SL Trib: Ogden is Not Making Waves

The Boss Godfrey Administration: Living in a blissful world of "alternate reality"

By Curmudgeon

The Salt Lake Tribune this morning has an article on Ogden's flowrider problems with the wonderfully sardonic headline "Ogden Not Making Waves." Adds some interesting detail to the story the SE ran on the same topic a while ago.

From the story:

Patterson prefers to view the repairs as an upgrade, rather than an expense. The city's portion of the funding for the work will come from revenues generated by the municipality's industrial park, Business Depot Ogden. But City Councilwoman Amy Wicks said planners had been warned that the heating and air-conditioning system at Flowrider was inadequate.
"Some bad decisions were made. It's unfortunate that it wasn't done right in the first place," she said. "But the city's project manager at the time was intent on keeping costs low." She said the funds needed to repair Flowrider could have better been spent on city infrastructure, such as roads, sidewalks and park upgrades.
At this point, however, Ogden has no other choice but to proceed with repairs, according to City Councilman Jesse Garcia. "Yes, it would be nice to spend the money on other things. But we can't not have the Flowrider operating properly," he said. "It would mean a significant loss of revenue."

And from further down:

The Salomon Center's popularity has exceeded expectations, Patterson said. He predicts that its popularity will increase. "Every aspect of the Salomon Center has been excellent," he said.
Wicks, on the other hand, said she isn't convinced that is true. The administration's visitation reports have been "vague," she said.

Interesting additions to the SE story in several ways. First, it points out [via Councilman Garcia] that the $308,000 in repair bills Ogden is now having to pay should have been available for other things more beneficial to the citizenry. Second, the story makes it clear that the screw up --- the bad decisions that have now required a very expensive retrofix --- was made by the City's project manager, who was trying to keep reported costs low [just before an election, though the story doesn't mention that]. Yet another Inspector Clouseau moment from Godfrey & Co. And third: Councilwoman Wicks' questioning the administration's figures regarding the popularity of the Salomon Center is an excellent example of what happens when an Administration --- like Godfrey's --- has dissembled and proven its word to be no good so often that other public officials can no longer trust what the administration says. Yet another example of the Godfrey administration shooting itself in the foot by its arrogance and contempt for the public, the council and the facts.

I also thought Patterson's comment was telling. He "prefers to think" of the repair costs as in upgrade, not a cost. Just as no doubt he and his boss "preferred to think" Ogden City would never have to make payments on the construction bonds for the Junction. But it did. Just as he and his boss doubtless "preferred to think" the RAMP grant could be used for Ice Tower prep costs. But it couldn't. Just as they "prefer to think" Mr. Lesham's legal and financial problems will in not affect is River Project plans.

So it should be clear now how the Godfrey administration makes its plans and decides its actions: not in the cold light of fact and reality-based analysis, but instead on the basis of what they "prefer to think." Hell, I'd prefer to think my income this year will double my income last year. But it won't. I prefer to think John Huntsman and the Republican Utah legislature were telling the truth when they insisted Huntsman's Flat Tax For The Very Wealthy [e.g. his base] would not result in my taxes going up. But my taxes did.

Godfrey and Patterson may live in the world of what they'd "prefer to think positively" Unfortunately, the rest of us live in and have to deal with the real world. Happily, we seem to have a Council majority... though a slim one... that stopped drinking the Godfrey Administration Kool-Aid some time ago.

At least, that's what I'd prefer to think....