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Show Volume II , Issue VI Page 21 The OGDEN VALLEY NEWS March 2000 Weber County’s Outstanding Clerk-Auditor Recognized Salt Lake City—Linda Lunceford, Weber County Clerk/Auditor was recently voted Outstanding County Clerk-Auditor at the Utah Association of counties (UAC) annual meeting in St. George. The award recognized her achievements among her peers in the affiliate group of elected county Clerk/Auditors statewide. She was also voted in as UAC’s Second Vice President. She will move to First Vice President next year, and will be President of the Utah Association of Counties in 2002. The Utah Association of Counties is comprised of all of the elected officials from Utah’s 29 counties. Its mission is to provide a forum for county government in Utah to secure State and Federal legislation beneficial to the counties in Utah and to county residents. The Association also works to formulate policies that represent the interests of all counties; and to enhance the professionalism and performance of county officers and county governments. Moore Recognized as “Surveyor of the Year” Martin Moore was recently honored as the 1999 “Surveyor of the Year” at the annual Utah Council of Land Surveyors conference, held at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center on February 11 – 12, 2000. The award recognized the Weber County Surveyor’s “outstanding work and dedication” in his field. Mr. Moore was elected to his Weber County position in 1994 and was re-elected in 1998. EDEN Ogden Valley Park Sale Suit Is Too Late By Kristen Moulton Salt Lake Tribune The outrage of Ogden Valley residents over Weber County’s sale of a 160-acre mountain park to a former professional football player is 2½ years too late, a judge ruled Thursday [February 24]. Second District Judge Michael Lyon—staring into the faces of 80 unhappy residents—said state statue required that the lawsuit be filed within 30 days of the County Commission’s March 1997 decision to sell the land. Five Ogden Valley residents, who rallied more than 1,000 county residents to sign petitions seeking revocation of the sale, did not file their suit until last fall. They complained that the commission sold the 160 acres to Rulon Jones, a former star for the Denver Broncos, for $200 an acre with no public notice, no competitive bidding and no consulting with the County Planning Commission. The land, in the backcountry near Powder Mountain Ski Resort, is next to Jones’ private hunting preserve, and the plaintiffs argued it was worth 10 times what Jones paid. “Some of these plaintiffs actually knew of this sale within days and yet sat on their rights,” the judge said. “It’s not my province to change the [30-day] law. It’s the province of the Legislature.” Plaintiff Ben Toone said he knew of the park sale within three days, and he and others complained to the County Commission but never were told they had 30 days to challenge it in court. “It’s rotten, giving up the county park when land is at such a premium,” said Eden resident Joyce Greaves, one of those who stood for the two-hour hearing in a packed Ogden courtroom. J.C. Robinson, who runs a shooting range near the park, said the 745-4663 2595 NORTH HIGHWAY 162, EDEN UT FOR ALL YOUR Dick Dixon Branch Broker OGDEN VALLEY REAL ESTATE NEEDS 745-3119 DICKD@WBHG.COM WE MAKE IT HAPPEN! Commission’s agenda, issued a public was shortchanged. “In 30 days, minimum of one day before the you can’t even get organized.” meeting, listed the park sale. Haynes Fuller of Eden, a former The judge also said he will allow legislator and one of the plaintiffs, Sykes to argue that another part of the said anyone who has seen the pristine case be retained. That part deals with parkland would be upset by the sale. ownership of the 2 ½ mile trail “This is a sad day for the public,” he leading to the park. said. The plaintiffs said they were told The unimproved park, acquired by former County Commissioner Joe nearly 30 years ago by the county, was Ritchie shortly after the sale that the used by hikers and horseback riders. trail was not part of the deal with Weber County has contended that Jones. Now the county contends that Jones paid a fair price, because much trail was sold, too, and Jones has been of the land is too steep for any use. blocking public access. The plaintiffs’ attorney, Robert Toone and Fuller say Ritchie’s Sykes of Salt Lake City, had argued assurances were one reason they did that the 30-day statute of limitations not hire an attorney sooner. should not apply because the Note: This copyrighted article from the commission did not follow state law, Salt Lake Tribune has been reprinted by which required referral to the County permission. Planning Commission. “That the County Commission can blatantly sell public property for oneThe Ogden Valley may be tenth of its value without notice . . . the isolated Supreme Court will never, never uphold this,” Sykes said. in the event of a disaster. But the judge sided with Jody Your Local C.E.R.T Burnett, a Salt Lake City Lawyer Organization is in need of hired by the county, and Jones’ volunteers and donations. attorney, Michael Foutz, that whether the commission violated the law was Please call Linda Spencer moot because the complaint was not at made in time. “The plaintiffs have completely 745-0805 failed to come to grips with that or distinction, “ Burnett said. “Statutes of limitation exist so the parties can 399-8640 get on with their lives.” The judge did leave one small window open for the plaintiffs. He said he [would] not sign the dismissal order Now accepting new clients until Sykes has a chance to 15 years experience learn whether there are any Valley References available. county rules requiring public notice before a land sale decision. Construction, Residential, Commercial County officials said there is no such rule or practice, but Sykes wants to investigate that himself. The County Valley Cleaning Service Call 745-1238 Classifieds -For SaleFor Sale: Beard Off-Road Seat. Excellent Condition. $95. 745-2879. -ServicesHouse Cleaning: Reasonable hourly rates, reliable, weekly/bi-weekly, monthly or one time. Call Dyan 745-0658. Julie’s Animal Sitting – Your home or mine. $5.00 / day for cows, horses, goats, pigs, dogs & cats. $2.50 / day for caged small animals. Very personal service. Call 745-3327. Tractor Service – yard leveling and miscellaneous tractor services. $35.00 per hour. Call Jeff at 7456228 or 791-9178. -Companion AnimalManx Cat Rescue – Cats of all breeds for adoption. Specializing in Manx cats. No breeding animals. Call Diane Beddard at 745-2780. -WantedWanted: Crafters needed for the Easter Gift Shop & Boutique to be held at South Fork Garden Center. Call 745-3130 or 745-4714 for more information and ask for Susie. Wanted: Entrepreneurs. Make $300 - $500 per week working part-time from home. Legal Industry. Easy to learn, easy to do and it fits around your schedule. Check our web site at prepaidlegal.com/ go/jackrobbins or phone Jack and Darlene Robbins for additional information at 745-0551. -WantedWanted: Teachers needed. Call Old Firehouse Child Care at 745-5600. Wanted: Now hiring at the Wolf Creek Golf Resort. Part-time, Full-time, Seasonal and Year-round. Chef, Cooks, Hostesses, Servers, Snack Bar, Grounds Crew, Janitorial, Receptionist, Range & Cart Crew. Apply in person 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday. Wanted: The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is collecting supplies needed in the event of a community emergency. The local CERT Program is sponsored by Weber County. If you would be able to donate any of the following supplies, please contact Linda Spencer, office manager for the Weber County Commission Office, at 399-8417 or 745-0805: Blankets or sheets Fire Extinguishers Generators Medical Supplies Tarps Backpacks Flashlights and Batteries Other Miscellaneous Items -FoundFound: Black and white female cat on the road to Monte Cristo. Has green collar with bell. Please call 745-2780 to claim. To place your Classified Ad in THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS call: 745-2879 or 745-2688 |
