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Show Volume XVIII Issue II The Ogden Valley news Page July 1, 2010 Guest Commentary Why We Need to Say NO to the UEG Ethics Petition If you’ve already signed it, learn how to remove your signature. Hello, My name is Laura Warburton. I’m a wife and mom living in Utah. When approached with the Utahns for Ethical Government (UEG) petition, I was excited. Everyone wants ethical government, right? I eagerly started reading. When I got to the second page, my heart dropped. I realized I couldn’t sign it without reading the entire thing. Once read, I was so disturbed by what I found I began an in-depth investigation of the petition and the people behind it. After weeks of research, I was horrified. I uncovered many alarming facts that should make everyone question UEG’s true intent. Now, I feel an urgency to spread the truth about this petition. What you are about to read are just a few of my concerns. For some of the points, I chose to give specific page references. For others I chose not to because the information is buried throughout the petition. I hope you read it for yourself. When you do, pay special attention to the definitions found on pages 3-6. The definitions are the key to unlocking its true meaning. The only way you’ll be able to know fact from their fiction is to read the petition for yourself. Even in their rebuttals to criticisms, UEG twists the facts. All is not as it appears. Utahns for Ethical Government (UEG) Officers – The power players behind the petition. Vik Arnold is the treasurer for UEG. Speaking with Mr. Arnold on Saturday May 10, 2010, at the Democrat State Convention, he told me that for several years he was UEA’s (Utah Educators Association) lobbyist, Director of Public Relations and Political Action, until this September (2009) when he resigned. Vik Arnold is a professional lobbyist. When I asked him why he wasn’t listed as one of the ‘Sponsors’ of the petition he said it was decided that he would be a lightning rod and they didn’t want that. There’s a very good reason for their concern. Kim Burningham is the first officer listed for UEG. Kim Burningham has served on the Utah State Board of Education for several years. In October 2009, Mr. Burningham was elected to the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) Board of Directors. Burningham began his one-year term as a director from NASBE’s Western region in January 2010. He is an ardent supporter of the UEA. http://schools.utah.gov/main/INFORMATION/ Online-Newsroom/DOCS/102009NASBE1.aspx UEG’s Statement of Organization and Financial Disclosures can be found at the following Utah government site. http://gva1.utah. gov/disclosures/PublicArchive.aspx?type=PIC &folder=1407811 Where was the petition first introduced? UEG introduced the petition at the state UEA 2009 convention. Twelve hundred petitions were distributed to anxious participants. “In mid-September, UEA’s board of directors endorsed the (UEG) initiative.” “Oct. 3 (2009)--Ethics initiative proponents launched their ground game Friday, distributing 1,200 petition packets to attendees at the annual Utah Education Association convention.” http://www.allbusiness.com/government/government-bodies-offices-regionallocal/13114298-1.html Just a few of the most questionable aspects of the petition: 1. Petition claims and accusations – The petition makes many erroneous damaging claims without offering one reference for verification. For example: Utah is ranked 47th worst in the nation in ethics. (Page 2) Fact – In the most recent PEW reports, PEW gave Utah along with three other states, an Afor government performance. No state received a higher grade. Utah received the highest ranking in the nation. PEW does cite areas of Utah government which need improvement. I could not find one online report by PEW or anyone else that named Utah as 47th worst in the nation. http://www.pewcenteronthestates. org/uploadedFiles/Overall%20Performance.pdf 2. Money – The petition states there are no monies appropriated for this bill yet on the last past it calls for $472,000 dollars each year to pay for support staff and a lawyer. In addition, the petition states that the 5 commission members will receive a per diem. (Pages 1 & 21) . Formation of the independent ethics commission – The petition calls for a 5 person independent commission. The commission is to be chosen by the two leaders in both the House (1 Republican, 1 Democrat) and the Senate (1 Republican, 1 Democrat). They must agree on 20 people who are qualified to serve on the commission. Then, on a specified date, those twenty names are put on separate pieces of paper and put in a hat. Then, 5 names are drawn from the hat creating the first 5 members of the commission. Members serve varying lengths of time. When their term expires, they are replaced by the same process. But, what if these four opposing leaders can’t decide? Pay careful attention. This is the most alarming aspect of this petition. A provision is clearly stated that if the leaders are unable to agree on 20 names by a specific date, then the first five ‘sponsors’ will choose the 20 names. Who are the ‘sponsors’? At the time of this writing [May 2010], the names have been removed from the UEG website and they certainly are not listed in the petition. When I read them on the UEG website before they were removed, there were more than 5 and they included Kim Burningham and Dixie Huefner (another UEG contact and retired teacher) along with a host of other school teachers. The petition states that if the first 5 are unable to complete this task it falls to the next Sponsor and so forth. If one of the friendly UEA or UEG legislative leaders stalls the process, Kim Burningham will be in a position to ensure the UEA a friendly commission. (pg. 7, section 36-27-201) 4. Can a lobbyist serve on the commission? –“No member may have been a lobbyist for a period of 5 years preceding appointment to the commission.” So, the answer is YES. A lobbyist can serve on the independent ethics commission. Once a lobbyist always a lobbyist. The relatives of lobbyist’s can serve as well. There is no mention of limitations in connections with the relatives of lobbyists. In other words, the cousin, wife, daughter, sister, brother of a lobbyist can serve on the commission. (Page 7) 5. Who does the commission answer to? –No one. Once judgment against a Legislator Most Beautiful Garden Contest Returns—32 years later In 1978, Ogden Valley celebrated the harvest by holding an annual “Most Beautiful Garden” contest. This contest started as part of the “Stake Fair” that was associated with raising funds for the Huntsville LDS Stake Center built in 1979. The winners represented each ward and one garden was chosen as grand champion. Among the past grand champions were sisters-in-law Dottie and Melanie Satterthwaite of Eden and Liberty respectively. These ladies have agreed to be judges in the revival of this traditional contest. Winners will be selected from Huntsville, Eden, and Liberty along with one grand champion representing the best garden in Ogden Valley. Celebration of Women Fundraising Event Did you know that Dottie Becks has its very own women’s cycling racing team? It all started this year as a small group of women dedicated to the healthy sport of racing bikes and who also desire to be positively involved with the community. Dottie Becks Racing team will host a Celebration of Women event on Saturday, August 28 in Eden. All proceeds will go towards Monica Fuit, a local Liberty resident. Monica is currently undergoing timely and costly treatments to help control and/or eliminate GVHD, a complication that developed from a bone marrow transplant for her acute lymphoblastic leukemia. GVHD occurs when functional immune cells in the transplanted marrow are recognized as foreign. The medication required to help control the GVHD has had a negative effect on Monica’s body. This and the drugs are now depleting her bones. These treatments are the only alternatives to save Monica’s life. A group of women met on June 17 and solidified their vision for the event—to dedicate a special day promoting a healthy and balanced lifestyle for all people. Everyone is invited to attend with all proceeds going to help Monica. She has contributed a great deal to our community and is now in need of our help. By Morgan Merietti On May 8, friends Dana and Jordan Garner, my mom (Diane Merietti), and I (21-year-old daughter Morgan), all headed to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event held at the Gateway [in Salt Lake City]. It is an annual 5K event to raise money for breast cancer research and we are devoted participants of this event! This year we celebrated my mom’s eleventh year as a cancer survivor, and I want to say how proud I am of her! Every year this is an emotional event that allows my mother and me to connect on a different level, one that can only be felt by a mother and daughter. At this event, we forget about everything else in the world and are reminded of this rotten piece of DNA called cancer that came knocking on our family’s door eleven years ago. We . n pe O ($5 per event—register at 6pm—age groups 12 & under, 13-17, 18 and older) Saturday, July 3rd: 7:00 a.m. Fun Run starts at the Preserve Bowery 7:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. 8:45 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. (Register at 6:15 a.m. $5 each, under 8 $3 or $10 per family) Breakfast at the Liberty Park Bowery ($7each or $30 per family) Booths needed, space available for $20, contact Julie 389-4781 Remember to pre-purchase your dinner tickets! Game Sign-ups Begin (by the concession stand) Flag Raising Ceremony (north end of bowery) Parade Begins (Line up no later than 8:45 a.m. near 3775 East) Arena Games Begin: Mutton Bustin’ $10, Greased Pig Chase $8, Chicken Catch $2 (Some games have limited space) Gunny Sack Races then Community Tug of War (free events) Volleyball Tournament Begins $6 and Kids Games Begin: Stick Horse Derby $1, Sawdust Find $1, Cake Walk $1, Fish Catch $5 (Must have ticket to participate) Arm Wrestling $2, Hot Dog Eating Contest $3, Watermelon Eating Contest $2, Watermelon Seed Spitting Tournament $2 (Single Elimination) 3 v. 3 Co-ed Soccer Tournament $10 (12 years old and up, registration begins at 2:15 p.m.) Dutch Oven Dinner Begins for those with pre-purchased tickets ($8 each or $35 family) Evening Events Begin: Cow Plop $5, Greased Pole $1/try and Liberty Idol $5 (1st 20 contestants will compete) 7:00 p.m. Dutch Oven Dinner Begins for those without pre-purchased tickets and will be served until the food is gone (buy tickets or get in line early) 8:00 p.m. Dancing under the Pavilion Dark Patriotic Tribute and spectacular Fireworks The Liberty Park Committee would like to thank those who volunteer so much time and energy to make this celebration a success every year! If you are not involved and want to be, we always need more help. If you have questions, please contact Ross & Julie Mertlich at 745-3731. 6th e2 Schedule of Events: 6:00 p.m. Concession stand open for dinner 6:30 p.m. Rodeo events: Single Keyhole, Single Poles, Single Barrels Any women-owned businesses are invited to participate that day by either setting up a booth around Dottie Becks or offering to present a seminar. Either way this will be a great opportunity to showcase a business, share a talent, and help Monica. Some possible ideas for the event may be “How to Accessorize Your Clothing on the Go,” “The Therapy of Painting,” “How to Make a Workout Regime Fit in Your Life,” along with interpreter-guided nature walks in the morning showcasing local birds and wildflowers, painting workshops, demos, and much more. Other businesses in the Valley who don’t set up a booth or hold a seminar are invited to participate by agreeing to donate a percentage of the profit made on August 28 to benefit Monica. These businesses will get a green balloon to put outside their doors that will identify their participation in the event. The Ogden Valley has such a wealth of talent! If you would like to participate or would like more information, please contact Diane Evans, founder of Dottie Becks women’s cycling racing team at peachyface@relia.net. The deadline for businesses to register is Friday, July 2. Circle the date and plan on participating in this very worthwhile event. Community Rallies to Beat Cancer UEG ETHICS cont. on page 10 Friday, July 2nd: Prizes from local businesses are being secured and the judging will be done in late August or early September. Rules and exact judging dates are being determined with more details to follow in future editions of The Ogden Valley news. This tradition is being brought back to the Valley by Huntsville resident Jeff Good of Prudential Real Estate. Jeff is looking for historical information regarding past winners and/ or memories of the contest from family members of past participants. You can enter your garden (or your neighbor’s garden) in the competition by contacting Jeff Good at (801) 710-3932, or by e-mail at <jeffgood@pureutah.com> H se u o Jun 12 - .m 5p are reminded of the courageous battle that my mother fought, and are reminded of all of the emotions that millions of women are faced with each year as they are diagnosed with breast cancer. But there is one feeling that this event always brings to me that is bigger than all of the rest—the celebration of my mother being a survivor, and remembering the remarkable recovery that she made and is continuing to make each day. Although she kicked cancer to the curb, the journey is not over; however, with each new year my mother is able to add another brick to the wall, and is one step closer to being cancer free for the rest of her life. We not only participate in events like these to celebrate the remarkable recovery my mother has made, but also to support cancer research to find a cure for breast COMMUNITY cont. on page 10 |