Due to a recent change in Utah law, a motel just outside Bryce Canyon named Ruby’s Inn has just become a town. It’s been in all the local papers and has even hit the national comedy circuit.

The new “town” has 138 proud citizens. With laws like this, there are polygamist families that could incorporate as a town.

The only business in this new town is the motel. The new mayor is the co-owner and grandson of the pioneer founder of the business, Rod Syrett. At least he’s got a sense of humor about it, joking that the “citizens” elected him mayor to get even with him and suggesting that “his” town … I think it’s fair to say that it’s his town … might become a sister city with Stephen Colbert’s TV show.

The problem is that in sparsely populated southern Utah, taking one of the few businesses making money out of the tax base could very well beggar the rest of Garfield County. County commissioners have predicted that the County will have to raise taxes by 75% to make up the difference. And a lot of that money that will be paid by the few motels in Garfield County that aren’t incorporated as a town.

It won’t do the rest of us any good either. The new Bryce Canyon City could also impose a 1 percent resort tax, now that Mayor Rod makes the rules. Between the two, Mayor Rod could be looking at as much as a cool million dollars a year that he didn’t have before.

Did you say, “That Bryce Canyon City didn’t have before, not Mayor Rod.”

Remember, Ruby’s Inn is the only business in Bryce Canyon City. In addition to looking after the welfare of his citizens, Mayor Rod can fire any one of ‘em when it pleases him. No Chicago ward boss ever had so much power.

A Garfield County Commissioner was quoted as saying, “I think down the road they’re going to put some hotels and motels out of business.”

So, if you’re planning on a trip to Bryce Canyon National Park, you can have any color you want, as long as it’s Ruby.