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Show Page 2 The Ogden Valley news Volume XXIII Issue IX June 1, 2016 The Ogden Valley news Staff: Shanna Francis Tel: 801-745-2688 Fax: 801-745-2688 Cell: 801-791-4387 E-Mail: slfrancis@digis.net Jeannie Wendell Tel: 801-745-2879 Fax: 801-745-2879 E-Mail: crwendell@digis.net crwendell@msn.com Letters to the Editor “Lights Out at Nine!” Finally, Weber County has come full circle! The parliament has met the task, and has now come full circle. The kings and queens of Weber County government have finally achieved full control. Not only has within their kingdom have they found a way to charge Ogden Valley the highest taxes, they have defined what our weekends are going to be like all summer long. 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. The Ogden Valley news , while respecting all property received, will take no responsibility for lost or misplaced items. Please remember to keep a copy for yourself. Invitation for Articles The staff of The Ogden Valley news welcomes the submission of articles by our readership. We invite you to submit local historical accounts or biographies, articles pertaining to contemporary issues, and/or other material that may be of interest to our readers. We also invite you to submit to the paper, or notify the staff of local events. Awards that have been earned by the reader, family members, neighbors or friends are also sought. While the staff of The Ogden Valley news invites the submittal of information and articles, we reserve the right to select which material will be considered for publication. All material, to be considered, must be submitted with the full name, address and telephone number of the person submitting the material. I am aware of the interest by boaters and homeowners in the recent hearings and discussions about appropriate use of Pineview Reservoir. As both a boater (300 lb. sailboat with no motor, and kayak owner) and a Huntsville resident, I have the opportunity to see several sides regarding these issues and offer the following suggestions and recommendations: 1. High water levels that threaten steep banks around the entire reservoir dictate a temporary imposition of a NO-WAKE POLICY, which should be enforced until water levels recede. This will help protect the ability of the reservoir to actually hold runoff and not be filled with soils and sediments from banks that are vulnerable to erosion and washing down into the reservoir.1. Noise is an issue. Living in the neighborhood, we get to hear the small percentage of power boaters who have open pipes or largely unmuffled exhaust systems. These appear to be unable to be controlled due to regulations that only allow monitoring of noise levels as boats sit idling. I suggest that enforceable regulations be put in place by water patrol that limit this kind of noise, which permeates our valley. We also experience power boats with powerful sound systems being used at high volumes at all hours of the morning and night. Restricting this type of loud music is appropriate, as both loud exhaust and loud music systems can be heard from the far ends of the water reducing our ability to even converse when we are outside. As I write this, it is too dark to see the cause of the noise on the water (the boat has no lights on), but our windows are shaking and the peace is well disturbed all through the valley. 2. Unsafe boat operation continues to be an issue. We observe from a distance and firsthand that boat operators are towing children and adults at extremely crowded times. This is especially concerning after the sun goes down, putting riders at grave risk. Make clear rules that can and will be enforced to stop foolish skiing and boarding after sundown. 3. Boat counts are too high for safety. The reservoir is limited in size and has been reported to be the most densely populated body of water in Utah. This congestion brings risks to all users. We understand that there are limits on the numbers of boats, and that this number goes down as the water declines and the surface area decreases; this is all fine. But please start counting stand up paddle boards, kayaks, and sailboats in the boat totals to make the density on the water more manageable. 4. Sanitation is an issue. We experience day boaters on the beaches wandering off into the bushes in order to relieve themselves with negative smell and hygiene consequences. Please encourage the placement and servicing of more toilet facilities. We also recommend that the water near the popular beaches be routinely tested with the results published in the media, and beaches closed John Montgomery, Liberty when unsafe water conditions are observed. Swimming beaches should be closed under these circumstances. 5. Nighttime camping on the water. We believe that there is merit in controlling or limiting this kind of activity to boats that have and use holding tanks for sanitation. Overnight users need to have a clear understanding of the need to respect quiet hours, just like campers at the Anderson Campground are required to do. We understand that this is a highly emotional issue. We support efforts to make sure that the safety of water patrol officers is maintained, especially in sundown hours. Protecting these officers should be our first concern. Finally, overnight camping boaters need to have onboard sanitation facilities, such as holding tanks or porta potties that are used properly to protect all water users. 6. Consider limiting a section, or sections, of the reservoir as NO WAKE to encourage non-motorized activity safety. Swimmers, kayakers, paddle boarders and sailors could all use some time for enjoying the water without being swamped or circled by power boats. 7. Consider implementing parts of days, or certain days of the week, as NO Wake or nonmotorized only. It would change the feel of the reservoir, and attract more of the kind of simple recreation that I am sure all can appreciate. Sincerely, Steve & Teresa Stepanek, Huntsville Americans for Prosperity Applauds Utah Transit Authority’s Decision to Make Board Meetings Public On May 24, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) announced that it will end the practice of holding closed door board meetings and will allow the public to attend the meetings going forward. The decision came after Salt Lake County leaders threatened to block $150 million in tax dollars to the UTA if they failed to make their committee hearings open to the public. We are encouraged by UTA’s decision to listen to the community and change their policy on holding closed board meetings. Given that the UTA has become known for its lack of accountability and questionable practices with our tax dollars, this is a step in the right direction for increased transparency in our state government. These meetings are meant to allow the public to voice their concerns and understand to a greater extent how the UTA is spending hard-earned tax dollars. Giving citizens the opportunity to participate in these discussions is a good thing and will go a long way toward restoring public trust. We are also grateful to the many elected officials on the state and county levels for demanding this ARTFULLY UNITING EXTRAORDINARY PROPERTIES WITH EXTRAORDINARY LIVES kind of transparency from the UTA. Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream. For more information, visit <www. AmericansForProsperity.org> Evelyn Everton, Americans for Prosperity, Utah State Director Appreciation Expressed for Our U.S. Armed Servicemen & Women and Veterans A hearty THANK YOU to all veterans and all personnel currently serving in the United States military! God bless you all and your supportive families! God bless America! Love and prayers—forever! Deanna Miles, South Jordan (formerly of Eden) Miffed Mitt The OgdenValley news’liability on account of errors in, or omissions of, advertising shall in no event exceed the amount of charges for the advertising omitted or the space occupied by the error. The Ogden Valley news does not endorse, promote or encourage the purchase or sale of any product or service advertised in this newspaper. Advertisements are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. The Ogden Valley news hereby disclaims all liability for any damage suffered as the result of any advertisement in this newspaper. The Ogden Valley news is not responsible for any claims or representations made in advertisements in this newspaper. The Ogden Valley news has the sole authority to edit and locate any classified advertisement as deemed appropriate. It also reserves the right to refuse any advertising. WAKE UP EVERY MORNING TO THIS VIEW Note: The contents of The Ogden Valley News are copyrighted. 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. Prices start at $199,000 The deadline for the OVN June 15 issue is June 1. has made this valley into a P.O.W. camp! And now the kings and queens want to tell us when it’s light out! Famous words from Hogan’s Heroes, from Klink to Shults, “Lights out at nine!” Open Letter to Our Weber County Commissioners Commissioners: 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. They have decided what we can do with our land, and what and where we can build. They choose the set asides and the free-forthe-community interests. But, unfortunately, it doesn’t matter what the property owner wants to do with their hard-earned land. Now I heard on the news that Weber County is going to fine anyone who is on Pineview Reservoir after dark. Weber County INTRODUCING SUNDANCE RIDGE Only 4 homesites available Protective Covenants Water and Electric Stubbed to lots Located on Old Snowbasin Road overlooking Snowbasin Ski Resort and Ogden Valley LOCAL KNOWLEDGE | GLOBAL REACH LISA KARAM 801.791.8801 “Your Guide to Ogden Valley Real Estate” Lisa.Karam@SothebysRealty.com Visit OgdenValleyRealEstateGuide.com to view all of my listings. Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Square footage is an estimate only. Former Governor Mitt Romney has every right to be upset with Donald Trump after all the derogatory remarks thrown in his direction by Trump. Being called a “loser” is hurtful, especially given the loss Mitt suffered in 2012 against Obama. Romney was competing against an incumbent, a biased media, and other more benign prejudices related to his religion. This season Romney has repeatedly said that he would not, and did not, jump into an overcrowded field in the Republican Primary. Trump managed to insult, debase, and denigrate each of his competitors; his campaign was the classical “bull in a China closet” variety with lots of bruised egos and hurt feelings. He was occasionally taken aback by responses from his Republican competitors—few apologies graced the lips of The Donald. He had tapped into the feelings of frustration held by many Americans: eight years of political correctness, apologizing for American greatness and “half-steps” on many issues of the Obama administration was too much for many people. Romney is joined by other “principled Conservatives” who find Trump just not conservative enough to support. They are apparently intent on stopping Trump at any cost. They will need to have a good answer to the question “is it better to have revenge than to help our country?” Keep in mind that Trump isn’t out for fame, he has more than his share already; money— well he has plenty. If we can believe him, he wants to help America . . . bottom-line. His likely opponent (if she isn’t indicted), on the other hand, seems more intent on building a personal fortune through the Clinton Foundation or any other means available. Should Hillary go on to win the Presidency, it would provide little salve for the wounds inflicted by Trump but would do nothing to alleviate the damage a Clinton or Sanders would do. John W. Reynolds, Pleasant View Inspirational Thought “Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody is going to know whether you did it or not.” --Oprah Winfrey |
