Another Golden Opportunity for Emerald City Lumpencitizens to Tell City Officials "What's Up"

A gentle plea to contact your Mayor and Council Representatives with your views re Capital Improvement Project List priorities

By George K.

Are you all ready to be screwed again? At last night’s work meeting, the Council almost approved the Mayor’s Capital Improvement Plan which includes the Velodrome. Thanks to the women on the Council, the list is going back for reconsideration; and the Ordinance which will direct the budget will not be on Tuesday’s agenda as earlier planned.

The Administration is proposing the elimination of the following projects, which were previously included in the CIP for possible funding in the fiscal year 2009 budget:

• Air conditioner for the Union Station lobby - $95,175,
• Centennial Railroad Underpass - $88,225,
• Centennial Trail Hill Main Track Underpass, (which will complete the trail system) - $121,200,
• The 31st Street Entryway -$384,000,
• General street construction - $230,950,
• General sidewalk repair - $80,450.

The above projects benefit directly the residents of Ogden, but would be eliminated if the Mayor succeeds in adding the following inappropriate projects to the list:

• BMX Track - $50,500,
• Ogden City Velodrome - $1,000,000,
• Mega Skate Park - $40,400;
• Downtown Equestrian Trail, - $60,000, (plus over $3 million for underpasses).

Councilman Stephenson tried to convince his fellow council members that these projects are economic investments and need to be funded NOW. Chair Wicks told the Council that she felt that the items on the list ranged in urgency from immediately necessary to "dream" items.

I suggest you all let the Council and Mayor know your feelings on the projects before the Council puts the matter back on the agenda for further deliberation. The citizens of Ogden are entitled to provide their own input regarding looming Capital Improvement projects; and the Mayor and Council should consider project priority rankings with that in mind. Some of these projects are timely and necessary, and some of them are definitely not.

They do listen to you.

• Ogden Government Contact Information

Ed. Note: When you've finished contacting Boss Godfrey and your council representatives, don't forget to come back here to share your pithy comments.