Standard-Examiner Editorial: Our Mayor In China

As investors, we taxpayers want to hear about all that went on, positive and otherwise

Now that Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey has gone to China in an effort to recruit businesses to Junction City, we look forward to receiving a full, public recap -- by our mayor -- of the trip's goals and what has been accomplished for the city. [...]
The China trip was paid for by taxpayers. As investors, we taxpayers want to hear about all that went on, positive and otherwise.

Standard-Examiner Editorial
OUR VIEW: Our mayor in China
January 19, 2010

We'll start this morning's discussion by casting the spotlight upon a fine editorial in the Standard-Examiner this a.m., aptly calling for a full report on Boss Godfrey's now-concluded China trip:

• OUR VIEW: Our mayor in China

Boss Godfrey's been doing plenty of world traveling lately on the taxpayer's dime, as the editorial board notes; so we'll join with the Standard in demanding a full report. We agree that it's now incumbent upon our mayor to allay our suspicions that this cross-global excursion was a mere pleasure trip. Godfrey has at his disposal the ideal communications platform to fully inform us whether our taxpayer dollars were well-spent, and to be "specific about individuals and businesses that were on his 'city-business agenda' in China." We therefore strongly urge The Little Lord to get crackin'.

Chime in, O Gentle Readers. The World-Wide-Webosphere awaits your ever-savvy comments.

Standard-Examiner: Godfrey Seeks Business In China

Does Boss Godfrey think the Chinese are going to bring high paying jobs to Ogden?

By Biker Babe

Mayor Godfrey is off to China:

• Godfrey seeks business in China

Godfrey: "O, you didn't get the memo? - I left today (Wednesday) to find businesses to come to Ogden. "

Chair Gochner: "I hope his trip is productive" [because all of his others have done nothing but cost us money]... after she read the email that he'd gone to China.

Does Boss Godfrey think the Chinese are going to bring high paying jobs to Ogden? Are these the scratch & dent & lead & cadmium & baby formula poison people he needs to fill up the eminent domain blight in the downtown?

Big question here: Do WE THE CITIZENS OF OGDEN want them? Who told him to go there? Who advised him on this? With folks quitting the Community & Economic Development Department right & left, is the typing staff qualified to offer such advice?

js

Standard-Examiner: Boss Godfrey Returns From Secret International "Trade Mission"

Quote of the Day: "Boss Godfrey understands his community and constituents"

This morning's Standard-Examiner reports that the jet-setting Boss Godfrey has now returned from another "foreign trade mission," this time to our neighbor south of the border, Mexico. Unlike last January's China Mission, this trip was all cloak and dagger, and was not pre-publicized, so the Std-Ex fills in all the details after the fact. Read up. This morning's story is in standard Scott Schwebke format, of course, complete with the usual complement of glowing and optimistic quotes, self-congratulatory Godfrey utterances, and the obligatory "pat on the back" by the ever-fawning Godfrey sock-puppet, Councilman Stephenson:

• Mexico trip seen boosting Ogden

And speaking of glowing quotes, we gotta confess we got an especially good chuckle outta this one:

Miguel Rovira, the state's regional director for the Americas for the Governor's Office of Economic Development, helped arrange Godfrey's visit to Mexico. Rovira praised the trade mission."It's extremely creative. The mayor understands his community and constituents," he said Thursday.

So what about it gentle readers? Does Boss Godfrey's latest international foray demonstrate his solidarity with the Ogden lumpenfolke, as Mr. Rovira suggests? Will this week's Mexico trip actually (and miraculously) result in the creation of important Ogden jobs? Does it make sense for the mayor of our little Utah town to be embarking on repeated international "trade missions," just like the "big boys" in the Governor's Office? Or can we simply chalk it all up as another Godfrey pleasure junket, mainly intended to rack up Boss Godfrey frequent flyer miles on the lumpencitzens' dime, and to relieve the poor little feller from the boredom of actually performing his elective job, after a grueling ten years of "service," which at this point may be "wearing on him?"

We dunno, gentle readers.

Perhaps a few of our gentle readers can shed some light on the true meaning of all this.

Emerald City Kicks Off the Dew Tour... the Biggest Ogden Event Since the 2002 Olympics

Where O where is Ogden's Ambassador of High Adventure Good Will? Oh that's right... he's blown off The Dew Tour and is vacationing in China

OK Folks, as Emerald City's biggest Ogden Boosters, (Weber County Forum) we gotta ask this: "Where is Ogden Mayor Boss Godfrey during the "Dew Tour" Mountain Games?"

To our home-town newspapers' credit, they've been hyping this important local "high-adventure" event for weeks. As a matter of fact, the Standard-Examiner has no fewer than three articles up on their Live! website today, here , here and here , promoting this important event. Not only that, the Std-Ex has a great piece in it's "Go Section" on the Digital Edition site today, highlighting the gratuitous performance of One of America's Great American Bands, Dashboard Confessional, who'll be performing on a bandstand on 25th Street (a'la now Godfrey-banned old-tyme Street Fest Performances) ; and entertaining Dew Tour attendees later on in the evening, at Ogden City's most venerable and hospitable local pub... Brewski's .

So the question of the day is this for our gentle readers is this: In an atmosphere where the "Winter Dew Tour" becomes by far the most robust and important Ogden "High Adventure" Ogden event since the 2002 Winter Olympics... where is the little twit? Is he present on the scene, to roll out the red carpet to Dew Tour visitors from around the world? Is he playing the role of Ogden's Ambassodor of Good Will, to welcome tourists from all around the world to Ogden?

Oh that's right... nope... he's halfway across the globe, vacationing in China.

We humbly appeal to what's left of Godfrey's remaining half-dozen Gondolist Loyalist Lemmings. WTH is up with Boss Godfrey?

We confess we stand by with abated breath, waiting to learn the true meaning of all this.

Who will be the first to comment?

Guest Editorial -- Steve Huntsman

So the Ogden battle is between the young 20 something's and the old dotty people huh!

-Steven Huntsman
Freelance opinion writer

Kristen Moulton’s SL Tribune article on 21 Nov, 2005 divided the Ogden recreation center supporters into two groups. I quote from her article:

"The great divide: Those who oppose the recreation center generally fall into two camps.

A large portion of the population - older and in the habit of voting - may not understand the complex financial deal Godfrey has put together. They instinctively worry that the city is taking too big of a gamble, and they worry that Godfrey is transforming "Junction City" into Ogden Inc. "........

"While the opposition has been loud, Godfrey supporters have been trying to match their volume at public meetings. Many of them are in their 20s and 30s and have caught the vision. Dustin Chapman, a Weber State University student, says that when he talks to people his age, "Every one of them wants this. It seems foolish to me to get right to the edge of having this be successful and starting over."

I believe the Tribune author correctly depicted the situation here in Ogden. Unfortunately I believe this is a slap in the face of all that is good in America. The old people of this country should be our leaders because of their knowledge, their life experiences, and their wisdom; they have been through both depressions and economic booms as well as World Wars and many fought to preserve our freedom today. This makes me sad, not in how it was artfully described by the author, but in comprehending how older Americans in the Ogden area are perceived by the younger adults on this issue.

Now on the other side, not to categorize because I have high hopes for the next generation, but most of us understand that many of the young adults or 20 something's have been raised on oft times virtue less Movies, the TV and many aggressive video games and countless numbers have never worked at a steady job, served in the military or run their own businesses. I would also bet that not one of them have reached the status of statesmen yet like many in the older generation. I ask, whose sagacity should we be listening to on this issue?

I can understand Ogden’s dilemma, I believe I honestly can. For 30 years they have tried with city project after city project to fix a dying city center. They feel helpless and believe this is the only option presently available to revitalize downtown. It is my impression they do not know what else to do except proceed with another city project.

Unfortunately my opinion of what the Ogden City administration has done thus far is a gloomy one. I do not know another softer or more sensitive set of words to describe the current situation. So I call it what I imagine it to be; that being 30 years of legalized plunder. When any government uses the sacred tax funds, taken from each of us by force to develop a business monopoly it is plunder.

Presently Ogden city owns an astonishing “$186 million in net business assets” notably BDO rental property and now they want to get into the retail rental business properties with the rec. center. Is this a monopoly or is there someone bigger in the Ogden rental business? I'm of the opinion, and this is my belief only, but there is no greater evil in government than what has been going on in Ogden government for the past 30 years using these immoral State laws.

Thankfully our wise State legislators saw what was happening with the RDA law abuse in this last legislative session, and the potential corruptions associated with RDA’s and have eliminated the ability of the municipalities and counties to use this tool to build sports centers after Dec. 31, 2005. I believe they did this because the RDA laws have been converted into an instrument of plunder. I also believe this is immoral for the city to use the now nearly outdated laws to proceed further on this project. If they do, then I imagine most will lose respect for them as leaders and respect for the law in general.

Once we as a society lose respect for the law, all is lost. The far advanced 20 something's, believe that because it is legal, it is a legitimate tool and therefore not plunder, and also that the old people “are foolish” for not going along with the plan.

The older people or nonconformists who in reality are simply petitioning for free enterprise; are now being told “they do not understand the financial complexities” and that not building a recreation center would shatter the foundation of Ogden as a productive society.

I’m of the impression what these 20 something’s are really saying is; the old dotty people are behind the times and are simply foolish to assume that Ogden will be both a monopoly and robber of our sacred tax funds. After all, this is a cool project; let’s get it underway, I wanna climb!

The facts are: Ogden City has taken this mall property by force specifically for controlling retail development in downtown. Ogden City has taken another $186 million by force from the tax payers to enter into the industrial rental business and is now heavily competing with private landlords from neighboring cities for tenants. By force, Ogden city is now proceeding to further indebt the tax payer via bonds backed by the city BDO properties as collateral to give money (in the form of buildings) to private businesses using law (i.e., this takes the wealth of all and gives it to a privileged few). If I’m not mistaken all these three are legalized plunder.

I perceive the city now not only has a monopoly on prime industrial real estate in Ogden, but it can also decide via business licenses or tax incentives which businesses it will or won’t allow into BDO, or into the Ogden Airport Economic Development Zones (patterned after China’s -EDZ’s), as well as the amount of rent to be paid. If I’m not mistaken this is legalized plunder.

It appears to me that Ogden city is doing nothing short of taking taxpayer funds by shear force and using them with fiat control as they give or some might say bribe a lucky capitalistic seeking business into Ogden. Any citizen would be committing a crime if they tried this, so does it not stand that the city would also be committing a crime. The government after all has no more rights than the collective individual rights.

Using this new rationale of taking and giving shall we all not get in on the plunder? My business needs just as much help after all and I demand the right to relief. Shall we not all demand relief and new buildings for our businesses to succeed and compete? Liberty now means no competition right! So where will the plunder stop along this line of thinking, or shall everybody just plunder everybody? I should think that free enterprise with nobody plundering anybody is the better option.

Based upon the premises that moral laws are used to protect property, and immoral laws violate property, I make a bold statement here. If I am not mistaken the monopolistic plunder Ogden City is now involved in can constitute socialism. Is not socialism defined as fiat government control of the lands, the businesses, and the capital of a community and the distribution of that capital as the governing body see fit. This "blazing new territory in partnerships with business" as Mayor Godfrey puts it, confuses the distinction between legitimate government and business. So anyone opposing this socialistic approach to control by the city administration is accused of being antigrowth for downtown Ogden.

Is the Ogden leadership not convinced that if they left persons free to follow their own inclinations that Ogden would crumble to poverty rather than production, and to ignorance rather than knowledge? As downtown Ogden dies out are they not acting the creator part by implying the people are incapable to think and act on their own as intelligent, free and equal human beings? “Can we not plan ahead and judge for ourselves” wrote Frederic Bastiat “and are we not just as intelligent as they (legislators)?” Or does the sweeping of four supportive recreation center council candidates including incumbents out the door in the last election somehow show how uninformed and unwise the citizens really are?

If what Ogden city was doing was founded in Liberty; then I doubt many would oppose it. This issue is however a very conflicting political and emotional struggle which many find repugnant. We know from history that perverted laws generally cause conflict when people are forced to accept them. Again the reason; when the law violates property instead of protecting it, you can always expect conflicts to be present. After all does not every individual have the inalienable right to use force for lawful self-defense of his property?

In 1849 the statesman Frederic Bastiat continued on this topic, “The mission of the law is not to oppress persons and plunder them of their property…..Its mission is to protect persons and property. The law is justice - simple and clear. If you exceed this proper limit…… you will be lost in uncharted territory…”

As mentioned earlier I feel for Ogden leaders and the dilemma which they have put themselves in. They believe they are on a train ride which if they bail out now only spells further doom for downtown Ogden. It may very well be true. However, continuing the path of government controlling of this prime retail property is corrupt and can bring no more good except a loss of liberty.

It is my opinion that if Ogden really wanted to promote growth in downtown they would lessen the bitter and strangling controls they currently have on the Ogden businesses. By loosening the noose on all and not just a capitalistic few, downtown would have an equal chance to flourish like it does in many free communities all across the world.

Ogden legislators, lets listen to our elders on this one and put down this monopoly, put down the perceived legalized plunder and more government controlled apartments, shopping centers and rarified recreation centers. Let’s get back to the proper role of government, that being protecting us from the government. Our continued Freedom after all, is what’s really at stake here.

Standard-Examiner: Bonds Sought for Ogden Hotel Project

Here we go again with another Boss Godfrey borrowing and spending spree

By Curmudgeon

The Standard Examiner reports this morning "[t]he administration is seeking support from the Ogden Redevelopment Agency to obtain $12 million in tax-exempt bonds from the state for construction of an underground parking garage and an upscale multistory hotel at The Junction."

Read the full story here:

• Bonds sought for Ogden hotel project

I don't know if this particular project is a sound one or not. But the Administration's statements asking for the Council's support of bonding for it should be sounding alarms on the Council, for we've heard much the same from the Administration before regarding projects that collapsed.

For example, the article says this:"In addition to Sequoia Development, two other firms are interested in pursuing the hotel project, said John Patterson, the city's chief administrative officer. He did not identify the companies." Uh ho. More companies eager to invest megabucks in Ogden that the Administration assures us are there, but which it cannot name. Like the manufacturers outlet stores the Administration assured us were coming to the three city-rehabbed commercial properties on Washington, but which it wouldn't name? Which stores never showed. Or the exporters of Chinese jewelry the Mayor discovered on his taxpayer-funded trip to China who he could not name but he assured us were eager to come to Ogden? They didn't. Or the exporters of "high end Mexican goods" the Administration would not name eager to locate in Ogden. Nary a sign of them so far.

And now Pureheart assures us two more companies are "interested" in the downtown hotel construction project... but of course he won't name them. What a surprise.

But there's more: Terrence Bride, Senior Project Coordinator for the city assures the RDA that the Administration is "confident the city's application for the bond funds will win approval from the state." How nice. Of course, the Administration was also "confident" private donors would provide $1.4 million in funding for Mayor Godfrey's Downtown Outdoor Year Round Ice Climbing Popsicle. No donor funding appeared and the project died. And of course the Administration was "confident" the City would never have to pay a dime for the Junction's construction bonds it guaranteed. We know how that worked out. And of course the Administration told us it was "confident" that Mr.Lesham would complete the River Project as promised. He didn't. The list goes on and on. But Mr. Bride is "confident" about state funding for the garage. How reassuring.

Finally, has the administration provided full information to the Council regarding the project and its projected funding, so the Council can make an informed decision? Ah.... no. From the story: "Actual support from the RDA for the parking garage and hotel project may come at a later date as more information from the administration becomes available, Gochnour said." Wonderful. On the basis of what the Council Chair concedes is incomplete information, she apparently wants to proceed with the letter endorsing the bonding now, in hopes that Hizzonah will condescend to tell the Council more later. How touching, particularly since the Mayor hid from the Council Chair and the rest of the Council and the public its request to UTA to change Ogden downtown bus routes, a change which flew in the face of the Council's commitment to encouraging public transit in Ogden. "You can trust us. We'll tell you what you to know later, after you've committed to the project we won't fully inform you about now" seems sufficient to satisfy the Council these days.

What's that old saying? "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me ten times, shame on me?" Something like that.

Gubernatorial Inauguration Report

Councilwoman Jeske reports on yesterday's Capitol Hill ceremonies

By Dorrene Jeske
Ogden City Council

I'd just like to share the wonderful experience I had at the State Capitol yesterday.
Hundreds of people were already seated and milling around the Capitol Rotunda a few minutes after 11:00 AM. It made one wonder if the seating was opened early. Even at that early hour, there were no seats available. The occasion was Ambassador Huntsman’s farewell speech and the inauguration of Lt. Gov. Gary R. Herbert as the 37th Governor of Utah. As I looked around, I saw Rep. Brad Dee, Rep. Kerry Gibson, Rep. Curt Oda, Rep. Neil Hansen, Sen. Scott Jenkins, Sen. Allen Christensen, Sen. Jon Greiner and many other members of the Legislature. I also saw former Ogden Councilman Robert DeBoer.

The Utah National Guard was in charge of the meeting. They did a very professional job, and the federal government would have been hard pressed to improve on the quality of the program. National Guard Adjutant General Brian L. Tarbet performed the duty of Master of Ceremony with dignity and preciseness. He acknowledged Greg Bell, the soon-to-be Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, Representative Waddoups, and Utah Chief Justice Christine Durham. Carmen Herbert, daughter of Gary and Jeanette Herbert, sang a beautiful rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.”

After Bishop Wester of the Salt Lake Catholic Church, gave the invocation, the Rotunda was filled with the melodic and beautiful strains of “America, the Beautiful,” sung by the American Festival Choir, accompanied by the Utah National Guard Orchestra.

Ambassador Huntsman stated that his decision to accept the position as U.S. Ambassador to China had left him with a feeling of emptiness. He said that he was leaving the most enjoyable and rewarding job that he had ever held. He praised Lt. Gov. Herbert and said that Utah is the best prepared state in the nation. Lt. Gov. Herbert has spent the last five years going throughout the State, meeting with local officials and business leaders promoting the joint “Are You Ready?” program. He wished continued success for a state that deserves the very best. He said that he was turning over to Governor Herbert a significant treasure and told him that it was his job to enhance its luster. “Serving has been a privilege and I felt your support. We are all Utahns working hard and with integrity for the greatest state in the nation. We represent the attitude of our great nation working together for the future.” The crowd was on its feet giving Ambassador Huntsman a standing ovation. The applause, whistling and cheering was loud and very long. A twenty-one gun salute paid tribute to him.

Governor Gary Herbert was sworn in as the 37th governor of Utah. The orchestra played John Phillip Sousa’s arousing “Stars and Stripes Forever” as the National Guard gave a 21-gun salute to our new governor. He received the same standing ovation, loud and long applause, whistling and cheering before and after he spoke.

“Hi, Mom! Hi, Dad!” were his first words as Utah’s governor. “I cannot take the oath of governor without asking for help from a greater being.” He acknowledged Ambassador Huntsman’s skill and efforts by saying that Utah is the best managed state in the nation. He thanked Ambassador Huntsman for his service and economic dynamics as he assumes “this most important assignment. The State of Utah is most likely to be the first state to recover from the recession.”

“It is time for unprecedented partnerships to create economic stability. When we get the economy right, other things fall into place.” He mentioned companies like Winder Dairies of West Valley, and Gossner Cheese of Cache Valley. “They are successful entrepreneurs, and we must work with them, and with local businesses for continued success. We must recruit new businesses to come to Utah like Proctor & Gamble and EBay. We will make it happen.” He considers it “free enterprise” and free enterprise is freedom. “We need to work to promote free enterprise.”

“We place great value on education. Early pioneers sacrificed to make sure that their children had an education. Our success depends on our quality of education. We need to have a seamless education for our children. . . it is their passport to the world. It will help formalize a ‘Hands-on approach to working with all Stakeholders.’”

Energy will be his third issue to emphasize. “Utah has great resources. We must develop them wisely and responsibly. We need to be concerned with clean air and clean water.” He used the geo-thermal plant, the solar plant and other alternative energy sources as examples. “We must do our part to help the United States to be energy independent.”

He said that he had gratitude for our freedoms and that we must never take for granted the sacrifices of others that make it possible to live in peace and freedom today. “As government grows, liberty contracts.” (He received approval of that statement loudly and strongly.)

He said that we must live prudently. “We should not spend more than we earn, but live within our means. We should demand of government what we can pay for, and we should only pay for what we demand! Governments were created for the people and not the other way around. We should build from the bottom up so that we’re not top heavy.” (He received a long and loud applause at this point.)

He said that during the five and a half years, he has travelled throughout the state, and he will continue to travel listening and communicating with people. He said that the pioneers “made the desert blossom as a rose by working together. We need to follow them to make Utah successful. We can make Utah’s light shine as it never has before. We need to pledge to work together.” (I couldn’t help but compare Governor Herbert’s philosophy and method of operation for success in achieving goals with Mayor Godfrey’s approach of “don’t tell the Council anything, and work behind their back, and make plans behind closed doors so that they and the public don’t know what we’re doing.” Do you think Godfrey will ever catch on to the fact that communication, cooperation and working together are integral components for success?)

Ambassador Huntsman and Mary Kay left the Rotunda and said a few goodbyes. He removed his suit jacket, rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt, donned a helmet and climbed aboard a big Harley Davidson. He took his place beside a Highway Trooper and led the motorcade off the Capitol premises.

President Thomas S. Monson gave the benediction. His first sentence was: “We are grateful for the opportunity to attend these ceremonies.” That was precisely how I and many others felt. The National Guard conducted everything with dignity and the proper décorum. The music was superb and more than once brought tears to my eyes and lodged a lump in my throat. The American Festival Choir sang their final song, “God Bless America.” I will close as they did:

“God Bless America, my home, sweet home!”

Editor's addendum: The Standard-Examiner has an associated press story on this topic up on its "live" website, along with a couple of interesting slideshows.

Standard-Examiner: Goode Skis to be Ogden Made

Submitted by: ND

Goode makin' skis here now instead of China....+1 there....now get the poles made here. MG was a little nauseating in the SE article though:

• Goode skis to be Ogden made

So what about it gentle readers? Is the relocation of manufacturing for a company which makes a mere 3600+ pairs of skis per year a big deal for Ogden, or did Boss Godfrey once again go a "mite over the top?"

Standard-Examiner: Ogden City Council to Vote on $126M Budget

Ogden City increases government spending, while our neighbor to the south, Bountiful, prudently tightens its financial belt

By The Lovely Jennifer

This morning's Standard-Examiner reports that the Ogden City Council is now in the process of finalizing the fiscal year 2010-11 budget and increasing city spending for the coming fiscal year by $6 million over that of the previous year. Additionally, and among other things, the council has also"tentatively set aside about $701,000 in Ogden's proposed budget toward possible construction of five downtown parking garages." "It's exactly what we asked for," an elated Mayor Godfrey said. Here's the full Standard-Examiner story:

• Ogden City Council to vote on $126M budget

Ogden has a history - past, present & future - of wanting more than it can afford, wanting more than it needs. Counting chickens before the eggs are laid; putting the cart before the horse. Asking for money for outrageous ideas, plans, projects - before sufficient forethought or research is done or given - based on vague thoughts and opinions of a privileged few (i.e. FOM). Not much is drawn out in translated verbiage or in words the average citizen of Ogden can understand. Things are sugar-coated and made to sound good to the average Joe/Jolene, when in fact, not everything is as it seems.

Several projects have been finished and are good and good for the people. Several projects languish (Leshemville) and are still costing the people money they were promised not to have to pay in the first place (The Junction). Several projects are only half-finished and do not show any signs of picking up the pace as it were, as far as producing the projected revenue. New buildings sit half empty with "For Lease" signs that fade in the sun. Old buildings sit un-occupied for years while new ones are built. Incentives are offered for already wealthy businesses to build in Ogden - and several years later the site has been cleared and fenced, and they moved some dirt around.

Raises are asked for all around city employees/officials - except for the fire department. Budgets have had room for a larger police force, yet only recently have a few positions opened up. Men in higher city positions retire only to be rehired which appears on the books now as two "people" being paid out of city coffers.

Federal monies are secured to refurbish building facades to attract businesses, business trips that should be reserved for marketing/buying specialists are taken by the mayor in the hopes his smiling little face will be enough to get business to Ogden. Then suddenly the planners declare Blight on the same buildings they spent the federal money on, the same buildings that were promised to be filled by companies from China, Mexico - for consignment or dollar stores - the same buildings which are still empty, and are going to need refurbishment again soon.

The city is requesting Capital Improvement monies to improve/study the Mt Ogden Park/Golf Course and build a velodrome - when playgrounds all over the city are falling down and are a huge danger to our children.

Meanwhile -- our neighbor to the south in Bountiful is tightening its belt with a healthy grip on the reality that is our nation's economy, and expecting the reality of continuing sales tax/property tax lags. They are anticipating the reality of continuing lag in the light at the end of the recession tunnel and are budgeting accordingly. In the foreseeable future, Bountiful is going to be in a better position financially to be able to begin adding new projects and slowly building its tax base on a more solid foundation:

• Bountiful holds the line, again has smaller budget than previous year

Reading this latter article made this forum reader sit back and go "hmmm!"