Our View: A few kudos to Green River

It’s easy for us to, week after week, find something to complain about.

An ill-advised move by a governing body or an issue that has been overly debated.

It’s also easy for us to look at something, decide it can be done better and write about that. However, it isn’t often we praise something.

There are a few things in Green River worthy of praise. We think the city’s action on reworking its minor in possession of tobacco law is a good move. One of the largest issues schools across the nation have dealt with is the proliferation of discrete electronic vaporizers. Students carried them openly as they looked like USB thumb drives -- which resulted in some school districts going as far to ban students from carrying thumb drives. It isn’t surprising the schools’ student resource officers and police department recognize vaping as a problem to address.

The changes will do a lot to recognize different methods available to teens and provides penalties for those caught distributing nicotine-containing products to minors. We can only hope the ordinance, when it becomes law, will help curb teen use of vaporizers.

Another thing we believe should get some recognition is the improvements Jeff Stout is making to the Hitching Post restaurant. Anyone driving underneath the overpass on Flaming Gorge Way can see the progress made on the restaurant. A stylish wooden facade has quickly replaced the original exterior and has done a lot to improve the look of that important portion of town.

Green River’s URA/Main Street organization provides grants for businesses to improve the appearance of their buildings. Work at the Hitching Post illustrates how important that facade grant can help improve the look of Downtown Green River.

We would like to see more building owners take advantage of this grant to beautify the drive along Flaming Gorge Way.

Great things are happening in Green River and we’re happy to shine a light on them.

An improved ordinance shows the city’s police department and prosecuting attorney are serious about curbing a national issue also prevalent locally. A new facade on an old building does wonders for not only the appearance of that building, but for that portion of the city. A group of people building beds for others in our community.

We’re looking forward to seeing more positive changes in our community and hope others get on board.