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Show Volume XX Issue II The Ogden Valley news Page 3 February 15, 2012 Letters to the Editor Parking Lot Conditions Concern Skiers Last Sunday (February 5) my daughter and I drove up to North Fork Park to do a little cross country skiing. When we arrived to the parking lot we were greeted with a huge sheet of solid ice. After carefully leaving the truck and entering the Nordic Center I asked the attendant if anyone on the staff was concerned with the dangerous condition of the parking lot. He told us that they hadn’t had a problem before and didn’t know what the procedure should be. We paid the fee and enjoyed two hours of skiing on wonderfully well-groomed trails. When it was time to leave, we carefully made our way back to the truck. It was all I could do to make my way to the back of the truck to load our equipment. It was very dangerous to try walking on the slick surface. The people in the car parked next to us were putting chains on their front wheels. I finally decided to take my chances and slowly backed out. After moving about three feet all four wheels lost traction and the truck started sliding completely out of control. We slid around 180 degrees and started to move toward the exit. With very little technique and a lot of luck I made it out of the parking lot safely. I am surprised that the people who operate the Nordic Center have so little regard for the safety of the people who patronize the facility. A Rural Resolution for 2012 or will they be undermined when there is no By John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs The dawning of a new year is a time when most of us resolve to improve our lives in some way. This year, I resolve to dedicate myself to ensuring rural America has a voice at the table as Americans grapple with the stern challenges that face our nation. There will never be a better time for rural Americans to raise up their voices as Congress debates a new farm bill and as the nation nominates Presidential candidates, Larry Carr, chooses a President, and elects a new Congress. Ogden It is crucial that rural Americans ask tough questions of all our elected leaders. Will the (Editor’s Note: This editorial ran in the “Standard- farm bill finally include reforms that work for Examiner” on Monday, February 6, 2012.) family farmers, ranchers and rural communities? Will such reforms ever be implemented, Icy Conditions at Nordic Center Parking Lot Remedied We want to offer our apology to Larry Carr and many others who recently experienced amazingly icy conditions at the Nordic Center parking lot in North Fork Park. The conditions this season have been remarkable in many ways. Clear East-Coast ice, is just one of those. “Good snow for you Eastern Folk.” In fact, for a brief time we adopted a tag line from Mad River Glen…. “North Fork, Ski It if you can.” The entire venue at the park received 1.5 inches of rain, 55 degree Fahrenheit winds, and then a temperature drop to 16 degrees Fahrenheit. This is no excuse for the parking lot, but does explain some of the conditions Larry and others have experienced. Weber Guest Commentary County was able to take care of the situation by spreading road base on Monday, February 2. Thanks Weber County! As you know, Ogden Nordic is operated by volunteers who donate over 1,200 hours per season to maintain and build trails for the public. Unfortunately, we don’t have access to plow trucks and sanders. But, the conditions are great now, so please come up and enjoy the trails and have a cup of hot chocolate or coffee on us. Sincerely, LAND CONTRACT cont. from page 1 Correction DREAM SALE Inspirational Thought Come Make Your PRIVATE COLLECTION through February 29, 2012. Valentine’s Day Special With Us 508 Ogden Canyon ers and ranchers can access. Producers can call (402) 687-2100 and ask for the Farm Bill Helpline or send an email to <tracib@cfra.org> Retiring land owners looking to find the right beginning farmer or rancher to sell or transfer their land to can also register for the Land Link Program. The Center’s Land Link program matches beginning farmers looking for land with established landowners, increasing opportunities for new farmers while promoting good stewardship. The process includes retirement planning, new farmer financing, farm business, and environmental assessment in order to ease transitions of family operations from the retiring generation to the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Parties specifically interested in participating in Land Link should call Virginia Wolking with the Center for Rural Affairs at (402) 6872103 ext. 1017. Established in 1973, the Center for Rural Affairs is a private, non-profit organization working to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural communities through action oriented programs addressing social, economic, and environmental issues. Under this program, the seller of the farmland has two guarantee options: A “prompt payment” guarantee that covers three amortized annual installments or an amount equaling three amortized annual installments; or A standard asset guarantee that covers an amount equal to 90 percent of the outstanding principle of the loan provided that the seller obtains a servicing agent. For either option, the loan guarantee stays in effect for 10 years. The purchase price or appraisal value of the farm or ranch that is the Terry Davis, subject of the contract sale cannot be greater President, than $500,000. The buyer of the farm and ranch Ogden Nordic must contribute at least 5 percent as the down payment for the land. Farmers and ranchers interested in this program should contact their local Farm Service Agency office. Bruckner also encourages farmers, ranchers, part of the nonprofit Foundation’s Trees for and others to call the Center for Rural Affairs’ Farm America campaign. Bill Helpline with questions about the application The trees will be shipped postpaid at the process as well as other farm and conservation proright time for planting, between March 1 and gram options that beginning and established farmMay 31, with enclosed planting instructions. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow, or they will be replaced free of charge. Arbor Day Foundation members also receive a subscription to the Foundation’s colIn the February 1 issue of the paper, an article by Valley Elementary student orful bimonthly publication, Arbor Day, and reporters noted that a make-up school day in the district was held January 14. The The Tree Book, which contains information make-up day was actually held January 13, 2012. The make-up day was held after about tree planting and care. schools in the district were closed after a significant wind storm blew through comTo become a member of the Foundation munities along the Wasatch Front, including Weber County, on December 1, 2011, and receive the free trees, send a $10 contribucontributing to major property damageand power outages in the region. tion to: TEN FREE COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE TREES ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION 100 ARBOR AVENUE NEBRASKA CITY NE 68410 Mail by February 29, 2012, or visit <arborday.org/February> Spring Planting Time is Near: Join the Arbor Day Foundation in February and Receive 10 Free Blue Spruce Trees Here’s an ideal way to get into the mood for spring planting: Join the Arbor Day Foundation and receive 10 free trees to plant when the weather turns warm. Every person from Utah who joins the Arbor Day Foundation in February 2012 will receive 10 free Colorado blue spruce trees. “Planting Colorado blue spruce trees will add beauty to your landscape in Utah with their blue-green hue and distinctive shape,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. “These trees will also add to the proud heritage of Utah’s 77 Tree City USA communities. For more than 30 years, Tree City USA has supported community forestry across Utah, and planting these beautiful trees will add to this important tree-planting tradition.” The 10 free Colorado blue spruce trees are longer an election on the horizon? Will efforts to stimulate the American economy include investments in proven strategies to revitalize rural communities? Will the farm bill include much needed investments in conservation, rural development, and the next generation of family farmers and ranchers? Rural voters will be vitally important in 2012. But we cannot expect candidates and elected leaders to fulfill their promises unless we are willing to take responsibility for ensuring they do. The role rural America plays in elections and policy debates this year will not be long remembered unless those of us who live here remind those candidates and elected officials, as many times as possible, that rural communities matter. 5402 E. 2200 N. Eden UT Tuesday - Saturday: 5:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. (801) 392-6775 Sunday: Fine Art & Design Pieces: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. & 3-8:00 p.m. PAINTINGS ~ SCUPLTURE ~ GLASS ~ JEWELRY POTTERY ~ CARVINGS ~ HOME DECOR ~ FURNISHINGS Call Connie at 801.865.1247 www.WilkersonFineArt.com LD Reservations accepted. SO www.grayclifflodge.com HOURS: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues. - Sat. or by appointment |