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Show Page 12 The Ogden Valley news Volume XXI Issue VIII August 1, 2013 Call Made for Youth Essays & Sponsors for Constitution Day The local Freedom First Society and Nathan Buttars of Huntsville, recognizing that youth of today lack information regarding the Constitution of America, are calling for Ogden Valley and Ogden Canyon youth to study and prepare essays for Constitution Day on September 17. Buttars says, “The essay contest is dedicated to our youth, in an effort for them to gain awareness of the principles of the founding of this great nation.” The call is for essays for an Ogden Valley Constitution Day event being held at the Ogden Valley Library in Huntsville on September 17. The event is open to residents of Ogden Valley and Ogden Canyon ages 11 to 17. Entries should be no more than one page long and on the subject, “What the Constitution Means to Me.” The winner will receive a gift card valued between $10 and $50, and will read his/her essay on Constitution Day, September 17 at the Ogden Valley Library. Participants must include, along with their essay, their name, age, address, and contact information. Send entries to Nathan at <buttarslaw@gmail.com> The winning essay will be chosen by a panel of independent and neutral judges. The event will also include a guest speaker on the Constitution, who will be announced shortly. Watch for more announcements in The Ogden Valley News. There is also a call for sponsors for the winner of the Youth Essay Contest. Inquiries into sponsoring a gift card for the youth winners of the essay contest can be sent to Nathan at <buttarslaw@gmail.com> Thank you, in advance, for providing our youth increased incentives to reflect on, research, and write about our enduring Constitution. Summer Blood Donations Encouraged to Keep Pace with Blood Needs While thousands of or sickle cell disease, may depend on lifesavpeople have responded ing transfusions. Each day, the Red Cross in to the recent emergency Utah needs approximately 440 donors to step call for blood and plate- forward and give blood. Blood and platelets let donations from the can only come from generous volunteer donors. American Red Cross, Eligible donors with types O negative, B there remains an urgent negative, and A negative blood are especially need for platelet donors, encouraged to give double red cells where as well as donors with blood types O negative, available. Type O negative blood is the uniB negative, and A negative blood. Right now, versal blood type and can be transfused to blood products are being distributed to area anyone who needs blood. Types A negative hospitals almost as quickly as and B negative blood can be donations are coming in. transfused to Rh positive or “We are grateful to the Red Cross says there is negative patients. donors who have rolled up a How to Donate Blood sleeve to give blood or platean urgent need for - Simply call 1-800-RED lets to the Red Cross in the last CROSS (1-800-733-2767) couple of weeks, but our work platelets and specific or visit redcrossblood.org to is not over,” said Madeline make an appointment or for blood types. McDonald, donor recruitment more information. All blood manager for the Red Cross in types are needed to ensure a Utah. “The need for blood is reliable supply for patients. A constant. As July comes to a close and August blood donor card or driver’s license, or two begins, we ask eligible donors to please give other forms of identification are required at blood or platelets as soon as possible.” check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age The Red Cross issued an emergency call for (16 with parental permission in some states), blood donations on July 9 after seeing about weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in generally 50,000 fewer blood and platelet donations than good health may be eligible to donate blood. expected in June. Donations have increased by High school students and other donors 18 years about 15 percent since the emergency call for of age and younger also have to meet certain donors was issued, but the middle and end of height and weight requirements. July mark only the halfway point to the chalAbout the American Red Cross - The lenging summer months. American Red Cross shelters, feeds and pro“The summer is historically one of the most vides emotional support to victims of disasters; difficult times of year for blood and platelet supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; donations,” said McDonald. “Many donors are teaches skills that save lives; provides internastill enjoying summer activities, but patients are tional humanitarian aid; and supports military unable to take a vacation from needing lifesav- members and their families. The Red Cross is ing transfusions.” a not-for-profit organization that depends on Blood and platelets are needed for many volunteers and the generosity of the American reasons. Accident and burn victims, heart public to perform its mission. For more inforsurgery patients and organ transplant patients, mation, please visit redcross.org or visit us on as well as those receiving treatment for cancer Twitter at @RedCross. Subscriptions available for out-of-area residents at $18.00 annually. Send payment with mailing address to: The Ogden Valley news PO BOX 130, EDEN UT 84310 801-745-4000 2555 WOLF CREEK DR. EDEN Coming Full Circle: AmeriCAN-Do Spirit In March of 2009 a newspaper article about was about Our AmeriCAN-Do Spirit. Four a young soldier from Cache Valley killed in Iraq, with a photo of his young widow and child, was the motivation to start an essay contest. Freedom was the theme that several hundred students from fourth thru twelfth grade in Weber County wrote about. Backed by the North Ogden Kiwanis club, students with winning essays were awarded scholarships up to $1,000; in 2010 and 2011 the club awarded $8,200 in scholarships. Students wrote about the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Federalist Papers, the Liberty Bell, and the freedoms they enjoy because of our brave soldiers. Kiwanis decided not to sponsor again so an ad-hoc committee of local residents was formed to continue the essay contest with a new theme—American Spirit. The 2012 contest winners, men and women in two age groups, were awarded modest cash awards and were honored at a Constitution Day banquet. Later they received letters of commendation from Governor Gary Herbert. This year there are two categories to write about, Western American Spirit and Veterans American Spirit. The latter category brings the project full circle and honors our veterans. Winners will again receive modest cash awards and will participate in Constitution Day events in September. Most significantly, they will be part of a Veterans Day ceremony at the Ogden VA Home in November. For more information about the American Spirit Essay Contest and how to enter, please call John Reynolds at 801782-8077. Contest closes September 3, 2013. NEW OWNERS cont. from page 3 the heavy use of salt to clear snow from the new roads will have on the Left Fork of Wolf Creek. Everything flows downhill from the development. Probably the biggest question with the planned development, as proposed by the Summit Group, is the amount of risk and large amount of money— mostly borrowed—that is on the table for the development. Adding the rumored amount spent to purchase the ski area/land to the $62.8 million projected costs for Phase 1 development, there is roughly $100 million at risk. The group has no history of land development, a corporate structure that boasts a Chief of Reconnaissance, a Chief of Ambiance, a Curation Team, a Music Manager, a Swiss Army Knife, and a Culinary Team (source: summit.co/aboutus). Other than investments in small start-ups, their chief product is sponsoring high-priced conferences. The development of Powder Mountain is not a slam-dunk, can’t-fail investment. The Cobabe family tried to sell the resort for years, the last owners tried to incorporate into a town so they could get approval for the higher density housing they felt they needed to profit from their acquisition. There are two separate single building condo structures currently sitting partially completed at Powder Mountain. If there was a high market demand, this would not be the case. The Summit Group will have to create a market that does not currently exist. And, of course, there is the elephant in the room that creates problems for any Powder Mountain development (or skier/boarder? And that is the road. Anyone who has driven those eight miles of SR-158 in a storm—either up or down—knows what a hair-raising terror it can be. Back in the late ‘80’s, the Sports Guide did a tongue-in-cheek article rating the drives to the various ski areas in the state. The drive to Park City was rated a beginner run with Snowbird/Alta and, what was then, Elk Meadows rated as black diamond drives. Powder Mountain was rated as the only double black diamond and the article started out with the statement that, “. . . you can smell the burning brakes and clutches as you approach the mouth of the canyon. . .” There is no immediate, inexpensive solution to the road problem, regardless of the intent of any developer or government entity. Elliot Bisnow, the 28-year-old founder and CEO of the Summit Group, is quoted as saying, “Instead of overpowering nature, we’re looking at how we can preserve an environment of open spaces, uncompromising vistas, [writer’s note: like the vista from the top of Hidden Lake?] and yearround adventure. Our goal is to create a place that has a positive impact, not on just the residents of Summit Eden and the residents of Ogden Valley, but the state of Utah and the world.” Nice words and easy to say but much harder to do in the real world. If this development fails, what happens to the land and the ski area will be interesting to watch, considering the number of creditors and amount of borrowed money. Additionally, while the owners say they will build an open summer trails for the general public, the public is now prohibited from using any of the areas south of Hidden Lake for hiking or recreation. When longtime residents questioned the change, the owners suggested it might still be possible for them to use the area trails if they have a guide. The group upgraded the existing lodges with mostly cosmetic changes last season. They say they love the ambiance and history of the old lodges and have no immediate plans to replace them. Likewise, for the existing ski area lift system. This probably reflects more on not having the financial ability to invest in upgrades to the ski area while securing financing for the Phase 1 development more than a love of the old infrastructure. The group also has an extensive public relations campaign, which they say is aimed at keeping are residents informed and happy regarding the group’s plans and intentions. In addition to the closing of recreational trails, the group is building a Skylodge at the top of Hidden Lake. The Skylodge consists of prefab buildings, two yurts, and decking. Unfortunately, the site blocks the much-photographed view of the Flattop and Snowbasin areas as you get off the Hidden Lake lift. Both these actions reflect little actual concern for either locals or the general public much more than their words. There are also issues regarding the conduct and impact the Summit Group is having on Ogden Valley. A recent Salt Lake Tribune front page article (April 28, 2013) highlighted the issues involved with the large home the group is using to house employees and guests and the incompatibility of this use with the location of the home. There is also a blog post written by Malibu, California resident who had a similar bad experience with the Summit Group when they leased a home next to his. In both cases, the homes were hosting parties and large numbers of people who were not in compliance with existing zoning or causing problems with nearby residents. The Weber County Commission’s decision to take over maintenance of the Phase I development roads has also raised some eyebrows, but the commission says this is routine for PRUD developments. The issue is not with the routine PRUD developments, it is with committing to maintain and plow roads that get up to 500 inches of snow annually, can get snow nine months a year, and has mountain top winds that can drift roads closed in 15 minutes. There is also the issue of a new fire station, which will have to be built by the county at some point. All these factors will undoubtedly impact county taxpayers, despite what is claimed. There has been no formal environmental assessment of the development since the development is on private land. As long as the developers comply with existing laws and regulations, there probably will never be a formal assessment. Environmental issues that stand out include the impact on wildlife, light pollution, access road SR-158 and the impact ECO BuildErs inC. Huntsville, utah From the Service Deli www.valleymarketeden.com STORE HOURS: MON. - SAT. 7 AM - 10 PM SUNDAY 7 AM - 9 PM Any Family Pack of Meat $1.00 Expires OFF with coupon 8/15/13 From the Meat Dept. Any Tub of Ice Cream $1.00 OFF with coupon Expires 8/15/13 2 lbs. of Cherries $1.00 Expires OFF with coupon 8/15/13 From the Produce Dept. Any Gluten-Free Item $1.00 Expires OFF with coupon 8/15/13 WF 1 Gal Skim Milk 50c OFF with coupon Expires 8/15/13 801-791-9171 GeneralContractor•Residential&CommercialConstruction Sustainable&BeyondGreenBuilding•LightExcavation Renovation&Remodels•Consulting•QualityConstructionSince1980 AMERICAN SPIRIT CONTEST - 2013 American Spirit Contest begins May 31, 2013, Memorial Day, entries close September 3, Labor Day. Awards at Veterans Day Ceremony on November 8, 2013 at Ogden Veterans Home. Choose WESTERN American or VETERANS American Contest, or BOTH $200 REWARD – WESTERN AMERICAN SPIRIT Write an essay or poem, or Cowboy Poetry about the Western American Spirit, any Western subject; pioneers, cowboys, Indians, ranchers, settlers, cattle drives, hunting, fishing, trapping, trailblazers, merchants, etc. Describe your thoughts on Western American Spirit in 200 to 300 words. Do your best writing; we value content over punctuation and spelling. $200 REWARD – VETERANS AMERICAN SPIRIT Write about any branch of the service, any war, battle, or activity anywhere. Write about acts of bravery, valor, sacrifice, courage and don’t forget to write about the families of our military men and women. Describe your thoughts about Veterans and their American Spirit. Do your best writing; we value content over punctuation and spelling. Winners will be notified by September 17th, Constitution Day, and invited to attend a Veterans Day ceremony at the VA in Ogden on November 8th. AMERICAN SPIRIT –KEEP IT ALIVE! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ENTRY FORM – PLEASE ATTACH FORM TO YOUR ESSAY Name_________________________Address_________________ City______________Zip________Phone#_______E-mail_______ Check one -Western American Spirit___or, Veterans American Spirit___ Please mail entry form and your essay to American Spirit Project c/o John Reynolds, 28 White Barn Dr., Pleasant View, UT 84414 or e-mail to <wbarn28@aol.com> Questions? Call John at 801-782 8077. If entering both WESTERN American and VETERANS American Spirit Contests use separate entry forms. Entries close September 3, 2013. |