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Show Volume XV Issue XII The Ogden Valley news Page June 1, 2008 Editor’s View County Should Help Secure Funding for Translator Station The Weber County Ogden Valley Recreation/Transmission Special Service District, which provides non-subscription public television service to Ogden Valley residents, is in special need of funding at the tune of $260,000 so they can comply with a federal mandate to switch from analog to an online digital format system before the February 17, 2009 cut-off date when analog broadcasting will no longer be available across the nation. After searching for alternative funding solutions during the last four to five years to meet this federal requirement, which originally was estimated to cost $125,000, board members are now at the midnight hour and still trying to drum up the money to keep public broadcasting alive in Ogden Valley so residents on limited budgets can continue to have access to television programming. Under the administration of the translator special service district, hundreds of volunteer hours—over 1000!—have been rendered by board members and outside volunteers. I have watched for many years as the board has quietly and professionally served in a dedicated and responsible manner, working to ensure television service is maintained for viewers located across Ogden Valley. Many elderly residents, families on tight budgets, and those who are less active due to illness or disability depend on national and local network coverage provided by the district for news, entertainment, and, in some cases, emergency announcements and severe weather warnings. Channels such as KUED provide a variety of programs supporting education and the arts delivering quality programming for viewers of all ages. As a district created under Weber County, it is time for the county to step up and help find a viable solution to secure funding for the implementation of this federal mandate so the public can continue to receive uninterrupted television service. Letters to the Editor Volunteers and Sponsors Continue to Support Cleanup Efforts Volunteers who helped pick up trash along the Ogden River and within Ogden Canyon on April 19 and April 26 had a great day! Several new people also helped this year. About 35 people showed up to clean up debris in Ogden Canyon on April 26—a twice a year effort by the community that is sponsored by the Ogden Canyon Club. And about 30 to 35 people from the Sierra Club spent the morning on April 19 on the lower portion of the river. Because of the great community support, a lot of junk was cleared away. Lunch was provided courtesy of the Oaks and Gray Cliff Lodge at the Bachman’s at the head of Ogden Canyon. Thanks again for your continued support. The Ogden Canyon Club would especially like to thank our sponsors: Alaskan Inn Alpine Pizza Mike and Debbie Bachman Bingham Cyclery Cutter & Buck Descente North America Diamond Peak Mountain Sports El Monte Golf Course/Mt Ogden Golf Course Flow Rider Gray Cliff Great Harvest Bread Co. IPS, For All Your Promotional Needs La Ferrovia Ristorante BG and Kirk Langford The Oaks Ogden City Olive Garden Pan Handler Rock Utah Roosters Ruby River Sharon Lewis Massage Therapist Solomon/Amersport Staker Parsons Companies TGI Friday’s Thomas Hardy Salon Union Grill Gail Breeze, Ogden Canyon Club Has Our Tax Increase Been Forgotten? Has everyone forgotten about the horrendous property tax increase we in Ogden Valley received last year? Maybe we’re still trying to recover from “Tax Shock.” I have a huge file folder filled with clippings of editorials, letters to the editor, and various articles from the StandardExaminer and Ogden Valley news, as well as all of the meetings, television coverage, complaints, etc. And, did any of these efforts do any good in reducing our taxes? We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to Wingmen Don Bell and Richard Sorensen for all they have done in trying to reduce our taxes. They were joined by the founder of Citizens for Tax Fairness in Bountiful and the Fair Property Tax Committee of Washington County—Ron Mortensen. Rep. Gage Froerer (October 18, 2007) was proposing to bring four bills to the Legislature last session; one would defer property taxes paid by senior citizens; one would increase the income level for those qualifying for the circuit breaker; another would allow residential exemption to property exceeding one acre; and the fourth would reduce the school district’s portion, which is 50% of our property tax. Does the school district also receive funds from our income tax? Property owners age 65 and older with a $33,000 income ceiling were scheduled to receive the circuit breaker tax credit (March 2, 2008). Nothing was done to help seniors on fixed incomes who are property owners. Rep. Froerer (August 18, 2007) said, “A constitutional amendment to place a cap on assessed property values can’t be considered by the Legislature until 2008, and, if approved, couldn’t be placed on the ballot until 2009.” Brad Dee, the Utah House of Representative’s Assistant Majority Whip (December 2, 2007) said, “Legislators will be looking at property taxes and will be extremely proactive . . . . Legislators want to help, not hurt, taxpayers with unintend- ed consequences and hopes lawmakers will be cautious as they consider how to change the property tax system.” And, on January 27, 2008, said, “Property taxes—part of our state constitution—would likely take a constitutional amendment . . . requiring a vote of the citizens of our state.” And, on March 8, 2008, “Changes to the property tax code would require a constitutional amendment. We felt it would be best to thoroughly study the issue before going forward with any changes.” We all know how many years that will take. After filing three appeals we were told we could expect to pay the same property tax this year. We received a small rebate that I liken to placing a band-aid over a bullet wound. We also received a letter from Gage Froerer thanking us for our interest. And, yes, our Social Security payments were raised at the first of the year, but our health insurance also increased. Consequently, we receive less than we did before. Commissioner Dearden said in 2007 that the tax rate was set in the budget the preceding December. If the same procedure was followed this year, our taxes have already been set. A Standard-Examiner article of March 6, 2008 “Property Tax Inertia,” hit it right on the head “regarding this group of lawmakers, ‘We’ll get back to ya on that one,’ having scooted the issue off to an interim study committee; maybe they’ll take another look at it next year, but then again maybe not.” The Constitution guarantees me the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; being taxed out of my home definitely doesn’t make me happy. Does our Utah State Constitution guarantee me the same rights? Respectfully, Erma H. Wilson, Huntsville Nordic Mountain Water, Inc. Annual Members Meeting May 29, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ogden Valley Library Earl’s Lodge Father’s Day Brunch Sunday, June 15th 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Earl’s Lodge Make your reservations now for Father’s Day Brunch. Two Seatings First Seating at 10:00 a.m. ~ Second Seating at 12:30 noon $45 Adults $30 Children 12 and Under Reservations required, please call (801) 620-1021. www.snowbasin.com We will match ANY Ogden area pharmacy prices. We bill Medicare D Prescriptions We bill Select Health 90 Day Prescriptions We can do what the national chains do but faster and with a smile because we care about you and your health and want to serve you better. |