Excellent guest editorial in today's Standard-Examiner. In response to Boss Godfrey's earlier request for Emerald City citizens to offer "input" re the purported cash flow problems at the Mt. Ogden Golf Course, Ogden resident Nan Nalder provides Std-Ex readers with some robust analysis, along with some helpful suggestions. We incorporate Ms. Nalder's key lead paragraphs below:
What is the difference between these activities: golf, soccer, baseball, picnics, walks through a city-owned park, tennis, Frisbee, softball, family organized games, music, concerts in parks, sitting on a park bench, any fun family games played in a park, and tax-paid biking and hiking trails? Answer: All the above activities are the same; they are recreation for the residents and taxpayers of Ogden. The only difference with golf is that it is not free to the golfer. Each time an Ogden resident walks or rides on the golf course he or she is charged $18 to $36.Read the rest of this most excellent guest commentary.
How much do other recreational activities cost? Usually they are free. Senior Ogden residents pay their property taxes every year and are very happy to see others enjoy all the free parks and recreation provided by the city. Yes, they wish they could enjoy a soccer, baseball, softball or tennis game, but their arthritic joints won't let them. They can, however, get out on the golf course and play golf. Why? Because golf is a low-impact sport, and they love the recreation the game provides for them.
Historically, recreation has been a high priority for most communities. Our neighbors in Idaho Falls and Rexburg, Idaho, maintain and manage five municipal golf courses, and they have a much shorter playing season than Ogden. Why do these two cities continue to allow these non-profit recreational centers, and Ogden city doesn't want to? The answer is obvious: They use these golf courses, not only for recreation for their residents, but as an attraction for tourism to their cities. Yes, they see golf courses a lot different than Ogden city does.
What is Ogden's vision? It appears that it is ice climbing, wall climbing, bike riding, hiking, skiing, flying in an air chamber and video games -- anything but golf.
The mayor asked for solutions in solving the debt on the Mount Ogden Golf Course. The solution is simple: Change your vision.
And what say our gentle readers about all this?
