his sunflower seeds. That was my Justin. And this kind hearted kid would often leave notes of love for his Dad, with the back page with his artistic art. The same was of my second son-Troy, who still suffers from depression of losing his brother. It is often a daily battle for all of us, and yet finding the various notes of love between father and son, it is a day to take on the happy days, knowing we did the best we could with the knowledge we had. On this special day, i give thanks to the good fathers throughout my family, arriving in Nephi during 1852.

Here is the cast from BYU's "The Dragoon", from 1976.

 Gary B. Jones of Nephi had a voice that could carry and had that natural ability to act any part he was called on. He started out with various plays at Juab High School, and when he hit college, he often found himself in various plays.  We recently found the list of the characters in the 1967 BYU Theater with Gary playing the part of  the Blacksmith. He must have been quite an actor, as I don't recall him picking up an anvil or a hammer as a kid shoeing horses.

HERE IS THE 4-H ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR.

If you have heard of the 4-H program, but didn't know what it stood for, here is your chance to learn about a great program for kids and adults and one of those things done by volunteers, which we all must do more of rather than government officials doing it at a cost to us all. If you are your family has been around Juab County for the past half century, you will recognize many a name. If you never thanked any of the leaders of more than a half century ago, you are permitted to shout it out now, as they will feel your voice.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE FUNNY PART OF POLITICS

If you are a resident of Nephi, Utah, today is the opening day you can go into the city offices and declare you candidacy for either of the two City Council Member positions or even the Mayor. I have been a Council Member for the past four years, and have made a firm commitment not to run again for that or for Mayor. I tried the best I could to keep the vision of Nephi as a rural town, but I was often the  single vote, and held my head high when I voted No And Hell No, when our oasis farming community was being pushed by high money and greed for thousands more people, at least that is what I have been told my many. That is the bad part. The Good part is that Nephi is still the best city in the world. It is my hometown and always will be and my four years was to give back to such a great community. I encourage all who love this city to give back and support more volunteers and less government. Now to the funny part. Many years ago, the men in the photo are Governor Norm Bangerter on the left and Kent Jones on the right. Those of us working in the Criminal Justice System had spent considerable time to get a Bill pushed through the State Legislature which would reduce crime. It was and remains a battle getting necessary Bills through Utah nowadays. In the past, I was informed the majority of those members were educators who always voted for more money for teachers. I now hear the majority of State Politicians are Realtors and want to open the doors to the World; America; Utah and send them to the rural areas and use up the water normally used for food processing and agriculture needs. When we got the Bill passed in the photo, the only thing the Governor needed to do was to sign his name and it would then become law. You may see the grimace on both faces as we were about to shake hands. We honestly don't know who the culprit was, but it was one of the spectators who made a body noise right in the middle of the otherwise serious moment. Honestly folks, it wasn't me or the Governor, but I couldn't help put snicker. This is one of the lighter points in a politician's life, but needless to say, I am not a policitcan and never will be. Omitting the truth is as bad if not worse then a straight out fib and I found that in 42 years dealing with State Politicians, many have no idea what the whole truth and nothing but the truth really is, and if their vote helps themselves, they will sell their own souls for it......or so I  heard! To those who encouraged me to run as Mayor, I sincerely appreciate your confidence, but not much in to kissing babies and fake smiles. I loved being a public servant, but not a servant to advance myself to something I am not.