Deseret News | Reader comments: Ruby's dream? Creation of Bryce Canyon City elicits cheers and jeers

Reader comments
Ruby's dream? Creation of Bryce Canyon City elicits cheers and jeers

Real bad idea to enrich the rich | 1:01 a.m. Sept. 30, 2007

What's next? Lagoon a town?

Cassper | 1:06 a.m. Sept. 30, 2007

I am from Garfield county and I don't see one problem with this. I love Ruby's and their family. They give so much time, money and support to the residents and schools of garfield county. How is that greedy? The greedy ones are those who want the money for themselves that sit in the county office and try to figure out how they can waste these taxes or use it to benifit Panguitch and forget about the rest of the county. The mayor is a good man. I'm known him for years and not once has he ever done anything to cheat anybody. The residents of the newly created town of Bryce Canyon City deserve the same benifits that any other town gets. Congratulations Ruby's Inn!!! Maloy, you are so so wrong about these people and although I don't know you, to call Mayor Syrett greedy, you know nothing about him or are greedy yourself to keep the countys money rolling into Panguitch.

Cassper | 1:17 a.m. Sept. 30, 2007

Almost forgot. The story didn't mention how Mayor Syrett and Ruby's tried to include residents of 5 other resorts near Ruby's in this town and was advised by county commissioners not to. County commissioners then turn and accuse Ruby's of being greedy. Doesn't sound greedy when they tried to include 5 competing resorts.

Comments continue below

Cassper | 1:26 a.m. Sept. 30, 2007

To the first comment. Lagoon is already part of a city. duhh They are receiving the benefits a town provides. You have no clue.

Boston Terry | 1:52 a.m. Sept. 30, 2007

County government is one of the biggest taxpayer rip offs in the country. Often the work done by county employees is simply an expensive duplication of what towns and states already do. Those who make the money should be able to keep the money. Rubys and the residents of this new town have been susidizing out lying town for years I'd bet. Let the state take on their welfare now. I live in New England and know no one in the area of this new town, but I do see counties claim tax revenues that are better provided by the state without duplication everywhere in the USA.

Dee | 7:38 a.m. Sept. 30, 2007

To Boston Terry -- To say that County government is often just a duplication of what towns and states do is a very simplistic and unknowing statement. Many people do not live in cities. Thus, who provides their municipal services, i.e., road maintenance, law enforcement, trash pickup, etc.? Counties do. Did you know that more people live in unincorporated Salt Lake County than in Salt Lake City?

Morally wrong? | 7:52 a.m. Sept. 30, 2007

Personally I don't see what is morally wrong about the whole situation. Ruby's Inn burnt completely to the ground about 20 years ago and they had to start from scratch. Now they can afford to have a fire station right there.
Also, the Syretts are far from greedy people. I used to work for them and live in the area and personally know many things that they have done for the community and people living there. They helped finance portions of the new high school and the parking lot and donate money for many causes.
It just sounds like to me that the county leadership is bitter. The fact is that Garfield county has benefited for years off the backs of these people. Now the people of Bryce Canyon city can start to benefit a little from their decades of hard work. Good for them.

Crossroads | 8:30 a.m. Sept. 30, 2007

This IS about money, and a selfish lack of civic-mindedness. I am determined to never drop another dime at Ruby's Inn. When I visit Garfield County, I will visit what I consider more deserving businesses.

Barbie45 | 9:11 a.m. Sept. 30, 2007

Good for Ruby's! I love the Bryce Canyon area. Sounds like sour grapes from the county commissioner's to me.

Congratulations | 10:58 a.m. Sept. 30, 2007

Best of luck to the new town. Generally, the more local the control of money, the better life is for everyone. The county's response was predictable; the loss of power is always a bitter pill. Other county commissioners would do well to treat people better or risk alienating them like they did to Ruby's Inn.

John | 11:16 a.m. Sept. 30, 2007

Work hard, provide what people want, control your own destiny.

Way to go Ruby's!

Ray D. | 11:21 a.m. Sept. 30, 2007

It isn't morally right for the county to collect taxes from the operation, but give almost nothing back. The residents of Garfield county are finding out exactly how much Ruby's Inn has been subsidizing the rest of the county.

Only positive comments allowed | 11:27 a.m. Sept. 30, 2007

Now I see why the pro-Ruby's faction has such a majority here: my comment (containing nothing but personal experience and historical facts) was not posted.

Way to go, Deserted News!

BIG County Government | 4:33 p.m. Sept. 30, 2007

Garfield County's government is so much larger now than it was 15-20 years ago. I have lived here most my life and can see fiscal waste throughout our county. If the hospital is now profitable, why does the county still subsidize it? The new expansion of the hospital comes from operating in the black! Cut out the subsidy and you will make up the $150,000 (Not $300-$500K) Ruby's will take out of the county. If you ask the county Clerk, Moore, they do not really know how much the county will lose. Also, don't buy new trucks every year. Try to get a couple of more years out of the vehicles. Commissioners Dodds, Ramsay, and LeFevre, try practicing some fiscal restraint, and cut out the FAT! Budgets can be controlled two ways, raise income, which is what you are proposing through additional taxes; the second is by cutting expenses, you have never explored this option.

Split the county! | 7:46 p.m. Sept. 30, 2007

Garfield County covers a large geographic area, yet has less than 5,000 residents.

The impact of providing county services to unincorporated areas (or those without their own services) is amazing. It's easy to sit here and complain about taxes.....unless you are involved in the day-to-day operation.

Ruby's Inn doesn't even improve ITSELF (old, dowdy rooms, dingy and worn-out buildings, bad pavement and cement). The only time they improved was when the lodge (nothing else) burned down...but last time we were there, it had ugly plywood kiosks obliterating whatever style the lodge had when new.

Nothing prevented Syrett from putting paved roads (WHAT WE WOULD CALL DRIVEWAYS!!!!) to their homes; now they'll be able to name them streets and be eligible for taxpayer subsidies.

If I were a competing business, I wouldn't want to be under their thumb, either.

This IS all about money!

Charles H | 8:29 p.m. Sept. 30, 2007

Sounds to me like the county got what was coming. If they want to such taxes out of Ruby's but not provide services, then they should not be surprised when the locals decide to form their own town and keep more of their tax revenue.

This type of self-determination is one of the best things that could happen to the State. Whether it is a small section of a county forming its own city or a minority section of school district deciding to start their own school district, the message is clear: Large entities, be equitable or expect see portions of your kingdom revolting and forming their own local governments.

As an old engineer once told us, "The easiest way to avoid union trouble is to treat employees fairly so they have no reason to unionize in the first place."

Money isn't everything | 8:52 p.m. Sept. 30, 2007

I am sure the bottom line about Ruby's Inn becoming a city is greed...I know the family very well. The third and fourth generation will distroy Ruby's with their "holier than thou" attitudes. Their customer service is poor and faculities are dirty. Money alone cannot buy better service. I have heard a Syrett family member say this about tourist: "it really doesn't matter how we treat our guest...we will probably never see them again"

Larry | 9:17 p.m. Sept. 30, 2007

To those citizens in other cities and the unicorporated areas of Garfield County, tourists who visit Bryce Canyon benefit from the services of the county and other cities not just the services of Ruby City. Now,however, Ruby City will keep the sales tax revenue paid by those tourists to benefit Ruby city exclusivley. To make up for that lost revuene your property taxes will increase. County Commissioners were elected to represent the interests of all citizens in the county not just Ruby's Inn or what is now Ruby City. Therefore, they correclty denied the new incorporation until the legislature tied their hands. When you write out your property tax check in November thank the legislature and Mr. Syrett. He is laughing all the way to the bank, with a new driveway you paid for I might add.

Concerned Citizen | 9:39 p.m. Sept. 30, 2007

Out of interest in this story, would the two commissioners, Dodds and Ramsay reply to this article and tell how many of their immediate family they have put either on the county payroll or State payroll. It would be very interesting. Nepotism at the highest.

Just a thought | 10:00 p.m. Sept. 30, 2007

I stayed at Ruby's Inn, and the only thing is that I prefer a more upscale hotel. I think that someone would be smart to open one in that area.

Employee of Ruby's Inn. | 10:27 p.m. Sept. 30, 2007

This is directed to the comment titled "Split The County". How can you say Ruby's has never improved their business. The parking lot around the lodge was repaved not even 10 years ago and is better pavement on most city streets. They have built their own sewer lagoon, their own water system, paid to have a 5 lane highway in front of the Lodge to accommodate the traffic. They are constantly sinking money back into the company. Have you stayed in surrounding businesses, have you seen their parking lots, have you been on the streets of the nearby towns? You obviously have no clue and no place even commenting on this board. You are a straight up TROLL. Ruby's goes out of their way to help people.

County resident | 10:32 p.m. Sept. 30, 2007

Those sitting in high places of Government directing taxes that come from private business and sinking it into Panguitch that has no ability to attract anything. Triple C Arena, good for high school rodeo and nothing else was probably paid for out of Ruby's tax money. It doesn nothing for the rest of the county. The county has done nothing to help Tropic, Cannonville or Henrieville, or any place off of highway 89.

A thought about Dodds. | 10:39 p.m. Sept. 30, 2007

Just out of curiosity, what would happen say Ruby's burned down and didnï¿½t get running for a year and no taxes showed up for the county? Would they blame Rubyï¿½s and expect them to pay them anyway? Better yet, would Dodds call it morally wrong and accuse Rubyï¿½s of being greedy. Lets hear his answer. I bet he wouldnï¿½t have a reply. The county commissioners should have always had a back up plan.

Greedy County | 11:03 p.m. Sept. 30, 2007

It sounds like the county has been living high off the hog on the industry of Ruby's Inn. If a group of people find their services to be inadequate, they can incorporate to take matters into their own hands. Why would the county ever build Ruby's Inn a road if they have the "funds" to do so themselves...it's obvious they haven't been doing so if they are going to lose a bunch of money from this incorporation. $50 to $70 bucks a year on a property...wow, a big hit to the coffers...maybe you should count it in pennies to make it sound higher. It sounds like the county commissioners are just mad they can no longer put their big thumb over a good man.

All Good People | 2:20 p.m. Oct. 1, 2007

I know all of the County Commissioners personally, and all of the Syretts personally, and they are all good people. They are all committed to family, community, and religion. If you are familiar with small-town-Utah-basketball, nobody likes to lose. Inter-county rivalries are legendary and are alive and well today. Bryce Valley won, and Panguitch hates that. It isn't about greed, all of these people are good people. I think everyone wants to control their own destiny. Ruby's Inn, and the residents of Bryce Canyon City, can do that now. The County has to adjust and move forward. I am confident that these good people will work together and improve the services in Garfield County. In the near future, we will look back and realize that this is change and change is GOOD!

Former Resident | 4:36 p.m. Oct. 1, 2007

As a former resident of the Bryce Canyon area, I have seen the way people treat Ruby's Inn and the Syrett's. Most people either work there or have worked there in the past, or have family members who have worked there, and everyone is willing to TAKE from Ruby's Inn. The County Commissioners are no different. The county was unwilling to take Ruby's Inn seriously, so Ruby's Inn was forced to take drastic measures. The county pumps money into the Triple C Arena, a pitiful excuse to try and get people to come to Panguitch. Be realistic! People come to Garfield County to visit Bryce Canyon and the other state parks and outdoor areas. Tourists want to see nice things close to the park, not a big, stinky rodeo arena!
As to the negative tone to the aritcle towards the Syrett's and the whiny quotes from Mr. Dodds: Sounds like someone is a sore loser, who got burned by not being an effective county commissioner. I also know all of the Syrett's, and would like to thank Rod for being the one who is taking all of this ridiculous criticism.

Living in the town | 1:14 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

All we ever here is No No No and it got old, we took matters into our own hands wouldn't you do the same?

Living in the Town, | 2:43 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

Let me tell you as a resident of Bryce Canyon City and a member of the Syrett Family at no point were we in it for money for our business. Its a common fact that we produce more than 50% of the TRT tax but we were more interested in getting a little help from the county not for us but for the people that live in our area. Let me ask you this how would you like to be told no you can't have roads, fire station, or any of the benefits that come with living in a town or city? Stand in our shoes before you say it was greed, we donated to the High School, the Hospital, if some dies we provide rooms free of charge to the people. they wouldn't even help us with matching funds for the new years party.

Danny Britt | 9:07 p.m. Oct. 2, 2007

You know, I have sit back these past few months and listen to alot of people whine and cry over the fact that the Syrett family was able to get Ruby's Inn incorporated as a city.I'm not a family member but I have worked at Ruby's for nearly 8 years,being from Indiana I guess I'm not on top of all the back-biting, name calling' and dilike people have for the Syrett family.I'm just a Hoosier redneck but to me it all seems to revolve around pure jealousy.Old Ruby founded the place,taught his children to work hard,they in turn taught their children and the place is what it is today.They busted their rears and they deserve what they have,and it seems everybody's mad because they can't stick their hand out any more and have it lined with money the Syrett's have earned. But there is one thing I take offense at,and that is anyone calling them greedy.The Syrett family have helped employees with housing,money and anything else one can think of.I have seen things given to some employees to help them out knowing full well they would never see it again.Once again,they earned what they have.

Anonymous | 7:24 p.m. Oct. 4, 2007

To Mr. Dodds: I sat in the commission meeting when you begrudgingly approved the town and all kept quiet when you asked for comments. Then you went on with your own comments on how we were selfish this and selfish that and that you hoped it came back to bite us. When I raised my hand to comment you very bluntly said it was not time for our comments. Well maybe the time is now. What I would like to know Mr. Commissioner is why it is so selfish for me to want a paved road to my house and a few other things a town provides when you yourself enjoy these things and I'm sure do not consider yourself selfish?

Marysvale | 12:52 p.m. Oct. 8, 2007

True greed is getting something you didn't earn, and then crying foul when it is taken way.

The people of Bryce Canyon City have BY LAW the right to do what they did. So BY LAW it is not greedy, nor is it immoral Mr. Dodds. The law was created specifically to address the problem you created for yourself. You can't tax people and not give them the basic services they need.

Perhaps if you had managed to put a few dollars back into the area in the form of a fire station or paved road this would not have ever happened.

So I suppose it was Greed that drove the decision, but I do not think it was the greed of the people of Bryce Canyon City.

Congratulations Bryce Canyon City, too bad you can't be your own county as well.

As for Garfield County, I think you need to elect some new (smarter) representatives.

Anonymous | 11:54 a.m. Oct. 17, 2007

Real bad idea to enrich the rich | 1:01 a.m. Sept. 30, 2007
What's next? Lagoon a town?

Lagoon is in a town and benifit from it

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