Standard-Examiner: In 'State of the County' Speech, Gibson Attacks Standard-Examiner

Somehow we're getting a strong "psychic vibe" that this story isn't going to end well.

A lot has been said lately about our library system and what its future might be in our community," Gibson said. "Unfortunately this issue has been hijacked by well-meaning activists who have demonized any person who dares to ask a question or offer any conservative thought. Among the worst is some of our own local media.

County Commissioner Kerry Gibson
In 'State of the County' speech, Gibson attacks Standard-Examiner
April 8, 2014

We have had some biased reporting," Gibson said, "but maybe worse than that, lazy efforts of the (Standard-Examiner) editorial board have been laughable at best.

County Commissioner Kerry Gibson
In 'State of the County' speech, Gibson attacks Standard-Examiner
April 8, 2014

Never pick a fight with people who buy ink by the barrel.

Mark Twain
Brainy Quote
November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910

On the heels of the recent series of Standard-Examiner stories reporting on the recent Weber County Library bonding flap, it appears that yesterday's strong Standard-Examiner editorial was "the straw that broke the camel's back":

• Our View: Don’t mess with the library bond

This morning's S-E hard-copy edition headline sums it up in a nutshell.  Read up on yesterday's Weber County Commission Chairman Kerry Gibson Tuesday rant, where he "lashed out at the Standard-Examiner and library proponents for recent stories, editorials and other material that criticized attempts to downsize a voter-approved bond."

• In 'State of the County' speech, Gibson attacks Standard-Examiner

Somehow we're getting a strong "psychic vibe" that this story isn't going to end well, as Gibson adds additional fuel to the fire, and goes to war with our home-town newspaper.

As a seasoned politician, you'd think Gibson would know better, yes?

Standard-Examiner: Bell Puts Brakes on Library Plan

"Looking forward to the 2016 elections, when voters will have a chance again to exercise their option to not renew their subscription to arrogant politicians"

By: Ray

I continue to be amazed at the hubris of Weber County Commissioners Gibson and Bell. As the Standard-Examiner states this morning, “Bell puts breaks on library plan.” Mr. Bell justifies his opposition by stating, “As this library plan was moving forward, there was absolutely no opposition to it and there should have been someone out there, including myself letting the public know a little more about it.”

• Bell puts brakes on Library Plan

"As Commissioner Matthew Bell sees it, the [2013 Library Bond] victory actually translates into only 17 percent of Weber's registered voters giving their thumbs up to the plan."

What arrogance! After months of planning, public input, discussion, and a democratic vote, Mr. Bell decides everybody is ignorant except himself.

I look forward to the 2016 elections, when voters will have a chance again to exercise their option to not renew their subscription to arrogant politicians. Perhaps, “someone out there” will decide to run a recall petition on these holier than thou politicians.

Update 4/4/14 10:20 a.m.: In the interest of "balance," and thanks to a tip from yet another sharp-eyed and alert reader, we'll provide this fascinating counter-argument from Lynda Pipkin, current Weber County GOP Vice-chair, of all people, citing rock-ribbed, conservative Weber County political stalwart and GOP party donor Bert Smith, and additionally throwing in some very interesting "UN conspiracy" theory, for good measure::

• It’s Not Really About “Libraries”

Have at it, O Gentle Ones.

Standard-Examiner: Weber County Library Bond May Not Cover All items Approved by Voters

Bait and switch? Ogden and North Ogden branches have a lot of unknowns

By: Smaatguy

Surprise, surprise... talk about bait and switch... all that info for the bond election and now they say two of the projects have "unknowns"!!!

Here's the lede...

OGDEN — When Weber County voters passed the $45 million library bond in June, they were given a detailed description of how the money would be spent for each planned addition and alteration to the libraries that applied. However, some of those plans might be scaled back if any of the first plans scheduled to go forward exceed the budget originally set for them.

“I do not think that we need to spend quite a bit less than the bond specified. We need to make sure we are going to have the funds to deliver the product and resources that all of the libraries need, and since the Ogden and North Ogden branches have a lot of unknowns as far as what’s needed, I want to make sure we have the budget taken care of,” Commissioner Matthew Bell said.

And here's the full S-E story...

• Weber County library bond may not cover all items approved by voters

This just chaps my hide... how'bout you?