Needless to say, we'll continue to follow this story with considerable interest, in eager anticipation of any criminal charges which "could" be coming up.
Yeah. It's been a long haul indeed, but it'll be well worth the wait... we hope.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Utah Political Capitol: Gill: "Indictments" in Swallow Case in Three to Six Months
Yeah. It's been a long haul indeed, but it'll be well worth the wait, we hope
Tantalizing news for those who've been scratching their heads, wondering what's happening concerning the John Swallow political corruption scandal, which kept our Weber County Forum readers sitting on the edges of their seats for the greater part of 2013. According to this morning's Micheal Orton story from Utah Political Capitol, Davis and Salt Lake County prosecutors Troy Rawlings and Sim Gill are on the verge of having their prosecutorial "ducks" finally lined up, for the next chapter in the ongoing John Swallow Saga:
Needless to say, we'll continue to follow this story with considerable interest, in eager anticipation of any criminal charges which "could" be coming up.
Yeah. It's been a long haul indeed, but it'll be well worth the wait... we hope.
Needless to say, we'll continue to follow this story with considerable interest, in eager anticipation of any criminal charges which "could" be coming up.
Yeah. It's been a long haul indeed, but it'll be well worth the wait... we hope.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Big Boost: Mitt Romney Backs Count My Vote
Bad news for Count My Vote opponents, wethink, as Romney contributes his Utah political "star-power" to the CMV citizens initiative juggernaut.
There's a blockbuster development in the Count My Vote citizens inititiive story as GOP heavyweight Mitt Romney, who garnered "90 percent of the vote in Utah’s 2008 presidential primary and captured more than 93 percent of the vote [in 2012]," leaps aboard the CMV bandwagon, and endorses replacing Utah's current caucus/convention system with a direct primary nomination procedure.
Here's the lede from Saturday's KSL News story, along the accompanying KSL video, which we've helpfully embedded below:
The Trib is all over this latest news development too:
Bad news for CMV opponents, wethink, as Romney contributes his Utah political "star-power" to the Count My Vote juggernaut.
Added bonus: Find the nearest CMV petition location here, Mitt Romney fans:
Do your part to fix Utah's "busted" political nomination system, which has been "hijacked by cynical power brokers and right-wing fanatics," folks.
Here's the lede from Saturday's KSL News story, along the accompanying KSL video, which we've helpfully embedded below:
SALT LAKE CITY — Mike Leavitt, former governor of Utah, confirmed Sunday that Mitt Romney has thrown his support behind the Count My Vote effort to bring a primary election system to Utah.
In an email dated Feb. 19, addressed to Leavitt and obtained by KSL, Romney says, "I want to tell you Ann and I are supporters," he tells Leavitt, one of the organizers of the Count My Vote effort.
Romney writes he has been "pushing hard" for states to move to direct primaries since the most recent election.
"Convention/caucus systems exclude so many people," the email reads. "They rarely produce a result that reflects how rank and file Republicans feel. I think that's true for Democrats, too."
The Trib is all over this latest news development too:
Bad news for CMV opponents, wethink, as Romney contributes his Utah political "star-power" to the Count My Vote juggernaut.
Added bonus: Find the nearest CMV petition location here, Mitt Romney fans:
Do your part to fix Utah's "busted" political nomination system, which has been "hijacked by cynical power brokers and right-wing fanatics," folks.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Standard-Examiner: Complaint Filed Against Count My Vote
Yesiree, folks. Count My Vote petition opponents are clearly runnin' scared and pulling out all the stops
There's breaking news in the Count My Vote citizens initiative story this morning, as the Standard-Examiner reports the latest desperate effort of extremist petition opponents to thwart a public vote on demonstrably popular CMV political nomination procedural reform:
So in addition to Senator Curtis Bramble's pending "compromise" legislative "end-run", which would arguably render the Count My Vote citizens initiative moot, those political insiders who maintain a stranglehold over our Utah political nomination through our "quirky" and "democratically-exclusionary" party-insider caucus/convention nomination system are now opening up a second dilatory battleground, before our GOPUtah Lieutenant Governor, who has regulatory authority over Utah citizens initiative petition drives.
Here's a link to the full text of the complaint, for those folks who'd like to read up:
Yesiree, folks. With at least one news media source hinting that the CMV folks have already collected 100,000 Utah signatures or more, CMV petition opponents are clearly runnin' scared and pulling out all the stops.
While it's still a mite early to evaluate this latest legal maneuver on its merits, needless to say we'll be following this nest "wrinkle" closely, in the days and weeks to come.
Here's what you can do in the meantime however, O Gentle ones... if you haven't already done so. Click the link below, to find the nearest CMV petition location, and add your own signature to the list of thousands of other Utahns who've already "voted" to take back their government:
Do your civic duty, folks. Who knows? It could be YOUR OWN signature which puts the CMV petition drive "over the top," in the event that the PONC insider political operatives do ultimately succeed in getting a few petitions tossed.
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| Latest Polling Results |
So in addition to Senator Curtis Bramble's pending "compromise" legislative "end-run", which would arguably render the Count My Vote citizens initiative moot, those political insiders who maintain a stranglehold over our Utah political nomination through our "quirky" and "democratically-exclusionary" party-insider caucus/convention nomination system are now opening up a second dilatory battleground, before our GOPUtah Lieutenant Governor, who has regulatory authority over Utah citizens initiative petition drives.
Here's a link to the full text of the complaint, for those folks who'd like to read up:
Yesiree, folks. With at least one news media source hinting that the CMV folks have already collected 100,000 Utah signatures or more, CMV petition opponents are clearly runnin' scared and pulling out all the stops.
While it's still a mite early to evaluate this latest legal maneuver on its merits, needless to say we'll be following this nest "wrinkle" closely, in the days and weeks to come.
Here's what you can do in the meantime however, O Gentle ones... if you haven't already done so. Click the link below, to find the nearest CMV petition location, and add your own signature to the list of thousands of other Utahns who've already "voted" to take back their government:
Do your civic duty, folks. Who knows? It could be YOUR OWN signature which puts the CMV petition drive "over the top," in the event that the PONC insider political operatives do ultimately succeed in getting a few petitions tossed.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
2014 Weber County Forum Winter Olympics Update
Finally something for U.S. Olympics Hockey "agnostics" to cheer for, wethinks
The U.S. men's hockey team plays Canada in the in the Olympic semifnals tomorrow, in a rematch of the 2010 gold medal game in Vancouver; and Twitter has already decided an extra incentive:
Finally something for U.S. Olympics Hockey "agnostics" to cheer for, wethinks.
Okay... now it matters.
Go Team USA!
Better yet, GO BIEBER, GO!
The U.S. men's hockey team plays Canada in the in the Olympic semifnals tomorrow, in a rematch of the 2010 gold medal game in Vancouver; and Twitter has already decided an extra incentive:
Finally something for U.S. Olympics Hockey "agnostics" to cheer for, wethinks.
Okay... now it matters.
Go Team USA!
Better yet, GO BIEBER, GO!
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Open Letter to Utah Governor Gary Herbert
Be a hero, and not a zero, for once in your pathetic political life
"Okay. When Governor Herbert is being cast as the liberal in a policy debate, you have to know that the other side is seriously off the deep end":
The uber-conservative Deseret News has a few supportive words on this topic, too:
So get with it Governor Herbert. Collect that "$524 million in federal money the state will draw on to provide Medicaid coverage to 111,000 low-income Utahns."
Be a hero, and not a zero, for once in your pathetic political life.
Just a helpful tip from yer ole pal Rudi.
The uber-conservative Deseret News has a few supportive words on this topic, too:
So get with it Governor Herbert. Collect that "$524 million in federal money the state will draw on to provide Medicaid coverage to 111,000 low-income Utahns."
Be a hero, and not a zero, for once in your pathetic political life.
Just a helpful tip from yer ole pal Rudi.
WCF Guest Editorial: Stop the Comcast/Time Warner Merger
By David Moon:
Comcast, the biggest cable and Internet provider is trying to take over Time Warner, its biggest rival. This would give Comcast a near-monopoly, and a presence in every major media market in the country.
Click here to tell the Federal Communications Commission that it needs to stop the merger.
With almost no competition, a merged Comcast Time Warner would have no reason to keep prices low, or offer consumers more choices, much less improve its infrastructure. Millions of rural customers who have been waiting for decades for broadband internet access would likely have to keep on waiting.
We already deserve much better than we're getting from telecom giants. America lags far behind the rest of the developed world in Internet service, speed and affordability. The profit-greedy telecom industry has opposed infrastructure improvement at every opportunity.
If two of the worst and most incompetent cable providers consolidate their power, America's digital divide will grow as we all fall farther and farther behind the rest of the world.
Moreover, allowing only a handful of giant corporations to be the gatekeepers for almost all media and Internet services would be disastrous for privacy, freedom of speech, and what's left of an open Internet!
But the Federal Communications Commission can stop the merger. Please let the the FCC know that that's what we need it to do.
Click here to tell the FCC to stand up to the telecom behemoths and protect consumers -- just like it's supposed to do.
Thanks.
-Demand Progress
Comcast, the biggest cable and Internet provider is trying to take over Time Warner, its biggest rival. This would give Comcast a near-monopoly, and a presence in every major media market in the country.Click here to tell the Federal Communications Commission that it needs to stop the merger.
With almost no competition, a merged Comcast Time Warner would have no reason to keep prices low, or offer consumers more choices, much less improve its infrastructure. Millions of rural customers who have been waiting for decades for broadband internet access would likely have to keep on waiting.
We already deserve much better than we're getting from telecom giants. America lags far behind the rest of the developed world in Internet service, speed and affordability. The profit-greedy telecom industry has opposed infrastructure improvement at every opportunity.
If two of the worst and most incompetent cable providers consolidate their power, America's digital divide will grow as we all fall farther and farther behind the rest of the world.
Moreover, allowing only a handful of giant corporations to be the gatekeepers for almost all media and Internet services would be disastrous for privacy, freedom of speech, and what's left of an open Internet!
But the Federal Communications Commission can stop the merger. Please let the the FCC know that that's what we need it to do.
Click here to tell the FCC to stand up to the telecom behemoths and protect consumers -- just like it's supposed to do.
Thanks.
-Demand Progress
Monday, February 17, 2014
Salt Lake Tribune: Bill: Government Lawyers Must Study Federalism
Rep. Ken Ivory: The best danged Utah legislative representation that corporate money can buy
Via a couple of "friends" of Weber County Forum :
"If the Utah legal community doesn't rise up against this then they deserve to sit in reeducation classes listening to some jackass from the Sutherland Institute lecture them on the virtues of nullification" - Patrick B.
Here's the gist from this morning's Salt Lake Tribune story:
"You have to admit that Ivory works fast. On Jan 9th his "keepers" at ALEC posted model legislation entitled "Federalism Education Requirements for Public Attorneys" and here we are a little over 5 weeks later and it is before the Utah House. He represents his billionaire patrons quite well" - Donald A.:
Rep. Ken Ivory (R-West Jordan): The best danged Utah legislative representation that corporate money can buy:
Don't let the cat get your tongues, O Gentle Ones...
Via a couple of "friends" of Weber County Forum :
Here's the gist from this morning's Salt Lake Tribune story:
Rep. Ken Ivory says lawyers for the state and local governments know too little about states’ rights to effectively battle the federal government. So he is moving to require them — and judges — to take an online seminar every two years to stress the "sovereignty, supremacy and jurisdiction" of states.Read Trib reporter Lee Davidson's full writeup, folks:
The House Government Operation Committee voted 7-1 Friday to pass his HB120 imposing that new rule and sent it to the full House.
"You have to admit that Ivory works fast. On Jan 9th his "keepers" at ALEC posted model legislation entitled "Federalism Education Requirements for Public Attorneys" and here we are a little over 5 weeks later and it is before the Utah House. He represents his billionaire patrons quite well" - Donald A.:
Rep. Ken Ivory (R-West Jordan): The best danged Utah legislative representation that corporate money can buy:
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| Click to enlarge image |
Don't let the cat get your tongues, O Gentle Ones...
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Standard-Examiner: Our View: Workers Need FrontRunner (At "The S-E Doorstep)
Sodden thought: Cities like Ogden would be smart to aggressively oppose efforts to relocate FrontRunner stations to the boondocks
Interesting editorial from the Standard-Examiner this morning, urging that "a need exists in Northern Utah to have the FrontRunner trains stop where people are working":
Frankly, we think the Standard's editorial stance is maybe a little "half-baked," and possibly even more self-serving. Seems that more than a few SE commenters are on that "philosophical page," too:
Here's a god retort from Ogden City Watchdog Dan Schroeder:
Frankly, we think the Standard's editorial stance is maybe a little "half-baked," and possibly even more self-serving. Seems that more than a few SE commenters are on that "philosophical page," too:
Here's a god retort from Ogden City Watchdog Dan Schroeder:
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Salt Lake Tribune: Boneheaded Bill to Nullify Election Initiative Gets Off to Fast Start
Nice try, Senator Blamble. But please be advised that compromise with the Eagle Forum and their evil ilk, ainna gonna work with the Utah Lumpencitizens this go-round.
Just so's you folks won't think your WCF blogmeister is "dogging it" as we move into the post-Valentine's day weekend, we'll devote some electronic ink to the the latest development in the Count My Vote Citizans' Initative story. Seems that the clique of Utah Republican wackos who love their commanding control of the Utah caucus/convention political nomination "system" are "freaking out," as the Count My Vote Petition continues to gain an insurmountable mainstream momentum. Yep. Its our old WCF pal Curt Bramble pushing his way in here, with his ill-advised SB54, a crackpot "hybrid" bill which would, weirdly enough, "preserve" the evil Utah causus/convention nomination system, whilst simultaneously, or perhaps alternatively, adopting the Count my Vote petion language "whole-hog." Read up folks:
Here's the "gist" of Bramble's schizoid bill, people:
Failing that, Utah's political nomination "system" would fall back to a direct primary procedure, according to the exct language of the County My Vote initiative, which language is directly incorporated into Bramble's proposed "remedial" legislation.
Let's face it foks. Bramble and the others are running scared.. Why accept this weak Bramble "compromise" legislation when we Utah Voters can have the whole enchilada, and toss out the bums from the Eagle Forum and Sutherland Insitute?
It's time to drive a stake through the heart of the Utah Caucus/Convention nomination "system" once and for all.
Please visit your local Count My Vote Petition signature location, if you haven't already done so already:
Nice try, Senator Blamble. But please be advised that compromise with the evil Eagle Forum and their ilk, ainna gonna work with the Utah Lumpencitizens this go-round.
Just keep a-signin' those petitions, Utah folks!
Here's the "gist" of Bramble's schizoid bill, people:
Requirements: Bramble’s bill would force political parties to comply with four conditions (in order to make party caucuses "count"):
• The parties would have to provide a way for people who couldn’t attend their neighborhood caucuses to vote by absentee ballot.• The parties would need to have a system in which delegates to political conventions, who are chosen at the caucuses, can cast absentee ballots or have backup delegates in case they can’t attend the convention.• The top two vote-getters at conventions would have to square off in a primary if they don’t get 65 percent of the vote, up from the current level of 60 percent.• Party primaries would have to be open to unaffiliated voters.
Let's face it foks. Bramble and the others are running scared.. Why accept this weak Bramble "compromise" legislation when we Utah Voters can have the whole enchilada, and toss out the bums from the Eagle Forum and Sutherland Insitute?
It's time to drive a stake through the heart of the Utah Caucus/Convention nomination "system" once and for all.
Please visit your local Count My Vote Petition signature location, if you haven't already done so already:
Nice try, Senator Blamble. But please be advised that compromise with the evil Eagle Forum and their ilk, ainna gonna work with the Utah Lumpencitizens this go-round.
Just keep a-signin' those petitions, Utah folks!
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Standard-Examiner: Weber Officials Make Pitch To Legislature For Funds To Buy Gun Range - Updated
For those WCF readers who'd like to listen in, we've helpfully linked the audio of the Weber County Commission's February 11, 2014 sales pitch
Senator Jenkins: "I'm total screwup"
As a followup to our January 24 Weber County Forum story, wherein we reported that "our purportedly 'tight fisted' Weber County Commissioners are keen on dropping a cool $3.8 million taxpayer dollars for the public acquisition of a financially troubled and currently privately owned facility which features, among other things, two indoor shooting ranges and (get this) a 'mock urban environment,' where Weber County gun fanciers can finely hone their 'urban combat' tactics," we'll shine the spotlight on this morning's Standard-Examiner story, which reports on the latest development concerning this pie in the sky boondoggle:
For those WCF readers who'd like to listen in, we've helpfully linked the audio of the Weber County Commission's February 11, 2014 sales pitch before the Utah State Legislature's Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee:
As an added bonus, we'll provide the online contact links for those Weber County situated state legislators who sit on the Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee, for the benefit of those Weber County Forum readers who'd like to bend their state legislator's ears concerning the "wisdom" of this proposed $7.8 million boondoggle:
Have at it, O Gentle Ones...
Update 2/14/14 9:29 a.m.: Ooops.... According this morning's hot-off-the-press Standard-Examiner story, the Weber County Commission's "funding request ... for state help with the [$7.8 million] purchase of a gun range is dead for now, the victim of procedural mess-up right out of an Abbot and Costello act":
"I screwed up. I thought it was in there. We had been over there talking about a million bucks. I knew I wouldn't get $3.7 million. We had a million and we were sitting over there talking and in the meantime we had never procedurally put it on the list and I thought we had. I just mixed up, it was a mistake," Senator Scott Jenkins admits, in a rare display of political candor.
Good goin' Senator Jenkins, we'll add.
Unfortunately, there's no word whether Senater Jenkins will succeed in having this possible multi-million dollar "handout" restored to the "sweeheart" priority list.
Senator Jenkins: "I'm total screwup"
For those WCF readers who'd like to listen in, we've helpfully linked the audio of the Weber County Commission's February 11, 2014 sales pitch before the Utah State Legislature's Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee:
- Weber County Shooting Range - Sen. Jenkins (1:28:30-1:44:30)
As an added bonus, we'll provide the online contact links for those Weber County situated state legislators who sit on the Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee, for the benefit of those Weber County Forum readers who'd like to bend their state legislator's ears concerning the "wisdom" of this proposed $7.8 million boondoggle:
- Sen Scott Jenkins, R-Ogden
- Sen. Stuart Reid, R-Ogden
- Rep. Jeremy Peterson, R-Ogden
- Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R-North Ogden
- Rep. Dixon Pitcher, R-Ogden
Have at it, O Gentle Ones...
"I screwed up. I thought it was in there. We had been over there talking about a million bucks. I knew I wouldn't get $3.7 million. We had a million and we were sitting over there talking and in the meantime we had never procedurally put it on the list and I thought we had. I just mixed up, it was a mistake," Senator Scott Jenkins admits, in a rare display of political candor.
Good goin' Senator Jenkins, we'll add.
Unfortunately, there's no word whether Senater Jenkins will succeed in having this possible multi-million dollar "handout" restored to the "sweeheart" priority list.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Breaking: LGBT Utahns Arrested After Protesting Senate’s Block of Non-Discrimination Law - Updated
Fortunately, at least at this juncture, there are still no reports of any LGBT folks or their supporters actually getting their skulls busted... at least not yet
Eye-opening action this afternoon is being reported on Utah's Capitol Hill, springing from the block-headed inaction of our bigoted Utah Republican majority, who've vowed that there will be "no bills where human rights will be even mentioned," due to the still pending Kitchen V. Herbert federal appeal matter, inasmuch as Utah GOP leadership (so-called) fears that any one of a hundred or so block-headed Utah Republican legislators might display "discrimatory 'animus," which might jeopardise Utah's already pathetic federal appeals case.
Here's the current skinny, peeps, concerning a Utah Capital Hill civil rights "standoff" which is still now developing, even as your blogmeister types this up. Yes. peaceful Utah protesters are even now being arrested, folks:
Feels reminiscent of the situation in the southern USA during the 'sixties," dunnit; whilst brave black (and white) folks were manning the barricades and demonstrating for equal rights? Fortunately, at least at this juncture, there are still no reports of any Utah LGBT folks or their supporters actually getting their skulls busted... at least not yet, that is.
Kudos to all Utahns, LGBT or not, who are willing to go to the streets to stand for equality.
Needless to say, we'll be sitting on the edge of our seat and will continue reporting, as this situation continues to develop.
Update 2/10/14 6:26 p.m.: Check out this awesome and inspirational video:
Whatever you do, don't let the cat get your tongues!
Update 2/10/14 8:25 p.m.: Good news! Looks like 13 enemies of the Utah GOP Fascist State have already (and miraculously) made bail:
Update 2/1014 9:41 p.m.: Okay folks. Better late than never, the Salt Lake Tribune's Lindsay Whitehurst is now all over this story:
Just keep voting Republican, folks, as the State of Utah increasingly emulates the old Soviet Union!
And don't "clam up," O Gentle Ones.
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| Peaceful protesters... about to be Frog-marched |
Here's the current skinny, peeps, concerning a Utah Capital Hill civil rights "standoff" which is still now developing, even as your blogmeister types this up. Yes. peaceful Utah protesters are even now being arrested, folks:
Feels reminiscent of the situation in the southern USA during the 'sixties," dunnit; whilst brave black (and white) folks were manning the barricades and demonstrating for equal rights? Fortunately, at least at this juncture, there are still no reports of any Utah LGBT folks or their supporters actually getting their skulls busted... at least not yet, that is.
Kudos to all Utahns, LGBT or not, who are willing to go to the streets to stand for equality.
Needless to say, we'll be sitting on the edge of our seat and will continue reporting, as this situation continues to develop.
Update 2/10/14 6:26 p.m.: Check out this awesome and inspirational video:
Whatever you do, don't let the cat get your tongues!
Update 2/10/14 8:25 p.m.: Good news! Looks like 13 enemies of the Utah GOP Fascist State have already (and miraculously) made bail:
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| Free at Last!!! |
Just keep voting Republican, folks, as the State of Utah increasingly emulates the old Soviet Union!
And don't "clam up," O Gentle Ones.
Smart BYU Perfessors: The Problems With Caucuses and Conventions
A fantastic online academic "paper." backed up with extremely solid BYU academic research and analysis, of course
In the interest of promoting a wee bit of Weber County Forum discussion in what's left of this Monday morning, and as our latest installment in our full-court press to promote the Count My Vote citizizens intiative petition drive, which is aimed to replace Utah's "crackpot-oriented" Caucus/Convention Nomination System with a much more citizen inclusive Direct Primary nomination procedure, we're delighted to highlight this scholarly guest post by Brigham Young University political scientists Christopher Karpowitz and Jeremy C. Pope, which was lodged this morning, on the award winning Washington Post-based Monkey Cage Blog:
This online academic "paper" is backed up with extremely solid academic research and analysis, of course, which is something we always applaud, especially when propelled by the rigorous research of "perfessors" tenured at BYU:
So what about it folks?
This online academic "paper" is backed up with extremely solid academic research and analysis, of course, which is something we always applaud, especially when propelled by the rigorous research of "perfessors" tenured at BYU:
So what about it folks?
Right now a movement called Count My Vote is trying to change the Utah system from a caucus/convention system to a primary system and may get the issue on Utah’s ballot next fall, although the campaign is still in its early stages. In our view, the key question is one of representativeness. Will the parties choose electoral institutions preferred by the most ideologically committed participants, or will they choose institutions that attract a wider and more representative sample of voters?Don't let the cat get yer tongues, O Gentle Ones.
Sunday, February 09, 2014
State Agency Seeks $1 Million to Prevent Listing of Sage Grouse
LOL: Utah, the "best managed" state
Via my ever curmudgeonly FB buddy Ed Flint, whom I'll most surely hire if I'm ever criminally accused of anything more serious than the usual "spittin on the sidewalk" charge
"Sure, why not? Utahns aren't taxed enough, and our tax dollars are already spent to observe whether wolves are coming to Utah, so let's spend the money, instead of lowering the taxes":
What the heck? It's just a danged bird, right? Good eatin' too, or so I read.
So howbout spending that extra $1 Mil on Utah education? There's no chance of having that happen, of course.
LOL: Utah, the "best managed" state.
"Sure, why not? Utahns aren't taxed enough, and our tax dollars are already spent to observe whether wolves are coming to Utah, so let's spend the money, instead of lowering the taxes":
What the heck? It's just a danged bird, right? Good eatin' too, or so I read.
So howbout spending that extra $1 Mil on Utah education? There's no chance of having that happen, of course.
LOL: Utah, the "best managed" state.
High End Extortion in the 2014 Republican Party
If you wanna play in Utah, you gotta pay, we guess
The National Republican Congressional Committee expects (Utah Nutcase) GOP US House Rep. Chris Stewart to contribute $190,000 by year’s end, a figure based on seniority and committee assignments. "The NRCC funnels the dues to Republicans in tough races in hopes of maintaining their House majority in this midterm election year":
Dues? Why does the national GOP committee that throws major effort to elect major morons to the Congress of the United States of America sound more and more like the mafia? "A rose is a rose. And kickbacks are kickbacks."
If you wanna play on the national GOP political scene, you gotta pay up, we guess.
SICK, ainnit?
Dues? Why does the national GOP committee that throws major effort to elect major morons to the Congress of the United States of America sound more and more like the mafia? "A rose is a rose. And kickbacks are kickbacks."
If you wanna play on the national GOP political scene, you gotta pay up, we guess.
SICK, ainnit?
Friday, February 07, 2014
Salt Lake Tribune: Utah Bill to Lower Costs for Records Requests Stalls in Committee
C'mon, folks there has to be some low threshold which even our government secrecy minded Utah legislative "critters" can tolerate, right?
Bad news for open government advocates, with this The Salt Lake Tribune Wednesday story, reporting that "opposition from cities stalled a bill Tuesday that would require local governments to cover the first $1,000 in costs for (Governmenent Records and Management Act ]GRAMA]) records requests whenever they are ruled to be primarily in the public interest":
And yes, folks, as indicated by the highlighted quotes above, this is a story of particular local interest here in Ogden City, where examples of "public interest" GRAMA request obstructionism are "legion."
We'll be standing by with abated breath to learn whether Rep. King will succeed in bringing his HB242 back to committee with some kind of compromise, in a Utah legislative atmosphere which still remains, (shall we say) decidedly "public records request unfriendly".
Maybe a $500 "public interest" threshold, perhaps? C'mon, folks, there has to be some low threshold which even our government secrecy minded Utah legislative "critters" and elected municipal officials can tolerate, right?
Journalists and sometimes citizens alike are being priced out of the ability to check on government.
Sheryl Worsley, president of the Utah Headliners
Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists
Utah bill to lower costs for records requests stalls
February 4, 2014
Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists
Utah bill to lower costs for records requests stalls
February 4, 2014
Reasonable fees lead to reasonable requests. Some cranks request huge amounts of records on fishing expeditions, and it could worsen if they do not need to worry about costs.
Ogden City Attorney Gary Williams
Utah bill to lower costs for records requests stalls
February 4, 2014
Utah bill to lower costs for records requests stalls
February 4, 2014
Mr. Williams has been in the business of obstructing legitimate GRAMA requests for many years. As a result of his obstruction, Ogden ended up paying $10,000 in attorney's fees to one requestor (the Sierra Club, of which I was the acting official) a few years ago...
I suppose I'm one of the "cranks" that Mr. Williams is referring to.
Ogden City Political Watchdog Dan Schroeder
Utah bill to lower costs for records requests stalls (comment)
February 4, 2014
Utah bill to lower costs for records requests stalls (comment)
February 4, 2014
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| Pay through the nose to peek inside |
And yes, folks, as indicated by the highlighted quotes above, this is a story of particular local interest here in Ogden City, where examples of "public interest" GRAMA request obstructionism are "legion."
We'll be standing by with abated breath to learn whether Rep. King will succeed in bringing his HB242 back to committee with some kind of compromise, in a Utah legislative atmosphere which still remains, (shall we say) decidedly "public records request unfriendly".
Maybe a $500 "public interest" threshold, perhaps? C'mon, folks, there has to be some low threshold which even our government secrecy minded Utah legislative "critters" and elected municipal officials can tolerate, right?
Tuesday, February 04, 2014
No New Rate Increases for Additional Water Projects?
Wicks asks pressing questions; administration provides some answers.
By Dan Schroeder
At least one Ogden City Council member is asking some good questions about the $30 million increase in planned water infrastructure spending over the next ten years. Councilmember Amy Wicks submitted a list of nine written questions shortly in advance of last Tuesday’s work session, and received nine short answers on Friday:
One of the answers will come as good news to Ogden utility ratepayers: “It appears that rate increases outside those already accepted will not be necessary.” Though this statement is tentative, it is consistent with the results of my own financial analysis. (The “already accepted” rate increases include a 3.5% hike this July plus annual increases for inflation.)
In another of its answers, the administration suggests that additional bonded debt may be in the water utility’s future, when it comes time to spend an estimated $17 million to replace the 36-inch pipeline in Ogden Canyon. This is the larger and newer of two parallel canyon lines, first installed in 1937; the older 24-inch line was replaced last winter. The administration and its consultant are now recommending that the 36-inch line be replaced within six to ten years, whereas the 2012 version of the master plan put this project in the 11- to 40-year time frame.
My own analysis indicates that all of the proposed water projects, including the 36-inch line replacement, can be completed without any new bonds. Then the water fund would keep its debt interest payments from growing yet again, and could reduce rates (or forgo inflationary increases) after the end of the ten-year period of intensive upgrades.
However, the administration and its financial consultants (LYRB) seem to favor paying for projects with bonds, rather than dipping into the water fund’s cash balance. That balance stood at nearly $10.7 million last June and should reach approximately $15 million by this June. The cash is earning less than 1% interest, while the water utility is paying 4.45% interest on its most recent bonds.
The administration’s unwillingness to spend this cash is also reflected in another of its answers, in which it explains that “available funding” dictated the relatively modest capital spending rate of only $4.3 million per year over the first five years of the new plan. This is less than the rate at which surplus cash will accumulate in the water fund, thanks to the recent rate increases. Under the proposed plan, I project that the cash balance will reach $20 million by 2019.
Of course the administration won’t rely on my financial projections, or even try to do its own. Instead it is again retaining consultants LYRB to update the projections they did two years ago. (Those projections weren’t very accurate: they under-estimated the June 2013 cash balance by $4.7 million. This low estimate contributed to the city’s decision to issue new bonds, with LYRB as its paid financial advisor for the bonding process.) The council will have to wait a few more weeks to see the revised LYRB projections, and to discuss the water fund’s current cash position.
Wicks’s final question concerns two proposed new wells on the west side of the Wasatch Range. The city’s engineering consultant originally projected that these wells would be needed to meet growing demand in about 18 years (from now). Furthermore, the city recently achieved some unanticipated water savings by replacing the leaky 24-inch canyon pipeline. The administration, however, asserts that the two new wells should be dug only six years from now, “for both source redundancy and capacity.” There is no mention, in the proposed master plan revisions, of the possibility of avoiding the need for new wells through water conservation.
By Dan Schroeder
One of the answers will come as good news to Ogden utility ratepayers: “It appears that rate increases outside those already accepted will not be necessary.” Though this statement is tentative, it is consistent with the results of my own financial analysis. (The “already accepted” rate increases include a 3.5% hike this July plus annual increases for inflation.)
In another of its answers, the administration suggests that additional bonded debt may be in the water utility’s future, when it comes time to spend an estimated $17 million to replace the 36-inch pipeline in Ogden Canyon. This is the larger and newer of two parallel canyon lines, first installed in 1937; the older 24-inch line was replaced last winter. The administration and its consultant are now recommending that the 36-inch line be replaced within six to ten years, whereas the 2012 version of the master plan put this project in the 11- to 40-year time frame.
My own analysis indicates that all of the proposed water projects, including the 36-inch line replacement, can be completed without any new bonds. Then the water fund would keep its debt interest payments from growing yet again, and could reduce rates (or forgo inflationary increases) after the end of the ten-year period of intensive upgrades.
However, the administration and its financial consultants (LYRB) seem to favor paying for projects with bonds, rather than dipping into the water fund’s cash balance. That balance stood at nearly $10.7 million last June and should reach approximately $15 million by this June. The cash is earning less than 1% interest, while the water utility is paying 4.45% interest on its most recent bonds.
The administration’s unwillingness to spend this cash is also reflected in another of its answers, in which it explains that “available funding” dictated the relatively modest capital spending rate of only $4.3 million per year over the first five years of the new plan. This is less than the rate at which surplus cash will accumulate in the water fund, thanks to the recent rate increases. Under the proposed plan, I project that the cash balance will reach $20 million by 2019.
Of course the administration won’t rely on my financial projections, or even try to do its own. Instead it is again retaining consultants LYRB to update the projections they did two years ago. (Those projections weren’t very accurate: they under-estimated the June 2013 cash balance by $4.7 million. This low estimate contributed to the city’s decision to issue new bonds, with LYRB as its paid financial advisor for the bonding process.) The council will have to wait a few more weeks to see the revised LYRB projections, and to discuss the water fund’s current cash position.
Wicks’s final question concerns two proposed new wells on the west side of the Wasatch Range. The city’s engineering consultant originally projected that these wells would be needed to meet growing demand in about 18 years (from now). Furthermore, the city recently achieved some unanticipated water savings by replacing the leaky 24-inch canyon pipeline. The administration, however, asserts that the two new wells should be dug only six years from now, “for both source redundancy and capacity.” There is no mention, in the proposed master plan revisions, of the possibility of avoiding the need for new wells through water conservation.
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