Out of a sense of sheer civic obligation to our gentle readers, I'm continuing to follow John Wright's latest series of articles, profiling our 2005 Ogden city council candidates.
These articles are about as thin on facts as any you'll find, and they are certainly not the kind of information intelligent voters could rely upon to make an well-reasoned choice in this very important upcoming election; but you can read yesterday's article on the At-Large B race here, and today's article, on the At-large A race, here. This is not meant as a knock on John Wright. He's done about as well as any able reporter could, in distinguishing the competing candidates one from another, given the limited column space he's been afforded.
I've added these articles to the sidebar for your future reference, and will do the same tomorrow, upon publication of the anticipated final article.
If you have any questions or comments about any of the council candidates, feel free to offer them here.
And don't forget to check out the rest of the election information in our data-rich sidebar. Weber County Forum is by far the most complete information source for the 2005 Ogden council race, if I do say so myself.
Update 11/4/05 7:12 a.m. MT: This morning's John Wright article, profiling the candidates in Ogden's Ward 1 city council race, has been added to the sidebar.
Update 11/4/05 9:32 a.m. MT: For an excellemt summary of what the Ogden city council race is really all about, check out this morning's Salt Lake Tribune article, by Kristen Moulton.
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12 comments:
I wuz reading the articles, and it finally sank in my brain.
The choice is fairly simple.
If you like the little mayor, and everything he's "done," you should hold your nose, vote for the gang of six, and keep your fingers crossed while he rolls the dice. It's not like the little mayor is gambling. It's just that he's betting the whole farm on the Gold's and fatcats dorks.
What's wrong with playing powerball with the grocery money? I do it all the time. How about you?
I was just looking over your candidate information stuff. It's really very good.
I notice that the dentist's wife, councilwoman Burdett, got her B.S. degree at BYU.....in home economics...of all studies.
Gee whiz. I didn't know REAL COLLEGES still had that major.
That information ain't exactly reassuring.
She's a lousy councilperson......
But I'll bet she can bake up a great batch of cookies.
Thank GOD we have her on the city council, with all her political expertise and BYU experience. Her main political achievement coming out of BYU is probably that she landed a rich dentist, but doesn't mean she's dumber than a brick fence.
I'll bet a political pro like her even has an original copy of one of Debbie Fields' original recipes.
You know how them Marman girls are, when they "network" and share there recipes.
Now you gotta agree......THAT's PRETTY FUNNY!
And we have a good ole gal like that, sitting right on the edge of her seat, and whishin she wuz just home, bakin cookies.
Elmer,
Playing off the gambling analogy, I think the situation is a lot like poker. There are some on this blog and Utmo’s who say the private sector wanted nothing to do with Ogden and so we have to force our own luck. They chastise folks who are opposed to the wreck center because it’s better than nothing. It’s like they drew their hand and got nothing, so instead of folding, they are going to force it and see if they will win anyway. Sometimes it’s best to just wait for the right opportunity to develop naturally, rather than betting your whole pot on the first draw.
I dispute that we couldn’t wait for the right opportunity. Just look at how long it has taken the administration to MAKE something happen, and they are still nowhere. At this rate, we probably could have had some better offers if we had just taken care of the city’s basic needs and welcomed the private sector.
As for education, I have been disappointed at the lack of education among both candidates and incumbents in this election. Of coarse, there are exceptions, but I would like to see more qualified individuals step up from the community and put their ideals on the line. Especially for the future Mayoral race. If we can't produce better candidates for that race than for the current one (myself included), we're in for more of the same futility.
What can you expect for applicants for a job that pays a lousey $8,400.yr anyways?
At least we have two college grads in the hunt -- Stephens with a business management degree from WSU, and Glasmann with a U of U degree in Psychology, I think.
Any change will be an improvement, I also think.
It's scary to have somebody like burdett making economic choices for all of us, when she took her college degree in kitchen lab and making cookies and puff pastry -- and finding a rich husband -- which is really the major major when women like Burdett enroll at BYU.
Somehow that doesn't exactly seem like the background we need for watchdogs on the Ogden city council.
I'm sure she can bake cookies real good, though.
I believe the Mayor does have a degree, and it apparently replaced any common sense with which he may have been born. In reviewing his past record of accomplishments since he became Mayor, I would rather he had common sense. He's a smooooth talker with big ideas, but no sense of reality. Almost all of the projects that he's taking credit for were started under Mayor Mecham's administration -- not Godfrey's. The only thing that I know that he was responsible for is bringing an aircraft manufacturer to Ogden. I know of 2,000 jobs in the aircraft arena that tried to come to Ogden when he first took office, and no one would even give them the time of day. The City has not actively courted businesses to come to Ogden, because the Mayor has tunnel vision and can see only his pet project on the mall site. As I've attended the "Meet the Candidates" forums, the tunnel vision disease apparently has been passed on to the two incumbents.
By the way, Vernon, have you attended any of those forums? That's what I thought.
You know the definition of insanity, don't you? "Repeatedly doing the same thing and expecting a different result." If you're happy with what's happening in Ogden, then vote for the current incumbents, Steve Larsen and Dori Mosher. But if you're hoping it's not too late to have a more feasible approach to developing downtown Ogden with the private sector taking their rightful place in rebuilding Ogden without pledging all of Ogden's assets for 25 years in a risky venture, then vote for Jesse Garcia, Doug Stephens, Bill Glasmann and Dorrene Jeske. If you're not happy with the slate of candidates and their credentials, why didn't you file and run for a Council Seat?
Even Dori Mosher, the Mayor's own hand-picked candidate, sez Ogden city is unfriendly to small business.
If she wuz running against somebdy else than Jesse, I might even be tempted to vote fer her.
Former candidate I agree we need more better candidates in the race not telemarketers!
To Elmer Fudd and Robbie:
Well, the election matters. And there is a lot at stake. And we could use some vigorous public discussion of candidates, issues and past performance. But your juvenile, school-yard sneering contributions do nothing to contribute to that debate. Burdette is an incombent. She has a record. Go after it if you wish. But the barely above middle-school smarmy jeering about what school she attended, her major, cookie-baking and recipe-sharing, and the profession of the man she married suggests to me that neither of you is in any position to criticize Burdette for lack of maturity, judgement or gravitas.
Approaching middle age as I am [now 62] I've been around a long time. I've seen folks with very impressive degrees from very good schools who lack the common sense God gave to an oyster and who possess the ethics of a mugger on their best days. People who I wouldn't let near a city councilman's seat on a bet. And I've seen others with unimpressive degrees from marginal institutions who were smart as a whip and twice as sensible, and whose word you could take to the bank. People who could happily represent me on the council any day of the week.
Got a problem with Burdette's record in office? Tell us about it. Explain why you don't like it. Explain why her opponent will, in your opinion, do a better job. But spare us, please, the smarm. Save it for your pals on the playground at recess tomorrow.
Not sure who you’re talking about Pappy, unless you think you’re talking about me. I’ve never worked a day in telemarketing, telesales, or sales of any kind--not that there's anything wrong with that. Nice try though. Maybe you had someone else in mind.
Hey, "Approaching," before you lecture people on what they may criticize, you might want to learn how to spell i-n-c-u-m-b-e-n-t!
Maybe there's a hint in there somewhere, huh!
Elmer, while I appreciate the the humor, I agree with the comments of middle age-
Some points of clarification taken from Ogden City Web Site -
"Mayor Matthew R. Godfrey -attended Weber County Schools. Bachelor of Arts, Finance Degree with a minor in Spanish and a Masters of Professional Accounting from Weber State University.
He has taught Quantitative Analysis, Business Calculus and Finance as an Adjunct Faculty member at WSU.
Donna Burdett is a member of the Utah League of Cities and Towns Board (ULCT). She also serves on the ULCT Legislative Policy Committee. Donna was also part of the Ogden City Planning Commission for 9 years, serving two years as Chairperson.
Donna graduated from Weber Jr. College with an Associates Degree in Science and Brigham Young University, graduating with a BS degree in Home Economics EDUCATION. She taught at Central Junior High School and at two high schools in California."
Kent Jorgenson and Jesse Garcia both have extensive employment experience listed.
From campaign literature,
Dori Mosher has a BA from Weber State in Political Science with minors in Chemistry and Psychology
I also agree with "Middle Age" that education does not always equate to common sense.
I am curious about the attack on Mrs. Burdett - At the debates she definitely seems to be more on top of it than Dorenne Jeske. While I admire the spirit and gumption of Mrs. Jeske - what would she do if not a Rec Center? Are we prepared to spend just as much for a Smithsonian Museum that may present the same gamble? Wasn't the Outlet Mall idea presented before the demolition of the Ogden City Mall with no-takers? I am not trying to slam Mrs. Jeske as Mrs. Burdett has been on the above posts, but come on - What is she bringing to the table other than an attitude of I will vote no on anything the mayor proposes? (which I realize on this site is usually considered a good thing! *evil grin*)
As for the whole home ec jabs - Burdett has a degree in education and has taught in the inner city of Ogden - I think it is important to have someone from a teaching background to represent the needs of our schools and youth.
I am still willing to look at Jeske as a viable candidate but please give me something to base this decision on besides Burdett slams.
TIGRESSLOVER--
Look at the voting records.
Burdett voted for the use of eminent domain to seize private property to give to Wal-mart with a $2.2 million subsidy.
Burdett voted to hire a $45,000 lobbyist to overturn Senate Bill 184,passed in March, eliminating the use of eminent domain to give private property to other private parties for economic development.
Burdett voted to give all the remaining BDO tax increment to help finance the Rec Center after having already agreed to pledge the tax increment to the obligation Ogden will have to upgrade the Central Weber Sewer District which is estimated to be $70 million.
Burdett voted for a financial deal for the Rec Center, which doesn't make financial sense, with an interest rate of up to 12% for 25 years.
Forget worrying about college degrees and look at how she has voted against constitutional rights.
If you are still not convinced look at the records of City Council meetings for the last 2 years.
You will find that she and Jorgenson are cut from the same cloth when it comes to voting for citizens' rights.
Apparently no one has seen Jeske's brochure. She was elected to the Ogden Board of Education and served for four years. She attended Weber Jr. College on a scholarship and majored in business.
She was the one who after learning that the State Correction Department planned to enlarge the 40-bed half-way house located in an old motel on Washington at 9th St. to a 150 bed half-way house, mobilized her PTA board and some of the community who fought the City and the State. Gillespie who was over the State Corrections Dept., told Mrs. Jeske that she was wasting her time because it was all cast in concrete -- nothing she did would change it. She wrote a letter to Governor Bangerter who halted any action at the Washington and 9th St. site for 60 days to give Ogden the time to find a more suitable site. The new half-way house is now located next to I-15 in West Ogden. Dorrene cares about Ogden and the people of Ogden. When she was on the school board, she listened to the employees and the residents of Ogden. She took their problems to the other board members and resolutions were found.
Dorrene has been involved in Scouting since 1970 and has been awarded the Award of Merit and the prestigious Silver Beaver Award. She took Wood Badge Leadership training which is intensive training in leadership skills equal to a college course. She used those skills on the Boy Scout Council to fulfill all the ticket items and earn her wood badge beads. She also served in P.T.A. for 31 years, serving as president of an elementary school, a junior high school and the Ben Lomond Council which oversees all the schools that feed into Ben Lomond.
She organized a C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) in her area in 1996 which is still active and growing. She is a member of the Weber County CERT Council, and is the CERT Volunteer Coordinator for Ogden City.
Dorrene has served in a public office and is aware of the way administrators work in order to get the results they want, and will not be easily deceived. She is open-minded and has foresight which are attributes needed by any elected official, but so few have.
I called and talked with her and found her quite knowledgeable. She feels that whatever is put on the old mall site needs to be done with old turn-of-the-century architure as Historic 25th St. has been done. That will add a nostalgic air to downtown as well as bring movie companies to film TV shows and movies. It will give Ogden a quaint atmosphere that will have people bringing visitors to downtown Ogden to shop and eat. She prefers putting outlet stores on the site, but if that isn't feasible, then other retail stores that are unique as many of the stores on 25th St. are. She mentioned with the apartments behind the Temple, there should be a grocery store and a drugstore somewhere on the mall site. She also said that she is for selling the land that the Church of the Good Shepherd wants to them. The Church is old and beautiful and with gardens surrounding it, it would enhance whatever is built on the mall site.
She mentioned that if she is elected she will ask the Council to review all its ordinances starting with the ones that deal with businesses in Ogden, and revise them to make it easier to do business in Ogden so we're not continually losing retail businesses to Riverdale and Layton. She wants to review the ordinances that affect the residents and make them friendly so the City doesn't make people feel that Ogden has been transplanted to somewhere in Russia. She seems to have a lot of common sense and a heart to go with it. I'm going to vote for her. I think it will be refreshing to have Jeske, Glasmann, Wicks, Garcia and hopefully Stephens on the Council! Maybe we'll see some realistic progress in Ogden -- not pie-in-the-schemes that bond the taxpayers for 25 years or more.
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