OK, all you Standard-Examiner bashers, here' some legitimate meat for you to dig into. Below is the text of a press release from the Sierra Club's Conservation Chair, Dan Schroeder:
For Immediate ReleaseNothing in the Std-Ex I notice, which is surprising, since the Std-Ex did a story by Mr. Schwebke over a week ago reporting that the committee was going to issue a decision on the Sierra Club's GRAMA request for gondola-related emails. Now that the committee, appointed by Mayor Godfrey, has refused to make these public documents public, no story. Kind of curious, no?
Statement from Dan Schroeder, Conservation Chair of the Ogden Sierra Club
Re: Ogden City's incomplete responses to records requests
Date: October 4, 2007
Over the last two years, the Ogden City Administration has withheld a great deal of information about the so-called "gondola project" from the public. In our attempt to educate the public about this city proposal, the Ogden Sierra Club has filed several requests under Utah's Government Records Access Management Act (GRAMA). The city has repeatedly withheld records that would be responsive to our requests, but failed to provide adequate justification for withholding these records. The city has also delayed many of its responses unreasonably, and has failed to locate relevant documents that were later proved to exist.
The recent decision of the city's Records Review Board, and the city's response to the decision, provide another example of how hard it is for the public to extract information from the administration. Whereas the GRAMA statute places the burden of proof on the government to demonstrate that a record can be withheld, the Board placed the burden of proof on the Sierra Club and declined to even let us see most of the evidence that we would have needed to argue the case. The Board did instruct the city to provide us with a list of the withheld records, but the city's "list" provides almost no detail, lumping undisclosed numbers of documents into broad categories such as "correspondence" and "draft agreements". Courts have repeatedly found that summary descriptions such as these are not adequate to comply with open records laws.
It should be noted that the Records Review Board is appointed by the mayor, and that one of its three members is a city employee.
The Sierra Club has made every attempt to resolve this matter at the lowest possible level. The lack of cooperation from the Ogden City Administration has been extremely discouraging. They're basically daring us to take them to court. Fortunately for the Sierra Club, the GRAMA statute allows for the recovery of attorney's fees when the requester prevails.
The gondola project remains of great interest to the citizens of Ogden. For two years it has delayed further work on ground-based transit improvements in Ogden. Although some details of the gondola plan have apparently changed in recent months, the gondola itself is still a priority of the administration, which just signed an
agreement with UTA to exchange $247,500 to be spent on gondola-related studies. Many of the records being sought by the Sierra Club relate to the UTA agreement and the city's specific intentions for spending this money.
A separate hearing before the city's Records Review Board, on a related records request from the Ogden Sierra Club, is scheduled for the morning of October 12.
Dan Schroeder, Conservation Chair
Ogden Sierra Club
Is the Std-Ex asking the Mayor why the committee he appointed is refusing to make the gondola emails available? [Considering the embarrassment it caused the mayor the last time the Sierra Club extracted emails by GRAMA request the mayor wanted kept secret, I can see why he's has ordered the committee he appointed to stonewall further requests.] Is the Std-Ex asking the Mayor what he's trying to hide by refusing to release the gondola emails? And since the Std-Ex is so interested in examining candidates motives these days, perhaps Mr. Schwebke could inquire of the Mayor what his motive is in refusing... yet again... to supply the press and the public with information about what he and his cronies are up to.
And no coverage, not even a notice, of the committee's decision or the Sierra Club press release and reaction. On a gondola matter. Mid-election.
Have at 'em, ladies and gents. They've dropped the ball on this one.
32 comments:
I too have been thru a GRAMA appeals hearing. As for the city employee, she's more than a little conflicted.
She works in a department that more than ever, needs close scrutiny, this department bills all other departments for all most everything they need. This includes hanging of pictures, office partitions, you name it.
Fleet dept. Everthing the city owns is controlled and leased thru them. Allmost all leases have replacement costs built in, but some vehicles and equipment are more than 20 years old, still being billed the same as the day they were delivered. Quite a slush fund for lying little matty and managers. A model of inefficiency. this also has a great effect on public safety, outdated vehicles and equipment for POLICE and FIRE, waterworks, parks and streets.
Plus the fact that if this employee doesn't rule as lying little matty instructs, bye bye job.(Dean Martinez)
Getting back to good governaance is a priority, lying little matty has had near 8 years to show any movement in that direction, and failed miserably. All he has to show is debt, crumbling infrastructure,underfunded departments and faulty equipment.
But we do now have a gym and penny archade.
OUST LYING LITTLE matty GONDOLA godfree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The paper did run a story that the Sierra Club gave the mayor a "D", which I thought was nice.
As far as the latest press release, is the story then, that the mayor is not being forthcoming - that he is very secretive and dismissive of the public?
So what else is new? Don Porter ran an editorial saying the same thing.
It could be that the fact that the Sierra Club has issues is not new, or that the SE just hasn't written this up yet.
What we need is a new story. The one about Greg Montgomery extorting businesses to put up Godfrey signs and to make contributions would be a really good one if a group of people would step forward. If these allegations are true, and the people want Godfrey gone, that one thing could do it.
Kudos to Dan and Dorothy (Litrell), but this all starts to look like trying a little too hard. Let's bring up some new, hard data of corruption, or do what VanHooser says and focus on the issues (one of which is corruption but not the only one.)
It's up to the voters now, and up to those who have real horror stories to stand and bring them forward.
If there's any proposition about which the Standard-Examiner has strongly trumpeted over the years, it's the necessity for govermnment to operate openly in Utah.
We did a guick search of our archived Std-Ex articles, and here are four strong editorials on open government andsecrecy which have appeared within the last three years:
Government in the shadows - 10/23/05
Let the sun shine in - 10/1/06
Defend open records law - 1/19/06
Government under wraps - 2/17/07
And of course there was this recent gem of an editorial, aimed squarely at Boss Godfrey and his administration:
Transparent Governance 9/24/07.
And who can forget that marvellous series of Scott Schwebke expose pieces, in which our favorite Ace Reported peeled back the Secret Gondola Study Story, predicated on the email documents that Dan Schroeder obtained through his ealier GRAMA request.
In context, the Standard-Examiner's current deafening silence on this subject certainly smells "fishy."
Thanks for today's heads-up article, Curmudgeon.
Danny:
You asked what the story would be on the latest stonewalling on gondola documents. You wrote: It could be that the fact that the Sierra Club has issues is not new, or that the SE just hasn't written this up yet.
The story is not that the SC has "issues" with the administration on this. Granted, that's about as newsy as "sun to rise in east." The story is that the committee reviewing the GRAMA denial met, and delivered a ruling: the administration can continue to stonewall, the public documents requested will not be made public. Since the SE did a piece two weeks ago saying the committee would issue a ruling soon, seems to me a given that the ruling, once issued, constitutes, by the SE's own standard, news. Particularly since, as Rudi noted, this involves an issue [open access to government records and documents] that the considers [as all real newspapers must] particularly important.
As for your second suggestion, that the SE just hasn't written it up yet: agreed. Could be that. We will know if that was the case in a day or so.
Susie might be very wise to have Dan S., Bill C., and others who have facts stand next to her at her next scheduled debates and introduce them as 'advisors'.....
Curm keps harping that the voters will decide at the ballot box.
Welll, yeah...but the voters are uninformed. Ask the average joe what he thinks of Godfey's corruption on every level, and you'll get a blank stare and 'huh?'.
So, ALL this needs to come out. Take it to the SL papers and the TV stations.
Ogden voters won't get the truth from the SE...their coverage will be slanted so that the twerp looks misunderstood.
Not only Martinez, but Berret also caught in the crosshairs.
Both refused to play the corruption game...both fired.
Curm,
OK. The news item is then, that Godfrey's appointed committee has ruled that Godfrey doesn't have to turn over any more documents before the election that would almost certainly embarrass him as much as the ones he's already turned over have. But the paper did report on Dan’s other GRAMA findings, and even gave a link to WCF for people to look at them. So I still wonder if this is all that new or interesting: Godfrey the secretive stonewaller.
And in my kudos I forgot to mention WCF - the only place I go to for all my local news and information.
This is just a suggestion. My feeling is the best way to sink Godfrey is:
1. Have some folks bring forward clear evidence of extortion, self-dealing, favoritism, etc, that we haven't heard before. This "I know somebody who said . . ." doesn't work as well.
2. Have some credible person come forward with first hand knowledge that somebody in Godfrey's circle has said that the golf course will be sold if Godfrey wins. Again, we all have strong suspicions, but first hand proof would be a real killer.
3. Go ahead and keep rehashing what we know here, but we can't expect the paper to print the same old same old. But some new folks might stop by, and they need to know.
4. Don't forget that the only thing that has saved our open space has been the city council. Let's not lose sight of those races. I suggest people recommend the voter's guide to everyone they know, so people will be informed. People like Blain Johnson fooled a lot of people in the primary. Just knowing what these male candidates stand for will sink them. We know about Godfrey. We need all the info we can get on his “pod people”.
Could be the Standard is waiting to run the article in their outdoors section, next week, or next month.
Face it, this paper is so biased toward lying little matty, despite the anally born, borne,(you pic) protestations delivered to Schwebke, and copied to the council,(for what reason, nobody knows) by lying little matty's father in law, Ed GONDOLA Allen, who by the way is an intelligence operative in the now famous squirrel patrol." the precious character of this young man". Why not " bless his pointy lying little nose"?
This paper has reported more than enough on lies and misrepresentations from the mouth of the precious little liar, that they should themselves be questioning his integrety, all the time.
The fact they don't shows bias and favoritism.
Bill C:
Aw, c'mon Bill. Don't hold back. Tell us what you really think.
[grin]
Oh no, I've been italicized by Curmudgeon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHH.
Bill C...did you read the letter brimming over with paranoia written by Ed Allen and sent to the SE? Not a shred of truth in it , about anyone. In his world, truth is relative...and look at his relative!
He's a rabid attack dog.
This is why when a republican candidate says there for "less government."
This is what they mean; they don't want you to know what they’re doing.
After all, their philosophy is that, you elect me, just trust me.
Godfrey says we live in a Republic, not a democracy.
Republicanism means "Secret combinations."
Democracy means "ACCOUNTIBILITY."
Ed Gondola Allen's letter to Schwebke was the most twisted idiotic garble imaginable. But these guys sense of self importance goes beyond over the top.
Why this washed up misfortunate lunatic,(imagine being this closely related to such a documented pathalogical liar) would think his pathetic plea to Schwebke would be of any interest to the City Council, shows how disillutioned lying little matty's support network is.
The folks on the Council have serious matters to deal with, plus their personal lives.(with the possible exception of stephanson and safsten) Add to that, the many times lying little matty has placed this Council in compromizing situations by lying to them and withholding information.
Someone should take a serious look at what Mr. ED has been smoking, drinking or ingesting in solid unit dosage form. This guy is whacked.
Bill C,
Where do i fing Ed Allen's letter to Schwebke. Get me a link, I'd love to read it.
Ed Allen 9/29/07 Letter
Rudi, thanks for clear evidence of how the SE speaks with a "forked tongue" or as my grandmother would say, "out of both sides of their mouth." They demand "openness in government" when they want to attend a meeting that is closed to them or copy of documents that are being withheld, but the rest of the time, it's the "I'll scratch your back and you scratch mine" game that they play.
Danny, "This is just a suggestion. My feeling is the best way to sink Godfrey is:
1. Have some folks bring forward clear evidence of extortion, self-dealing, favoritism, etc, that we haven't heard before."
2. Have some credible person come forward with first hand knowledge that somebody in Godfrey's circle has said that the golf course will be sold if Godfrey wins. Again, we all have strong suspicions, but first hand proof would be a real killer.
4. Don't forget that the only thing that has saved our open space has been the city council. Let's not lose sight of those races. I suggest people recommend the voter's guide to everyone they know, so people will be informed. People like Blain Johnson fooled a lot of people in the primary. Just knowing what these male candidates stand for will sink them. We know about Godfrey. We need all the info we can get on his “pod people”.
I'd like to add: Don't let Royal Eccles and Kent Peterson along with Blain Johnson fool you. All three are the next "Rubber Stampers" for Godfrey if they are elected to the Council.
Bill C., when you mentioned his poor daddy-in-law's (Ed GONDOLA Allen's) letter of protest of how biased the SE is towards his little Matty, you forgot to mention all the lies of Bobby and Curt Geiger, and the other mindless sheep who follow the silver-tongued lying Matt Godfrey.
The fact that they all SHOULD know the truth, but won't ask the hard questions of Godfrey shows bias and favoritism.
As you say: "Not a shred of truth in it , about anyone. In his world, truth is relative...and look at his relative!" What a great quote! Must remember it!
Oh, P-L-E-E-A-A-S-E, democrat, LET'S NOT TRY TO AVERT THE IMPORTANT THINGS HERE -- LET'S STAY WITH THE ISSUES!!
Wants integrity:
Your suggestons are good....but bet you can't name or find 10 people who have the guts to stand up in public and call the little liar out!
Like the Little Red Hen's barnyard welfare beggars:
"NOt I"...."Don't look at me!"..."I'm not gonna speak up"....no, these people who have real facts, conversations to repeat, won't repeat them in a public forum.
Why saomeone might think they're radical...of course, the rest of us would think of them as very brave heroes.
Sharon:
What you say is generally true, but if I thought speaking out would put my livelihood... and my family's... on the line... well, I doubt I'd be all that eager to be among the first to step out on the issue. This is the sort of call everyone has to make for him or her self, and I don't think I'd look down on anyone for the decision they made on it. either way. Particularly without knowing their circumstances.
To wants integrity in mayor,
Having people come forward would be nice but it won't happen. It's not professional and those that support him are not going to see the light until he's gone. Besides do you seriously believe that the SE would print something like what you're looking for if it came to light?
That said, you don't need people to come forward, just compare Godfrey's own words over time and you will see the lies and deciept.
Let see, two that come to mind off the top of my head;
1. The urban gondola is a marketing tool (The GEE WISS Factor) and not mass transportation. Then when that didn't work, it became the most cost effective form of mass transit.
2. I don't know who commissioned or paid for the gondola study and I only have a draft copy. Then it was discovered that he tried three different times to get it paid for with city funds (discovered thru GRAMA requests). Now he is diverting money that was meant for a city bus to pay for the study (technically not city money because it went to the study before it came to the city).
I could probably spend the rest of the night providing examples of when, how and where Godfrey has lied, ripped off or decieved the residents of Ogden but I have better things to do.
The people know that Godfrey never learned what most people learn early on. That's if you lie about something, then you better remember your lie; so it's better to not lie.
The guys a loser and that will be reinforced in November.
sigh.....so many are brave as heck on here using an anonymous moniker.
Well, Curm...a lot of people are afraid. Certainly, city employees who must depend on the little man for their livlihood won't come forth. But, wouldn't it be great if a whole bunch of them came forward? Would Godfrey dare to have them all fired?
We all know that cockroaches scurry back into the woodwork when the light comes on.
Bullies are empowered by silence.
Sure would be nice to see a full page notice in the fair minded SE spelling out Godfrey and minions' dirty dealings...attested to by the "undersigned!"
Oh, I forgot I'm in the land of OZ and the wizard has a very big booming voice....which sounds a lot like vengeance.
Dear Looking,
How many voters will read what you just posted?
We talk to each other, but the public isn't informed.
When you talk about the people that have the guts to stand up to Godfrey, Hansen is the only one to do this and every one said he had a ax to grind, but doesn't every who talks on this blog have an ax to grind? I respect the hell out of Hansen because he is willing to stand up for what he believes in and Then when Dorothy Stand up for the truth of the laws, isn't it amazing how every one should stand with her and they don't have the gut to do that. If Godfrey wins this race we have no one but our selfs to blame. At least both Hansen and Dorothy can say we did what was right.
Now all the rest of you stand up and be counted with the brave.
To Googleboy,
Thanks
You'll have to pry that toilet seat, from my cold dead hands.
Dear we know, do they?
I guess now you know your mission!
I will say that most people already have made their minds up about Godfrey. Whether you talk to construction workers or doctors, most want Godfrey gone.
If you're waiting for the SE to come around, it's not going to happen.
Don't be afraid to approach people with your thoughts you will be surprised with how many people share your view. Just tell them to vote.
Spread the word.
WOW! THIS IS REALLY IMPRESSIVE!
Dorothy Littrell has finally drawn blood from the powers-that-be at the Standard Examiner with her very own Saturday editorial sermon pertaining to "Obsession".
It is very obvious that the editors at the Standard don't have a clue as to who Dorothy Littrell is and what she stands for.
I was her client for many years.
Dorothy learned over the 50 years she spent in fighting the IRS for people like me to just dig in her heels and hang on until she proved she was right.
My feel for her fight is that she is just continuing to do what she has always done for clients like me.
much appreciative -
This fight of Dorothy's is different in that she is not getting a fee. - she is paying big bucks out of her own pocket for people like me that don't know how to fight to have our day in court.
But more important than that is that she is fighting for what many of us believe is a needed change in the way Ogden City government is being run..
Impressed, Appreciative, Another Supporter:
Yep, you all are right about Dorothy. The SE will always take mean swipes at anyone who dares to bring perfidy into the light.
They are lazy journalists and their ace reporter is even lazier. Or is he just shackled?
Either way, the citizens of Ogden are the losers.
Godfrey called all questioners of his practices 'naysayers' and 'negative'. If the SE wanted to really be more than a newspaper, but an organ of trtuh for it's readers (Howell 10/6/07), they'd be chronicalling this mayor's dirty dealings and misdeeds for the voters.
Saying so loftliy (which makes Curm's heart swell) that issues will be decided at the polls is false. Most voters have no clue about the real issues and how Godfrey has been cheating Ogdenites for 7 years.
So much for honest newspapering.
The SE apparently attend Godfrey's cell meetings.
Two comments:
On FEAR:
I understand it. But it is greatly lessened when one is part of a group. If those extorted and otherwise mistreated would form a group, and go public together, then stick together, they would feel much more secure.
On OBSESSION:
See the mentioned editorial today about Dorothy. The SE editor tries to knock her, to minimize her, and to speak falsely about her. But Dorothy is an accomplished woman, and a CPA. The question they should have asked, but didn't, is, "How come so many smart, accomplished people are so against Matt Godfrey? Why is he the only politician in Utah drawing such feelings? Could it be something about his behavior?"
To the courageous Dorothy and Michael Moyal, and others, thank you for speaking up.
Ms. Littrel draws an editorial decrying her lawsuit as laughable, and an attempt to deprive the voters of their choice of candidates... and some people here think that constitutes her drawing blood?
Good lord....
FOX NEWS HAS JUST CAME IN WITH THE LATEST NEWS...........FOX NEWS HAS NOW TAKEN OGDEN UTAHS NEWS PAPER OVER........STAY TUNDED FOR A GEIGER SIGHTING........SHORT DECK IS HARD TO SPOT BUT WE GET BACK TO YOU ASAP !!!!!!!!!!
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