By Terry Schrimscher
Springville — Police Chief Wayne Walton promoted Springville Officer Kevin Thompson to the rank of corporal, Monday night, March 18. Walton made the presentation in an award ceremony during the 5:30 p.m. work session prior to the regular meeting of the Springville City Council.
The promotion was put into effect on March 11 but the formal ceremony before the Council was delayed in order to have the Mayor and Council present.
During the regular meeting, the Council presented a video created in response to the opioid crisis. The video, produced by Asa Sargent, was shown at Springville High School in cooperation with the Life Light Project.
According to the Life Light Project website, the organization promotes The Life Light Project is opioid awareness and education by hosting an electric festival themed DJ/ dance party. Parts of the Springville video were filmed at a Life Light party at Springville High School.
“We basically demonstrated that you can have a good time, in fact you can blow the roof off, without risking—literally gambling—with your life with opioids,” said Mayor Dave Thomas after the video presentation.
Thomas said he and some of the teachers walked around during the dance and selected random students to leave the dance floor. He explained the symbolism behind selecting different students to leave the party.
“We explained later that those were the victims of overdose and death,” Thomas said. “They’re no longer at the party. You don’t get to see their faces nor them yours.”
To learn more about the Life Light Project, or to view the Springville video collaboration, visit lifelightproject.com. The video can also be viewed on the City of Springville Facebook page.
In other business, the Council approved the following:
- Added the task of exit interviews for employees leaving city employment
- An agreement for entertainment services for a planned music festival
- Added updates to the city’s cell phone policy
- $14,000 for the purchase of a used service truck
The next meeting of the Springville City Council will be held at 6 p.m. on April 1 with a work session at 5:30 p.m. prior to the meeting.