Dear Editor,
There has been a lot of talk about the recent goings on about ?saving? Ash Springs. Some have voiced concern about the changes and wanting Ash to just be the same as it used to be and concern about having to pay a fee or contaminating the water.
I remember when I first moved to the Valley and the Whipple family had a restaurant at Ash. We would go pay to eat and swim as everyone did. It was well maintained and everyone enjoyed year round fun. We had friends and family visit and it was always the place to take them with great pride in what our area had to offer. I remember my dad who was serving as bishop in a Cedar City LDS ward at the time invited the entire ward to travel to Ash Springs for a ward party and I think most of the members attended. I remember being so proud to have people who I loved and cared about see our beautiful Ash Springs. This was the ward I actually grew up in so it really meant a lot to me. Now I realize Ash Springs will never be as it used to be in the ?good ol? days? but how sad for it to just sit and rot these last several years.
It has certainly gone down hill and the only ones really able to enjoy it are those who choose to sneak in and risk being asked to leave by the local police. I have actually been in R place on occasion and seen and heard families asking about why Ash is no longer available. Some have traveled long distances just to swim and play at Ash Springs.
I know in the past there have been some who have tried to get things going again at Ash but it just doesn?t go anywhere, it is so complicated and the right help has not been available. I was one of those people who gave it a try at one time but hit the same brick wall others had encountered… This Friends of Pahranagat Valley committee that has been formed consisting of not outsiders who want to make Ash into a Casino or something us locals don?t want, but people who have grown up here in this valley, who have participated in school traditions of soaking at the springs after practice or having their birthday party at Ash or attending Youth Conference or a family reunion there.
These are the people who have created this committee. Some are professionals willing to share their talents as volunteers to create an opportunity to truly ?save? our beautiful Ash Springs. As a community we need to embrace these ideas and attend the meetings to become informed. We need to share our ideas and lend our support so that as a collective group of people we can be involved in this awesome endeavor that will affect all of us living in this Valley.
It is time to stop complaining about what we no longer have and reminiscing on the ?good ol days? and wake up and take hold of this opportunity to actually do something. This committee is certainly on the right track to take it to completion. They have done their homework and invited the right political leaders to be involved in the process. Whether we like it or not, there is politics involved and lots of money and we need to include those who can help us push this through.
Please take the time to become informed, ask questions and volunteer to help. This is a big deal and this may be our only chance ever to really ?save? our Ash Springs.
DeeAnn Hansen