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Show Volume XX Issue VI The Ogden Valley news Page 3 April 15, 2012 Letters to the Editor Most Event Runners Oblivious to Traffic To all participants of the special run in Ogden Valley on Saturday, April 7: It was a beautiful day, perfect for a run—not too cold and not too hot. I’m glad you could enjoy our wonderful valley on such a perfect morning. However, while enjoying your run, many of you forgot one of the cardinal rules of sharing the road with vehicles driving on county roads and state highways. While driving from Huntsville to the Valley Market at a speed of 15 mph or less, I witnessed many of you with ear pods, headsets, and cell phones running along, completely oblivious of any vehicle behind you. While those of us in these vehicles did an admirable job of sharing the sometimes-less-than-single lane with drivers coming in the opposite direction, you never even bothered to look behind you when crossing to the other side of the road. My thanks to the only person I saw that had the good sense to use the pathways for her run, and the gray haired gentleman who did bother to turn and look before crossing the road; maybe that is why he has lived long enough to have that gray hair. Sharon Zini, Huntsville Why Romney . . . Recently I’ve been reading Dwight D. Eisenhower’s The White House Years: Mandate for Change 1953-1956. He starts his book by relating how he was very reluctantly persuaded to get involved in presidential politics. What he had to say struck me as such a parallel with our current situation that I pass on this insight with my own conclusion. Mr. Eisenhower had, for several years prior to the presidential election of 1952, made statements that were pretty definite about his intention not to allow his name to be put forward as a nominee for either the Republican or Democratic parties for the presidency of the United States. While Eisenhower served as commander of NATO, U.S. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts came to Paris where Eisenhower was with the intent to try, one more time, to induce him to allow his name to be put forward as the Republican nominee. In the exchange, Eisenhower retorted, “You are well known in politics; why not run yourself?” Without hesitation, Lodge replied, “Because I cannot be elected!” Lodge then went on to review the presidential administrations from 1932 through 1948, or from Franklin Roosevelt’s four terms through that of Harry Truman’s. He then expressed his fear that unless this one-sided partisan dominance could be reversed in short order, permanent damage would likely be inflicted upon the nation’s twoparty system. He was apprehensive that the present Republican leadership that had resisted the Democratic policies of those 20 years “inescapably gave the country a negative impression.” Someone who had not been part of the political scene was needed, and that someone, Lodge asserted, was Eisenhower. I’ve recounted this conversation between Lodge and Eisenhower to give context to the characterization given on this occasion (4 Sept 1951) concerning the philosophy and policies of the Democrat Party. Eisenhower paraphrased Lodge’s words as follows, “This record [of a 20-year Democratic rule] is one of gradual but steady accumulation of power in Washington, increased ‘paternalism’ in government’s relations with the citizens, constant deficit spending, and a steady erosion in the value of our currency. As a consequence, these practices were becoming so alarming as to spell potential disaster for the country and corrective measures could not be started unless we had a Republican victory in 1952.” Eisenhower represents this event as the turning point of allowing his name to be put forward as a nominee for president in 1952. Now my observation: We are now 60 years down the road that was described in the LodgeEisenhower conversation. The Republicans are faced with similar choices now as they were then. Candidates for the Republican nomination who have served on the national scene, and at least to that degree, are part of the Washington, D.C. problem, are aligned against only one who has real life, private-business-sector experience, with enough elective experience to demonstrate executive ability, added to which is the political environment in which he was elected and served, demonstrating astute political ability. I speak of course of Mitt Romney. Mr. Romney, if he gets the nomination, which I think he will, and if the Republicans enthusiastically line up behind him to defeat Barrock Obama, will advance the conservative cause on a par with Ronald Reagan. This prediction remains to be seen. What is now crystal clear is that the apprehensions of Lodge and Eisenhower have almost come to realization in Barrock Obama, making him the most dangerous President in the history of the United States. Sportsmen to Congress: “Keep our backcountry like it is” Conservation organizations representing thousands of sportsmen and women urged the Senate to oppose a bill that would harm hunting and angling opportunities on millions of acres of backcountry by opening up prime fish and game habitat to new roads and development. The Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act of 2011 would remove the reasonable protections afforded to almost 50 million acres of Inventoried Roadless Areas and Wilderness Study Areas. Inventoried roadless areas are relatively undeveloped and highly accessible public lands protected by the recently upheld 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. While not all areas are technically without roads, they are important refuges for fish and game as they tend to be more pristine and, because they are protected, much more difficult to develop in the long run. The letter was sent simultaneously with a similar request from the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and more than 200 fish and wildlife scientists and managers, including 12 former directors of state fish and It seems like only yesterday that I was driving into Huntsville to find a school I had never seen before, Valley Elementary School. That day, I saw my very own classroom and my first real teacher’s desk. For those of us who have dreamed of being teachers our whole lives, this was a BIG DEAL!!!! “Thank you” seems like such an insignificant way to express my gratitude for the wonderful experiences I have had over the last forty years, but from the bottom of my heart, and with all my love, thank you so much for everything. The friendships we have made, the laughs we have shared, the love you have game agencies. It also comes on the heels of opposition from more than 200 additional state-level hook and bullet organizations and businesses that have previously voiced their opposition to the bill. “These are the most important and productive pieces of land out there for hunters and anglers,” said Dave Glenn, backcountry director for Trout Unlimited. “Just look at hunting success rates—they’re some of the highest you’ll see. Look at current ranges for native trout. Large percentages of it exist within those areas. Clearly, something is working. Why someone would want to disrupt that balance is beyond me.” IRAs are some of the best of what’s left of great habitat—backcountry areas essential to the success of fisheries, big game herds, clean air and clean water. As a vital puzzle piece of a functioning landscape, these lands benefit everyone even if they never actually set foot in a roadless area. “Any sportsmen worth their salt understands that when it comes to backcountry areas, the walk out is worth the walk in,” said Gaspar Perricone, Co-Director, Bull Moose Sportsmen’s Alliance. “Backcountry areas provide the necessary quality habitat to produce COMMENTARY cont. on page 9 shown me, and, most of all, the opportunity to work with the treasures of the Valley—your children—have made this time incredible. I am also so grateful for the wonderful friends I have worked with over these years. They are one in a million! I can’t believe how fast the time has gone. I knew my time was up when in the March edition of The Ogden Valley News, under the “Historical Photo,” there I was! Thank you for the best forty years of my life. It is an honor to say that I was a teacher at Valley School! Candy Inama Facer, Huntsville Mrs. Candy Facer, second grade teacher at Valley Elementary, says thank you to students and co-workers after teaching at the Valley school for 40 years. Shown above is Mrs. Facer with her second grade 2011-2012 class. Can’t Run? You Can Still Donate to Snowcrest’s PTO! Chuck Watson, Liberty Guest Commentary Thirteen conservation groups sign letter in opposition to H.R. 1581/ S. 1087 and launch new website to educate public about the importance of roadless areas. Mrs. Candy Facer Says Thank You Dear Valley Friends, It’s that time of year again—time for the Snowcrest Relay Powered by Ragnar! We are so excited to be a part of this school tradition. Just a reminder that this is the only fundraiser of the year and the support of every family is appreciated. We understand that there may be time and/or scheduling conflicts that might make it impossible to attend the race. If you cannot attend the race, we would encourage you to donate to this PTO fundraiser. The suggested donation is $15 per student, but any amount will help support the school. We would like to let you know of some of the activities, projects, etc. that this fundraiser supports: the Points Up program, which rewards students for bringing up their GPA, dances, and other academic support. Donations and registration forms will be accepted at Snowcrest. We really appreciate all that you do for the school! Thank you. Snowcrest PTO Inspirational Thought “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. . . . It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government.” -- George Washington |