SMITHFIELD — Mayor Darrel G. Simmons and the City Council declared the month of April to be Child Abuse Prevention Month at a council meeting Mar. 23.

“As the mayor of Smithfield city, I’m pleased to read the proclamation, making April Child Abuse Prevention Month,” Simmons said. “Smithfield city’s greatest asset is our children, for now and for the future. Whereas all children deserve to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment to ensure they reach their full potential. Proclaiming whereas child abuse is a serious and growing problem effecting millions of our nation’s children and thousands of children in Utah annually.”

Rigo Chaparro, a member of the board of the Child and Family Support Center and a Smithfield resident said, “We just want to help strengthen families in our area from abuse and help protect the children in our community.”

The mayor said, "It is important for citizens of Smithfield to become more aware of child abuse and the critical need for prevention within the respected neighborhoods and community. Decreasing the occurrence of child abuse relies upon the efforts of every individual in order to make a positive, substantial impact upon the children of today, who will become the leaders of tomorrow.

“I support child abuse prevention efforts and education,” said Simmons.

Later in the meeting the council discussed possible flooding issues throughout the state but turned their focus to Smithfield city.

In 1983-84 there was severe flooding on Summit Creek. “Our snow pack and our water content is well above those years,” said City Manager James P. Gass.

“The forecast is supposed to be cooler than normal and wetter than normal,” said Gass.

The Emergency Management Committee met to discuss the situation and the best plan of attack. Gary Roberts will be putting together a plan involving sandbags. The Boy Scouts have an activity coming up that involves filling up sandbags and the city will be contacting LDS wards for more support.

Published in cooperation with the Hard News Cafe. Original story is here.