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Show Volume XIV Issue XVI The Ogden Valley news Page 9 June 1, 2007 Letters to the Editor (cont. from page 2) Living in Paradise Comes with Skyhawk Carwash Fundraiser a Price—We all have a duty to a Success preserve it Dyers woad has been an issue for as long as I have lived here but is still not being addressed. Each of us in the community can do our part to reduce the proliferation of this state listed noxious weed by just taking care of our own private property. Even the pulling of one plant before it goes to seed can remove a thousand seeds from taking root in the future, and taking away indigenous plants that have to compete with it. Dyers woad cannot be eaten by wildlife and livestock, and chokes out what is edible. I receive calls from Valley residents asking what they can do to help contain it. Small school groups, scouts, and others have tried each year to get rid of this invasive weed. Just as we clear our driveways and sidewalks of snow and debris, perhaps we could each take a little time to clear our properties of this noxious weed, and even the state or county property along the road in front of our property. It’s difficult for those community members who are diligently trying to contain the weed when others nearby are negligent. Seeds from across the road or across the field can then blow throughout the Valley, or be carried distances by waterways or birds, or a myriad of other ways such as through the transfer of soils or plant materials. If you see the plant growing on state, county, or federal lands, contact these agencies and make them aware of the problem and ask them to resolve it. As you drive down the canyon or hike on our beautiful trails, you can see dyers woad slowly taking over. Please, each of us can make a difference by doing what is in front of us as we take a walk, do our yard work, and/ or take a hike. Let’s all do our duty by helping to control this state listed noxious weed. Jeannie Wendell, Liberty It’s Time to Put the Debate to Bed—Tax dollars shouldn’t be used to support private schools In regard to your Guest Commentaries regarding School Vouchers (April 15 issue), I would like to offer my opinion. I work for the Ogden and Weber Education Associations and also help out with the Utah Education Association Lobby Team at the Utah State Legislature. Our fight is not against private schools. We acknowledge the benefit of many of the fine private schools in our state. The 3 or 4% of our school age children who attend private schools have make their choice and we applaud it. The remaining 96% deserve our attention and our support. Our lack of funding (51st in per pupil expenditures) of our public schools should be our main focus. It makes no sense to fund another system (we already have started a charter school system) when we can not appropriate sufficient funds to lower class sizes and pay educators a competitive wage. Tax dollars (general fund or uniform school fund) should not go to subsidize private education. Besides, the constitutional question of giving public money to parochial schools, the basic idea is wrong. Public education is a public good that we all share in both the benefits and the costs. Just like the defense of our country is a public good. We all pay whether we use it or not. Just like those UTA buses we pass on the city streets. We pay equally because it’s for the good of the whole. Those 124,000 signatures of Utah registered voters will allow the question to be put to voters. It is a simple question. Do you approve of your tax dollars going to private schools? I hope you vote to overturn HB 148 and put this long suffering debate to bed. Thanks. Rick Palmer Ogden, Utah Youth Summer Sewing Class Four - 4 week Sessions: June and August Three morning sessions, one afternoon session. Ages: 10 to 15 years Beginning sewing, craft sewing, clothes, beginner quilts, etc. $40.00 for 4 one-hour classes plus supplies. Call Karen Bailey at 745-2539 Skyhawk students are awesome! What a blast the carwash fundraiser was on May 12. There was food and fun and plenty of water fights. Thank you to all of the students who donated their free time to wash and vacuum cars all day. They worked hard and squeezed some play time in too. We could not have been successful if it weren’t for the generous people who were willing to have us wash their cars. Thank you for being so patient with the students and for giving them the opportunity to serve you. This year Snowcrest Junior High has implemented two fantastic fundraisers, and plans to make them an annual event. The plan was to have the carwash in September of 2006. U n f o r t u n a t e l y, we were rained out and rescheduled for the spring of 2007. We will give the carwash another try in September and would love to have your support once again. We also had the awesome opportunity of hosting a Skyhawk talent show and dinner with guest artist “The Legendary Porch Pounders.” Please look forward to more incredible talent from Skyhawk students in January of 2008. As the new year approaches, the PTO board will be meeting with the new principal of Snowcrest and finding where the greatest needs are for future fundraising money. We hope to be able to help the science, art, and drama departments with our efforts. Because of the wonderful support we have received this school year, we were able to help the music department with some of their needs, and were also able to purchase a new sound system for the school. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for all of the community support and business sponsorships of our terrific students at Snowcrest Junior High. We can all look forward to great things next year! Many sincere thanks. Snowcrest PTO |
