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Show Volume XV Issue II The Ogden Valley news Page 17 January 1, 2008 Guest Commentaries COMMENTARY cont. from page 3 II—not closer in character to the liberators that we truly are. Some CIA agents are also being tainted by acting cruelly towards their fellowman. Here is how they describe their handy work in “cracking” Khalid Sheikh Mohammed as told to ABC News. “Water boarding works. Drowning is a baseline fear. So is falling. People dream about it. It’s human nature. Suffocation is a very scary thing. When you’re water-boarded, you’re inverted, so it exacerbates the fear. It’s not painful, but it scares the ‘__’ out of you.” Khalid Sheilkh Mohammed, the officer claimed, “. . . didn’t resist. He sang right away. He cracked real quick. A lot of them want to talk. He was just a little doughboy. He couldn’t stand toe to toe and fight it out.” Dr. Victor E. Frankl, author of Man’s Search for Meaning and survivor of Nazi death camps, spoke of how brutality at Auschwitz and other concentration camps during World War II begat brutality in officers, foreman’s, and CATO (fellow prisoners with some authority over their comrades) with only a few exceptions. Do we really think once we start down this road we can hold back the deluge of cruelty? Cruelty will increase. Dr. Frankl has spoken of how fellow prisoners behaved the most violently and cruelly towards other prisoners because they thought they could save their own skin by doing so. Some of these cruel prisoners did, indeed, live to return to freedom. Unfortunately, mentally, they remained a hellish prisoner due to the torture they had put others through. John Kiriakou of the CIA, after telling ABC that water-boarding was used, has discussed this inner turmoil after participating in the tortuous activity. “Like a lot of Americans, I’m involved in the internal, intellectual battle with myself, weighing the idea that waterCONsERVATION cont. from page 9 benefit. Projects may be watershed-based, regional, multi-State, or nationwide in scope. Applications should describe the use of innovative technologies or approaches, or both, to address a natural resource conservation concern(s). Funding for CIG is made available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). All proposed CIG projects must involve EQIP-eligible producers. CIG funds that are used to provide direct or indirect payments to individuals or entities to implement structural, vegetative or management practices are subject to the $450,000 EQIP payment limitation. CIG is not a research program, but rather a tool to stimulate the adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a high likelihood of success, and are likely candidates for eventual technology transfer. CIG will fund projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. Technologies and approaches that are commonly used in the geographic area covered by the application, and which are eligible for funding through EQIP, are not eligible for funding through CIG. Proposed projects must conform to the description of innovative conservation projects or activities published in the Announcement of Program Funding (APF). Letters to the Editor boarding may be torture versus [a necessary act to obtain] the quality of information that we often get after using the water-boarding technique. And I struggle with it.” John said he felt that using water-boarding had “compromised (American) principles in the short term,” and was unsure the technique could be justified any longer. “At the time, I felt water-boarding was something we needed to do. As time has passed, and as September 11 has, you know, has moved farther and farther back into history, I think I’ve changed my mind.” America is still great, and she will stay great so long as we maintain our moral high ground and maintain a standard that all nations of the world may look up to. Torturing for information, for the purpose of being better at retroactive responses, will not solve the hatred others have for Americans. We have to be proactive, and the best method America, or any other nation can use, as history has shown, is compassion and exercising an understanding of others’ core beliefs. I’m not a pacifist; defending our rights and liberties is a must. But if we return cruel violence with cruel violence, a great deal more will die. John Adams was only resented for a short time for defending “the enemy.” After people had time to consider what John called the “stubborn facts” of the Boston Massacre trial, he became respected even more for his fairness and clear thinking. Millions of lives have benefited from America’s acts of love. Let’s continue to lift the integrity of the nations of the world and show the pleasure that comes from spreading the freedom we have enjoyed for well over 200 years. Let us respect others’ views and not use a “holy crusader” method as we go along. Tryge Lee Simpson, Huntsville CIG funds pilot projects and conservation field trials that can last from one to three years. Grants for approved projects cannot exceed 50 percent of the total project cost. The federal contribution for a single project cannot exceed $1 million. At least 50 percent of the total cost of the project must come from non-Federal matching funds (cash and in-kind contributions) provided by the grantee. While NRCS will provide technical oversight for each project receiving an award, the grantee is responsible for providing the technical assistance required to successfully complete the project. Applications must be received in the NRCs National Headquarters by 5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST), on Wednesday, February 20, 2008.Applications should be sent to: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Conservation Innovation Grants Program; Financial Assistance Programs Division, Room 5239-S; 1400 Independence Ave, SW.; Washington, DC 20250. To view the complete Announcement of Program Funding visit: http://frwebgate1.access. gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=901 000168785+0+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve. To apply electronically visit: http:// www.grants.gov/. For more information about NRCS conservation programs online, visit: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov, or visit the nearest USDA Service Center in your area. NRCS . . . Helping People Help the Land. LETTERs Definitely, the very best part of PTA has been working with these people! To all of you, thank you very much. store so our kids could experience the joy of giving this season! Jen Hanni has gathered information, Melissa Lewis, written stories, and created our monthly Valley PTA President Eden newsletter! cont. from page 2 Ogden Valley Planning Commissioners’ Efforts Praised Kudos to our Ogden Valley planning commissioners for stepping up to their responsibility. Lee Daniels, a Powder Mountain owner, was quoted in a November 28 Standard-Examiner news story titled “Powder Mountain Proposal Stalled” as saying, “We want to get past this stage so people with a broader vision and broader constituency can assess and make a decision.” It is obvious Mr. Daniels did not want Ogden Valley planning commissioners or residents to have much say in this decision. With the safety and traffic load issues related to the Powder Mountain road, that would escalate with the proposed development, a second access road built to Utah Department of Transportation standards is critical for this proposed rezone. Residents of Weber County should not pay for this new road. The owners of Powder Mountain should provide the funding for the road with funds returned to the resort interest-free at the anticipated build-out of the development. This would solidify Powder Mountain’s commitment to resolving the safety and traffic problems the rezone would bring to Ogden Valley. Other major issues of the rezone that require resolution are density (number of dwellings per acre), water, wildlife corridors and buffers, and the specter of a precedent-setting rezone that will open the Valley to similar rezone petitions by other developers. We appreciate and commend our Ogden Valley planning staff for their diligence in detailed research and review of the rezone request. Sharon Zini, Huntsville Emergency Response Lacking I was out in the garage preparing to start up the snowblower when I heard a “clank” from up on the road where the county grader was clearing snow. When I got to the top of the driveway, I saw a river of water gushing down the road. The grader had hit the fire hydrant! I called 911 for help and they said they would send someone to check it out. Twenty minutes passed, and no help had arrived. So, I called 911 again and was told one more time that someone would be out “soon.” Thanks to the persistence of Weber County Sheriff Kelly Taylor, the water was shut off at the hydrant. Unfortunately, water raged for one hour before a crew arrived. While I do appreciate the county services we do have and the efforts of so many, it does seem we all need a better plan for recovery when disaster strikes. Jennifer Johnson, Liberty A county road grader breaks off a fire hydrant sending a river of water into the street. Our Winter Wonderland and County Ordinances We have plunged head long into the most wonderful season that we get to enjoy in Ogden Valley. The beautiful snow covered landscape is what draws many of us to live, work, and play in this valley. The “Greatest Snow on Earth” has made our valley a winter destination for folks from all around the world. As is the case with most things in life, this wonderful snow, which is such a blessing, can also be a curse when we have to shovel it from our driveways or drive on slick roads. The state and county road crews work tirelessly trying to keep our roads as safe and snow free as possible. They have asked me to take a moment to remind Valley residents of a few regulations that will help our crews stay on top of this overwhelming task. Parking County Ordinance 23-9-3 prohibits parking of vehicles along the roadside between 4:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on days when snow removal is necessary. Pushing snow into the Roadway County Ordinance 23-9-2 states, “In clearing driveway openings, snow shall be placed on the same side of the street as the driveway opening and off the travelway so as not to restrict traffic movement or create a hazardous condition. Speak up for what you want . . . or Take what you get . . . . Take action today on urgent issues! For information on time sensitive issues facing Ogden Valley residents, your community, and your property, log onto www.Ogden-Valley.blogspot.com Please view on line petitions and add your electronic signature if you agree with VCRD position. Valley Citizens for Responsible Development (VCRD) Mail to: VCRD, P.O. Box 115, Huntsville, UT 84317 VALLEY ZONING ISSUES - NEW ORDINANCES – TAX INCREASES TAX INCREASES –IRRESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT TAX INCREASES –IRRESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT VALLEY ZONING ISSUES - NEW ORDINANCES – TAX INCREASES Snow from the length of private driveways shall not be pushed onto the County road travelway but must remain on private property or on the parking strip or within the barrow area of the County road so as not to impede the travelway traffic movement. Snow shall not be pushed across the County road and deposited on the road side opposite the driveway. Snow shall not be pushed onto or dumped within the County road travelway with the expectation that it will be removed or pushed aside by County snow plows as roads are cleared.” One of the major problems created when folks push snow across the street, is that they leave snow in or on the roadway that creates icy patches. There are similar state codes regarding this matter, and Huntsville Town has a similar ordinance regarding parking and the removal of snow and depositing it onto their roads. Valley Deputies will be watching for these problems, and may be stopping to talk to folks about violations such county violations. Hopefully, most of these problems will be able to be resolved short of issuing citations. We all know the frustration of spending time and sweat to shovel out our driveway only to have a snow plow come by and bury us again. This is just one price we pay to live in this beautiful winter wonderland. PERFECT HOME FOR FuLL TIME OR VACATION REsIdENCE Nichole Kester Perfect Eden Home Associate Broker, GRI MLS #692110 (801) 710-3074 $319,000 Location! Location! Location! Just minutes from Wolf Creek Resort and Powder Mountain. Just a short drive to Snowbasin Resort and Pineview Reservoir. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. 1/3 acre lot backing to wooded common ground. Beautiful home for a beautiful price. |