NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019
RIVERTON NEWS MAYOR’S MESSAGE
A LOCAL SOLUTION TO THE STATE & NATIONAL OPIOID EPIDEMIC By Mayor Trent Staggs
It’s not often you see city governments take the lead in addressing a state or national issue, but that’s exactly what we’ve done here in Riverton as we work to combat the state and national opioid epidemic. I was pleased to participate in a press conference on September 12 as we rolled out a local initiative that has the support of Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) District Agent in Charge Brian Besser, and Intermountain Riverton Hospital. Our initiative centers around onsite destruction of unused or expired prescription medication through a product called NarcX. The product is a liquid solution that immediately renders opioids and other drugs in a “non-retrievable” state and is the only product that meets the requirements of DEA policy and the Code of Federal Regulations for onsite destruction. NarcX eliminates the need to incinerate medications since drug compounds are
neutralized onsite; making medications indiscernible and indigestible once placed in the solution.
Onsite destruction is preferable to drug take back programs or traditional medication drop boxes, as it eliminates the stockpiling of drugs and any potential illegal diversion or redistribution of the drugs. It also saves the time of local law enforcement in trying to properly dispose of these medications, as the product is non-toxic, and can simply be thrown away like household trash when the solution is full. Riverton residents are encouraged to dispose of unused or expired medications at NarcX kiosks that the city has provided at several locations, with more on the way. Current kiosk locations include: Riverton City Hall, Riverton Police Department, and Riverton Public Works Department. Additionally, Intermountain Riverton Hospital has purchased individual-sized NarcX bottles that they are distributing for free at Southridge Pharmacy at the hospital. We encourage you to visit the pharmacy to pick up a bottle of your own so you have it in your home when you need it. We are also working on
equipping our police department with these small bottles, so don’t hesitate to reach out to any RPD officer if you have medication you’d like to dispose of. Opioid abuse is a serious problem here in Utah. Opioids have resulted in over 67,000 national drug related deaths, and close to 650 deaths of our own Utahns in 2018. Between the years of 2015 and 2017 there were over 800 drug overdose deaths in Salt Lake County alone. Deaths from opioids has now surpassed deaths caused by motor vehicles and firearms. This is an unacceptable statistic and underscores the need for local solutions to combat the epidemic.
It’s important to remember that our efforts here are not aimed at those who are taking medication for the use it was prescribed. Our goal with this project is to encourage everyone to properly dispose of expired or unused medications when they are no longer being used for the specific purpose they were prescribed for. Here in Riverton, we are committed to helping our state and national leaders combat this opioid crisis. I am hopeful that our efforts will initiate a trend amongst other local municipalities to take strides to not just talk about the opioid crisis, but to take action. We can all do something, and we must all do something to be part of the solution.
Pick Up a Bottle for Home Use
Find a Medication Disposal Kiosk
You may pick up a free individual size NarcX bottle (good for ~30 pills) for home use at Southridge Pharmacy in Intermountain Riverton Hospital at 3741 W 12600 S.
You may drop off your unused or expired medications at any of Riverton City’s medication disposal kiosks during normal building office hours.
Bottles will also be given out for free at the Riverton Hospital Health Fair on Saturday, November 2 from 9 a.m. to noon. Thanks to Intermountan Healthcare for this service!
Riverton City Newsletter - November / December 2019
Riverton City Hall - 12830 S Redwood Road Riverton Police Department - 12810 S Redwood Road Riverton Public Works Department - 12526 S 4150 W Additional locations coming soon.
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COUNCIL MESSAGE
A REFLECTION ON CITY SERVICE By Councilwoman Tricia Tingey
MAYOR Trent Staggs tstaggs@rivertoncity.com (801) 208-3129
CITY COUNCIL Sheldon Stewart - District 1 sstewart@rivertoncity.com (801) 953-5672 Tricia Tingey - District 2 ttingey@rivertoncity.com (801) 809-1227 Tawnee McCay - District 3 tmccay@rivertoncity.com (801) 634-7692 Tish Buroker - District 4 tburoker@rivertoncity.com (801) 673-6103 Brent Johnson - District 5 bjohnson@rivertoncity.com (385) 434-9253
CITY MANAGER Konrad Hildebrandt khildebrandt@rivertoncity.com (801) 208-3125
CITY OFFICES City Hall...............................(801) 254-0704 Cemetery.............................(801) 208-3128 Animal Control....................(801) 208-3108 Building...............................(801) 208-3127 Code Enforcement..............(801) 208-3104 Fire Dispatch (UFA).............(801) 743-7200 Justice Court.......................(801) 208-3131 Parks & Recreation.............(801) 208-3101 Planning & Zoning..............(801) 208-3138 Police..................................(385) 281-2455 Public Works.......................(801) 208-3162 Recorder..............................(801) 208-3126 Utility Billing........................(801) 208-3133 Water...................................(801) 208-3164
This time of year is a representation of thanks and renewal. A time to look back and see what has been accomplished and what we can do to be better. As Thanksgiving approaches, we all are taking the time to think about those things that are most important to us and we express our gratitude for those people and things. Then, as the new year approaches, we look inward and make plans to be and do better. I have had the opportunity to reflect on the past 16 years that I have been involved in serving Riverton city. It started in 2004 when my late hus-
band, Roy, was elected to serve on the council. As a family, we made a commitment to serve the community. We had no idea what that meant and relied on those already on the council and working as staff to help with the learning curve. To those who held our hand, we are grateful! Our city has come a long way in the last 16 years! We have grown and experienced the pains of leaving the past and preparing for the future. Each year city staff and elected officials look to the past with gratitude for all those who got us to the place we are now. Then, we look forward with hope to prepare for the future, knowing it will not look the same because growth involves change.
I think what I am most excited for is the change that will occur this year in the council. Two new people will be elected to help move our city into the future. They will look at the many, many citizens from the past that have worked hard with their families, to get our great city to this point. Then they will be charged to do better. Change is good and necessary for growth. I am leaving my council seat with gratitude in my heart for all the people who work hard to make our city home. I am blessed to have been part of a little piece of our city’s past. I look forward to seeing how our new council will prepare us for an amazing future. I am confident that the best is yet to come!
“I am confident the best is yet to come!”
HONOR OUR VETERANS
REMEMBER TO VOTE
Riverton Veterans Day Program
General Election Day
Monday, November 11, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 5
Sandra N. Lloyd Community Center 12830 S Redwood Road Riverton, Utah 84065
Riverton City Council Candidates District 1: Sheldon Stewart District 2: Tracie Halvorsen, Troy McDougal District 5: Claude Wells, Steven Winters
Come honor our veterans, hear from an inspiring speaker, and listen to patriotic music from the Riverton Jazz Band.
FIND US ONLINE! @rivertoncityutah @rivertoncity @rivertoncityutah rivertoncity.com Riverton City Newsletter - November / December 2019
If you do not live in Council Districts 1, 2 or 5, you are not eligible to vote in this election. Find a district map at rivertoncity.com.
How to Vote It is now too late to send your ballot in by mail. You can still vote these ways: 1) Drop your ballot off at the ballot drop box at City Hall. 2) Vote early Oct. 30 - Nov. 4 at the Riverton Senior Center between 2 and 6 p.m. on weekdays. 3) Vote on Election Day between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the Riverton Senior Center. Find details online at: 4) Drop off your ballot at a voting slco.org/clerk/elections center on Election Day or during early voting.
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in Ri verton
C HRISTMAS A NEW Christmas Tradition in Riverton! Bring your family or friends and come drive through Riverton City Park to read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and see the Christmas lights! Tickets must be purchased online in advance. Enter the park from 12800 S. Cost is $10 per vehicle.
December 6-23, 2019 | 6-9 p.m. To purchase tickets or view the schedule, visit:
twasthelights.com
Santa’s Arrival Christmas Night of Music Concert Monday, December 9 | 7 p.m. | Riverton High School Come enjoy festive music at Riverton City’s annual Christmas Night of Music Concert! The concert features a 100+ member community choir and orchestra. All are welcome.
JOIN THE CHOIR Come sing in our 100+ member choir at the Christmas Night of Music Concert! Practices are held weekly on Thursday evenings from 8:30-10 p.m. at the Sandra N. Lloyd Community Center, beginning on November 7 and excluding Thanksgiving. Participants must be at least 16 years old.
Practice Dates November 7, 8:30-10 p.m. November 14, 8:30-10 p.m. November 21, 8:30-10 p.m. December 5, 8:30-10 p.m. Dress Rehearsal Friday, December 6, 7 p.m.
Join the choir at rivertoncity.com/choir
Monday, December 2 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Bring the kids to see Santa Claus arrive in Riverton in a bright-red fire truck and make their Christmas requests! Event is free. There will be free scones, hot chocolate, marshmallow roasting, cookie decorating, and crafts. Children can also write their letter to Santa that evening.
Candy Cane Corner HOLIDAY DONATIONS
Donate items to help those in need for the holidays! Visit candycanecornerslc.org for a list of items to donate. Donations may be dropped off at the Parks & Recreation window at Riverton City Hall until Friday, Dec. 13. Items may also be donated at Santa’s Arrival. All items must be new and unwrapped. Candy Cane Corner is an annual holiday donation drive sponsored by The Road Home and Volunteers of America.
Join the choir at rivertoncity.com/choir
Riverton City Newsletter - November / December 2019
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in Ri verton
C HRISTMAS NEW: Christmas Lighting Contest
BACK: Christmas Card Design Contest
Do you know someone who puts up an amazing light display at Christmas? Encourage them to enter their home/yard in Riverton City’s first ever Christmas Lighting Contest! Entries in the contest will be accepted from Dec. 2 to Dec. 13. Participation is open to all Riverton residents. A cash prize will be awarded to the top three entries. Free to enter.
Riverton City invites children to participate in our Christmas Card Design Contest! To participate, children must be of elementary school student age and either live in or go to school in Riverton. Designs must be in landscape format and be able to shrink to a 5x7in size. The artist of the winning design will receive a $100 Walmart gift card.
Contest entry and details: rivertoncity.com/lightingcontest
Contest entry and details: rivertoncity.com/christmascard
NEW: Wreaths Across America
NEW: Animal Rescue Donations
Riverton City’s Historic Preservation Commission is pleased to partner with Wreaths Across America, a national program that will allow citizens to honor veterans buried in the Riverton City Cemetery by sponsoring a Christmas wreath for a veteran’s grave. Join us on Dec.14 at 10 a.m. for a special program and to help place the wreaths.
Riverton City is collecting new and gently used pet toys and supplies to donate to the rescue organizations who have been so good to take in unclaimed pets picked up by our Animal Control Department. We wanted to invite you to donate an item or two if you are able to help us express our gratitude. We hope to deliver the items before Christmas!
Purchase a wreath for a veteran at: rivertoncity.com/wreaths
Donation Drop Off: Riverton City Hall, Room 105, 12830 S Redwood Road
Upcoming Riverton City Events November
December
November 2 - Free Firehouse Breakfast & Open House - 8-11 a.m. - Fire Station 121 November 5 - General Election November 5 - Indoor Spikeball League Begins November 11 - Veterans Day Program - 6:30 p.m. - Sandra N. Lloyd Community Center November 14 - Planning Commission - 6:30 p.m. - Riverton City Hall November 19 - City Council Meeting - 7 p.m.- Riverton City Hall November 21 - Suicide Prvention QPR Training - 7 p.m. - Fire Station #124 November 22 - Entry Deadline for Riverton City Christmas Card Design Contest November 28 - Thanksgiving Day - City Offices Closed November 29 - City Offices Closed
December 2 - Santa’s Arrival in Riverton - 6:30 p.m. - Riverton City Park December 2 - Entries Open for Riverton City’s Christmas Lighting Contest December 3 - City Council Meeting - 7 p.m.- Riverton City Hall December 6 - ‘Twas the Lights Before Christmas Begins - Riverton City Park December 9 - Christmas Night of Music Concert - 7 p.m. - Riverton High School December 12 - Planning Commission - 6:30 p.m. - Riverton City Hall December 13 - Last Day to Donate to Candy Cane Corner - Riverton City Hall December 13 - Entries Close for Riverton City’s Christmas Lighting Contest December 14 - Unveiling of Veterans Monument - 10 a.m. - Riverton City Cemetery December 23 - ‘Twas the Lights Before Christmas Ends - Riverton City Park December 24 - Christmas Eve - City Offices Closed December 25 - Christmas - City Offices Closed December 27 - Just You & I Registration Begins December 31 - New Years Eve
Find full event and registration details at rivertoncity.com/calendar! Riverton City Newsletter - November / December 2019
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