Heartaches are a-going to the inside.
My tears are holding back,
An' tryin' not to fall.
My heart's out of the running,
True love's scratched for another's sake.
The race is on and it looks like heartaches,
And the winner loses all.
-George Jones
The one-month filing period for the upcoming Ogden City council race started today. Four council seats are in play, as reports the Standard-Examiner this morning.
OGDEN -- The filing period begins today for those wishing to run for elected offices in cities throughout the Top of Utah.
The filing period precedes an Oct. 4 primary and Nov. 8 general election. It ends Aug. 15. Candidates can file at their local city or town offices.
Up for grabs in Ogden are two at-large seats held by Donna S. Burdett and Kent Jorgenson, as well as the Ward 1 seat occupied by Jesse M. Garcia and the Ward 3 seat belonging to Fasi M. Filiaga.
Burdett, Jorgenson and Garcia plan to seek another four-year term, while Filiaga will not run again because of health problems.
There hasn't been a time within my memory as a native Ogdenite when there's been so much community interest in local events and happenings as now. It's been less than four months since the local townsfolk were riled-up about eminent domain and the Wal-mart land-grab question; and it's my own perception that people remain pretty stirred-up on the issue even today, in the wake of the outrageous SCOTUS Kelo anti-private property decision.
The Ogden Rec Center council bonding vote also apparently comes up on July 26; and it seems certain that this will be a political lightning rod for council incumbents who will stand for election this coming November, regardless of the predictability of the lock-step outcome.
Most city council elections occur with nary a peep; but something tells me this election will be quite different. Seldom have day-to-day Ogden City politics been accompanied by such rancor and contentiousness as we have witnessed recently. The upcoming race will be very interesting, I think.
Who do you think will throw their hat into the ring this time around? Is there anyone in particular you readers would like to see enter the city council race? What head-to-head matchups would be particularly interesting to you? What candidates, if any, seem vulnerable to challengers? What will be the pivotal issues?
In the event that any of our gentle readers would like specific information as to how to enter their own horse in this horse-race, by the way, you can find procedural instructions online here.
If there are any other council races in any other Weber County cities or towns that may be of interest to any of you, please don't hesitate to chime in here. Although Weber County Forum discussions have recently focused on Ogden events and issues, I suspect there are important issues in other elections elsewhere in the county. Greater Weber County is what this forum is designed to be all about, after all. So if there are other local races and council seats that deserve discussion, this is the place to do it.
Comments anyone?
24 comments:
How about former councilwoman Mary Hall vs. Donna Burdett?
Mary's bright and experienced.
Does anybody know whether she could be lured back to give it another go?
If so, her election would be a slam dunk.
Donna Burdett is an interesting lady. At City Council meetings she at times, at times mind you, seems to really struggle with the issues and intent, wrestling whether to cast her vote against the mayor and his bunch or against them, thus voting for the good of the people. She actually seems in agony as the vote nears, having asked very probing and credible questions, and then comes the collapse and she votes the will of the mayor, not the will of the people.
Mary Hall would be an absolutely excellent choice to replace Ms. Burdett, but alas, it's doubtful if Ms. Hall wants another term battling with the Gang of 6.
Somebody else will have to fill some shoes, as we need to especially replace Vice-chair Jorgenson, and fill Filiaga's seat, with elected officials who will do what they have been elected to do, and that's to serve the people.
Amen on that serving the people part. The little lord mayor has been getting his way with this council to the great detriment of Ogden. He jams their packet of high volume high technical information into their hands 10 minutes before the council meetings and then expects them to vote for him and these outlandish proposals that cost the citizens tens of millions of dollars. The tragity is that Burdett, Jorgansen, Safsten, Filliaga and Stevenson ALWAYS vote for the mayors programs in spite of very often having very lttle or no information on the subject. Once again, these are projects that are pretty outlandish on the face of them, and they cost millions and millions of the publics money.
Think about it in November. Jorgenson and Burdett must go. They are only there rubber stamping the mayor's wild schemes. Whoever runs in Filliaga's seat should pass the RDA disease test before people get behind them. Garcia should definately be supported and voted for.
This madness that has gripped city hall for the last 4 or 5 years can and should be over thrown at the ballot box. Get the word out to every one you know in Ogden that they should register and vote! We can take back our city if we educate the public to what is really happening with this administration and council.
Now is the time - arize!
Remember Marshal White, the man who died for Ogden...
Bruce Edwards v. Kent Jorgenson would be a fun contest for Ogden City Citizens to watch.
Bruce Edwards is that guy who had those "Ogden - Dope Capital of Utah" signs hanging in the windows of his downtown properties for a while, and eventually won some kind of judgment in the courts, over Ogden City regarding their nazi-style sign ordinance.
Rumor has it that when Mr. Edwards was talking about "dope," it was the mayor and city council he had in his sights.
This would be an interesting contest.
Some people think Ogden City is a boring town. It wouldn't be that for the next next four months or so, if Bruce Edwards were to throw his hat into the ring.
Local rumor also has it that Bruce Edwards would own Ogden City, if he ever decided to enforce his judgment.
Does anybody here have Bruce Edwards' email address?
He's smart as a whip, and he has enogh dough, that serving on the Ogden City Coucil wouldn't put the same kind of strain upon him that seems to compromise five members of the current council
Here's what Judge Parley Baldwin said about Bruce Edwards's suit againt Ogden City:
"Ogden City v. Bruce Edwards and Bruce Edwards v. Ogden City
Free Speech:
Frustrated by his inability to resolve a series of disputes with Ogden City officials, Ogden resident Bruce Edwards resorted to a different form of petitioning for redress of his grievances: he posted signs expressing criticism of the city on several vacant buildings that he owns in the downtown area. As city officials and Edwards sought to work out their differences, in December 2001, the city council enacted an ordinance that provided in part that “a vacant building and the premises shall be kept free of all interior or exterior signs, displays or graffiti,” subject to limited exceptions.
Ogden City initiated a criminal prosecution against Edwards for violating the new ordinance, and in a rare move, initiated a civil action as well, seeking a court order requiring Edwards to remove his signs. On February 6, 2002 – one day before the Olympic torch was to go through Ogden – Ogden City argued that Edwards’ signs detracted from the city’s efforts “to present itself as a clean, safe, and desirous environment for parents to raise families and businesses to enjoy prosperity,” and Second District Court Judge Parley Baldwin granted a temporary restraining order.
On February 26, 2002, we filed an answer and counterclaim to the charges against Edwards in which we argued that the city has not demonstrated a compelling interest that would justify the restriction of Edwards’ core political speech on his private property. We maintained that because the ordinance prohibits legal conduct protected by the Constitution, including lawful speech on private property, it is facially over broad. And finally, we argued that as applied to Edwards, the ordinance is not content-neutral, since the city’s enforcement of the ordinance against Edwards reveals its intent to suppress a viewpoint with which the city disagrees. On April 5, 2002, we filed a memorandum in opposition to plaintiff’s motion for preliminary injunction and in support of motion for partial summary judgment and on May 14, 2002 we submitted our reply memorandum in support of motion for partial summary judgment.
In a move that underscores the ordinance’s over breadth and viewpoint-bias, Ogden City amended the law in July 2002 to allow a television crew to hang signs on vacant buildings for filming a WB series. Upon the discretion of the mayor, vacant buildings - including those owned by Edwards - were now available for the posting of viewpoints sanctioned by the city.
On October 1, 2003, Second District Judge Parley Baldwin ruled in favor of Edwards and overturned Ogden City’s ordinance. In his decision, Judge Baldwin stated, “The sweeping inclusion of the ban understandably would dismay the average American, who given this nation’s proudly proclaimed history of special respect for individual liberty and private property, would be surprised to learn that he could not display flags, religious symbols, political placards, or even bumper stickers from the windows of his vacant building.”
Link
I think the Bruce Edwards -vs- the time keeper Jorgansen would be the match of the decade! I would love to see Edwards debate Jorgansen! It would be like watching the lions take on the Gladiators! Talk about blood sport!! Edwards would chew him up and spit him in the crowds face. God I love politics!!!
Another guy thats been running off with the lip and pontificating about Ogden's problems is this Glasmann dude. He seems bright enough and has an interesting and colorful history. Does he have the balls to put his commitment where his silver spoon mouth is? I think he could box Burdett's ears for her. She has done nothing but rubber stamp every dumb ass desire that the mayor has.
We need some one with some common sense on the council. Some one who will make the mayor prove the validity and viability of all these grandeous schemes he seems to have an endless supply of.
Maybe this Glasman is the ticket, he seems to have some common sense to him and he aint half bad looking. I would hope that he would go easy on her if he did run. She is kind of matronly and I believe she means well, she just can't tell the mayor no. Bad trait for a council person in a town as troubled as Ogden that has a blindly ambitious mayor and council click that knows no limits with their out of control central planning arrogance and crazy unrealistic brain spasms.
Who else is out there that could and would do a good and honest job representing the citizens interests as opposed to the developers, bankers, lawyers and politicians?
I will support any one with my time and money that is bright, honest, hard working, willing to do the job elected to, and most of all is verifiably free of the dreaded RDA disease. This horrible malady is characterized by an oblivious belief in the commie concept of free money - via the RDA increment tax scam.
If you are out there, please step forward. You will have the support of more people than you can imagine.
Here's a little somwthing I'd like to see all the candidates sign:
An anti property seizure pladge
There's no way that ratty little Jorgenson guy could ever do that.
He's on record many times as supporting stealing people's property, and giving it to Wal-Mart "for the greater good."
I like Jorgenson and will most likely be voting for him. My vote will stand even more so if the opponent is somebody who posts signs that I would not want my children to be reading in the middle of the part of town where we most need to feel we can take our children.
Tell us, UTmorMAN...
WHY do you like Jorgenson?
Specifics would be good.
And if you have second thoughts about him...remember we're all Ogden friends and fellow citizens who are concened about our city.
I wanna see Stuart Reid run against Mayor Godfrey, but I guess we'll hafta wait two more years for that.
I've heard that theirs wasn't a happy parting, despite the press reports.
Ah, Utmorman, just when I think you've come to your senses, you go off the deep end. A vote for Jorgenson? Good gawd, man, what has that guy done except completely "rubber stamp" Godfrey's (of is it really Godfrey's father-in-law behind the scenes thinking this house of cards stuff up?) agenda. Comon, Utmorman, get it together. Hell, you don't even know who'se running and already you're voting for Jorgenson. You wearing blinders, or what. Let's see you put into practice all of this substantive perception your trying to display.
First off, let us review my comments. " I like Jorgenson and will MOST LIKELY be voting for him. I know that candidates have not been announced yet, and with that in mind, I will look at who runs against him. I was merely stating that I like the guy and would probably be voting for him. Especially if the opposing candidate is Mr. Edwards, as was talked about here.
In response to garmin, let me tell you why I like Mr. Jorgenson. It has to be noted, however, that I know that I am fresh to the whole political game and have limited experience. But I also know that my age has really prevented me from getting that experience earlier. Let's look at my reasoning:
1- One recent example was when Mr. Jorgenson answered questioning CBCOF members on why members of the city council did not attend their meeting at the Union Station (Llisten to his words here). Councilwoman Wicks agreed with him, but nobody else gave reasons. I admire him for answering questions from people that obviously are on the opposite side of the issue.
2- Last year, when there were those anti-wal-mart protests going on Wall Ave., I remember seeing a story on KSL about the event. Mr. Jorgenson appeared on TV from the middle of their protest and gave the other side of the argument. I admit that there could have been other council members and such there that day, but I SAW Mr. Jorgenson there among them fighting for his point of view. Whether or not you like the Wal-Mart project or not, you have to like somebody who will stand up for their position and go into the middle of the opposition to convince others of that position.
3- This example comes from today at the Farmer's Market. Mr. Jorgenson was the only person from the city present at the event. He had two chairs set up and had a sign that invited anybody to sit down with him and talk about any issues they wanted to. Specifically, he suggested that people could ask him about the mall project, the Wal-Mart Project, when the Cubbies will win a World Series, or when the world would end (I like a sense of humor also). I didn't see any other candidates, administration, council members, etc. there giving up his Saturday to sit with anybody and discuss issues with them. He was very willing to discuss things with me and answered all questions I had. Another reason I like him is that he has always been willing to do that over the past little while that I have been attending meetings and getting involved in the community.
These are just the reasons that come to me off of the top of my head. I'm not saying the guy is perfect, and I'm not saying that there won't be a better candidate than him in the election. However, since the topic was brought up in this forum, I simply felt that I would state my opinion for discussion sake.
We're certainly all agush about Councilman Jorgenson, aren't we. This the same guy who blatantly displays his little clock during Public Comments and watches it instead of listening to the speaker's message, waiting for the alarm to go off. And that's listening to his constituents? He doesn't care aboput what's being said; he's a simple clock-watcher, pal.
Today, at Farmer's Market, you'll notice that no other city gov't candidate was there. Or any candidate to be. Why? It smacks of campaigning, which is not in good taste because Jorgenson makes the appearance to be there to chaat and listen. This, like other political subtleties during a campaign season, are usually adhered to by those of character and understanding. Check it out with Safsten or any other member of the Gang of 6. See, Jorgenson even got to you, scmoozing you into thinking that here's a guy who'se really got the peoples' interest at heart. If that were the case, he wouldn't have campaigned on ABSOLUTELY I WON'T VOTE TO TEAR DOWN THE MALL, and then voted just the opposite in his first major vote. He's a bloody "Yes Man."
And how you, Mr. Utmorman, can possible deduce or infer that just because somebody was questioned as to his lack of attendance that the person asking the question was affiliated with the opposition is just plain foolish. It shows your complete lack of understanding and your naivete.
The WalMart protest was THIS year, not last year, and Jorgenson was nowhere near the protest. His remarks were canned and "cut" into the protest taping..
No wonder you'll blindly charge into the polling booth and vote for any and all members of the Gang of 6.
Ah, youth. What would we do without a few young ones to entertain us, though? Keep on posting, Utmorman, keep on posting.
Hey campaign watcher it is the youth that is going to change this city so we can raise our families here and send them to Ogden City Schools with out second thoughts. It is the old farts like you that have turned this palce into the laughing stock of the state, Finally the youth see something changing here theres a buzz, and you old farts don't get it because your head is so far in the sand you couln't pull it out if you wanted it out, which I'm not so sure you do. This place has been a dump my whole life, but we love it and want it to succeed I'm sick of friends leaving to SLC for work or out of state because we don'y have it yet, but if we get our way we'll have it all right inspite of ALL the old farts most of whom fart on this blog.
Cecil you want Glassman for council, another old fart to do what bring the railroad back.
I will be the first to admit to my youthfullness, which is exactly why I read every post here and elsewhere: so I can learn and get experience. So keep on teachin' me. I also partially agree with President on this one. There is definately a youthfull uprising in this town that is very energetic and passionate about the city. All one has to do is attend a Lift Ogden meeting to see a faction of that passionate youthfullness. Next, Jorgenson could very well have been campaining, but he has listened to me for much longer than just today. In fact, most of the members of the council have always listened to me and actually acted on what I have said a time or two. There's only a few that I have felt have not listened to me with open ears; but we will save that for another time.
Another thing, there were numerous people asking where the city council and administration were between the actual meeting and city council meeting. On my blog I actually have the audio of Mr. Glasmann asking where they were and saying that he is not affiliated with them. I knew exactly what I was writing.
Finally, the protests and subsequent KSL story I am talking about were around the time of the Ogden Arts Festival, which took place last fall (October 16 if I remember correctly); that, of course, not being in the year 2005. Thank you for your rebuttal. Keep on helping me to learn, and make sure your facts are stated correctly and you understand what I mean because you get absolutely hammered around this place if you don't (i.e. lindquist field debate).
When Kent Jorgenson first campaigned for his council seat, UTmorMAN, he pledged to the voters that HE WOULD NOT VOTE TO TEAR DOWN the recently acquired Ogden city mall.
His first day in his council seat, he voted to tear it down.
Many of us remember that, and will hold it against him next November.
My question for you, UTmorMAN, is how you can condone such mendacity, on the part of an Ogden City Councilman? The problem with people like Councilman Jorgenson is that they don't think Ogden citizens pay any attention to what they do.
Do you approve of politicians who make promises, and then renege?
And what about his consistent stance in favor of stealing citizens' properties and giving them to WalMart?
Surely you can't support him on that?
95% of Americans would send a politician like that packing.
You may be young, but I doubt you're stupid enough to support a big government incumbent like like Kent Jorgenson.
What if it were your home that was proposed to be taken?
Would you go along with it like a loyal lemming?
Get your head on straight, young man.
I was outside of the country during the last elections and had no idea that he had said that he would not vote to tear down the mall. I guess that can be a positive to places like this. We can share what went on because we all know that there is not enough dialogue in this city.
Just a word of caution to everybody here: many of the more popular people that will run this year will also support the Wal-Mart stuff. So be carefull with that, because you could be voting for people who do the exact same thing.
In talking about council members flip flopping, I don't support that either. When you mentioned that, another instance of that popped into my mind, and as soon as I can find the past SE article to show me that I am remembering correctly, I will pass that along.
Thanks for answering my question about your support for Councilman Jorgensen point by point, UTmorMAN. Here's my response
1) Your audio link seems to be broken, so I couldn't make out what Councilpersons Jorgensen and Wicks said. It's beside the point, anyway, since I personally couldn't care less whether public officials show up at partisan private events.Neither Mr. Jorgensen nor Ms. Wicks get extra points for answering questions from their political opponents, as far as I'm concerned. Nor do the councilpeople who failed to address the question. It's a non-issue. You should know that.
2) I don't care how many times Mr. Jorgensen repeats his position that it's okay to seize somebody's home or business for transfer to another private entity, the proposition still remains morally wrong on it's face. Would it be okay with you if the city took YOUR home and gave it to Walmart? Howbout your car? Would it be okay if the city summarily took it and gave it to Costco, because the city felt it would be more beneficial to the greater good? How about your liberty? Would it be okay if councilman Jorgensen impressed you into 10 hours/week forced labor, as a Sam's Club greeter, because it would benefit society in general?
It's all the same principal, UTmorMAN. Once you give the government the right to infringe upon your liberty or property for "the greater good," you've greased a slippery slope with no bottom in sight. Councilman Jorgensen can reiterate it til hell freezes, but it will still remain the same socialist lie.
3) Mr. Jorgensen's little campaign stunt at the farmers' market means nothing, AFAIC. It's blatent campaigning, and nothing more. The problem with Mr. Jorgensen is that he'll continue to believe it's okay to take somebody's house to build a WalMart, and you'll never change his mind on that. The telling thing is that you think it's special that he'll talk to you on the campaign stump.
The more telling thing is that he won't even pick up his telephone and talk to you, when he's hiding out at home. If you don't believe me about this, try it some time.
And one more thing. Being opposed to the theft of private property isn't the same as opposing WalMart. These are two differnt issues. I'd personally love to have a WalMart Superstore in town. i get sick of running out Riverdale road, or out to 12th street to buy a friggin' nut and a bolt. It would be great to have a WalMart within easy driving distance.
I just don't think that it's morally right that WalMart should arrive here, conditionally, upon seizing somebody else's private property, unlike councilman Jorgensen..
You seem like a morally straight fellow. I simply don't understand why you don't know in your heart of hearts that the whole concept is morally and ethically wrong, notwithstanding the repeated rationalizations of people like councilman Jorgensen, who say it's okay, because it serves "the greater good."
I appreciate your comments. My thought is that it is a good thing that we seemed to have revealed some of the real reasons that some don't support men like Jorgenson. It all seems to be coming back to Wal-Mart and eminent domain. If that is the reason, lets go ahead and state that and move on. If not, likewise tell me I am wrong again and we'll analyze a bit more. But again, remember, that if it is eminent domain that some of you don't support, then I'm telling you, make sure that the candidates you support don't support that idea. Of course, if Mr. Bramble continues on his path, then it won't matter anyway.
Don't get too far ahead of yourself, Utmorman. Sen. Bramble's hiatus bill on eminent domain is up for review in less than a year. The real tragedy of the WalMart thing was that the RDA wanted to take an individual's personal property through eminent domain, not givng the property owner the true market value of his property, and then give that property to a privatel owned corporation who would use the land to make a profit, while the former owner had to find another home to live in. How would you feel if it was you, or your mother and father, who were being disenfranchised by this bullshit? And to compound the whole thing, eminent domain, a necessary tool when used correctly, has been lost due to abuse.
Things will even out in the end, but the process has to be executed within the law and the boundaries of dignity.
Here's the guy who's been picking our pocket in North Ogden.
He certainly needs to go.
Lynn Muirbrook
He's a tyrant.
He makes Matt Godfrey look look like Mr. Rogers.
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