Saturday Morning Ogden City News Roundup

Everything our Gentle Readers ever needed to know about "Crime Blimps," "Back Door Godfrey Deals" and "Unruly Concert Audiences"

Several non Ogden Shooting Story items for our readers' attention, as we meander back to our main blog mission this morning, i.e., discussing "regular," nonviolent Ogden City news:

1) With reference to a couple of earlier Standard-Examiner-published pieces, i.e., "OUR VIEW: Deflated blimp," and "Crime center, blimp will provide safer community"; and acting on the tip from yet another sharp-eyed and alert Weber County Forum reader, we'll shine the WCF spotlight on yet another letter to the editor which just popped up on the Standard's online site, wherein Ogden resident David Willis puts on the full court press for the restoration of the now abandoned "'Quiet Earp' Blimp Project", and hammers the Standard-Examiner (and Ogden City Hall) rather unmercifully. Here are a few short snippets, for your reading pleasure:

What I find "curious" is that the cabal that makes up the editorial board and Caldwell are not well read enough to understand what is happening in this area of police work, they seem to have no knowledge on these matters yet comment and make policy, making Ogden less safe. The secret editorial board writes position pieces having zero research, zero knowledge of the repercussions, zero accountability and zero intellectual curiosity.

I refer you to my letter published Aug. 7, 2011, "Crime center, blimp will provide safer community." As I wrote then and as I write now, the newspaper is destructive and dangerous to the future of Ogden. Furthermore, the paper is a disgrace for again advocating and trying to justify reducing the tools available to the police, especially in light of recent events.

The Standard-Examiner has been and perhaps city hall will become, a place where logic is an enemy and truth is a menace.

Check out the full David Willis rant:

• Paper's view 'disgraceful' regarding blimp idea

We don't know what to make of all this. So what about it WCF readers? Are folks like Mr. Willis unappreciated visionaries, or merely leftover Boss Godfrey era crackpots?

2) In the wake of our 1/2/12 WCF article, and Dan Schroeder's most excellent 1/3/12 S-E guest op-ed piece, we'll direct our readers' attention to this wisdom-laden Jim Bishop Letter to the Editor, which which makes a couple of strong recommendations to our new mayor, Mike Caldwell:

I recommend that the new mayor do two things: Return the $3,000 from Mr. Lesham and keep the back door to his office closed to the former mayor. Make him come in the front door like any other citizen.

Read Mr. Bishop's full letter here, which is a pretty good read in our view:

• Ogden should make no back-door deals with Godfrey

Jim Bishop's a man who knows what he's talkin' about, don'tcha think?

3) Last but not least, here's another set of interesting WCF reader-submitted links, received via email a couple of days ago, prefaced by this brief introductory text:

I thought you should be aware of this story, because of the recent discussion at WCF about the disturbance at WSU's performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Alan Gilbert of the New York Philharmonic halted a performance last night after a cell phone went off. I think Dr. Palumbo is in good company.

Here are the links, for which we thank our un-named reader benefactor:

• Mahler, Interrupted
• The Philharmonic and the Phone

We'll also add that we fully concur with our unnamed gentle reader/tipster. The unfairly maligned Dr. Palumbo is indeed in the very best of company; and for the record, we'll go further and opine that the considerable heat that this no-nonsense "volunteer" conductor, Dr. Palumbo, took over this unfortunate incident were both mean-spirited and entirely undeserved.

Those are our takes... and we're stickin' with 'em.

We'd be curious to know, however, what our ever-savvy WCF readers think about all this.

Sunday Morning Emerald City News Roundup - Updated

A virtual cornucopia of interesting Weber County Forum-topical stuff

To our great delight, we find a virtual cornucopia of interesting Weber County Forum-topical stuff in this morning's Standard-Examiner... just what the doctor ordered to kick off the discussion on the first day of the year 2012, wethinks. Just so's we can squeeze it all onto our morning article page, we'll be brief:

1) Mr. Schwebke provides an excellent Mike Caldwell profile piece, as Caldwell prepares for Tuesday's mayoral induction ceremony:

• New Ogden mayor plans for focus on economic development

We gotta admit that Mayor-elect Caldwell is already scoring major style points with your WCF blogmeister, even though he hasn't even been sworn in yet. First he demonstrates his commitment to pursuing Ogden City's best interests in re: the Jon Greiner Hatch Act Money Pit; and now Standard-Examiner readers learn that our new mayor is even now ready to deep-six yet another crackpot Boss Godfrey scheme:

• Plans for Ogden police blimp canceled

We'll offer at this juncture that we're cautiously optimistic that our new Mayor Mike Caldwell may be able to temper his "economic development focus" with a little old fashioned common sense.

2) Trentelman provides a stunning example of ambivalence this morning with his own weasly-weak-in- the-knees variation on the tried and true "keeps the trains running on time" theme. We've taken liberties with the column headline, we confess.

• Godfrey: Although He's a a complete jerk, I, Charles Trentelman, LOVE Boss Godfrey, nevertheless

Full disclosure here, Mr. Trentelman! No, Weber County Forum doesn't "hate" Boss Godfrey, although we do agree with you, Mr. Trentelman, that Godfrey often behaves like a jerk.

3) Combine an irretrievably Slavish Godfreyite Lemming, a copy of Bartlett's Quotations and a flea-market thesaurus, and here's what you get from one of the most prominent jackasses in Weber County: A lavishly tiresome, tedious and tortuous (and entirely un-ambivalent) Boss Godfrey tilting, SE guest editorial lovefest:

• Mayor Godfrey's 12 years of service

Gotta say we loved this one:

Vicious blogs defame. He who perseveres is called arrogant and is vituperated for failure to listen to obstructionists.

Do you suppose, Gentle Readers, that Steve the Godfrey Lemming may actually be referring to we of Weber County Forum, when he makes reference to "obstructionists" within his above thesaurus-driven and highly indigestible word soup? LOL! And here we'd heretofore thought ourselves to be only mere "naysayers," Dang!

Update 1/1/12 3:50 p.m.: Oops! Here's something we missed earlier, from one of the hands-down funniest folks writing for the internet or print media, or whatever:

• Mark Saul- A little friendly advice for the coming year

Sorry about the inadvertent omission folks. Enjoy!

The Rising Number Of UAVs In American Skies

Godfrey's crime blimp: A mainstream law enforcement concept?

Thanks to a morning submission from one of our sharp-eyed and alert Weber County Forum readers, we'll again bring one of our favorite Emerald City topics to the community discussion forefront. We've had plenty of merriment and mirth over the past few months talking about Boss Godfrey's crime blimp, so we're delighted to place the most recent urban aerial surveillance news story back on the WCF front page again.

This go-round however, the story has a significantly different twist. Whereas we'd earlier believed that Godfrey's crime-fighting blimp had been merely another bizarre expression of our lame-duck Mayor's sometimes crackpot mind-set, similar to Godfrey's Giant Refrigerated Climbing Tower, for instance, we learn this morning from Josh Marshall's Talking Point Memo website that Godfrey's Crime Blimp is actually a fairly mainstream concept, if we take what's happening in other American communities into account:

• One Nation Under The Drone: The Rising Number Of UAVs In American Skies

Whether the proliferation of American-based Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is part of the larger "militarization" phenomenon which is being increasingly discussed across the World Wide Web we simply don't know. But it's interesting to consider Ogden's aerial drone project in a wider context, isn't it?

So who'll be the first to throw in their own 2¢?

Standard-Examiner: Ogden Blimp May Be Patrolling By Christmas

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night nor public ridicule nor FAA regulations will stay this helium-filled crime fighter from the swift completion of its appointed rounds

For the sake of archival completeness we'll make note of this morning's Tim Gurrister story, which reports that Chief Greiner's crime fighting blimp, (which we've affectionately dubbed "Quiet Earp,") originally intended for an April 2011 launch date, has been held up by infernal federal government red tape; but "could begin patrolling Ogden's airspace in time for Christmas," according to a very sanguine Chief Jon Greiner:

• Ogden blimp may be patrolling by Christmas

As an added bonus, we'll provide a link to the manufacturer's hyperblimp.com website, where you can view a short video clip of the "hyperblimp" in action:

• What is a Hyperblimp?

Pretty cool technology actually, don'tcha think?

Two Morning News Stories Spawn Election Issues

Some good questions to ask Ogden's mayoral candidates

By Curmudgeon

Two stories up this morning, one in the Trib, one in the SE, that suggest, I think, some good questions to ask Ogden's mayoral candidates.

The Trib one is about Ogden's new police crime center monitoring the city's cameras, and plans for increase surveillance. Particularly interesting are the last paragraphs which report that several studies show such monitoring has no appreciable effect on crime rates:

• With new crime center, Odgen police are watching you

The other, in the Standard-Examiner, is on double-dipping in the Ogden PD --- i.e. people who retire and are rehired at the same jobs so they pull both pension and pay checks for the same job. The Ogden Civil Service Commission declined to assert jurisdiction in the Sgt. Blaine Clifford matter; and now the case appears destined to be headed back to the District Court:

• Double dipping unresolved at Ogden Police Department

Definitely worth a read. Drop a quarter if you have to and take a look. And youir blogmeister will be most certainly looking for statements about double-dipping from the candidates.

Wednesday Afternoon Emerald City News Roundup

A few random news items your ceaselessly hard-working Blogmeister chooses to highlight

1) We've had considerable discussion on WCF concerning Chief Greiner's penchant for "pricey" high-tech law enforcement toys, including his wished-for Crime Fighting Blimp and Dr. Evil-style Crime Control Command Center see, e.g., "Dr. Evil - Volcano Lair."

HAHAHA! In this connection, here's the latest from the Salt Lake Tribune:

• Ogden police outline high-tech crime-fighting strategy

It should come as no surprise to any of us therefore, that "Duh Chief" summarily rejects lightweight crime-fighting solutions such as a permanent Public Safety Building pharmaceutical drop-box... which is sadly, not very high tech at all.

Sodden question: Would Greiner's attitude toward a "Cop Shop Lobby Drop/Lock Box" be altered if the Council would approve the funds to place a little hidden camera in it... which could be monitored 24/7 from Greiner's plush (electrically vibrating) executive chair in the Chief's Crime Control Command Center?

2) A few days ago we reported that we'd learned that Ogden CAO John Patterson was "on the short list" for the hiring by West Jordan City for the position of City Manager. On that same theme we now learn from the Standard-Examiner that the same John "Pureheart" Patterson is also a main contender for the Casper, Wyoming City Manager job:

• Ogden’s Patterson may go to Wyoming

Here's our take. We're gonna miss the Hell outta the constantly gentlemanly and personable John Patterson a heckuva lot more in the year 2012, than we'll miss the incessantly grating, nauseating (puke inducing) and generally annoying POS Boss Godfrey. The upside to this whole story? In the grand scheme of things, it's unlikely that fans of limited and frugal government will henceforth miss either of these right wing socialist bastids. That's our take... and we're stickin with it. Best of luck to the more politically-facile J. Patterson in the future, though.

3) Next!! And last but not least, here's the latest blog post from one of our local favorites... the Ogden Ethics Project:

• Conflict of interest laws in Utah, Nevada, and the Supreme Court

If I have the time, I'll make a note to post a little legal analysis of the latest case... a little bit later... when I get done working in my yard.

Feel free to post on any of the above subjects in the meantime however... or better yet... consider this a WCF open topic thread.

Update 6/16/11 8:00 a.m.: "Pureheart's" Casper, Wyoming job application is back in the news this morning, with this expanded SE story:

• Ogden's Patterson eyes Wyoming job

Standard-Examiner: OPD Awaits New Crime-fighting Tools

A crime fighting, aerial surveilance blimp for Ogden? Oh the Huge Manatee!

Despite the fact that Boss Godfrey's aerial survellance blimp has become a side-splitting punchline on both the local and national levels, The Standard-Examiner still continues this morning, (with an apparent completely straight face), to assist the administration in flogging this idea as a legitimate crime-fighting tool:

• OPD awaits new crime-fighting tools

Interesting crime statistics side-story emerges from this morning's Scott Schwebke writeup, too:

In 2010, violent crime incidents, including homicide, rape, robbery and assault, in east-central Ogden decreased 24 percent. Property crimes, such as burglary and auto theft rose by 20 percent over those recorded in 2009, according to a newly issued CRU report.

A crime fighting, aerial surveilance blimp for Ogden, to respond to the disturbing 2010 uptick in property crimes?

The "Ogdenburg"

Please feel free to continue to discuss this topic, or alternatively to consider this an open-topic thread.

Standard-Examiner Editorial: OUR VIEW: Big Brother Beckons

Although we continue to question whether Boss Godfrey's Crime fighting efforts have been even marginally commendable, wethinks the Standard otherwise gets it exactly right.

We'll cite this morning's Standard-Examiner editorial as another instance of an editorial board that's "firing on all cylinders." We've all had a grand time poking fun at Boss Godfrey's "Clouseau I" Crime Blimp, but now the SE shifts the focus to the dark and creepy side of Boss Godfrey's most recent crackpot obsession:

• OUR VIEW: Big Brother beckons

Here's the SE's insightful closing and summary paragraph:

This is overkill to the 'nth degree. And it will get worse. It's our experience that government overbearance creeps up on society bit by bit. Worse, we accept it little by little. Where is the evidence that Ogden's current efforts to fight crime, many of which have been commendable, are so unsuccessful that we need constant surveillance?

Although we continue to question whether Boss Godfrey's crime fighting efforts have been even marginally commendable, wethinks the Standard otherwise gets it exactly right.

Standard-Examiner: External Security Cameras Coming to 'Real Time Crime Center'

Once again it's proven true that "the only difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys."

Scary. Talk about your Big Brother, it's 'A Brave New World.'

Bernie Allen, local defense attorney
External security cameras coming to 'real time crime center'
February 26, 2011

We're not taking control of anyone's camera system. We just want to be sure it's recording.

Jon Greiner, Ogden City Chief of Gestapo Police
External security cameras coming to 'real time crime center'
February 26, 2011

I wont lie. At the beginning, I thought this is a little hard to believe. But after meeting with UCAID, it's obvious this is well-thought-out. I'm really impressed.

Jess McLellan, IT project coordinator
External security cameras coming to 'real time crime center'
February 26, 2011

Why must I be surrounded by frickin' idiots?

Dr. Evil, criminal mastermind
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
1997

First we heard about Boss Godfrey's "crime fighting blimp"; and now our morning Standard-Examiner edition breathlessly announces this totally boffo anti-crime revelation:

OGDEN -- Attempting a police omniscience seen in only about 20 U.S. cities, the Ogden Police Department is gearing up for a "real time crime center" to be operational soon after its Crime Blimp launches.
The center hopes to eventually be linked with the thousands of private and government security cameras around town, including the city's own inventory of some 200 cameras.

Read the full laughably gut-busting Tim Gurrister story here:

• External security cameras coming to 'real time crime center'

Hmmmm... Once again it's proven true (according to the old ax) that "the only difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys."

Surveillance Blimp Attracts National Attention

Mayor finally puts Ogden on map.

By Dan Schroeder

After eleven years of complaining that “we're not on the map,” Mayor Godfrey has finally found a way to attract national attention to Ogden. And it's not just the attention of niche publications for skiers and backpackers; Ogden is now on Yahoo News, CBS, Reuters, and dozens of blogs spanning the political spectrum from Talking Points Memo to Free Republic.

What brought our new-found fame? It wasn't an urban gondola; nor was it indoor surfing or skydiving; nor was it pyromaniac urban renewal schemes; nor even chasing police officers’ wives.

No, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, the mayoral brainstorm that has finally put Ogden on the map is none other than... The Blimp!

Here’s what they said about it on today’s episode of the NPR news quiz Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me (segment Panel Round Two, starting at 3:10):

Host Peter Sagal: Tom, the mayor of Ogden, Utah has a plan to fight crime. He’s going to unleash the awesome power of what? (In the skies.)

Panelist Tom Bodett: Oh, um, seagulls.

Sagal: No.

Bodett: Oh, camera-toting seagulls.

Sagal: No.

Bodett: Uh, something more predatory—hawks, perhaps.

Sagal: No.

Bodett: Uh, can I have a hint?

Sagal: It’ll be a GOOD YEAR for law enforcement. Really he’s just FLOATING this idea.

Bodett: Oh (chuckles)... blimps!

Sagal: Yes! Crime-fighting blimps, high above Ogden. Mayor Matthew Godfrey of Ogden noticed high-crime cities had one thing in common: no blimps in the skies. There must be a connection. Ogden officials hope that flying an unmanned dirigible around town will aid in surveillance and crime prevention. Criminals will be like, “Hey, let’s steal a TV... Wait what’s that? It's a blimp! Oh, it must be the year 1917; TVs haven't been invented yet; let’s do something else.”... The high-speed chases though, with a blimp, would be very disappointing. Every time the local anchors get excited they’re like, “And the blimp is in pursuit! Oh, the humanity. Looks like the crime blimp has got them this time! Oh, the humanity.”

Standard-Examiner: Ogden Eyes Eye-in-the-Sky

Boss Godfrey's latest hare-brained scheme: The Boss Godfrey Airborne All-seeing Eye

By: Little Big Brother Is Watching

The Standard-Examiner reports this morning that Boss Godfrey’s latest hare-brained scheme is to fight crime from the air:

• Ogden eyes eye-in-the-sky

He has said in the past that crime does not exist in Ogden because of his efforts to deter improper behavior and now he comes up with this. Should his sheeples approve this, it will be only a matter of time before someone or something takes it down. History does repeat itself and 1937 wasn’t that long ago. You can see Greiner, Patterson and Godfrey bailing out, much like the old photo, when they finally realize that their Hindenburg idea wasn’t divinely inspired. We only need to watch the 9th floor of the Municipal Building to stop the majority of crime happening in Ogden City these days, of course.

"Quiet Earp" - The Boss Godfrey All-seeing Eye

The Hindenberg

Gawd, what a putz!

Update 1/13/10 10:55 a.m.: The Salt Lake Tribune having a little fun with the story too, under this totally boffo headline:

• Quiet Earp: Blimp may ride high as Ogden lawman

Don't let the cat get your tongues, O Gentle Ones!