Added Bonus: For an enlightening expose about how America has lost the legal structures that allowed for people to control corporate behavior, check out the below-linked book
The Ogden Ethics Project Blog has an informative new post up referring to the most recent pro-corporatist (fascist) federal court decision, in connection with the legality of corporate campaign donations. We invite you all to check it out:
And for an enlightening expose about how America has lost the legal structures that formerly allowed "we the people" to control corporate behavior, following an 1886 U.S. Supreme Court decision which has been erroneously and repeatedly cited as ruling that corporations were "persons" and entitled to the same rights granted to living, breathing, natural people under the Bill of Rights, check out this book, which is available online through Amazon.com:
In our view, the rise of corporatism in America represents one of the greatest threats to individual liberty since the founding of our great nation. For those of our readers who may share this view, or might be interested in learning a little more about it, we strongly recommend this book. It's a real eye opener.
And don't let the cat get your tongues...
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Standard-Examiner: Godfrey: Save $1M to Pay Employees Later
We'll now be standing by with abated breath, awaiting what we anticipate to be Boss Godfrey's logically-next-in-order innovation... another landmark epiphanic moment in Godfrey's 11-year mayoralty
Fascinating new development reported by the Standard-Examiner this morning as Lame Duck Mayor Boss Godfrey announces his latest revolutionary city management concept, i.e., "Saving for a Rainy Day":
We at Weber County Forum will of course now be standing by with abated breath, awaiting what we anticipate to be Boss Godfrey's logically-next-in-order innovation, another landmark epiphanic moment in Godfrey's 11-plus years of Emerald City governance... "Don't Buy Stuff You Cannot Afford":
Is Godfrey a slow learner? You be the judge.
Don't let the cat get your tongues...
Fascinating new development reported by the Standard-Examiner this morning as Lame Duck Mayor Boss Godfrey announces his latest revolutionary city management concept, i.e., "Saving for a Rainy Day":
We at Weber County Forum will of course now be standing by with abated breath, awaiting what we anticipate to be Boss Godfrey's logically-next-in-order innovation, another landmark epiphanic moment in Godfrey's 11-plus years of Emerald City governance... "Don't Buy Stuff You Cannot Afford":
Is Godfrey a slow learner? You be the judge.
Don't let the cat get your tongues...
Salt Lake Tribune: Living History: Utah Family Lost Four Sons to WWII; a Fifth Came Home
Have a safe and sane holiday, folks!
By Ozboy
A great Bagley history piece in Sunday's Tribune about the 5 Borgestrom brothers from Tremonton who served in the Army and Marines during WWII. Four of them paid the ultimate price. Pretty sobering thing to happen to one family:
A reminder of those who've lost their lives in the defense of our nation, which is the true reason we celebrate Memorial Day.
Have a safe and sane holiday, folks!
By Ozboy
A great Bagley history piece in Sunday's Tribune about the 5 Borgestrom brothers from Tremonton who served in the Army and Marines during WWII. Four of them paid the ultimate price. Pretty sobering thing to happen to one family:
A reminder of those who've lost their lives in the defense of our nation, which is the true reason we celebrate Memorial Day.
Have a safe and sane holiday, folks!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Standard-Examiner: Construction on Ogden River Townhomes Could Begin in July
An upcoming June 14 RDA meeting will also provide an opportunity for public input
More hype for the "nine years in the making" Ogden River Project, as this morning's Standard-Examiner announces that the Ogden City "RDA, made up of the city council, will consider a development agreement June 14 for the sale of the land to Salt Lake City-based SouthRiver LLC for construction of 69 townhomes and retail space...":
The above-referenced RDA meeting will also provide an opportunity for public input:
Mark your calenders folks, and chime in on this subject now, if you like.
More hype for the "nine years in the making" Ogden River Project, as this morning's Standard-Examiner announces that the Ogden City "RDA, made up of the city council, will consider a development agreement June 14 for the sale of the land to Salt Lake City-based SouthRiver LLC for construction of 69 townhomes and retail space...":
The above-referenced RDA meeting will also provide an opportunity for public input:
Mark your calenders folks, and chime in on this subject now, if you like.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Salt Lake Tribune: Coalition Launches to Promote Ethics in Ogden Government
With the 2011 Ogden City Municipal Election Season already heating up, it's great to know that a blue ribbon panel of prominent and highly respected local folks will be keeping their eyes peeled for election shenanigans (among other things)
Highly encouraging Emerald City news this morning from Cathy McKitrick, of the Salt Lake Tribune:
And for a broad overview of the group's goals and aspirations, check out the OEP's 5/26/11 press release, which arrived in our own WCF email inbox earlier this morning:
For those readers who'd like to wade in and take a peek at the fledgling Ogden Ethics Project's online efforts so far, check out their web and blog sites:
With the 2011 Ogden City Municipal Election Season already heating up, it's great to know that a blue ribbon panel of prominent and well respected local folks like Mary Hall, Dorrene Jeske, Deb Badger, Jock Glidden, Thom Kuehls and David Smith will be keeping their eyes peeled for election shenanigans (among other things).
Update 5/26/11 1:00 p.m.: Attention Facebook fans. The Ogden Ethics Project is now an active Facebook community organization:
Why not log in right now and click the "like" button, eh? (Can't hurt; and might help in spreading the word, no?)
Update 5/27/11 8:00 a.m.: The Standard is now carrying Scott Schwebke's version of this story too:
Highly encouraging Emerald City news this morning from Cathy McKitrick, of the Salt Lake Tribune:
A group of Ogden residents have launched the Ogden Ethics Project, not to endorse this season’s growing slate of municipal candidates, they say, but to promote open and fair government.Spearheaded by government watchdog Dan Schroeder, the Ogden Ethics Project gathered inspiration from Utahns for Ethical Government (UEG), a state-wide organization that unsuccessfully pushed ballot initiatives in recent years.Read the full story here:
And for a broad overview of the group's goals and aspirations, check out the OEP's 5/26/11 press release, which arrived in our own WCF email inbox earlier this morning:
For those readers who'd like to wade in and take a peek at the fledgling Ogden Ethics Project's online efforts so far, check out their web and blog sites:
With the 2011 Ogden City Municipal Election Season already heating up, it's great to know that a blue ribbon panel of prominent and well respected local folks like Mary Hall, Dorrene Jeske, Deb Badger, Jock Glidden, Thom Kuehls and David Smith will be keeping their eyes peeled for election shenanigans (among other things).
Update 5/26/11 1:00 p.m.: Attention Facebook fans. The Ogden Ethics Project is now an active Facebook community organization:
Why not log in right now and click the "like" button, eh? (Can't hurt; and might help in spreading the word, no?)
Update 5/27/11 8:00 a.m.: The Standard is now carrying Scott Schwebke's version of this story too:
A Fly in the Ointment: Applicable Utah Statutes Prohibit a Bar Within the Old Berthana Building
So what the heck's going on with this project?
Here's a followup story on Monday's WCF article, as updated, which discussed "the historic Berthana Building downtown [and purported lynchpin of the planned expansion of the Convention Center]", particularly with respect to this new Copper Club, which is projected to become a new anchor "bar," within the Old Berthana Building.
One of our Gentle Readers points out the fact that there seems to be a "fly in the ointment here."
Specifically, here's what we heard on this subject from a highly respected WCF Source:
"A Lighthouse owner called me and said, 'how can they put a club in there? the ordinance says it's too close to the church ..."
Yikes! Referring to the applicable Utah statutes we find this ( Utah Code Section 32B-1-202. Proximity to community location):
Here's the surreal kicker! The Friend of Matt (FOM) promoters (Lynda Huddelston, Nate Harbertson, etc.) purportedly intend to avoid the application of the above state statute by placing the Copper Club entry-way on the far south side of the Berthana Building.
Here's the reality:
The back of the Berthana is not 2 football fields from the church...
So what the heck's going on with this project?
Here's a followup story on Monday's WCF article, as updated, which discussed "the historic Berthana Building downtown [and purported lynchpin of the planned expansion of the Convention Center]", particularly with respect to this new Copper Club, which is projected to become a new anchor "bar," within the Old Berthana Building.
One of our Gentle Readers points out the fact that there seems to be a "fly in the ointment here."
Specifically, here's what we heard on this subject from a highly respected WCF Source:
"A Lighthouse owner called me and said, 'how can they put a club in there? the ordinance says it's too close to the church ..."
Yikes! Referring to the applicable Utah statutes we find this ( Utah Code Section 32B-1-202. Proximity to community location):
(1) For purposes of this section, "outlet" means: ... (c) a retail licensee....A church is defined as a "community location" per Utah Code Section 32B-1-102; and the downtown Episcopal Church property boundary plainly exists within a few hundred feet of the nearest entrance to the Berthana Building.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the premises of an outlet may not be located:
(a) within 600 feet of a community location, as measured from the nearest entrance of the outlet by following the shortest route of ordinary pedestrian travel to the property boundary of the community location... or,
(b) within 200 feet of a community location, measured in a straight line from the nearest entrance of the outlet to the nearest property boundary of the community location.
Here's the surreal kicker! The Friend of Matt (FOM) promoters (Lynda Huddelston, Nate Harbertson, etc.) purportedly intend to avoid the application of the above state statute by placing the Copper Club entry-way on the far south side of the Berthana Building.
Here's the reality:
The back of the Berthana is not 2 football fields from the church...
So what the heck's going on with this project?
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
KSL News: Ogden City School District Has the Top Three Worst Performing Schools
Why would the Ogden City School Board agree to extend the tax increment financing that Ogden City receives on Boss Godfrey's pet project when they know that money could be used for more teachers and programs to help fix this problem?
By: What a bunch of garbage
Did anyone see the story on KSL last night about the Ogden City School District having the top three worst performing schools in the entire state when it came to competency testing and 5 of the top 10?
Maybe it's just me, but I have a hard time buying the superintendent of the Ogden City School District's reason for why this is the case. He tries to blame the results on the poverty of the citizens of Ogden City.
If, as the superintendent claims, the reason for the poor performance of these schools is due to the poverty of the residents of Ogden City, why in the hell would the Ogden City School Board agree to extend the tax increment financing that Ogden City receives on Boss Godfrey's pet project when they know that money could be used for more teachers and programs to help fix this problem?
Poverty as the reason? Really? And this coming from the very taxing entity that is giving away hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars to support bullshit projects.
Seems to me the problem lies with the priorities of the school board, not the students and the families.
By: What a bunch of garbage
Did anyone see the story on KSL last night about the Ogden City School District having the top three worst performing schools in the entire state when it came to competency testing and 5 of the top 10?
Maybe it's just me, but I have a hard time buying the superintendent of the Ogden City School District's reason for why this is the case. He tries to blame the results on the poverty of the citizens of Ogden City.
If, as the superintendent claims, the reason for the poor performance of these schools is due to the poverty of the residents of Ogden City, why in the hell would the Ogden City School Board agree to extend the tax increment financing that Ogden City receives on Boss Godfrey's pet project when they know that money could be used for more teachers and programs to help fix this problem?
Poverty as the reason? Really? And this coming from the very taxing entity that is giving away hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars to support bullshit projects.
Seems to me the problem lies with the priorities of the school board, not the students and the families.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Photo Essay on the Historic Berthana Building
Update: $750,000 renovation converting the cavernous Berthana Building
By: Curmudgeon
The Standard-Examiner has up on line this morning a kind of photo essay on the historic Berthana Building downtown [and purported lynchpin of the planned expansion of the Convention Center] View it here:
Not linked to any currently running story that I can see, but many of the captions relate to on-going renovations turning at least part of the building into The Copper Club, identified as a sports bar. [e.g. one caption: "Lighthouse Lounge which will be the new Copper Club sports bar inside the Berthana building in Ogden on Friday, May 20, 2011." The date refers to the date the picture was taken, it seems, not projected opening date of the Copper Club.]
Presumably a story about the renovations/opening of the club is in prep now. Never having seen the inside of the Berthana or the old ball room, etc. I found the pix interesting. FYI.
Update 5/22/11 7:15 a.m.: Story on the Berthana renovation is now up on the SE website:
Here's the lead:
A $750,000 renovation is converting the cavernous Berthana Building into a downtown entertainment venue scheduled to open in August. Dubbed the Copper Club, the venue will occupy two floors of the Berthana, 315 24th St., and will be operated by Lynda Huddleston and several partners.
By: Curmudgeon
The Standard-Examiner has up on line this morning a kind of photo essay on the historic Berthana Building downtown [and purported lynchpin of the planned expansion of the Convention Center] View it here:
Not linked to any currently running story that I can see, but many of the captions relate to on-going renovations turning at least part of the building into The Copper Club, identified as a sports bar. [e.g. one caption: "Lighthouse Lounge which will be the new Copper Club sports bar inside the Berthana building in Ogden on Friday, May 20, 2011." The date refers to the date the picture was taken, it seems, not projected opening date of the Copper Club.]
Presumably a story about the renovations/opening of the club is in prep now. Never having seen the inside of the Berthana or the old ball room, etc. I found the pix interesting. FYI.
Update 5/22/11 7:15 a.m.: Story on the Berthana renovation is now up on the SE website:
Here's the lead:
A $750,000 renovation is converting the cavernous Berthana Building into a downtown entertainment venue scheduled to open in August. Dubbed the Copper Club, the venue will occupy two floors of the Berthana, 315 24th St., and will be operated by Lynda Huddleston and several partners.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Salt Lake Tribune: Ogden Marathon Set for Saturday
Remember folks.. efficient hydration is important even for those who aren't running a marathon!
Big doin's in and east of Ogden City this morning, as the increasingly relevant 11th annual Ogden Marathon event kicks off this morning at the landmark Red Cliff Ranch Outfitters & Cafe starting line location at 7:00 a.m.. For our WCF readers' enlightenment here are a coupla articles on the subject from the Northern Utah press:
Who knows? Maybe those WCF readers who aren't actually running in this race might want to get down to the finish line @ Union Station around 10:30 a.m., to buy the first (or later) finishers a cold beer.
And remember folks... efficient hydration is important even for those of you who aren't running a marathon!
Just another helpful health tip from yer ole pal, Rudi.
Update 5/22/11 10:41 a.m.: The Standard follows up Friday's writeup with these two post-race stories and a slideshow:
Big doin's in and east of Ogden City this morning, as the increasingly relevant 11th annual Ogden Marathon event kicks off this morning at the landmark Red Cliff Ranch Outfitters & Cafe starting line location at 7:00 a.m.. For our WCF readers' enlightenment here are a coupla articles on the subject from the Northern Utah press:
Who knows? Maybe those WCF readers who aren't actually running in this race might want to get down to the finish line @ Union Station around 10:30 a.m., to buy the first (or later) finishers a cold beer.
And remember folks... efficient hydration is important even for those of you who aren't running a marathon!
Just another helpful health tip from yer ole pal, Rudi.
Update 5/22/11 10:41 a.m.: The Standard follows up Friday's writeup with these two post-race stories and a slideshow:
Thursday, May 19, 2011
New Ogden City Council Website Feature
Housekeeping Note: Emerald City political wonks who want to stay ahead of land use planning issues will of course want to bookmark the link below
Here's a Weber County Forum Tip O' The Hat to the Ogden City Council for this most excellent online innovation. Here's the key link:
Special thanks to Council Chair Gochnour in re this.
One of our gentle readers was wondering in a lower comments section: "Does anybody know what happened at city council last [Tuesday] night relating to the request for high density slum apartment rezoning for the river district?"
Thanks to Caitlin Gochnour and the rest of the Ogden City Council, we now know that this matter is coming up for public input on May 24, 2011; and that we'll hereafter be able to find out which land use planning issues will be coming up for Council/RDA discussion on specific dates in the future.
It's especially nice to give Caitlin a pat on the back... at least every now and then; and this instance it's certainly well-deserved.
Emerald City political wonks who want to stay ahead of land use planning issues will of course want to bookmark the above link.
Comments, anyone?
Update 5/23/11 10:07 a.m.: Mysteriously, the above-mentioned "high density slum apartment rezoning" public discussion has now been apparently re-set for June 14, 2011.
Here's a Weber County Forum Tip O' The Hat to the Ogden City Council for this most excellent online innovation. Here's the key link:
Special thanks to Council Chair Gochnour in re this.
One of our gentle readers was wondering in a lower comments section: "Does anybody know what happened at city council last [Tuesday] night relating to the request for high density slum apartment rezoning for the river district?"
Thanks to Caitlin Gochnour and the rest of the Ogden City Council, we now know that this matter is coming up for public input on May 24, 2011; and that we'll hereafter be able to find out which land use planning issues will be coming up for Council/RDA discussion on specific dates in the future.
It's especially nice to give Caitlin a pat on the back... at least every now and then; and this instance it's certainly well-deserved.
Emerald City political wonks who want to stay ahead of land use planning issues will of course want to bookmark the above link.
Comments, anyone?
Update 5/23/11 10:07 a.m.: Mysteriously, the above-mentioned "high density slum apartment rezoning" public discussion has now been apparently re-set for June 14, 2011.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Ogden's Walmart Super Center Opens Its Doors This Morning
Added bonus: a reader submitted video, a true tribute to the folks who shop at Walmart
Some local folks are practically jumping outta their skins to patronize Boss Godfrey's new Ogden Wal-mart Supercenter (which opens up this morning), according to last Wednesday's breathless Ace Reporter Schwebke story:
(And Gawd knows it's been one helluva battle for Boss Godfrey, getting this cheesy retail monstrosity in place.)
So in honor of this morning's auspicious occasion, we're delighted to pass along the following video (sent along to us by an alert WCF reader) -- a true tribute to the folks who've already been "bolt[ing] through the front entrance" in anticipation of this morning's 8:15 a.m. opening of"the new 146,855 square-foot Walmart Supercenter...at 1959 Wall Ave."
Don't let the cat get your tongues...
Some local folks are practically jumping outta their skins to patronize Boss Godfrey's new Ogden Wal-mart Supercenter (which opens up this morning), according to last Wednesday's breathless Ace Reporter Schwebke story:
(And Gawd knows it's been one helluva battle for Boss Godfrey, getting this cheesy retail monstrosity in place.)
So in honor of this morning's auspicious occasion, we're delighted to pass along the following video (sent along to us by an alert WCF reader) -- a true tribute to the folks who've already been "bolt[ing] through the front entrance" in anticipation of this morning's 8:15 a.m. opening of"the new 146,855 square-foot Walmart Supercenter...at 1959 Wall Ave."
Don't let the cat get your tongues...
Monday, May 16, 2011
2011 Emerald City Election News
One interesting Ogden City website informational item worthy of discussion... during the currently disturbing and ongoing Boss Godfrey/Emerald City/Utah red meat political news lull, we've learnt about this:
Our Ogden City IT Department informs us that our upcoming 2011 Municipal Election "will be conducted once again by the Weber County Election department." Here's the gist:
Here's what happened the last time the Weber County election department ran Ogden Municipal Elections voting:
Should we be worried? We dunno yet.
Your blogmeister will definitely be having a conversation with hiz most bestest GOP buddy RICKY HATCH (our brand spankin new) Weber County Clerk/Auditor), however. If anyone can keep it all on the straight and narrow the next go-round... Ricky can.
Our Ogden City IT Department informs us that our upcoming 2011 Municipal Election "will be conducted once again by the Weber County Election department." Here's the gist:
Your Vote is Your Voice—Be HeardWe're wondering whether this information is discouraging... or not.
The City is gearing up for municipal elections to be held this year. In an effort to save taxpayer dollars, Ogden City is partnering with Weber County and their elections staff; we will be consolidating 52 voting precincts into 15 or fewer official polling locations. Exact sites will be posted as soon as they are determined. The General Election date is November 8, 2011.
The public will vote on four positions in November: Ogden City Council representatives for Municipal Ward 2 and Ward 4, and At-Large “C”, as well as the position of Ogden City Mayor.
Here's what happened the last time the Weber County election department ran Ogden Municipal Elections voting:
Should we be worried? We dunno yet.
Your blogmeister will definitely be having a conversation with hiz most bestest GOP buddy RICKY HATCH (our brand spankin new) Weber County Clerk/Auditor), however. If anyone can keep it all on the straight and narrow the next go-round... Ricky can.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Happy Birthday to Us
Marking the sixth anniversary of the advent of the public forum which has put the Fear of God into Utah political crooks and misdemeanants of every rotten stripe
Happy Birthday to us. Weber County Forum and her claque of hard-core Weber County political wonks can happily mark this day as the sixth anniversary of the advent of the public forum which has put the Fear of God into Utah political crooks and misdemeanants of every rotten stripe.
Time flies when you're having fun, dunnit?
And heck... we're just getting warmed up.
Happy Birthday to us. Weber County Forum and her claque of hard-core Weber County political wonks can happily mark this day as the sixth anniversary of the advent of the public forum which has put the Fear of God into Utah political crooks and misdemeanants of every rotten stripe.
Time flies when you're having fun, dunnit?
And heck... we're just getting warmed up.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Salt Lake Tribune Op-ed: Seven-lane Monsters Devour Communities
Worth a read, since UDOT's dropped its plans for a 7 lane Harrison Blvd. north of WSU only for the present
By Curmudgeon
Interesting op ed column up this morning in the SL Trib. It's by Chad Mullins and it's headlined in the print edition this way:
It's about the seven laning of roads [not interstates] through Utah communities --- much like what UDOT plans for part of Harrison Blvd and wanted to do to all of it --- and the consequences. Worth a read, since UDOT's dropped its plans for a 7 lane Harrison Blvd. north of WSU only for the present. Good column. Worth a read.
By Curmudgeon
Interesting op ed column up this morning in the SL Trib. It's by Chad Mullins and it's headlined in the print edition this way:
It's about the seven laning of roads [not interstates] through Utah communities --- much like what UDOT plans for part of Harrison Blvd and wanted to do to all of it --- and the consequences. Worth a read, since UDOT's dropped its plans for a 7 lane Harrison Blvd. north of WSU only for the present. Good column. Worth a read.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Wednesday Morning Emerald City News Roundup
Conciliation and compromise are the order of the day
A couple of Standard-Examiner news items worthy of note:
1) Scott Schwebke reports on last night's RDA meeting, in which prospective River Project developer Steve Peterson, a principal with Millrock Capital, asked for concessions regarding the size and construction schedule for "apartments." Tellingly, they're not even bothering to refer to them as "condominiums" any longer :
Sadly, it appears that tiny tenement-style residential rental units may now set the River Project tone.
2) After several stinging broadsides by the Standard-Examiner (and others), it appears that Chief Greiner may be adopting a more conciliatory attitude toward the Council's proposal to place a pharmaceutical drop-box within the Ogden City Public Safety Building lobby:
Yeah, Chief Greiner devotes considerable column space toward explaining why the lock box concept is a non-starter; but in the end he seems to suggest "[c]oncerns can be worked out," no?
Update 5/11/11 9:51 a.m.: Per Dan S... "Rudi, you missed at least two great articles in the Trib":
Yesiree, folks. There's plenty to chat about this mornin'.
A couple of Standard-Examiner news items worthy of note:
1) Scott Schwebke reports on last night's RDA meeting, in which prospective River Project developer Steve Peterson, a principal with Millrock Capital, asked for concessions regarding the size and construction schedule for "apartments." Tellingly, they're not even bothering to refer to them as "condominiums" any longer :
Sadly, it appears that tiny tenement-style residential rental units may now set the River Project tone.
2) After several stinging broadsides by the Standard-Examiner (and others), it appears that Chief Greiner may be adopting a more conciliatory attitude toward the Council's proposal to place a pharmaceutical drop-box within the Ogden City Public Safety Building lobby:
Yeah, Chief Greiner devotes considerable column space toward explaining why the lock box concept is a non-starter; but in the end he seems to suggest "[c]oncerns can be worked out," no?
Update 5/11/11 9:51 a.m.: Per Dan S... "Rudi, you missed at least two great articles in the Trib":
Yesiree, folks. There's plenty to chat about this mornin'.
Monday, May 09, 2011
Monday Morning Emerald City News Roundup
Pick up on any of the below topics, or talk about whatever floats your boats
Red meat political news is once again in short supply this morning; so we'll set up an open topic thread. Just to get the conversation rolling, here are a few suggested topics, for those readers who'd like to work out the kinks after the now-concluded Mothers Day Weekend.
1) We took the day off yesterday; but we don't want to let one more minute slip by without shining the spotlight on yesterday's strong editorial, wherein in this the Standard-Examiner editorial board joins with Weber County Forum in urging the Ogden City Council to "force [Ogden Police Chief] Greiner to allow a permanent [pharmaceutical collection] lock box in the [Ogden Public safety Building] lobby":
You'd think a hard-core crime-fighter like Chief Greiner would be falling all over himself to do anything possible to help get unused or unneeded prescription medications outta the medicine cabinets and offa the streets. Instead, he's baffling everybody, it seems, as the sole top cop in Utah who refuses to lift a finger to help implement last year's federal Safe and Secure Drug Disposal Act. Time we think, for the Council to give him a nudge. Yes everyone knows that Chief Greiner always wants to do what's right, right? Right!
2) On April 29, the Standard published this puff piece, announcing "[t]he most expensive public art piece in city history, costing $300,000, will be unveiled late this summer as part of the long-awaited Ogden River Project." Ogden resident and SE reader Ruth Darrington now follows this up with this pot-stirring letter to the editor, questioning everything from the price tag to the "artsiness" of this "pricey" riverside art project.
So what about it, O Gentle Readers? Has Emerald City arts spending jumped unreasonably outta control, just like everything else that originates on the ninth floor of city hall? And does Ms. Darrington make a reasonable point in suggesting that projects like these should be shuffled to local artists?
The Deseret News reports that House and Senate voted to return the state to a five-day workweek over the weekend, with an extraordinary Saturday night vote:
So what about it, WCF readers (just outta curiosity)... Is this veto override a major step in the right/wrong direction... or no big deal at all?
You know the drill. Pick up on any of the above topics, or talk about whatever floats your boats.
Red meat political news is once again in short supply this morning; so we'll set up an open topic thread. Just to get the conversation rolling, here are a few suggested topics, for those readers who'd like to work out the kinks after the now-concluded Mothers Day Weekend.
1) We took the day off yesterday; but we don't want to let one more minute slip by without shining the spotlight on yesterday's strong editorial, wherein in this the Standard-Examiner editorial board joins with Weber County Forum in urging the Ogden City Council to "force [Ogden Police Chief] Greiner to allow a permanent [pharmaceutical collection] lock box in the [Ogden Public safety Building] lobby":
You'd think a hard-core crime-fighter like Chief Greiner would be falling all over himself to do anything possible to help get unused or unneeded prescription medications outta the medicine cabinets and offa the streets. Instead, he's baffling everybody, it seems, as the sole top cop in Utah who refuses to lift a finger to help implement last year's federal Safe and Secure Drug Disposal Act. Time we think, for the Council to give him a nudge. Yes everyone knows that Chief Greiner always wants to do what's right, right? Right!
2) On April 29, the Standard published this puff piece, announcing "[t]he most expensive public art piece in city history, costing $300,000, will be unveiled late this summer as part of the long-awaited Ogden River Project." Ogden resident and SE reader Ruth Darrington now follows this up with this pot-stirring letter to the editor, questioning everything from the price tag to the "artsiness" of this "pricey" riverside art project.
So what about it, O Gentle Readers? Has Emerald City arts spending jumped unreasonably outta control, just like everything else that originates on the ninth floor of city hall? And does Ms. Darrington make a reasonable point in suggesting that projects like these should be shuffled to local artists?
The Deseret News reports that House and Senate voted to return the state to a five-day workweek over the weekend, with an extraordinary Saturday night vote:
So what about it, WCF readers (just outta curiosity)... Is this veto override a major step in the right/wrong direction... or no big deal at all?
You know the drill. Pick up on any of the above topics, or talk about whatever floats your boats.
Friday, May 06, 2011
Standard-Examiner: Agenda Item in Work Meeting Puzzles Ogden Officials
Boss Godfrey characterizes Tuesday night's council fiasco as "dysfunctional;" and it seems to us that the little feller is right about something for once
Can we see by a show of hands how many Emerald City political wonks have checked out a published City Council agenda at one time or another and found themselves entirely unable to decipher with any particularity -- or even remotely -- what was calendered to be discussed at an upcoming meeting? For example, here's Wednesday's Standard-Examiner public notice concerning yesterday's Ogden City Council work session, which sets forth the council's "agenda" thusly:
Boss Godfrey characterizes Tuesday night's council fiasco as "dysfunctional;" and it seems to us that the little feller is right about something for once.
It's Council Chair Gochnour's council leadership roll to formulate and approve the council agenda, by the way, and her responsibility to keep the discussion on topic as the meeting progresses. Taking Mr. Schwebke's morning story into account, it seems to us that Chairman Gochnour almost completely ducked out of the the opportunity to assert herself as Council Chair, first by allowing to be published an agenda phrased in hopelessly vague terms, and secondly, by failing to take charge of Tuesday's discussion when the meeting spun out of control.
Maybe somebody needs to send her a copy of Robert's Rules.
Maybe she needs to step down and let Council Vice-Chair Garner take over.
Maybe a few of our gentle WCF readers will offer their own takes on this.
Can we see by a show of hands how many Emerald City political wonks have checked out a published City Council agenda at one time or another and found themselves entirely unable to decipher with any particularity -- or even remotely -- what was calendered to be discussed at an upcoming meeting? For example, here's Wednesday's Standard-Examiner public notice concerning yesterday's Ogden City Council work session, which sets forth the council's "agenda" thusly:
"Discuss city needs and council business"Although published Ogden City Council agendas have never been a model of deeply descriptive and craftsmanlike specificity, it's our opinion that under current council leadership, the standards for public meeting agenda notices have descended to a level where serious misunderstandings have been absolutely certain to occur. Lo and behold, Scott Schwebke provides a story in this morning's S-E edition illuminating 2-1/2 hours of confusion at Tuesday's City Council work session, where nary a City official in the entire Council Chamber had the slightest clue what the meeting's agenda, (reportedly phrased in language similar to that set forth above) was supposed to be all about:
Boss Godfrey characterizes Tuesday night's council fiasco as "dysfunctional;" and it seems to us that the little feller is right about something for once.
It's Council Chair Gochnour's council leadership roll to formulate and approve the council agenda, by the way, and her responsibility to keep the discussion on topic as the meeting progresses. Taking Mr. Schwebke's morning story into account, it seems to us that Chairman Gochnour almost completely ducked out of the the opportunity to assert herself as Council Chair, first by allowing to be published an agenda phrased in hopelessly vague terms, and secondly, by failing to take charge of Tuesday's discussion when the meeting spun out of control.
Maybe somebody needs to send her a copy of Robert's Rules.
Maybe she needs to step down and let Council Vice-Chair Garner take over.
Maybe a few of our gentle WCF readers will offer their own takes on this.
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Standard-Examiner: Godfrey's Budget Proposal Projects Tax Revenue Boost
A few quick off-the-cuff observations as we commence the public process, and an invitation to our resident bean-counting "numbers people" to throw in their own 2¢
The Standard-Examiner heralds the beginning of the Ogden City annual budget adoption process with this morning's Top of Utah section story:
The Salt Lake Tribune is all over this story too:
The big news is that "Mayor Matthew Godfrey's proposed $153.3 million budget for fiscal 2012 projects a nearly $9 million increase in revenues from sales tax, property taxes, a sewer rate hike and other sources."
We'll offer a few quick off-the-cuff observations as we commence the public process, which if all goes well, will result in the state law mandated adoption of a final budget by June 22nd.
1) "Godfrey said in a budget letter to the city council that sales tax likely will begin to rebound in fiscal 2012 because of a WinCo Foods store that opened in April 2010 at 12th Street and Wall Avenue and a Wal-Mart Supercenter preparing for operation at 20th Street and Wall Avenue."
Our retort to that? Godfrey ought to be a little more cautious in this projection. In the local grocery business, retail sales tax revenue generation is akin to a zero-sum game. Barring population or individual income growth (which ain't happening), it's most likely that sales tax revenue in Ogden will merely be redirected during the next fiscal year away from traditional grocers, and toward discount mass merchandisers like WINCO and Wal-Mart. For what it's worth, this is one area where Ogden taxpayers shouldn't count the chickens before they're hatched.
2) At least one position will be eliminated in the Economic Development Department.
Our retort? This is one area where our City Council could realize some genuine municipal cost savings, if they have the political will to do so. The last time we examined the bloated Ogden City Economic Development Department there were 33 positions, generating an annual city obligation for salaries totalling $2,026,378. Cutting one or two positions isn't even a half-assed start. If the Council and Administration are serious about adopting a fiscally-conservative 2011-12 FY budget, they should look at the prospect of clearing out more of the Economic Development Department dead-wood.
3) "Godfrey's proposal calls for a 1.8 percent increase in water, sewer, storm sewer and refuse fees to offset additional fees the Central Weber Sewer Improvement District imposed on the city to help fund construction of a $140 million upgrade and expand its wastewater treatment plant."
Our retort? These fee increases could be avoided or mitigated if the Administration weren't continually dipping into the Business Depot Ogden revenue stream to fund Boss Godfrey's hare-brained and money losing economic development schemes. Our City Council originally sequestered BDO revenue to pay for increased infrastructure costs (such as water and sewer) but the overreaching Godfrey Administration (and at least one overly Administration-compliant City Council) long ago gutted those taxpayer-protective provisions.
That's it for now, O Gentle Ones, although we'll invite our resident bean-counting "numbers people" to provide their additional analysis of this embryonic proposed budget, if they wish. It should be fairly apparent that we haven't even "scratched the surface" with our own brief analysis, so we'd appreciate all the help that we can get.
And speaking of the proposed budget, you can find it here:
Have at it, WCF readers!
The Standard-Examiner heralds the beginning of the Ogden City annual budget adoption process with this morning's Top of Utah section story:
The Salt Lake Tribune is all over this story too:
The big news is that "Mayor Matthew Godfrey's proposed $153.3 million budget for fiscal 2012 projects a nearly $9 million increase in revenues from sales tax, property taxes, a sewer rate hike and other sources."
We'll offer a few quick off-the-cuff observations as we commence the public process, which if all goes well, will result in the state law mandated adoption of a final budget by June 22nd.
1) "Godfrey said in a budget letter to the city council that sales tax likely will begin to rebound in fiscal 2012 because of a WinCo Foods store that opened in April 2010 at 12th Street and Wall Avenue and a Wal-Mart Supercenter preparing for operation at 20th Street and Wall Avenue."
Our retort to that? Godfrey ought to be a little more cautious in this projection. In the local grocery business, retail sales tax revenue generation is akin to a zero-sum game. Barring population or individual income growth (which ain't happening), it's most likely that sales tax revenue in Ogden will merely be redirected during the next fiscal year away from traditional grocers, and toward discount mass merchandisers like WINCO and Wal-Mart. For what it's worth, this is one area where Ogden taxpayers shouldn't count the chickens before they're hatched.
2) At least one position will be eliminated in the Economic Development Department.
Our retort? This is one area where our City Council could realize some genuine municipal cost savings, if they have the political will to do so. The last time we examined the bloated Ogden City Economic Development Department there were 33 positions, generating an annual city obligation for salaries totalling $2,026,378. Cutting one or two positions isn't even a half-assed start. If the Council and Administration are serious about adopting a fiscally-conservative 2011-12 FY budget, they should look at the prospect of clearing out more of the Economic Development Department dead-wood.
3) "Godfrey's proposal calls for a 1.8 percent increase in water, sewer, storm sewer and refuse fees to offset additional fees the Central Weber Sewer Improvement District imposed on the city to help fund construction of a $140 million upgrade and expand its wastewater treatment plant."
Our retort? These fee increases could be avoided or mitigated if the Administration weren't continually dipping into the Business Depot Ogden revenue stream to fund Boss Godfrey's hare-brained and money losing economic development schemes. Our City Council originally sequestered BDO revenue to pay for increased infrastructure costs (such as water and sewer) but the overreaching Godfrey Administration (and at least one overly Administration-compliant City Council) long ago gutted those taxpayer-protective provisions.
That's it for now, O Gentle Ones, although we'll invite our resident bean-counting "numbers people" to provide their additional analysis of this embryonic proposed budget, if they wish. It should be fairly apparent that we haven't even "scratched the surface" with our own brief analysis, so we'd appreciate all the help that we can get.
And speaking of the proposed budget, you can find it here:
Have at it, WCF readers!
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Standard-Examiner: Ogden City Council Hears Transit Analysis
What's important now is to recognize that the process of constructing a 25th Street Street car system has been at least temporarily derailed
Bad news this morning for 25th Street Street car corridor advocates, as the Standard-Examiner reports that it could require another two years, and a new UTA study to support the City Council's preference that a "streetcar run from the Intermodal Hub up 23rd Street to Washington Boulevard, along 25th Street to Harrison Boulevard, and on to Weber State University and McKay-Dee Hospital":
Central city streetcar corridor advocates have stood by in amazement as UTA bureaucrats have hijacked the Transit Corridor Alternatives Analysis process, rejecting the 2005 Baker Study's preferred 25th street corridor, and substituting the boneheaded Wilbur Smith & Assocs.'s 36th Street preferred alignment instead. We don't know why this has happened; but we do believe there's ample evidence to suggest that the process was rigged. We won't go further into possible motives here, except to note that it has been repeatedly suggested that Flatland Gondola advocates, who've wanted to keep a central city transit corridor clear for a possible gondola, may have had a hand in the process.
What's important now is not to dwell on opposition motives however, but rather to recognize that the process of constructing a 25th Street Street car system has been at least temporarily derailed, in which connection we'll urge our City Council to scrupulously follow PB PlaceMaking, Inc. consultant GB Arrington's advice, and to somehow "marry what the city is trying to do with what UTA has already done," in order to get the process back on track.
That's it for now, O Gentle Ones.
Who'll be the first to chime in to further enlighten us on the meaning of all this?
Bad news this morning for 25th Street Street car corridor advocates, as the Standard-Examiner reports that it could require another two years, and a new UTA study to support the City Council's preference that a "streetcar run from the Intermodal Hub up 23rd Street to Washington Boulevard, along 25th Street to Harrison Boulevard, and on to Weber State University and McKay-Dee Hospital":
Central city streetcar corridor advocates have stood by in amazement as UTA bureaucrats have hijacked the Transit Corridor Alternatives Analysis process, rejecting the 2005 Baker Study's preferred 25th street corridor, and substituting the boneheaded Wilbur Smith & Assocs.'s 36th Street preferred alignment instead. We don't know why this has happened; but we do believe there's ample evidence to suggest that the process was rigged. We won't go further into possible motives here, except to note that it has been repeatedly suggested that Flatland Gondola advocates, who've wanted to keep a central city transit corridor clear for a possible gondola, may have had a hand in the process.
What's important now is not to dwell on opposition motives however, but rather to recognize that the process of constructing a 25th Street Street car system has been at least temporarily derailed, in which connection we'll urge our City Council to scrupulously follow PB PlaceMaking, Inc. consultant GB Arrington's advice, and to somehow "marry what the city is trying to do with what UTA has already done," in order to get the process back on track.
That's it for now, O Gentle Ones.
Who'll be the first to chime in to further enlighten us on the meaning of all this?
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Standard-Examiner: St. Anne's in Search of $7M for New Shelter
No doubt about it; we crack ourself up! Are we funny as hell... or what?
Okay, after significant dunning, and by popular request, we're putting up this Standard-Examiner story, which reports that no-holds-barred fundraising will soon occur in connection with BOSS Godfrey's St. Anne's Shelter Project:
It's reported that "Allan and Kay Lipman, of Ogden," "are heading up a capital campaign to raise the rest of the funds."
Just to be helpful, we'll post this important info, just in case "the Lipmans" are reading this. Here's by far Ogden City's most reliable project donor list, AFAWC:
No doubt about it; we crack ourself up... and so what say you about "all dat"?
Added Bonus Query: Are we funny as hell... or what?
Okay, after significant dunning, and by popular request, we're putting up this Standard-Examiner story, which reports that no-holds-barred fundraising will soon occur in connection with BOSS Godfrey's St. Anne's Shelter Project:
It's reported that "Allan and Kay Lipman, of Ogden," "are heading up a capital campaign to raise the rest of the funds."
Just to be helpful, we'll post this important info, just in case "the Lipmans" are reading this. Here's by far Ogden City's most reliable project donor list, AFAWC:
No doubt about it; we crack ourself up... and so what say you about "all dat"?
Added Bonus Query: Are we funny as hell... or what?
Monday, May 02, 2011
President To GOP Presidential Pretender Donald Trump: "Sorry It Took So Long."
Obama does to "Usama" (formerly Osama) what Geedubya utterly failed to do, and simultaneously knocks the moron Donald Trump (Yomama) outta the presidential race in one "fell swoop."
Got this awesome "text-enhanced" pic off regular reader Wm III's ever-excellent Facebook wall:
Oh My!!! Pretty funny, Yes? Well... delightfully ironic at least, right?
In light of current news developments, this pretty much tells the whole sad tale re the most recent US-generated anti-terrorist World Political Coup, No?
So who emerges the winner from this totally messed up world political story?
US? NOT US? DONALD TRUMP? NOT DONALD TRUMP? OSAMA BIN LADEN? BARRACK (BIN) OBAMA ???
It's so complicated! It goes beyond man's imagination, no???
The world-wide blogosphere eagerly awaits our WCF readers' ever-savvy comments on this story, as per usual!
Chime in O Gentle Ones. Feel free to utilise this venue, if you wish, to blow off a little pent-up steam!
Got this awesome "text-enhanced" pic off regular reader Wm III's ever-excellent Facebook wall:
Oh My!!! Pretty funny, Yes? Well... delightfully ironic at least, right?
In light of current news developments, this pretty much tells the whole sad tale re the most recent US-generated anti-terrorist World Political Coup, No?
So who emerges the winner from this totally messed up world political story?
US? NOT US? DONALD TRUMP? NOT DONALD TRUMP? OSAMA BIN LADEN? BARRACK (BIN) OBAMA ???
It's so complicated! It goes beyond man's imagination, no???
The world-wide blogosphere eagerly awaits our WCF readers' ever-savvy comments on this story, as per usual!
Chime in O Gentle Ones. Feel free to utilise this venue, if you wish, to blow off a little pent-up steam!
Standard-Examiner: Greiner: Not At Police Lobby
Our advice to Ms. Gochnour and the rest of our will-o-the-wisp City Council? Pass the danged ordinance as originally proposed
We'd like to call attention to a revealing example of wacky Ogden politics this morning, as the Standard-Examiner reports that "the city council may adopt a resolution later this month asking police to hold monthly medication take-back events because of Chief Jon Greiner's reluctance to put a pharmaceutical collection box in the lobby of the Ogden Public Safety Building":
It seems to us that somebody on the council initially came up with a pretty good idea, an eminently sensible proposal to locate a permanent drop box for the disposal of unused prescription and over-the-counter medications in the Ogden Public Safety Building lobby. According to this Standard-Examiner graphic, the idea wasn't a novelty either, inasmuch as similar drop boxes seem to have already been employed in the lobbies of police departments all across our fair state:
Sadly, the idea didn't play out all that well in Ogden however, where Ogden City administrative departments oddly and jealously guard their turf against the perceived encroachment of our Ogden City legislative body, the City Council. Accordingly, Chief Greiner has come up with a set of vague and a half-assed formal excuses to oppose the installation of a cop-shop drop-box. Topping it all off we now find our Ogden City Council Chair, Ms. Gochnour, (not exactly a model of strong political will herself,) rolling over on the issue without so much as a whimper, and saying (with a completely straight face) that "having monthly collection events is a good compromise to a permanent disposal bin."
Our advice to Ms. Gochnour and the rest of our will-o-the-wisp City Council? Pass the danged ordinance as originally proposed, and explain to Chief Greiner that he can either live with a drug drop-box in his precious Public Safety Building lobby, or find new employment in a city where the Chief of Police sets overall city policy.
That's our take and we're stickin' to it!
So what say our gentle readers about all this?
We'd like to call attention to a revealing example of wacky Ogden politics this morning, as the Standard-Examiner reports that "the city council may adopt a resolution later this month asking police to hold monthly medication take-back events because of Chief Jon Greiner's reluctance to put a pharmaceutical collection box in the lobby of the Ogden Public Safety Building":
It seems to us that somebody on the council initially came up with a pretty good idea, an eminently sensible proposal to locate a permanent drop box for the disposal of unused prescription and over-the-counter medications in the Ogden Public Safety Building lobby. According to this Standard-Examiner graphic, the idea wasn't a novelty either, inasmuch as similar drop boxes seem to have already been employed in the lobbies of police departments all across our fair state:
Sadly, the idea didn't play out all that well in Ogden however, where Ogden City administrative departments oddly and jealously guard their turf against the perceived encroachment of our Ogden City legislative body, the City Council. Accordingly, Chief Greiner has come up with a set of vague and a half-assed formal excuses to oppose the installation of a cop-shop drop-box. Topping it all off we now find our Ogden City Council Chair, Ms. Gochnour, (not exactly a model of strong political will herself,) rolling over on the issue without so much as a whimper, and saying (with a completely straight face) that "having monthly collection events is a good compromise to a permanent disposal bin."
Our advice to Ms. Gochnour and the rest of our will-o-the-wisp City Council? Pass the danged ordinance as originally proposed, and explain to Chief Greiner that he can either live with a drug drop-box in his precious Public Safety Building lobby, or find new employment in a city where the Chief of Police sets overall city policy.
That's our take and we're stickin' to it!
So what say our gentle readers about all this?
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Sunday Morning Emerald City News Roundup
Plenty of interesting tidbits in today's Standard-Examiner
For our readers' eager consumption, we'll reel off these morning items one-by-one:
Undeterred by the closing of his flagship restaurant and the imminent departure of his political benefactor from the Ogden political scene, Friend of Matt (FOM) Mel Kemp still sees a bright future for the Ogden-Hinckley Airport, with multimillion dollars in private aviation development purportedly looming on the horizon:
Big changes coming up at the Dinosaur Park, as multi-gazillionaire park founder Bob Marquardt resumes management:
Spot-on SE editorial this morning, on the topic of OPD double dipping, wherein the SE editorial board focuses in on the key operative principle, in a manner most laser-like. Quadruple-dipping Chief Greiner should write down this paragraph (so he doesn't forget it):
Seems everyone in Emerald City recognizes the problem with this double-dipping scam... except our morally and ethically challenged OPD top brass. The question we guess is whether someone in authority, (the City Council for instance,) will ever get around to doing something about it.
The floor's open for your comments, O Gentle Ones. Time to let 'er rip.
For our readers' eager consumption, we'll reel off these morning items one-by-one:
Undeterred by the closing of his flagship restaurant and the imminent departure of his political benefactor from the Ogden political scene, Friend of Matt (FOM) Mel Kemp still sees a bright future for the Ogden-Hinckley Airport, with multimillion dollars in private aviation development purportedly looming on the horizon:
Big changes coming up at the Dinosaur Park, as multi-gazillionaire park founder Bob Marquardt resumes management:
Spot-on SE editorial this morning, on the topic of OPD double dipping, wherein the SE editorial board focuses in on the key operative principle, in a manner most laser-like. Quadruple-dipping Chief Greiner should write down this paragraph (so he doesn't forget it):
If a police officer is not serious about retirement, then their benefits should be delayed until he or she retires. In short, if a lieutenant retires, there should be no double-dipping; a qualified sergeant -- and Ogden has many -- should be promoted.Read the full editorial here:
Seems everyone in Emerald City recognizes the problem with this double-dipping scam... except our morally and ethically challenged OPD top brass. The question we guess is whether someone in authority, (the City Council for instance,) will ever get around to doing something about it.
The floor's open for your comments, O Gentle Ones. Time to let 'er rip.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
© 2005 - 2014 Weber County Forum™ -- All Rights Reserved