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Show Volume XIX Issue I The Ogden Valley news Page 3 April 1, 2011 Letters to the Editor “Trust Me” In one of the shortest sessions of any state legislatures (45 days), our Representatives found the time to introduce an amazing 1,148 new bills to Utah. For comparison, the Colorado legislature is limited to only 500 bills per their 120 day session. Just to be able to read all these new bills in 45 days would be nearly impossible, but the good-old-boys system of “trust me” seemed to be in full swing again this session. Those of us here in the Valley know from personal experience how the Utah legislator’s “trust me” system works. We learned from “Powder Town” (HB466) how very little is understood, or for that fact, read, by all of our elected officials before it is passed into law, at which time it becomes nearly impossible to repeal. The 2011 legislative session had two great examples of this kind of lawmaking: Senate Bill 165 (SB165) and House Bill (HB477). Senate Bill 165 made it quickly through without a final public hearing or thorough vetting. This bill now makes it virtually impossible for any grass-roots organization to put a measure on the ballot by increasing the number of signatures required to do so, and disallowing e-signatures. This bill was sold to our legislators as a way of clarifying ambiguity in the current election code, but its true goal was to stop groups like Utahan’s for Ethical Government and any other group that has the chutzpah to pass initiatives without the blessing of the legislature. But the award for the worst bill passed definitely goes to House Bill 477, which amends the GRAMA laws that deal with the disclosure of state records and communications between our elected officials; this law was quickly introduced and passed during the last days of the session. This new law has gotten a lot of bad press. Rep. Kraig Powell, R-Heber City, had this to say about it, “I think it was too much one-party control in our state . . . . That’s the way the Legislature runs . . . . It’s terrible. It’s an atrocious law.” In fact 17 other law makers, including Governor Herbert, who initially voted for the bill, has now realized his mistake and is calling for its repeal. The groups that oppose HB 477 and have called for its repeal are an amazingly diverse group, which includes The Society of Professional Journalists, The Tea Party, Utah League of Women Voters, Utah Foundation for Open Government, the American Civil Liberties Union, Utahns for Ethical Government, the Utah Democratic Party, Heal Utah, the Utah League of Independent Voters, Utah Moms for Clean Air, Ducks Unlimited, Sierra Club, and Common Cause to name a few. HB477 shows, truly, how contemptuous some of our lawmakers are of us—the voters. They actually believe that severely limiting public accessibility to conversations between elected officials on mobile devices, bought and paid for by us, is a good idea. Unfortunately, HB477 does more than just increase the secrecy of our state government—it makes it much more expensive and difficult for anyone to access all government records. It also requires the burden of disclosure on the requester instead of the government. So, we have a choice: trust that our legislature would never pass a bad bill, or tell them to repeal HB477. However, we all know that to repeal a law would set a bad precedence, just like “Powder Town,” which would then demonstrate that our state legislators actually make mistakes. But, to get them to do that, they would have to admit to it first—that they make mistakes. Guest Commentary Be Loyal - Buy Local By John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org Center for Rural Affairs “Buy Local” campaigns are common, especially around the holidays, and are on the increase. Often organized by chambers of commerce, the idea is to convince consumers to spend their money in their hometowns, versus leaving town to shop at big box retailers. According to an Institute for Local SelfReliance survey, independent businesses in cities with an active “buy local” campaign fared better than those in cities without a push for localism. The survey gathered data from 2,768 independent service providers, restaurants, and retailers, finding that those in places with a “buy local” initiative reported revenue growth of 5.6% on average in 2010, compared to 2.1% for those without. Among independent retailers there was a similar gap in holiday sales performance, with those in “buy local” communities seeing a 5.2% increase in holiday sales, while those elsewhere reported an average gain of 0.8%. “Buy Local” campaigns also benefit local grocers. And research at the Center for Rural Affairs (see http://www.cfra.org/renewrural/ grocery) demonstrates that helping rural communities retain their local grocery is crucial. Grocery stores provide vital sources of nutrition, jobs, tax revenue, and other intangibles that support the community. They are, however, slowly disappearing. At least 803 counties in the U.S. are classified as “food deserts” where half the population of the county lives ten or more miles from a full service grocery, forcing residents to leave their communities to purchase food. The T-shirts and bumper stickers that tell us to “think globally, act locally” offer sound advice, especially in rural America. Teacher from Ogden Valley Plans Humanitarian Trip to India A local Ogden Valley girl and sixth grade would like to help in these efforts, please send teacher Lindsey Werner will be embarking on an donations. There are three ways to do this: By check made out to HELP International exciting and fulfilling journey to India with HELP International, a non-profit organization. She will with Lindsey Werner’s name shown on the be participating in humanimemo line and mailed to tarian efforts to improve Lindsey Werner, P.O. Box education and sanitation, 1201, Eden, UT 84310. and to stop child labor and Through PayPal http:// human trafficking. help-international.org/ Did you know that the donors.html, and inputting main cause of death of Lindsey Werner’s name in children under the age of the comment block. five in India is due to By check made out Alan Wheelwright, sanitation issues? In order to Lindsey Werner with Eden to see success in these HELP International – government. BLACK HOLE cont. from page 1 projects she needs to funIndia project entered on • Broward County (Fla.) School Board for draise $4,800. The best the memo line and mailed protecting privacy of citizens or saving tax keeping such poor records that people can’t part of donating is that to Lindsey Werner, P.O. dollars. This is about hiding shady dealings to tell what it’s doing. you will able to see the progress of these proj- Box 1201, Eden, UT 84310. protect the privacy of officials so they can fool Lindsey states, “Any support will be greatly SPJ’s national Black Hole Award began ects through a blog that will be updated weekly the public without recourse.” at <http://india.help-international.org/> If you appreciated!” this year to highlight government agencies SPJ strongly urges the Utah Legislature or officials that flagrantly violate the letter or to not only rescind this legislation, but create constitutional guarantees similar to other states spirit of public record or meeting laws. The RABIES CLINICS WEBER COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER award, handed out for national Sunshine Week that mandate transparency and accountability. March 13-19, is selected by the SPJ Freedom of Runners up for the SPJ Black Hole Award Information Committee based on nominations were: received from journalists, citizens, and public1373 North 750 West Cost of rabies shot: $13 • Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family interest groups. It was inspired by the work of (Located inside Fairgrounds) If dog is spayed or neutered - $10 Services for hiding records involving the the Utah Headliners, the state’s SPJ chapter, Dr. Steve Lemmon, DVM Non-spayed or neutered - $25 death of a child in its care. which gives its own state Black Hole Award. Spayed or neutered & owned by • University of Maryland for pricing people For more details about the award and its Dog licenses also available through out of their government through exorbitant recipients, see <www.spj.org/blackhole.asp> someone 65 or older - $5 Weber County Animal Services copy fees, preventing students from finding Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ out the extent of sexual assault on campus. promotes the free flow of information vital • Fairfax County (Va.) Police Department to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire for hiding the identities of police officers and educate the next generation of journalists; who kill people. and protects First Amendment guarantees of • CIA and Attorney General Eric Holder freedom of speech and press. for allowing the flagrant destruction of For more information about SPJ, please visit records simply because they embarrass the <www.spj.org> April 2 & April 16, 2011 Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. -PUBLIC NOTICE- Huntsville Town Culinary Water Treatment Plant Operator Sought Huntsville Town is ing experience and who is willing to get state accepting applications for a culinary water treatment plant operator. This is a part-time position, and will average between 20 to 50 hours per month. This person needs to live within Weber or Morgan Counties. Qualifications: Monitoring plant operations, equipment maintenance, and knowledge of drinking water regulations, water sampling, filing reports, and daily monitoring. Huntsville Town is looking to hire someone with operat- certified. If you are interested and qualified for this position, please send your resume to: HUNTSVILLE TOWN ATTN GAIL AHLSTROM PO BOX 267 HUNTSVILLE TOWN UT 84317 Applications are due by March 31, 2011. Position on Huntsville Town Council Open Huntsville Town is accepting applications for a council member vacancy. The appointment will be to fill the seat for the remaining 8 months of a 4-year term. Council members must live within the Huntsville Town boundaries and be a Huntsville Town resident. Interested persons can mail resumes to: HUNTSVILLE TOWN ATTN GAIL AHLSTROM PO BOX 267 HUNTSIVLLE TOWN UT 84317 Resumes are due by March 31, 2011. The Town of Huntsville will be holding a Public Meeting on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Huntsville Town Library, to discuss the results of the Huntsville Town & Southern Ogden Valley Wastewater Capital Facility Study. Sunrise Engineering will present a brief presentation on the study beginning at 7:00 p.m., followed by a question and answer period. After the question and answer period, the meeting will be opened up for the Public Hearing. Interested individuals are encouraged to come to the meeting prepared with brief questions and/or comments. The meeting will adjourn no later than 9:00 p.m. when the library closes. Public comments will continue to be received by the Town of Huntsville until 5:00 p.m. on April 29, at which time, to be considered, all comments must be submitted in writing to the Town of Huntsville. Electronic copies of the Wastewater Study are available for review on the Town of Huntsville’s Website at http://huntsvilletown.com and on the Weber County Website at http://www.co.weber. ut.us/mediawiki/index.php/ Paper copies are also available at the Huntsville Town office and from the Weber County Engineering Department. |