City officials will have to use some horse sense to resolve an equine-related problem. The issue is not at the Blackhawk Arena where equestrian events are held, but in the city where shades of the Old West remain.
A proposed ordinance would ultimately ban all livestock from within the city limits.More than 200 residents attended zoning meetings recently to voice their opinions. Mayor Grant Stubbs estimates nearly one-third of the city's families were represented at one meeting.
Old city ordinances revised in 1969 state it is unlawful for a person to have more than five horses, two head of cattle, five sheep, two goats or two pigs over 6 months old. Then in 1973, the zoning commission approved an ordinance making it unlawful to keep livestock in any area zoned residential or commercial.
But under the new proposed ordinance, no horses or any livestock could be kept within the city after the year 2003. Livestock would continue to be allowed at current numbers only until property ownership changes and wouldn't be allowed at all if animals haven't been kept on the property for the past year.
Some residents, like Michael Jorgensen, believe allowing horses within city limits improves the economy. This was further supported in a study conducted by Brigham Young University.
Kim Sorensen, who lives in a neighborhood where horses are kept on seven properties, said, "We aren't that big that we have to say we're big city." Dana Shaw contends horses have helped her children accept responsibility and realize a sense of accomplishment.
Then there are those like Bobbe Mcghie-Allen who say they moved to Salina because they could have horses and livestock on their properties.
Even students at North Sevier Middle School have become involved by conducting their own survey. Angela Enno told the City Council that 90 percent of the 245 adult residents in the survey prefer to see animals retained in the city. That left only 10 percent in opposition.
The council decided to form a committee to work with the zoning commission in helping to resolve the problem.