Payson Roundup

With town budgets crashing all over the state, Star Valley’s mayor says it is frivolous and unnecessary to hold a separate swearing-in ceremony for new Gila County supervisors Tuesday.

Chuck Heron said he declined on principle the county’s invitation to the oath of office ceremony Tuesday, Jan. 6 in Globe, at the Gila County Fairgrounds.

“I feel in the economic climate that we are all facing, it is inappropriate to conduct a swearing-in ceremony outside of a board of supervisors’ meeting, complete with invitations to all Gila County municipal governments,” Heron said. “I hate to see the Gila County Board of Supervisors starting their new terms with unnecessary and frivolous expenditures for the purpose of political posturing.”

Star Valley is limiting expenses to keep the budget under control and this includes travel to events, Heron said.

When new board members were sworn in for Star Valley, a judge came to the regular council meeting and swore everyone in, and Heron said the board should do the same thing to cut costs.

Heron said he did not know if any Star Valley council members would attend the ceremony and he was “leaving it up to them if they go.”

Payson’s Mayor Kenny Evans said he would likely not attend the ceremony because of scheduling conflicts. Evans said if he does go, he would not charge the town for his travel expenses because the town’s finances are tight.