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Show Volume XXIII Issue VIII The Ogden Valley news Page 3 June 15, 2015 Guest Commentaries Alpha and Omega Males In the animal kingdom, the elephant is dominant; few predators even attempt to attack one. The male bull elephant is preeminent, but when adolescent males are isolated from the herd and influence of mature elephants, they become troublesome, attacking each other as well as other species. Similarly, in contemporary 21st- century innercity USA, unsupervised adolescent males create many problems with criminal behavior of all kinds that lead to conflicts with law enforcement, resulting in the decay of entire neighborhoods. Also in contemporary 21st-century USA, the black male is becoming the alpha male in sports, entertainment, and many other career pursuits—including politics; black females are finding similar success. This illustrates two important points—there is opportunity in the USA for everyone of any race who has the intelligence, skills, and talents to succeed when they use those assets positively. So why, we may ask, do politicians and leaders on the “left” side of the political spectrum not recognize the true causes of inner-city turmoil? Why blame the justice system, law enforcement, guns, and lack of opportunity? The answer is simple—political expediency; it’s easier to blame than to fix. This kind of turmoil is what people like Al Sharpton thrive on. Professor John McWhorter, a black professor at UC Berkley in his book “Authentically Black” sees Sharpton as an opportunist helping no one but himself, and a purveyor of “victimology.” The real culprit, fatherless households, is a much more complex problem that has been ignored for far too long. The left also seems blind to the proliferation of violence in TV shows, movies, and videos, which act as simulators for violence. Unfortunately, too many “alpha-males” are not “alpha-dads,” many having abandoned their responsibilities, some having no knowledge that they are even biological fathers let alone knowing their offspring. Far too many alpha-males are completely absorbed in their lifestyle with no time for family building. They are missing the opportunity of participating in the most rewarding accomplishment a man can have—that of being a dad. It’s just possible that the viability of our nation as a world leader hinges on one factor—that of responsible fathers who take care of their families. If alpha-males are being omega- dads, it’s time for a change—time to suck it up and be a real dad, an alpha-dad. Father’s Day is a time to celebrate a person who has had a great impact in our lives—the man who helped guide us, protect us, and provide for us. We come into this world on a journey on which there is much to learn and to experience. While dealing with all the earthly things, we begin to realize that we came from somewhere and are going somewhere and the question is why? The question is illustrated by a story of a sparrow that flew through the spacious halls and banquet room of the castle of an ancient king. A wise man likened this to the human journey—the sparrow flew into the room, circled about, and flew out toward another destination. As we circle about in our “space,” hopefully we learn the path that will take us to our next destination; that is the one after we leave this mortal life. An important duty of males who journey through life is to be the best you can as a father and provider. We might learn that, “Neither fame nor riches nor great achievements will cross with us to the other side. Resentments, bitterness, and regrets will not serve us well, though many cling to them as if to gold; to carry them with us would be hell indeed.”* We all have an alpha and omega—a beginning and an end. What’s important is what we do in between. The world and life is full of challenges; sometimes just surviving consumes all of our energy. Hopefully we find time to achieve more than just surviving; life can be very rewarding as we achieve goals and self-actualization. Prophetic words from an anonymous poet, “A father is someone to shelter and guide you, to love you as only he can; someone who’s always beside you to lend you the strength of his hand; someone who gives you his best and shares all his wisdom and skill. In everyone’s heart there’s a place set apart that only a father can fill.” To all you alpha-dads and those aspiring to be, Happy Father’s Day! To omega-dads and those heading that way, man-up. John W. Reynolds, Pleasant View *Philosopher, Henri Nouwen. John McWhorter book “Authentically Black,” Gotham Books Summit’s editorial regarding water it purchased with Powder Mountain, we Protestants (Eden Water Works, Bar B Ranch, Middle Fork Irrigation Company, Wolf Creek Irrigation Company, and Wolf Creek Water and Sewer Improvement District) offer additional information that has not yet been discussed. It is true that Summit’s purchase package for the Powder Mountain Resort included an approved 400 acre feet exchange water right, Exchange E4715 (http://waterrights.utah.gov/ cgibin/docview.exe?Folder=35-11995). It is not true that Summit, by itself, can use that exchange water right for culinary and snowmaking water supply at the resort for two reasons: First, approval of Exchange E4715 does not guarantee that Summit can develop and use water. Only new water uses that do not interfere with existing water rights can be developed under an exchange. This is difficult to accomplish where the proposed diversion of water is located on the top of a mountain on a drainage divide between two fully-appropriated drainages. Second, even under the terms of Exchange E4715, Summit cannot itself divert water. The 2006 order approving Exchange E4715 states, “The applicants are advised that municipal uses can only be authorized under the administration of a municipal or quasi-municipal agency. As a result, Powder Mountain Water & Sewer Improvement District must participate in the implementation of this exchange application and acquire ownership of the water right for this application to remain valid.” (Documents 50 to 53) Normally, developers secure water supplies before building, but Summit built first and still has not reached an agreement to transfer Exchange E4715, its only approved water right, to the Powder Mountain District. Only the Powder Mountain District can deliver culinary and snowmaking water to Summit with “Summit’s approved water right.” Summit is prohibited from using Exchange E4715 to deliver water to itself. When Summit requested approval to drill (drill – not pump) the Hidden Lake Well, it initially claimed it was drilling under one of the 19 points of diversion approved on Exchange E4715. We (Protestants) investigated and found that the Hidden Lake Well was not drilled on any existing approved point of diversion. After pressing our case for months, the State Engineer required Summit to file a new exchange— wonderful community support.” We would like to sincerely thank the fol- Exchange E5382, which the Protestants, Cache lowing people for making this retreat such a County, and others protested. This is not the cooperative, neighborly, and honest approach great experience: Waypoint staff and students, Valerie DeBlander, Michael Miller, Harris Helberg, Laura Dunning, Jordan Hudgins, Henry Pond, Steve and Eric Munson, Christian Webs, Zach Zelko, Jeannie and Alexis Wendell, Jacob Hancey, Stan Colby, Ayla Witt, Charlotte Colby, Eleana Witt, Jesse Cleary, Derek Witt, Tim Ludlum, Samantha and McKenzie Munson, Tanya and Emily Blackford, Colette and Parker McQuown, Marc and Katelyn Welch, Ellen and Kevin Baggs, Robert Bulloch, William Gouldin, Aken King, Ben Cohen, Ethan Gooding-Tam, Nathan Benne, Andre Djenguerian, Ellis Moog, Alex Cayle, Maren Robinson, and William Harris. We are indeed honored to live and work among such fantastic people! Letter to the Editor Thank You Ogden Valley! The Wolf Creek Foundation hosted its 28th military retreat the weekend of April 17 thru April 19. For the past few years, we have asked members of the community to volunteer to serve the seven meals involved over the course of the weekend. The response has been overwhelming; we are very proud to be part of such a generous community. We would especially like to thank the students from Waypoint Academy. They volunteered for three meals and helped with the families’ Amazing Race on Sunday. Thank you Waypoint! The interaction between the volunteers and the retreat participants brings the quality of the retreat program to a whole new level. The families leave knowing that they have the support of the local community and the volunteers leave with a greater sense of what these families sacrifice for the freedoms that we take for granted. One comment recently received by Col. Kolbe, 75th Air Base Wing Vice Commander, “In my career, I have never experienced such Protestants Clarify and Reaffirm Water Rights Concerns In addition to Mr. Tymcio’s response to that Summit’s editorial espoused. None of the approved well locations on Exchange E4715 are producing wells. The surface spring points of diversion are either inaccurately located (Lefty Spring) or are on springs that already have many more approved water rights on them than they ever produce in flow (Pizzel Springs). The result is, Summit has an approved exchange water right it cannot use, a well it drilled on a point of diversion that has not been approved by the State Engineer under Exchange E4715 or otherwise, and an unapproved exchange application it did not want to file that was protested by numerous parties in two counties. Furthermore, an objective evaluation of the data obtained from the pump test on the Hidden Lake Well late last fall shows that Lower Lefty Spring was impacted by the test and Lower Lefty Spring is one of the sources for our water rights. Either of Summit’s exchanges, approved E4715 or unapproved E5832, would interfere with our water rights and cannot be developed. Our last point is that any exchange water right requires replacement of water—replacement in equal quantity and quality to the amount of the new water use. Both of Summit’s exchanges, existing E4715 and unapproved E5382, intend to replace water Summit pumps from our aquifers and springs by releasing water from Pineview Reservoir. That “replacement” may be fine for irrigators west of Ogden, but it does nothing to replace our local water that is used to supply water to our homes and farms in Ogden Valley. If Summit takes water from our aquifers and springs from higher points of diversions, there is less water to supply our water rights, and the future of current shareholders and customers is at risk. And it is impossible to replace Cache Valley’s water, which would be pumped from the Hidden Lake Well (81% of water pumped according to the Utah Geological Survey) with water released from Pineview Reservoir. Any water Summit attempts to pump from our springs or its mountaintop wells already belongs to us or to Cache Valley users. It cannot be replaced by releasing water from Pineview Reservoir. We stand by our request that the State Engineer deny Summit’s Exchange E5382. Dee Staples, Pres. Wolf Creek Irrigation Company Cal Welling, Pres. Eden Water Works Lowell Peterson, Wolf Creek Water and Sewer Improvement District Dan Harris, Pres. Middle Fork Irrigation Company Gay Browning, Bar B Ranch Sue Munson, Wolf Creek Foundation Youth Football Registration is NOW open. Call or text for info @ 801-391-2347. Moose-eye view from the top of Flattop U.S. government and state wildlife resource area looking north towards Powder Mountain Hidden Lake and Lefty’s springs and Canyon. Locations of the Hidden Lake Well and Lefty’s Springs are shown. |