While the focus in Provo City govemment is now on new Mayor James E. Ferguson and new Commissioner Anagene Meecham, several hundred citizens tumed out recently to extend thanks and good wishes to the outgoing city officials at an open house in their honor. ‘The retiring mayor, Russell D. Grange, served four years in the mayoralty post and two gears as a city commissioner. . Odell Miner, the retiring city commissioner, served a four-year term. The two served with holdover Commissioner J. Earl Wlgnall the last two years and with Wayne Hillier prior to that. While everything wasn’t always smooth sailing and some controversial decisions had to be made (nothing new in cilt/Y administration), we feel ayor Grange and Commissioner Miner and their co-workers can take considerable pride in their accomplishments. A list of the major ones might include the following: – Holding the city’s levy on property taxes to approximately a one-mill increase in the last six years, according to administration figures. (The Provo levy is only part of the over-all composite progerty tax levy that also includes e county, school district, and water conservancy district.) – Rejuvenation of downtown Provo to enhance shopping gleasure and protect the sales tax ase, City sales tax revenues gained from $700,000 to $1,700,000 in six years – a healthy boost even with the raise in rate from a half-cent to three-quarters of a cent two years ago. – Better control of parking problems by tightening requirements that land lords provide offstreet parking. – A 517.5 million sewage treatment project now about 85 percent completed. EPA allocated $15 million, with voters approving a sewer tax increase for the local share. – Construction of a 60-unit housing project for low income elderly, with all funds furnished by the federal government. – Accelerated development of two industrial parks which now produce 1300 jobs and $30 million annual volume, according to city estimates. – A $300,000 water and sewer project at the airport, with work scheduled next spring. – An effort to make government convenient for the people by taking city commission meetings into the neighborhoods every other Tuesday for a year. – Significant improvements in the waste removal system. – Acquisition of 27 acres along Provo River in the Camelot area for public park use. – Construction of a new $1 million indoor swimming pool and handball complex adjacent to Provo High School in partnership with the chool District. The old administration, of course, guided the proposed Provo Plaza Hotel project to the point where city officials Thursday signed an agreement with developers designed to bring the project to fruition. The administration coo erated in the proposal to deverop the Heritage Mountain ski resort and cultural village, and set up guidelines and restrictions that must be followed. The prolject was the center of considera le controversy during the election campaign last fall. (The Provo Planning Commission Thursday approved annexation intorthe city of 6,800 acres of land in the east mountains. The matter now goes to the city commission for consideration this week.) Ex-Mayor Grange noted at the reception in his and Mr. Miner’s honor that Provo is a “city of destiny.” We agree – and take this opportunity to commend the outgoing officials for their role in guiding the city’s progress, at the same time extending best wishes to the new administration.