OCR Text |
Show Page 2 The Ogden Valley news Volume XIV Issue XIII April 1, 2007 The Ogden Valley news Staff: Shanna Francis Tel: 745-2688 Fax: 745-0062 Cell: 791-4387 E-Mail: shannafrancis@att.net Jeannie Wendell Tel: 745-2879 Fax: 745-2879 E-Mail: crwendell@att.net crwendell@msn.com Opinions expressed by advertisers, columnists or letters to the editor are not necessarily the opinions of the owners and staff of The Ogden Valley news. guidelines for Letters to the Editor Letters should be 300 words or less. Letters must be signed and the address of the writer submitted. The Ogden Valley news reserves the right to edit or decline printing of any submissions. Announcements Sought As a community service, The Ogden V alley n ews will print local birth, wedding, obituary, anniversary and missionary farewell & homecoming and Eagle Scout announcements free of charge. We invite residents to send their announcements to: The Ogden Valley news PO BOX 130 EDEN UT 84310 If you would like your submitted items returned, please send a stamped, selfaddressed envelope. The Ogden Valley news , while respecting all property received, will take no responsibility for lost or misplaced items. Please remember to keep a copy for yourself. Invitation for Articles The staff of The Ogden Valley news welcomes the submission of articles by our readership. We invite you to submit local historical accounts or biographies, articles pertaining to contemporary issues, and/or other material that may be of interest to our readers. We also invite you to submit to the paper, or notify the staff of local events. Awards that have been earned by the reader, family members, neighbors or friends are also sought. While the staff of The Ogden Valley news invites the submittal of information and articles, we reserve the right to select which material will be considered for publication. All material, to be considered, must be submitted with the full name, address and telephone number of the person submitting the material. The OgdenValley news’liability on account of errors in, or omissions of, advertising shall in no event exceed the amount of charges for the advertising omitted or the space occupied by the error. The Ogden Valley news does not endorse, promote or encourage the purchase or sale of any product or service advertised in this newspaper. Advertisements are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. The Ogden Valley news hereby disclaims all liability for any damage suffered as the result of any advertisement in this newspaper. The Ogden Valley news is not responsible for any claims or representations made in advertisements in this newspaper. The Ogden Valley news has the sole authority to edit and locate any classified advertisement as deemed appropriate. It also reserves the right to refuse any advertising. Note: The contents of The Ogden Valley News are copyrighted. To protect this publication and its contributors from unlawful copying, written permission is required before any individual or company engages in the reproduction or distribution of its contents, by any means, without first obtaining written permission from the owners of this publication. The deadline for the OVN March 15 issue is March 2. Letters to the Editor Be Involved—Save our Valley In 2001 we purchased property in Kanaka Rapids Ranch near Twin Falls, Idaho. This was the most beautiful, peaceful, private, and safe place that we had been able to find! It was a dream come true. Kanaka Rapids Ranch is located near Twin Falls, Idaho. The ranch is located on the Snake River with an adjacent beautifully landscaped golf course. The gated community had tree lined winding roads with riding and walking paths. We had the promise of unlimited geothermal water at a mere $6.00 per month. In 2002, a lawsuit against the prior owner and 150 purchasers was launched because they claimed that he sold and we purchased property illegally. In 2005, the court decided in favor of the seller and the buyers. Immediately, that decision was appealed to the Idaho Supreme Court. This week, the Idaho Supreme Court upheld the findings of the district court. During these six years, and at the advice of our attorney, we paid property taxes and homeowners fees. The acting Home Owners’ Association fees have increased to $1,200 per year, the water is charged monthly, and immediate payment of $1,200 is required to enable digging of an additional well. During the six year lawsuit, we were not allowed to build or to sell. The property has deteriorated, the trees were not watered and have died, the roads need to be replaced, and our fence is leaning and in disrepair. The covenants do not allow us to work on the property unless the home is built and the landscaping completed in 14 months. We purchased in Bailey Acres because our dream of building in Idaho had been halted! We cannot allow Ogden Valley to become congested as in the case of Park City or allow our property to be overused or neglected as in the case of Kanaka Rapids Ranch. Please attend planning meetings, call the local and Weber County Commission, sign petitions, and let your voice be heard! R. & K. North, Liberty Voters Cautioned Against Being Duped by Educational Monopoly Dear Valley residents, when we start talking school vouchers, specifically HB 148, we see a lot of contention and knee jerk reaction absent the facts. Is opposition to the bill based on real concern for our children or fear that, with real choice, parents might expect more from their child’s education? People seem to forget that education, like healthcare and a myriad of other options, should be a choice. For instance, how would you like it if you were told that you could only shop at you local grocery store? (You live in a certain area and it has been mandated that it is the only store you can buy your groceries from.) It doesn’t matter if the grocery store doesn’t carry the brand that you need or want, nor does it matter the price or the quality. Because of where you live, this is where you have to shop—or pay twice. Your needs do not correspond with the service nor the items that you want to buy at this store, but you still do not have a choice. You have to shop there and pay more. Essentially, this is how public education is run—we have no choice. I believe that HB 148, or vouchers, will introduce the free enterprise system into a monopoly in desperate need of reform. It will give parents a real choice and it will cost the state less to educate. Specifically, it currently costs the state of Utah approximately $6,325 to educate each child in the public school system. (Next year it is projected to be $7,500.) The top voucher amount is $3,000. The average Utah voucher amount is projected to be $2,000. The difference between the $6,325 and the voucher amount is what could be left to fund our public schools. Unfortunately, well meaning people are being duped into an emotional argument championed by a monopoly. Personally, I am convinced that vouchers will strengthen, not harm, public education even though it may threaten the status Inspirational Thought Dreams come true. Without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them. -John Updike quo. For example, there are 20 voucher programs now operating in 14 states. The Milwaukee Public School System has had them for 17 years and graduation rates, scores, and enrollment have improved in both public and private schools. To opponents, I can only say that it is a misrepresentation when you state that vouchers will be paid for by monies taken from the Uniform School Tax Fund. Vouchers will be funded from the General Fund—not the education fund. In fact, if someone chooses to go to a private school, monies will still remain in the public school for five years. This is bringing more money into the school while lowering headcount. Isn’t this what we all want? Speaking as a public school parent who does not intend to use a voucher, and who is very happy with the education my five children have, and are receiving, at our local schools, I am convinced that this bill will bring more choice into a system that is, at its heart, a union-run government monopoly in desperate need of an overhaul. . . . Lisa Pack, Eden PUPPIES FOR SALE BICHON FRISE Two males, “Show Breeding Potential”; One small “Pet Companion.” White Powder Puffs. Born 12/20/06. Available now. Adorable temperament. A.K.C. First vet visit, exam, and shots. Bred/ raised in my home with children. I own Dame and Sire; purchased from Jubilee Kennel in TN. Both are champion lineage. Dame is 10.8 lbs. Her small size is very desirable. Sire’s weight fluctuates between 11.8 & 12.5 lbs. Call Pat (801) 605-3141 |