Donkey basketball returns

The Saratoga Town Council, short two members, met briefly Tuesday and quickly dispensed with routine business.

Mayor Ed Glode and councilman Will Faust were not present at the meeting, leaving councilman Richard Raymer holding the gavel. After routine business such as approving minutes, paying the bills and noting correspondence, public statements and council comments, the council moved onto matters such as the town’s new 9-1-1 system and planning for upcoming recreational events as the town begins to prepare for spring and summer.

Police Chief Robert Bifano told council members the contractor installing the town’s new 9-1-1 system began the process by meeting with parties that would be involved with the installation. Once those meetings were complete, Bifano said, the installer would begin meeting with Bifano and the dispatch supervisor and would then bring in the new equipment.

Saratoga’s new police officer will begin the police academy April 9, Bifano said. Bifano also asked permission to begin advertising to fill a new part-time dispatcher position at the department.

Because the mayor was absent, council members said they would prefer waiting until the mayor was present before approving Bifano’s request.

Recreation Department manager Lisa Burton told the council new equipment was needed in the weight room, and she wanted the council’s permission to hold a fundraiser to get the money to pay for it. Burton said she wanted permission to contact Donkey Sports, a company based in Entiat, Washington, which puts on donkey basketball and baseball events to help organizations raise funds.

Burton said the company shares revenues from the events in a 60/40 split for the first $2,000, then splits receipts 50/50 thereafter.

The day for the event would be April 22, Burton said. She would also like to hold a 5K run that day and wants to set up concessions at the event to raise more funds, she said.

Councilwoman Jennie Lou Ivory made a motion to approve the request. Steve Wilcoxson seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Raymer asked Burton about the Utah Jazz Youth Basketball program in the Valley. According to Burton, 78 children have signed up for the program thus far, including children in Hanna and Encampment/Riverside.

Practice began last week, Burton said, and games will be held April 23-27. The donkey basketball games will not interfere with the youth basketball tournament, as there are no youth basketball games scheduled for that day.

The next meeting of the Saratoga Town Council will be held 6 p.m., March 21 at Saratoga Town Hall.