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Show Page 2 The Ogden Valley news Volume XX Issue X June 15, 2012 The Ogden Valley news Staff: Shanna Francis Tel: 801-745-2688 Fax: 801-745-0062 Cell: 801-791-4387 E-Mail: slfrancis@digis.net Letters to the Editor Breast Cancer Retreat a Success Image Reborn hosted its first breast cancer retreat here in Eden last month. Thanks to this wonderful community, the event was a huge success. We are so grateful for the generosity of Brandi Lierd and the owners of Moose Hollow Condos, Free Spirit Spa, Valley Hair, Valley Dance & Fitness, and awesome Ashley Stoddard. As we closed the retreat, the survivors said “You have touched our hearts and made life a better place for us.” Again, many thanks for your sincere generosity. Jeannie Wendell Tel: 801-745-2879 Fax: 801-745-2879 E-Mail: crwendell@digis.net crwendell@msn.com Opinions expressed by advertisers, columnists or letters to the editor are not necessarily the opinions of the owners and staff of The Ogden Valley news. guidelines for Letters to the Editor Letters should be 300 words or less. Letters must be signed and the address of the writer submitted. The Ogden Valley news reserves the right to edit or decline printing of any submissions. Announcements Sought As a community service, The Ogden V alley n ews will print local birth, wedding, obituary, anniversary and missionary farewell & homecoming and Eagle Scout announcements free of charge. We invite residents to send their announcements to: The Ogden Valley news PO BOX 130 EDEN UT 84310 If you would like your submitted items returned, please send a stamped, selfaddressed envelope. 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To protect this publication and its contributors from unlawful copying, written permission is required before any individual or company engages in the reproduction or distribution of its contents, by any means, without first obtaining written permission from the owners of this publication. The deadline for the OVN July 1 issue is June 15. Eileen Burke, Board Member of Image Reborn Family Wants to Set Record Straight Concerning the article in The Ogden Valley News, June 1, 2012 edition, titled “Sentencing Hearing Brings Closure to Families,” Brian did not voluntarily plead guilty. He did so only because of a plea deal for a reduced charge, and to avoid a lengthy trial that would have put all of us through more of what we have endured for almost three years. We all feel bad that a man lost his life. It is a horrible feeling to think that you might be responsible for a death. The trailer was exam- ined and returned negative of any evidence of hitting someone. If, in fact, it did hit someone, it was completely accidental—not intentional. The article stated that this has been a hardship on both families. It definitely has! But it didn’t say that a large settlement was awarded to help with that hardship. Also, there is no alcohol addiction involved, and there has never been any use of an illegal substance. As to leading a productive life, he has always done so and will continue to. The only problem is that, because of this incident, he has had to miss work from this job, where he is considered a valued employee, due to serving a sentence and driver’s license issues. He also has been unable to help his family and friends with the things he usually does in his spare time. The Wilson Family, Huntsville Valley Needs to Unite for Real Change Recent amendments to the “signage ordinances” for Ogden Valley were approved by the Ogden Valley Planning Commission. I am very concerned for the Ogden Valley business owner, specifically regarding the section 32B-9 Prohibited Signs subsection H: Offsite signs. It is vital to their business that offsite advertising be a permitted use, as it helps keep business in the valley and customers aware of small business services here locally. Many businesses in the valley use offsite advertising; I have seen very tasteful, well-made signs advertising construction services, tax services, handyman services, flower nurseries, and restaurants. Another aspect that should be taken into consideration is we are not as populated as other cities in Weber County. When tourists and other people visit Ogden Valley, it is not as if there are eating establishments on every corner. It is vital to those businesses to also advertise with offsite directional signs to their location, as most are not on a “main street.” Examples: Huntsville BBQ, Alpine Pizza, Harley and Bucks, Carlos and Harleys etc. And anyone just passing through would not see these businesses if it weren’t for offsite advertising. When I called and spoke with planning, I was told “they” didn’t like stuff like that in the valley. And so I finally asked who’s “they?” They are the planning department and they said it doesn’t comply with the “Master Plan.” Master Plan? I’ve heard about this “Master Plan” for years and I ask, “Who does this Master Plan apply to?” For all I can see, it applies to the people of the valley who currently pay business taxes, personal taxes, and property taxes. If you’re small time, you will get the strangest opposition from staff on your projects and told you can and can’t do this and that. But if you’re a bigger company, you can get every ordinance in the “Master Plan” amended and changed. What it must be like to have the planning staff backing your every idea. Half the amendments, changes, or ordinances that have come to pass are put together and pushed through without the residents in the valley really knowing what’s going on. I know most people, as I did at one time, think the county offices and the appointed staff is looking out for the community as a whole; I mean, you pay their salaries. That is a nice idea of how I wish most things were ran. But, truth is, unless we have a “hall monitor or whistle blower” watching every move of the planning staff, the property owners and business owners of the valley are never notified timely to really address any impacts things may have on them or their neighbors. Do you think any of the small businesses in the valley were notified of the ordinance changes about offsite advertising? Just so the staff could get there input and consider its impact . . . . No. They will just make these changes and not contact a single one. And the application process, my experience is that if one application isn’t approved, well you bet the planning staff gets to work with these bigger businesses and you can lay money on it that the next go around when they submit their application, they and the staff have worked in getting ordinances amended and they have crossed all “t’s” and dotted “i’s” and addressed any previous arguments. I know some people will never understand and just don’t see what the problem is and that there are always going to be people opposing something. But one day when you have an issue and you have to deal with planning, or you are trying to get the support of the surrounding community, you will definitely understand what I’m saying here. No one cares unless it’s in their backyard. Even the ones who oppose you, the developers and planning staff themselves will say they wouldn’t want things in their backyard. But you can bet they will put your tax dollars to work and pave the way for it to be put in yours. I do believe in positive growth and development, but not at the cost of what I have seen and dealt with firsthand. Again, I want to stress, firsthand. I’ve taken the time to go down to meetings, read and researched numerous cases, spoke with planning, and have had the occasional staff member or commissioner that feels bullied try to reach out. It seems when I talk to random citizens, everyone feels the same but when there are community meetings held or the need for the presence of the people of the valley, I never see those faces in the crowd. I look forward to when we, as the local community, can truly unite and stand behind one another and help make things right for all involved no matter how big or small the project may be. I’ve heard about incorporating the entire valley . . . . Now there’s an idea I would love to hear more about. Loni Dawson Verhaal, Huntsville |