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Show The Ogden Valley news Volume XX Issue XXI Page 3 February 15, 2013 Guest Commentary Farm InBill Deal“Weaapplaud Disaster the waning the efforts of Senate Agriculture hours of 2012, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Vice President Joe Biden negotiated a nine-month extension of the Farm Bill that the Center for Rural Affairs criticized heavily. “The farm bill extension measure attached to the fiscal cliff legislation passed by the House of Representatives . . . slashes investment in the future of small rural communities and family farming and ranching,” said Chuck Hassebrook, Executive Director of the Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons, Nebraska. According to Hassebrook, many smaller, targeted programs that invest in proven strategies to create rural jobs, revitalize rural communities and initiatives to foster a new generation of family farmers and ranchers were completely left out of the final farm bill extension. The eleventh-hour deal also prevents farmers and ranchers from being able to improve soil and water conservation through enrollment in the Conservation Stewardship Program in 2013. Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and House Agriculture Chair Frank Lucas (R-OK) who negotiated an agreement last weekend to address these crucial shortcomings,” explained Hassebrook. “But, regrettably their efforts were set aside in final negotiations over the fiscal cliff bill.” The nine-month extension of the previous Farm Bill was attached to the complex fiscal cliff bill and passed the Senate in the early morning hours yesterday and passed the House of Representatives less than 20 hours later. “The message is clear—despite high market prices, virtually unlimited commodity and crop insurance premium subsidies to mega farms remain uncapped, but beginning farmers and rural communities are left twisting in the wind,” concluded Hassebrook. “And conservation of our precious land and water gets put on hold.” Established in 1973, the Center for Rural Affairs is a private, non-profit organization working to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural communities through action oriented programs addressing social, economic, and environmental issues. Valley Non-Profit Groups Benefit from Gift from Snowbasin A ten-thousand-dollar in-kind gift of Snowbasin lift tickets was recently donated to the Community Foundation of Ogden Valley. These gifted lift tickets are being used to support fundraising efforts of every kind by the sixteen non-profit groups serving Ogden Valley and Weber County. “Snowbasin’s generous gift has brought a new level of success and energy to the nonprofit groups. Mr. Loomis and his management team are leading the way in “improving lives by philanthropic leadership,” which is the mission of the Community Foundation,” stated Steve Clarke, the foundation’s chairman. “We are pleased to see the Parent-TeacherStudent organizations of local schools using the tickets to leverage fundraising and the Ogden Valley Winter Sports Foundation, Snowbasin Adaptive Sports Education Foundation, Ogden Valley Land Trust, Ogden Nordic, and other non-profit organizations finding value in the gift. The Community Foundation applauds Snowbasin’s effort to grow community spirit and meet the many worthy needs of those who love Ogden Valley,” added Clarke. “Our Snowbasin management team has been impressed by the goals and causes represented by the non-profit groups that work with the Community Foundation, and we are pleased to contribute to their success,” says Mr. John Loomis, General Manager of Snowbasin Resort. “We hope the entire community can benefit from this gift.” About Snowbasin Resort - Snowbasin, one of SKI Magazines top rated customer service resorts, is located less than 35 miles north of Salt Lake City with one of the easiest drives from Salt Lake International Airport as well as quick access to the Park City area and Downtown Ogden. With 3,000 skiable acres and 3,000 vertical feet, Snowbasin is known for wide-open bowls, gladded runs, manicured groomers, powder stashes days after a storm, four terrain parks, and rarely a lift line. Snowbasin has world-class snowmaking and one of the most advanced lift systems in the West. Enjoy award-winning cuisine including mountaintop dining with spectacular view and magnificent day lodges. Find out why Snowbasin is consistently recognized as one of the best family resorts in North America! Come See Our New Styles We have a new line of Cozy Loungewear & Sweats NEW Local-artist Ashley Stoddard Jewelry Give Her What She Really Wants for Valentine’s Day! Jewelry ~ Scarves ~ Perfume Delicious Sea Salt Carmels Gifts starting at $5 Visit www.chicstyleutah.com! 2595 Hwy 162 Suit 5 Eden 1695 E. Skyline Dr. S. Ogden 801-745-3286 Cards Chocolate Candy Candles Clothing for everyone on your list! Visit us on Facebook! Letters to the Editor Weber School District Board Member Thanks Community With a heavy heart I am resigning my position on the Weber School Board. I have enjoyed the service given in this capacity so much, and have appreciated the trust that folks have given me to help with children. My husband Mark and I have accepted an LDS mission call to return to the Philippines for 23 months. I would like to thank the folks in Weber County for their great and continued sup- port of our wonderful schools and the Weber School District. We have one of the stellar districts in the state of Utah and, therefore, in the county. This is, primarily, because our district rests on the strong support of our families. Thank you again for your support through the years. Cheryl Ferrin, Eden Weber County Hosts Rabies Clinics Weber County will host two rabies clinics at the Weber County Animal Shelter located at 1373 N. 750 W. inside the north gate of the Weber County fairgrounds. Dr. Steve Lemmon, DVM will assist. Clinics are scheduled for two Saturdays, March 9 and March 23, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The cost of the rabies shot is $15. Dog licenses are also available through Weber County Animal Services, and can be procured during regular business hours, including the times of the rabies clinics. Cost of dog licenses are as follows: Spayed or neutered dog - $10 Non-spayed or neutered - $25 Spayed or neutered and owned by someone 65 years or older - $5 For more information, contact the shelter at 801-399-8244 or visit <www.co.weber.ut.us/ animalshelter/> Survey Finds NRA Members United: 91% of NRA members support laws to stop mentally ill from acquiring firearms The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action conducted a national scientific poll of its members and found near unanimity among NRA members on a wide range of issues involving mental health reform and firearm rights. Gun control advocates, including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, as well as various media outlets, have released data claiming to represent the views of NRA members, despite the fact that none of those surveys had access to the NRA’s membership list. The NRA survey of 1,000 randomly-selected NRA members across the country is the only legitimate survey of NRA members in existence. The data from this survey indicates that NRA members are united in their desire for Washington to focus on keeping firearms from the mentally ill and to reject unconstitutional gun control measures that infringe on Second Amendment rights. “Mayor Bloomberg’s claims that gun owners are divided are totally false. It is nothing more than an attempt by anti-gun activists to further their long-standing political agenda,” said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox. “American gun owners and Second Amendment supporters are ready for Washington to put politics aside and come together to fix our broken mental health system.” Key Findings • 91% of NRA members support laws keeping firearms away from the mentally ill. • 92% of NRA members oppose gun confiscation via mandatory buy-back laws. • 89% oppose banning semi-automatic firearms, often mistakenly called “assault rifles.” • 93% oppose a law requiring gun owners to register with the federal government. • 92% oppose a new federal law banning the sale of firearms between private citizens. Methodology - The national survey was conducted by OnMessage Inc. Telephone interviews were conducted January 13 through January 14, 2013. This survey consists of 1,000 NRA members and was stratified by state to reflect voter distribution in the 2012 presidential election. The margin of error for this survey is +/- 3.09%. Full results of the survey are available at <www. nraila.org/media/10850041/113topline.pdf> NRA - Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. Follow the NRA on Facebook at www. facebook.com/NationalRifleAssociation and on Twitter @NRA. |