The lumpencitizens of Emerald City are treated to a virtual feast of red-meat political news in this morning's Standard-Examiner and Salt Lake Tribune. We hardly know where to start.
First on the menu we suppose, however, is this morning's Scott Schwebke story, wherein our suddenly Pulitzer Prize-material Ace Investigative Reporter relates the fireworks that occurred at last night's city council meeting:
OGDEN — Mayor Matthew Godfrey accused Ogden City Councilwoman Dorrene Jeske Tuesday night of trying to tarnish the administration’s reputation over a fiscal impact study for a gondola resort project.The article goes on in some detail; but there's one element that Scott Schwebke neglected to fully report: Bad Public Behavior by our two favorite local nitwit ski haberdashers. We got this via email just a few minutes ago, from an Emerald City citizen who attended last night's council meeting:
Godfrey questioned a comment Jeske made Monday to the Standard-Examiner in which she likened him to a “pot calling the kettle black.”
The comment was in reference to Godfrey taking the council to task for failing to give him advance notice about their concerns regarding the study.
Godfrey said in a letter to the council he is disappointed the concerns weren’t raised during a meeting he attended Thursday with the council’s leadership just an hour before the questions were released to the Standard-Examiner.
Jeske told the Standard-Examiner that Godfrey had no right to criticize the council because he didn’t inform them of the study’s existence after it was completed in November 2006.
Godfrey asked Jeske during the council meeting to clarify her comments to the newspaper.
The council wasn’t informed about the study because it told the administration it didn’t want piece-mealed information about the gondola project, Godfrey said [with a completely straight face.]
Therefore, Jeske shouldn’t accuse the administration of withholding information, Godfrey said. “You can’t have it both ways,” he told her. Jeske responded that Godfrey seems to have a track record of keeping the council in the dark on important projects.
“There have been several times since I’ve been on the council that we haven’t been given information,” she said. “The study started a year ago. We knew nothing about it.”
City Council Chairman Jesse Garcia interrupted Godfrey and Jeske telling them they would have to continue their discussion after the meeting.
They did [for a little while, at least.]
Tonight was “Beat on Councilmember Jeske night." Bobby Geiger got up during “Public Comments” and accused the Council of trying to prevent the City from moving forward. Councilwoman Wicks answered his comments and so did Councilmembers Garcia, Jeske and Stephenson – all of them stating that the Council did not go to the State to snitch about Godfrey's $900,000 American Can bait-and-switch.We could be wrong on this, but perhaps the Geiger boys need to take a little "structured" vacation time. Thorazine might be a useful medication at a nice palm-draped spa in the Caribbean. Father-son lobotomies perhaps? Mebbe these boys ought to find a "hobby" a little less stressful than politics.
Then the Mayor said that he had only one comment for Councilmember Jeske – he wanted to know why she would refer to him as “the pot calling the kettle
black." Jeske answered him the same way as she did to Schwebke. Godfrey started to retort, but Garcia cut him off and told him to talk about it later.
When the meeting was over, Curt Geiger came up to Jeske and tried to start an argument by telling her that she had a moral obligation [we are not making this up] -- to contradict or stop Sharon Beech from saying the mean things that she does on "The Blog" [WCF, we suppose.] Then the Mayor came over and picked up his old argument. This went on for 5 – 10 minutes, and by then Little Bobby had come over to join in. He and Curt started in again and got so loud that I thought Officer Gardiner was going to come over and break it up. So Jeske then just graciously walked away – she apparently didn’t want to put Gardiner in an awkward situation.
Next in order of importance, we guess, is a story probably a little more hum-drum, at least from the point of view of jaded Emerald City citizens who've grown accustomed to being mired in expensive and un-necessary lawsuits over the past seven years.
Boss Godfrey has predictably gotten us into another legal mess, according to this morning's second Ace Reporter Schwebke story:
OGDEN — Former Ogden Human Resource Manager Dean Martinez is suing three of the city’s top administrators, alleging racial discrimination contributed to hisSchwebke says Martinez's prayer for damages is unspecified. Kristen Moulton however informs us this morning that Mr. Martinez is suing for at least a cool $.5 million.
firing last year.
Defendants named in the 17-page lawsuit filed in 2nd District Court include the city, Chief Administrative Officer John Patterson, Management Services Director Mark Johnson, and City Attorney Gary Williams.
Martinez, who is black, alleges actions by Patterson, Johnson and Williams resulted in 10 offenses including defamation, infliction of emotional distress, free speech violations and wrongful termination.
Martinez is seeking reinstatement to his former position with the city and unspecified damages for lost wages and emotional distress and suffering. He contends in the lawsuit his annual salary of $63,136 was less than that paid to white managers who worked for the city with similar responsibilities.
And it's not that we haven't already had a heads-up on this. We warned about this probable consequence way back in December.
And what the hell! The 500 grand that Mr. Martinez seeks as compensation is mere chump-change to a big-shot like Boss Godfrey. The important thing is that Boss Godfrey proved why they call him "The Boss."
And why should Boss Godfrey worry about it anyway?
It's merely the taxpayers' money, afterall.
A Weber County Forum Tip O'the Hat to the very tenacious Dean Martinez for sticking to his guns.
We need more stiff-spined people like Mr. Martinez here in Emerald City.
He obviously ain't intimidated by narrow-minded and inexperienced Harrisville "plastic people."
("Harrisville... a real nice place to raise your kids up. Harrisville it's really neat! Churches... Churches... And liquor stores...")
And two more things before we turn the floor over to ya's. One of our gentle readers sent us copies of the two letters referenced in Ace Reporter Schwebke's recent articles. Check out the council's original Secret Gondola Study inquiry letter here. And you can find Boss Godfrey's insolent and juvenile response at this link.
And whatever you do... Don't let the cat get your tongues, gentle readers.
61 comments:
Somehow I doubt that the consultants, who have apparently been stiffed on payment, will be forthcoming with any information about the gondola. (See Mayor's letter responses #8, #9 and #13.)
Mayor Godfrey also needs to learn to count to 18.
Oh, and good job, Mr. Schwebke!
"They did."
Pure poetry. That's good writing. It's hard to make a compelling story out of a city council meeting, but you certainly did.
Rudi, there is also a very good editorial by Peter Metcaff. A real player in the OUTDOOR recreation biz. He seems to be telling Godfrey and the the Geigers how stupid and short sighted their vision is. I hope Mr. Dowse reads this one.
Ogden's Jewels.
Doreene Jeske, for her honesty and courage.
WCF for its informative, entertaining and useful information.
These two, they make me weak in the knees, they're so good.
And the uncut gem award goes to Schwebke, who keeps getting better and better. (Still need some good research on city debt or heretofore hidden dealings to get the really big kudos.)
And let me not overlook Kristin Moulton - a goldmine all by herself.
And lastly, to Matt Godfrey, for ganging up with Bob Geiger to beat up on a woman whose only offense was being quoted in the paper when she was just standing up for herself and voicing her opinion. For this sleaze ball, there seems to be no bottom. There are few true artists in the world. And we have one in Ogden – a man who takes the word “creep” down to a whole new level.
I think the abuse continually dumped on Doreene Jeske by Godfrey is telling. He wouldn't react this way if there weren't something to react about.
Good for you, Doreene!
Thanks, Bill!
Metcalf's commentary can be found here.
It's a shame that no one else on the Council will stand up or (squat down) to the little weiner. Councilwoman jeske is the only one who truly has any backbone. I imagine that it pisses Matt to no end that he cant make Dorrene cry.
Jesse and the rest need to get off their asses and and stop cowering to the little twerp.
Rudi:
Thanks for the extra reporting on last night's Council meeting. [Teaching Tuesday nights makes it impossible for me to attend the weekly Godfrey Petulance Show so I appreciate the extended coverage.]
Your e-mail source reported that "When the meeting was over, Curt Geiger came up to Jeske and tried to start an argument by telling her that she had a moral obligation [we are not making this up] -- to contradict or stop Sharon Beech from saying the mean things that she does on "The Blog" [WCF, we suppose.]
Ah, reminds me of the glorious night when an agitated spear-carrier in the Godfrey/Peterson Gondola Army arose during public comments [regarding the Bootjack matter] to inform the Council that it was unConsitution and un-American for the Council to ask the Mayor who he wanted to sell the city RDA property to. Yes, he did. Un-Consitutional and Un-American. A betrayal of the founders and the flag, he told them.
And now, apparently, last night,[presuming the conversation was summarized accurately], Mr. Geiger demanding that Ms. Jeske "stop" Ms. Beech from being critical of the Mayor on WCF. Perhaps it's Mr. Geiger who needs to take a refresher course in Civics 101. But, being a busy business man, perhaps he does not have the time, so let me offer a quick refresher here:
Mr. Geiger: First, Ms. Jeske is not responsible for Ms. Beech's posts. Second, even if Ms. Jeske, an elected public official, desperately wanted to silence Ms. Beech, even if Ms. Jeske wanted nothing so much in this world as to stop Ms. Beech's comments, she does not have the power to do it. Nor does the Mayor. Asking her to "stop" public criticism of the Mayor by Ms. Beech suggests a deep misunderstanding of the Bill of Rights, particularly the First Amendment, by Mr. Geiger. There are civil remedies the Mayor can attempt against Ms. Beech if he chooses, but none of them involve having Council members attempting to stop a citizen's comments on his actions in office.
Civics 101.
It does suggest, though, that the Gondolista Mafia thinks WCF is an effective public forum, so much so that they are trying to limit comment on it. [Congratulations, Rudi.]
One more point: we should not get too wrapped up in this Geiger/Jeske/Godfrey exchange. As the tattered remnants of the Godfrey Administration's credibility blow away in the breeze of reporting by the MSM and WCF and other venues, I suspect the Mayor would like very much to shift the discussion from substantive matters to one over "manners" and "courtesy" and Jeske.
The story is not Jeske. The story is the Godfrey administration's chronic difficulty with full disclosure to the Council [and the public] of information they should have, and sometimes has directly asked to have.
That's the story. Hizzonah shouldn't be allowed to get away with shifting it to a debate over personalities on the Council.
Godfrey and Geigers....
You wrote: Jesse and the rest need to get off their asses and and stop cowering to the little twerp.
Well, on this, we disagree. I think Councilman Garcia handled the matter well. The Council has business to do at these meetings and he was quite right to stop the Mayor's snit fit and exchange with Councilwoman Jeske and to tell them to "take it outside" [so to speak]. Making Council meetings move along efficiently is his job as Council chair.
Something Else Worth Noting in the SE:
The SE's lead editorial this morning also has something in it related to the Peterson/Godfrey administration's gondola scheme. The editorial is about [in part] calls for the city to spend $3 million to expand Lindquist Park by 1500 seats.
The editorial asks this: Are there market studies to indicate additional fans will show up for each game if they have a more comfortable seat?
This is precisely the right question to ask. Research and evidence first, then decision making. And it is starkly contrasted to the Peterson/Godfrey administration's preference for reversing that order for the gondola proposals: decision making first, research and evidence later [when it's too late to matter].
Kudoes to the SE editorial board, and I hope they will keep demanding that standard --- research first, then decisions --- be applied to all city projects proposed by the Peterson/Godfrey administration. Or by anyone, for that matter.
It is hard to imagine that the Geigers and Godfrey are still carrying the gondola torch. Don't they realize their pal Chris Peterson has long since abandoned this turkey and is quietly trying
to sell his property to the next fool he can convince that the city is working for it all eventually. They all have a mutually beneficial incentive to keep the candle lit despite it's impending doom. It is Peterson's favor to just shut up and represent that this project still has life instead of condemning it by pushing it forward which will render his land worthless.
Similar strategy pertains to Godfrey and co. They are unwittingly keeping it alive for their pal Chris who could care less at this point about building a resort and gondola. They are primarily administrating life support to keep Godfrey's face uplifted. The huge political gamble will fail the day this project gets laid to rest. Godfrey will do anything and everything to save face over it all including selling our parklands, to childishly avoid the embarassment of actually swallowing the inevitable inappropriateness of the whole damn thing.
Chris Petereson is adeptly manipulating Godfrey, Geigers, Spain, Wilkerson and the few remaining cheerleaders. If they had any sense they would realize when they are being so used. I pity the fools. I was smart enough to bail on LO many months ago when I sensed it. Just look at the roster these days. Who the hell is LO anymore or who is Envision ogden. Where is Ed, Rock and Bernie Allen. Where is Dustin, and so many more basically nice folks I met at the early LO confabs. They are gone because they have better things to do than get divisive with their neighbors. They probably have realized the lack of vision in it all.
I nominate the Geigers for the most stupid obnoxious team of the year.
One of them sent hate e-mails to a contributor to this blog which were meant to remain anonymous.
However, a trace of the e-mail address went right back to them.
They really should smarten up unless they want a lawsuit.
Mr. Mayor, if you are reading this forum, I want to share some of my thoughts with you in this open letter.
We've beaten Frank Zappa's lyrics to death here, so let's switch to Stevie Wonder:
It's not too cool to be ridiculed
But you brought this upon yourself
The world is tired of pacifiers
We want the truth and nothing else
And we are sick and tired of hearing your song
Telling how you're gonna change right from wrong
'Cause if you really want to hear our views
"You haven't done nothing"!
(Jackson 5 join along with me say
Doo doo wop - hey hey hey
Doo doo wop - wow wow wow
Doo doo wop - co co co
Doo doo wop - naw naw naw
Doo doo wop - bum bum bum
Doo doo wop)
We would not care to wake up to the nightmare
That's becoming real life
But when misled who knows a person's mind
Can turn as cold as ice
I've met you. I've met most of the City Council members. I've also met many of the participants in Weber County Forum.
Let's take Sharon Beech. Sharon is one of the smartest people I know, and that's saying a lot. I disagree with her on most everything. Still, I respect her. I enjoy debating the issues with her. We still don't see eye-to-eye, but I'm not going to say I'm right and she's wrong, because I'm not that sure of my position. As I posted earlier, Judge Learned Hand called that "the spirit of liberty".
No one likes to be called a liar, either directly or indirectly. We know that Ms. Jeske called you a liar. The problem is, you have lied to the citizens of Ogden. Repeatedly, and shamelessly. You have told little lies, and then like a child, told bigger lies to cover them up.
I have no tolerance for this behavior. I don't hate you, Mr. Mayor, I hate your lying. "Love the sinner, hate the sin."
Like most Americans, I will tolerate lying when it protects the safety or security of this country: "I have no idea who Valerie Plame works for." "Manhattan Project? What's that?"
I have no problem with the Little White Lies we all tell to protect the feelings of others: "I love all you kids equally."
I will not, and should not, tolerate lies that intend to cover up misdeeds: "I have no idea who paid for the Gondola Study." "I followed the van because I thought one it was being driven by a police officer." "The gondola will connect to Snowbasin." "We are not bombing Cambodia."
I plead with you to control this situation while there is still time. I believe you want to be re-elected. I think this can happen. Here's what you need to do.
Take responsibility for your lies. Admit that you have told them, and ask for the voters' foregiveness. I, for one, will be happy to give it. Say, in clear and plain English, "I have lied."
Avoid locutions such as: "I am not a crook." "That statement is non-operational." "Mistakes were made."
Instead, say, "I made mistakes."
It will only get worse from here if you do not. You see all who disagree with you as 'naysayers'. Don't be calling me names. I'm not a 'naysayer'. I love Ogden too. I want what's best for Ogden. We simply disagree about what the most effective route is, in the same way I may disagree with Sharon Beech or Dan S. or Curmudgeon. I can disagree with them, but still respect them.
I have lost respect for you. I can get it back if you take responsibility and do the right thing.
Tec:
I think Envision Ogden is a re-formed Lift Ogden, but with adult leadership this time.
Speaking:
I believe you've completely misinterpreted Ms. Jeske's actions.
However, let's say you're right, just for the sake of argument. Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Impugning Ms. Jeske's reputation is not the same as arguing that she's wrong.
Mono, nice of you to offer forgiveness, but also a potential vote? How about a novel idea, the City Government next go round should spend it's time and energy governing, not playing monopoly with tax money and taking outlandish entrepreneurial risks that even the proffessionals turn away from. Not using their power and authority to benefit their buddies and themselves finding sneaky ways to line their pockets on the backs of the taxpayer. How about just plain doing their jobs, provinding the services required of them and making sure that those departments are adequately funded so they can accomplish their tasks.In this guys tenure, none of that has happened, only in this, his last year is he even giving lip service to their needs.How about the needs and will of the people, instead of greedy egotistic meddling andpromotion of his will and that of his cozy benefactors. Public service should mean just that, serving the public.
Speaking, (Geiger) for the sake of argument,if you were right, then you must realize how phony,hollow and illconcieved this visionary is,because the person you're trying to demean seems to pocess the ability to see right through it.
The goal seems to be to intimidate Dorrene - to make her "pay a price" for being clear about the mayor.
How revealing it would be for everyone in Ogden if they could read the reasonable and respectful letter from the council to the mayor, and the mayor's petulant, unprofessional, and vacuous reply.
Are there any supporters left for him other than the Geigers?
And what about the G-boys, what with the way they treat women? Is it a Descente thing?
Once again, Job One for the mayor's people is to try to ruin somebody, just like they tried to do with Garcia earlier this year. Maybe they figure it will be easier with a woman.
Maybe you should try reading our posting policy, Speaking.
We're "old school" here atr Weber County Forum.
We don't beat up on women.
Write it down so you don't forget it.
Just want to note that we --- the general public, the SE and press in general, and the Council --- have had no clear and full explanation from the Mayor about (a) who commissioned the financial analysis (b) what payment arrangements were made with the consultants [who, since they billed the City clearly thought they were working for the city] and (c) who decided the bill should be paid out of the Crossroads of the West budget, and why, before the City decided it wasn't going to pay the bill at all.
Would have been nice had the Administration simply answered the questions asked, fully and without dissembling or petulance, when they were first asked. Imagine how things might be different if the Mayor had responded to the first questions this way:
"I commissioned the consultants to do the financial analysis and produce a report. I thought they understood that UTA was going to pay for the analysis, not Ogden City. I evidently was not as clear about that as I should have been, because the consultants billed the city. And the city finance department, in error, paid the invoice. That has been fixed. We have gotten the money back.
It seems we originally paid the bill out of the Crossroads of the West account. I don't know yet how that happened or why, but I intend to find out and when I do, I will give you all a full accounting of the mistake, how it happened, and what steps I'm taking to make sure that sort of thing does not happen again.
Finally, please accept my apologies for not having had the analysis delivered to the Council as soon as it came in. I should have done that. It was a mistake on my part, which I regret. Since the City commissioned the analysis, the Council had every right to see it and should have seen it as soon as it was delivered to me. I will make sure nothing like that happens again.
Any questions?"
Instead we got first "I don't know what the Council's talking about" when it first asked about the report and who paid for it. Then we got "The city did not pay for it. " Then "well, yes, the city paid for it and out of the Crossroads budget, but it was a clerical error and we rescinded the payment." Then "I didn't give you a copy of the report because you asked me not to." Then "how dare you ask me questions about this?"
Dear Mayor Godfrey: Adopting a policy of full disclosure, particularly on matters controversial, would have served not only Ogden but your administration far far better than your policy of concealment and dissembling has done. A policy that began, let me remind you, no later than your semi-secret handshake deal with Mr. Reid providing him a golden parachute resignation bonus without informing the Council... and action which forced the Council to change the rules to prevent you from acting secretly without notice to the council to arrange golden parachute termination bonuses for your cronies again. And it's been all downhill from there [the Bootjack secrecy, which again required Council action, etc.] --- and is apparently continuing.
Not only will Ogden be better served, Mr. Mayor, by your adopting as a matter of policy full disclosure, but so will you.
Elder Godfrey's meltdown in last night's meeting is simply an additional nail in the coffin of Lift Ogden, an earlier nail being the flailing, ill-advised Geiger letter to the S-E last week. As Harry Reid said to G. W. Bush, "This war is OVER."
It's sad that the Harrisville Has-Been's career has come to this. His grandfather-in-law, Merle Allen, was far too stylish ever to throw public snits when he was mayor in the 60s.
You are old school and sexiest evidently.
As I woman I'm offended to think that women can't defend themselves...but maybe some can't
Rudi:
With all due respect to your Cavalier and Courtly preferences, from what I've seen, the women engaged on political matters in Ogden [on the Council, in public interest groups, or here on WCF] are perfectly capable of holding their own in any discussion [on line or face-to-face]. Doesn't seem to me they need editorial protection.
Unless what you had in mind was mud-slinging personal attacks, which your posting policy disallows even when the targets are men. [And rightly so.]
We run an old-fashioned boarding house here, Curm.
If "speakin" doesn't like it...
he/she can go post somewhere else.
Beating up on women is a Godfreyite tactic which we will not condone on Weber County Forum.
We have a general policy against flaming other posters, BTW.
Let's just say we're particularly strict when flames are directed against women.
How do you beat up on a grandma who is in the right?
A lesson that the morally bankrupt Mayor and his minions obviously have never learned, nor contemplated.
They are so full of hubris that they cannot see what is really going on. They still have some bizzar notion that they are in the right and that they will win in the end if they just stick to the big lie technique they have relied on so far.
Shades of Hitler in the bunker in the spring of 1945! Some of them even look the part! Check out pictures of Goebels, Himmler, etc, then look at pics of the Geigers, Godfrey and company!
Madness prevails in the bunker!!!
Tec, your premature exposure of cp and little matty's method of transport to the South Tyrolean Dollhouse replica has the squirrel patrol's central command in an uproar. It seem's they launched an ambush on some of their percieved opposition at last nights council meeting. Judging from early eye witness reports, their assault was ill timed and their ranks unprepared, they seem to have suffered most from the collateral damage. Note to Geigers, brush up on " the power of positive persuasion", it may serve you well to exercise a little self examination as well. Someone elses metaphysical experience does not always translate back to your own. Leave Godfrey and his visions alone, there are serious consequences that derive from tampering with UNEXPLAINED metaphysical powers.
We've beaten Frank Zappa's lyrics to death here, so let's switch...
to which...
There's a bunch of elitists who live neath the hills,
They don't look toward town; they see none of it's ills,
They've not a plan among them, for improving the town
but propose one and you'll meet with more than a frown
'The whole town must heed our utopian ideals!'
'Nevermind they aren't workable, we like how they 'feel'
They've got some town council in the palms of their hands
Who care not for the town, but their reelection plans
The town needs prosperity; they shout 'it does not!'
All things are fixed by streetcars; bla bla, bla bla
'Dare not do a thing in this backyard of mine',
'don't do a thing, and don't you dare spend a dime'
But they've a list of improvements; they want 'all' to pay,
The town has no money; 'really?' they say
'Don't raise my taxes, make new residents pay more'
'cause we have people flocking in- residents galore!'
Better busstops they propose for the poor of this town
but to jobs, or to money, or prosperity- they frown
'Sell some land off for the good of the town? No no, not us!'
'We don't care about the town, just our neighborhood- that's us'
'The Mayor's no good; forget all he's done'
'Pick on him anyway! Isn't it fun?'
'Ogden will turn around- do nothing, you'll see'
Just like the last decades, let's see- there were three
'The town is just fine, don't look toward the west'
'We like the view eastward, it suits us as best'
'Dare not do a thing in this backyard of mine',
'don't do a thing, and don't you dare spend a dime'
Your blogmeister makes up the rules here, "Comment Deleted"
That's one of the major advantages of being the blogmeister.
"...All things are fixed by streetcars; bla bla, bla bla"
Speaking of streetcars, good article in today's Wall Street Journal about streetcars
You need to be a subscriber to read the whole article.
The article goes on to talk about $2 billion in actual and planned development coming about due to the street car.
It make perfect sense why the smart people in Ogden are interested in street cars.
Too Thick to Pick:
Hey, not bad. Complete fiction, but as satirical verse, not bad at all. You might try drawing on reality for inspiration, though, instead of fiction. It'll give you better stuff to work with.
You wrote: "There's a bunch of elitists who live neath the hills,
They don't look toward town; they see none of it's ills," Ah, yes, a familiar Peterson/Godfrey administration myth, that its only problem is a few elitists living east of Harrison. Well, Too Thick, I worked as a volunteer deliverer of lawn signs for SGO for a while, and I can tell you your belief that its only folks east of Harrison who have problems with the Peterson/Godfrey administration's gondola land sale scheme is faction... however comforting it may be for you to think otherwise.
You wrote: They've not a plan among them, for improving the town
but propose one and you'll meet with more than a frown. Ah, yes, the old Peterson/Godfrey administration's "naysayers" claim. [You guys really need some new material.] By the way, did you notice further down in your poem, you mention the street car? Seems to me, based on demonstrative performance in other mid-sized cities, street car generated development [residential and commercial] can be substantial. Billions [that's with a "B" in Portland]. Sounds like plan to me. And then there is Kent Jorgensen's "Option B" proposal, with a number of us in SGO have been touting on WC Forum, in newspaper letters, and otherwise around town for the past year. [City sells to Peterson a small bit of land at the upper end of 36th street for an up-mountain gondola base station. He builds his gondola up to Malan's Basin and develops Malan's basin with his own money or money he raises in the market. City keeps its Mt. Ogden Parklands and invests in trolley transit from downtown to WSU and McKay Dee.] Again, sounds like a plan to me. You may not like it, but it's a plan proposed. Just repeating the Peterson/Godfrey Administration Mantra that "they're all naysayers and have no plans" won't make it true. No matter how much you want it to be.
And finally, you wrote: "The town needs prosperity; they shout 'it does not!' Aw, come on now. You can do better than that, surely. Trot on over to www.smartgrowthogden.org and let me know where you find anyone, anything, there opposing prosperity in Ogden. Lotsa luck. For satire to be effective it has to have at least one toe on one foot in the real world. You've left it wholly behind at this point.
But I appreciate your entering the lists with humor. And not badly done. [I suspect you're going to find it a little lonely at Peterson/Godfrey Administration conclaves. They seem, over there, to be a quart or two low on humor and absolutely bone dry on self-deprecating humor.]
Enjoyed the post, wrong headed though it is. Good humor enlivens and improves any public discussion.
Funny you act much like the people you rail against. Blogmiester or not. Perhaps you should be Mayor.
Wield that power,
Rudi for Mayor? An excellent suggestion albeit a bit late since Neil Hansen is already in the race.
If nominated we will NOT run;
If elected we will NOT serve.
By January 2008, if all goes well, we plan to transform Weber County Forum into the insiders' source for:
+Secret fishin' holes
+Secret Powder chutes
+Secret Biker bars
+Secret KoKoMo Club Martini Recipes
lol...martini at the KoKoMo Club? I think you'd be thrown out of there if you had a martini glass in your hand...I'll check with Ed.
too thick...,
Damn these godfredos have a way with words and aliasi. "Too thick" says it all. Couple of days ago it was "shut 'er down" and we were talking about the junction. LMAO
Like Curm, gotta admit, some time went into that little nursery rhyme. But nursery rhymes are just that. Fantasy for those of nursing age.
New material, please. Again you guys cannot hold a conversation without reverting to lighting the old naysayer torch. Works every time you think. In fact you are unable to start a conversation. Your posts are some kind of grandiose statement meant to be addressed to some imaginary body of nays in stead of a conversation starter or exchange.
Try again.
The A/C must be faulty down at Descente HQ. Curt is steamin' and he's resorting to poetry. Or maybe it's Bobby today. Please guys post some more. It's great showing this to newcomers when they ask what's with this gondola thing.
You've forgotten that open space and parklands are hot button issues that get any locals interested when someone has the gall to propose selling it and building more homes. Christ can you people ever think of any economic engine other than friggin' home building. All the pseudo-men in their hi-rise dodge rams building homes for twice what it should cost because they are too dumb to use a computer and manage a small construction site. Have you seen the way they waste shit and spoil the ground. I have. I have worked with a few. I have a conscience. I will not participate. There will be no homes built on Mt. Ogden Parkland.
I was referring to the Zappa conversation you clowns were having! Not to the Junction! Don't we all hope that the rec center makes it?
Got a problem with Frank Zappa? Is there a problem with running with a little tangent for the fun of it. Frank was very keen at pointing out the stuffy shirts and their hollow desires who drive most of our media, ideas and economic development. I'll continue to quote FZ on occasion as he says it best.
"Hoping" a 20 some million rec center makes it sounds a little on the...uh...hopeful side. A little more confidence even in the rah rah section may help the cause. I've already spent over 50 bucks down there. 30 more tommorrow for another flowrider session and lunch. 40 or 50 if I decide to bowl and have a couple of beers and a round opf billiards. How about you?
Wow...I thot Rudi would have had "SHE DIDN'T COWER'...
as the headline for this thread!
Good on ya, Dorrene! I give you high fives also. You are Mrs. Integrity on the Council, and you know that's how I introduce you to one and all.
I get a kick out of the Geiger's. Am sure they'd like to GIVE me one! Talk about hubris! Impudence!.. and lack of Civic 101 is so right on, Curm!
You know, I keep reminding those clowns that I'm just a grey haired woman without purse or scrip, as they say, and all my power comes from what they imbue me with. It's quite exhilerating, tho, to think that they can read...and they read this blog, and that their fearful leader also reads and froths at the mouth! What power! What strength!
I'm going to try walking on water next...soon as Pineview warms up a bit, in case I'm not as omnipotent as the GGG's think I am!
Thanx for the compliment, Monotreme. You are a smart cookie also.
At least I'm smart enuf to know which side is the right one, eh?
Here's one of my many philosophies, ('ve a million or so):
"You always know you're on the right side, when you see who your enemies are".
So, you 3 GGG's...thanx for keeping me on course!
Good for you, Scott...loved it that you printed, "She didn't cower". Too delicious! That's the kind of 'color' I've been begging you for for too long. Keep it up. And, as suggested, keep digging...and ask those follow up questions.
There is so much 'dirt' for you to uncover in this administration, it would fill a gondola car to haul it to the feds....uh, the dump!
Wow...I thot Rudi would have had "SHE DIDN'T COWER'...
as the headline for this thread!
Good on ya, Dorrene! I give you high fives also. You are Mrs. Integrity on the Council, and you know that's how I introduce you to one and all.
I get a kick out of the Geiger's. Am sure they'd like to GIVE me one! Talk about hubris! Impudence!.. and lack of Civic 101 is so right on, Curm!
You know, I keep reminding those clowns that I'm just a grey haired woman without purse or scrip, as they say, and all my power comes from what they imbue me with. It's quite exhilerating, tho, to think that they can read...and they read this blog, and that their fearful leader also reads and froths at the mouth! What power! What strength!
I'm going to try walking on water next...soon as Pineview warms up a bit, in case I'm not as omnipotent as the GGG's think I am!
Thanx for the compliment, Monotreme. You are a smart cookie also.
At least I'm smart enuf to know which side is the right one, eh?
Here's one of my many philosophies, ('ve a million or so):
"You always know you're on the right side, when you see who your enemies are".
So, you 3 GGG's...thanx for keeping me on course!
Good for you, Scott...loved it that you printed, "She didn't cower". Too delicious! That's the kind of 'color' I've been begging you for for too long. Keep it up. And, as suggested, keep digging...and ask those follow up questions.
There is so much 'dirt' for you to uncover in this administration, it would fill a gondola car to haul it to the feds....uh, the dump!
Tec,
Are you buyiing? I don't have that kind of dough!
Shut 'er down,
Well, I won't be sponsoring your flowrider time but I'd fill you one off my pitcher. Unfortunately, you represent a large portion of the local denizens which has been exactly the issue on some of this stuff. Does it serve the locals, or is it cleverly designed to bring in folks to replace you. Scary isn't it.
Sharon:
You wrote: You know, I keep reminding those clowns that I'm just a grey haired woman without purse or scrip, as they say....
Uh oh. In my experience, when a grey haired lady starts a sentence with "I'm just a grey haired woman..." the smart thing for whoever she is talking to to do is get a good tight grip on their wallet, back carefully into a corner so nobody can get behind them for flank them, hunker down to reduce their profile, and wait for reinforcements to arrive and hope they get there in time.
Curm,
You are too deliteful...ain't after thier wallets, but would like to see one of the G's sitting on one of those sandstone benches selling pencils very soon.
Just browsing the plats of the Riverfront Development caused me to imagine that Ogden City Ecconomic delvelopment dept. and planning office might work exclusively for Gadi. Did I mention that a peccary is a little pig, with a white collar.
Tec,
what's a local denizen that I represent? Wachoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?
I only went to to the tenth grade and read all the Harry Potter books, but i can't figure out what you mean.
Help an old man, will ya? Maybe that one out of your pitcher you were going to give me went down the wrong gullet?
I find it very interesting that the mayor, who had his feeling hurt because the Council went to the paper with their concerns about not knowing about the gondola study instead of talking to the mayor first, also had to go to the paper to get a copy of that gondola study because the mayor gave it to the paper first!
How can he no see the relativity of the comment "It's like the pot calling the kettle black"?
Tec,
What's the cost for a game or two of pool?
That's the kind of pool I can handle. Read your description of tackling the Flowrider.....you sound like a pro after only 10 minutes.
Even Charles Atlas or Jack LaLanne would be kicking sand in jealousy.
Someone needs to investigate what stake the Geigers have in all this Gondola stuff, lil-bobbie specifically.
I'm so tired of being patronized by this wiesel! Who is this guy that knows better than anyone what's good for Ogden?
shut er down,
You said you didn't have the kind of dough to spend at the Junction. That is the honorable denizen you represent, those, for who, the Junction was not built. Cities should not build facilities that leave out a substantial portion of the locals. A locals discount or a few freebies could be in order as an intro.
Carl,
Not sure of the cost on the billiards. I'll find out later today. Believe me, I am far from pro on this wave contraption. Many years of snowboarding helps a little, but it is a unique boardriding experience.
Ben Layne,
These Geigerites are really into this gondola as more of a religious commitment. They believe so deeply in it, that anyone who thinks it may not be appropriate is the enemy and infidel. Like hard core believers, they have no scientific basis for their belief, it is all faith-based.
They apparently have not even the sensory skills to "envision" an excruciating gondola ride over the very same streets they drive from the bench to downtown every day.
Bob, if they build the gondola, on your way to work, will you drive down 27th to Harrison, turn right to 23rd and park, then ride the gondola to the hub at 23rd and Wall, and then what?? Will you ride a bike the half mile+ to your office, will you walk, will you splurge for a cab. Just how useful will it be to you, Bob. Will you invest in the central residential district? Doubtful if it's bypassed by some ill-conceived gondola system. Bob is all hot air.
The Geigers are also apparently lacking the necessary envisionary skills to imagine the disappointing prospect of a 180 acre ski area and it's inability to attract a resort size crowd.
The Geigers are so wrapped up in the dream that they fail to realize they are being so had by Chris Peterson and have been ensnared in his squirrel trap. I pity the fool who cannot sense when they have been had. They are being so completely used by Peterson that they will never get off this effort for fear of the loss of any face they have left to recover.
I really feel sorry for these guys. I, like Ozboy, have met them and find them somewhat interesting and energetic and likely have good intentions for Ogden. I met Bob several times during my own LiftOgden tenure. My own sense of scientific curiosity and hunger for facts had me researching gondolas ad nauseum. The evidence was clear. These rigs are for lifting folks up unpopulated mountain sides in the comfort of their enclosed cabins. They are not appropriate for urban transit and would not contribute one wooden nickel to the revival of central ogden. In fact, diverting our transit conciousness from street level transit will only postpone Ogden's revival a couple of more decades. Nice thought Bob?
Rudi, I missed all those scratched posts from yesterday. Do you maintain an archive of inappropriate posts anywhere. A sort of Roque's Gallery of mouth-breathing posters.
Rudi, I would also be interested in reading those scratched comments from yesterday. I believe you have my email, so if you want or could, would you email them to me??
Thanks
Since several probably concerned ME...(I know those blokes so well,) pass em along, Rudi. I can take it!
Frankly, I'm amused by them. thanx
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