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Show Volume III, Issue X THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 7 March 15, 2001 It’s a Neighborly Thing By Lorine Murtagh You can ask the same question using various terminology, but the bottom line is always the same—to be a good neighbor The winter months have given me lots you have to show kindness, friendliness, of time to reflect upon the kindness of my concern, caring and some sociable qualineighbors–a little group in the grove who ties. You ask, “What is your reward?” live near me. I remembered what they Usually the same treatment in return (the had done for me–not only this winter, but old “what goes ‘round comes ’round” since I moved to the canyon. To start phrase). with, I want to publicly give those neighThis brings me to my next point. One bors who do our snow removal—a big of the programs I am familiar with that “THANK YOU!” Thank you for taking typifies “doing the neighborly thing” is such good care of me, my property, and the Neighborhood Watch Program. the property of others living in The Because of today’s high crime rates, Hermitage area of Ogden Canyon. If it neighbors are banding together for proweren’t for the Sniggs, Coombs and tection against lawbreakers. With the Bowman families teaming-up to remove approval and assistance of their local law snow from enforcement my walkagencies, resiw a y s , dents are prodriveway, viding each and the other mutual streets sursupport to rounding maintain safe my house, and healthy I’d be neighborh o m e hoods. I have bound and personally forced to seen this prouse my gram benefit vacation an entire days my neighborhood. employer I came to so gra- Steven Sniggs of GrayCliff Lodge helps out his neighbors. Ogden from ciously t h e gives me each year. All my neighbors Washington, D.C. area, and I can testify have been there when I’ve needed that that this program serves as a watchdog second set of hands to help me maneuver that deters vandalism, theft, home breakan object that got too big or heavy to han- ins, graffiti, and other negative actions by dle by myself. It is so nice to be able to people not belonging to the neighborcall upon a neighbor to provide that help. hood. For some reason, the sign that says A heartfelt “THANK YOU” to all my “Neighborhood Watch Program” is a neighbors for being so neighborly! deterrent in itself. People with “no good” Say, how about you? I’m sure you on their minds hate this sign. have experiences similar to mine and Our Ogden Canyon neighborhoods could tell about times when your neigh- are prime candidates for the bors also lent that much needed helping Neighborhood Watch Program. hand. I look upon my neighbors as an Hundreds of people trek through the extension of my family—not by blood- canyon daily. Many are not residents of lines, but by proximity. I truly hope my the Ogden Valley and are “just passing neighbors feel the same about me—that through.” What percentage of travelers I’m that kind of neighbor who can be are looking for opportunities to perform relied upon for assistance when needed. dishonest or destructive acts? No one Being a neighbor brings with it a certain knows the answer to this question, but amount of responsibility. It is not a con- you can rest assured a certain percentage stant, but an occasional responsibility per- are looking for a victim. Across the formed merely out of friendship or con- nation, one out of every 12 households is cern for the welfare of a fellow neighbor. victimized by burglary alone. However, I hope that we all feel in our hearts that it is a fact that concerned neighbors “Ogden Canyon people care.” reduce crime, and the most effective Neighbors make up a neighborhood. means of reducing crime in the neighborEach needs the protection and nurturing hood is an organization of neighbors you would give an immediate family helping one another. Watch groups are member. You’ve no doubt heard the term not vigilantes. They are extra eyes and “so goes the neighborhood.” There is a ears for reporting crimes and helping lot of truth in this statement. Neighbors neighbors. banning together can do a lot toward proAre you interested in starting a tecting the image seen by outsiders com- Neighborhood Watch program in your ing into a neighborhood. neighborhood? A Weber County crime What are you doing to protect the prevention officer will discuss our Ogden image of your neighborhood? What are Canyon problems and needs at the Ogden you doing to help your neighbors in need? Canyon Club board meeting on April 17, Do you reciprocate the good deed or are 2001, 7:00 p.m. at The Oaks. The public you the only one on the receiving end of is welcome. Contact Lorine Murtagh, the help? What are you personally doing 392-8743 for reservations. to deserve the title of a “good neighbor?” Chair, Ogden Canyon Club Annual Membership & Election Dinner at GrayCliff Lodge March 20, 2001 Social Dinner 6:30 p.m. $12.00 per person. RSVP to Judy Macner 392-1205 no later than March 17. MANSELL AND ASSOCIATES THE TRUSTED NAME IN REAL ESTATE Pete Bealba, GRI 25 year Valley Resident 10 year Valley Realtor 2580 North Highway 162 Eden, Utah 84310 Phone: 801-745-8800 Ext. 328 Fax: 745-1400 Cell-Voice Mail: 391-4100 E-mail: peteb@konnections.com www.move2ogdenvalley.com |