Just to get the discussion rolling this Monday morning, we'd like to shine the spotlight on a fine Standard-Examiner letter to the editor appearing in this morning's edition, penned by the always civic-minded Jason Wood:
I was bemused, then nauseated,while reading the puerile house editorial of June 10, "Support Ogden Ice Climbing."For those readers who haven't yet made the connection, the above-signed author is the same playful fellow who posts those highly stylized and ever-cranky comments under the handle Jason W. right here on this forum. You know -- the ones which are amply laced with references to "Chris Peterson's squirrel patrol," "onions," and "THE SKI IS BEAUTIFUL BLUE."
Apparently, the Standard-Examiner's editorial board is comprised of those who easily fall prey to the irrational bleatings of Ogden's top high-adventure carnival barker, Mayor Matt Godfrey.
These people urge the city to allocate $100,000, "even $200,000," in taxpayer funds toward the erection of a nonsensical refrigerated ice tower, open for climbing all the year long.
In energy, mainenance costs and projected users, the idea is farcical on its surface, laughable in conception and utterly ridiculous on paper.
But not according to our delusional mayor and the leaders of our town's only newspaper; both entities seemingly think Ogden is a giant amusement park that needs circus ride after circus attraction to garner some sort of faux recreational cachet the community already possesses due to our natural wonders and the assets Godfrey often threatens.
We are a real city, home to real people who have real problems. Our infastructure is in need of repair, our firefighters are using equipment that's four decades old, we suffer from crime and gang violence, our police officers are underpaid.
But by all means, according to the solipsistic Standard, let's spend public money on another of Godfrey's silly boardwalk apparatuses; let's "get behind" Godfrey, Jeff Lowe and the ice tower.
Jason Wood
Ogden
As we lumpencitizens are painfully aware, keeping a lid on Boss Godfrey's crackpot schemes is a 24/7 job here in the upside-down, inside-out universe of MattGodfreyWorld. Today Jason has done his part. A Weber County Forum Tip O' the Hat to Jason this morning, for helping to deliver the message of truth and rationality to the general readership of our home town newspaper.
And for those readers who are disappointed that Jason at least slightly deviated from his signature literary style, and abandoned his "schtick" -- thus depriving Std-Ex readers of the full impact of his mighty pen -- we think that's OK in this instance. Somehow, we think many Std-Ex readers simply wouldn't "get it" at all. Golly heck. Even a few of our own Weber County Forum readers sometimes don't seem to get it either.
Amazing though, innit, what Jason can accomplish when he decides to play it straight?
And while we're on the subject of today's letters to the editor, here's another good one from this morning's Std-Ex letters page, delivering a grand tongue in cheek broadside against Godfrey, et al., on another perennial WCF favorite topic, the Mt. Ogden Golf Course.
Sell the El Monte Golf course and apply sale proceeds to improving our Mt. Ogden Golf Course crown jewel? Now there's one danged fine idea.
Time to clear out the weekend cobwebs, gentle readers.
The floor is open for your comments.
12 comments:
Fine letter, Jason. I reckon that Stephanie Moore, Sue Wilkerson, and their ilk have already sent in their indignant rebukes and that the S-E will print them forthwith.
Step up and take a bow, Jason.
Elder McConkie is right!
Geiger, Geiger, Geiger, Geiger, Geiger, Geiger ...
Jason, you know you've threatened patato nose's, as well as short decks grand scheme for a sidewalk kiosk that would supply wouldbe high adventure thrill seekers that would be lining the sidewalks thru out the summer with the full regalia of winter apparel that will be reqrired for climbing a giant artificial icecicle housed inside a giant artificial freezer during the hot summer months. How dare you stand up to enlightened administrative idiocy, you should be ashamed of youself. Fratboy!!!
Oh, I failed to mention the 3-sided pyramid replica that will adorn the top of the afforementioned artificial freezer. Word is this is top secret in nature, due it's sacred ability to provide sufficiant power to keep the operational budget low for the sake of the tax paying citizens of Ogden, that have expressed no interest in using the facility.
Jason's letter has me wondering... whatever happened to the much ballyhooed indoor wading pool/water park that was to be built just across from The Junction? Haven't heard much about that lately. Anybody know?
It's Wayne Peterson, Rudi. His name is Wayne. He and his faggot friends say "Chris" because he's a loser. Loser. But whatever. Howdeeya like that, Geiger? How are your hairplugs? Jerkoff.
Curm, I think the indoor wading pool was deep sixed when the public found the free parking spaces in the agreement, the embarrassed Godfrey administration took them back, the contractor said he had to re-evaluate, then he fell on hard times and canceled a half-built project in I think Orem, and that's the last we've heard.
In short, one of Godfrey's bloodsuckers got found out and is currently laying low.
Curm
I heard through the grape vine, that Val Southwick is going to save the wading pool through efforts orchestrated behind bars, and with a little bit of help from Bubba to jog the mind for new ways to scam the money out of the city.
Jason, I didn't know that there were 2 g's in lift ogden.
Bill, that's why they call it the "G train" a train of G's for "Godfrey Gaffs" or goofs or grifts or games or ...
Moroni,
Couldn't agree with you more on your statements: "Fact is, the current economy isn't encouraging to ANY project currently ballyhooed for downtown Ogden, whether Myler's, Leshem's, Ogden Properties', or Ernest Health's."
and
"Best thing we can do as citizens is support the businesses we already have."
You didn't miss the "Top of Utah" headline by Schwebke, did you?
GODFREY NEVER STOPS COMING UP WITH HIS NIGHTMARES! Now according to Schwebke:
"GODFREY UNVEILING PROJECT PROPOSALS -- Is Ogden ready to become high-adventure mecca?"
By SCOTT SCHWEBKE
Standard-Examiner staff
"OGDEN — Mayor Matthew Godfrey plans to unveil to the city council tonight five possible projects he believes will enhance Ogden’s reputation as a burgeoning high-adventure mecca, a municipal official says.
John Patterson, the city’s chief administrative officer, declined Monday to provide details about the projects because Godfrey wants to first share that information with the council during tonight’s work session.
“He wants them to be part of the process,” Patterson said.
Godfrey and Council Chairwoman Amy Wicks could not be reached for comment. Meanwhile, Council Vice Chairman Doug Stephens said he is looking forward to Godfrey’s presentation.
“It’s good to know what he’s thinking and what focus he has for the city,” he said.
The work session will follow an Ogden Redevelopment Agency meeting and a council meeting that begin at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Blvd.
Godfrey developed the list of high adventure projects based on suggestions from various stakeholders, including local athletes and outdoor recreation industry officials, Patterson said.
“They gave us ideas of what we should be pursuing as the high-adventure capital,” he said.
None of the projects involves a separate proposal to build a $1.6 million ice-climbing tower downtown, Patterson said.
The administration has asked the council for $200,000 to jump-start fundraising efforts for the tower.
A majority of council members have said they would be willing to provide a one-time, $100,000 allocation for the project. The council may vote on the request June 24.
Godfrey does not plan to ask the council for money for the five projects to be discussed tonight and is hopeful funding will be provided through Weber County RAMP tax proceeds and other sources, Patterson said.
The RAMP tax was established by county voters in 2004. The measure allows the county to impose a local sales tax of one-tenth of 1 percent, which equates to 1 cent on a $10 sale, to improve recreation, arts, museums and parks."
When is Godfrey going to grow up and face reality? When is he going to do something for the ordinary resident of Ogden? I hope he does it before he puts the City into bankruptcy! Of course he says that all these new projects won’t involve any taxpayer money. Oh, sure! Where and how many times have we heard that line?!
The Junction for which we just paid a $1.5 million bond payment was supposed to be paid for by tax increment payments (they’re not generating enough to make that payment) so it’s coming from revenue that was supposed to go to fix the City’s infrastructure.
The ice tower we were told is supposed to be a private venture, but now the City Council is being asked to fork over $200,000. to give others confidence enough to donate money for it. Sorry, but I don’t see that happening. The City will continually be on the hook to provide money for one thing or another because the reasoning will be, “Oh, we’ve invested $200,000. already, and we can’t lose that investment” so we’ll just keep pouring good money after bad.
Now there are five more projects that he wants to strap us with?! And he wants the City Council to be a part of the process?! Oh, PLEASE!! Since when did he start thinking of involving the City Council?! He must know that there’s a good chance that his five projects are as hair-brained as he is and will fail so he wants someone to blame their failure on!
It's getting too expensive to live in Ogden and Gdfrey wants to burden us with more Disneyland rides that we can't afford to ride! I've heard that his mother's ob/gyn swears that he didn't drop Godfrey on his head when he delivered him, but I sure wonder about that!
Does anyone else think the carnival should be put on hold until the econcomy improves or better yet until we see how his other projects do?
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