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The sounds of Scotland
Music teacher talks bagpipes with council

Williams music teacher Scott Grimes presented the idea for a Williams bagpipe band to members of the Williams City Council during their regular meeting April 12 and asked for the city's financial support with the musical venture. Grimes, who formed the popular Fifth Regimental Cavalry Band, hopes to repeat that success with his new endeavor by offering locals a taste of Scottish music. Grimes said the band members would play bagpipes while dressed in traditional Scottish attire at various Williams locations.

"With regards to bagpipes, that's kind of an unusual instrument, but if you think about it, I don't know of another small town that's got a bagpipe band," said Grimes, who recently attended a chamber mixer held at the Elk Ridge Ski Resort dressed in a kilt to attract attention to the idea of a local bagpipe band.

"The first time I ever wore a kilt was that night," Grimes said.

Plans for a Williams bagpipe band would include dressing band members in similar attire, which will include a Scottish hat, kilt and other accouterments.

"It would be a very sharp looking group. All the music is memorized. In fact, these kids and myself are working to get these memorized. I think it would be very unique for Williams," said Grimes. "I think it would be a different attraction that no other town has. It's an instrument that's very beautiful, very haunting at times. We have the Scottish games in Flagstaff, if you have attended that; there are thousands of people that come up just for that. We have students that are very interested."

Grimes said the startup cost for a local bagpipe band would run in the neighborhood of $5,500, which would cover the costs of the Scottish uniforms for the group as well. He said initial plans call for one weekly performance to begin with, but added that may change depending on interest. One idea for a name, Grimes said, might be "the Fifth Regimental Pipers."

"It would certainly be something unique that no other small town has," Grimes said.

The band could begin playing as early as this summer, said Grimes, though he said it depended on a number of variables, such as financial support.

"Just on the basis of what you've brought to the community with the (Cavalry) band, I would support the bagpipes," Councilman Dr. Jim Wurgler told council during the April 12 meeting.

Other council matters

Liquor licenses came before members of the Williams City Council April 12. A license for Saleem Saya at Bell Gas Station was approved by council, as was a license for Rulon Taylor of Xanterra ‹ to be used for Max and Thelma's, Spencer's, the Railway Commissary, the Grand Canyon Railway RV Park Store and on the train itself.

The vacation of a public right-of-way also came under question during the April 12 meeting, though council tabled the matter due to a lack of information regarding emergency vehicle access. The right-of-way, located on south Seventh Street south of Oak Avenue, consists of 8,210 square feet.

Escalante Phase 2A took a big step toward completion after council approved the subdivision's final plat during their regular meeting. Escalante Phase 2A consists of 10 lots. An additional 43 lots are scheduled for a later date, according to plans submitted to city officials.

Council granted approval to the preliminary plat for the Newton Street Condominium complex, which calls for the conversion of a 4-unit apartment building into a condominium complex. Assistant Williams City Planner Harry Holmes said plans for a second condominium, located at the Grand Canyon Inn, was also moving steadily forward.

"It might be our first condominium in Williams, it's a race between the two of them to be the first condos in Williams," said Holmes.

New Golf carts will make their way across the green, after council approved the purchase of 20 golf carts to be used at Elephant Rocks Golf Course for a total cost of close to $72,000.

The lease of a city-owned building to the Forest Service gained council approval as well. Officials with the city of Williams said the city stands to make $50,000 to $75,000 annual profit on the project after the first year. The offices, located at 800 South Sixth St., consist of 13,450 square feet of office and related space.


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