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Show Volume IX Issue XII THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 3 April 1, 2004 Letters to the Editor Application Inspired Thoughtful Exchange The quaint ambiance of local bakery, “Great Harvest,” is pleasant and warm. But what tips the scale and makes me a loyal customer is its hiring policy. I came upon my daughter and a group of her high school age friends sitting on the floor surrounded by job applications. They were helping each other fill out forms when one of them said, “Hey, did you know that when you apply they ask you about your goals in life? It might be long- or short-term goals, but they want to know!” This opened up a discussion among them about what they wanted to do, what they might spend their money on, and what occupations they might finally work toward after graduation. They talked for over an hour about what they wanted out of life, all because of this hiring policy. Thanks “Great Harvest” for reinforcing something that parents, teachers, and so many others are trying to get kids to understand: People need to set goals and work toward them. Michelle Evans, Eden Support the Union Station In the words of historian Stephen E. Ambrose, “Next to winning the Civil War and abolishing slavery, building the first transcontinental railroad from Omaha to Sacramento, California was the greatest achievement of the American people in the nineteenth century.” The Chinese in the West and the Irish in the East provided an example of hard work that is still the hallmark of American labor today. The Chinese demonstrated how a labor force could supply muscle and long hours of work, as well as create solutions to problems. Their understanding of explosive devices and their use was essential to the Central Pacific’s success in the West. E.B. Crocker stated, “Without them, it would be impossible to go on with the work.” The Chinese workers’ ability to help management solve problems opened up new avenues of cooperation between management and labor that became the standard for American industry. No other location in the nation is more important to the connection of the East and the West than Ogden, Utah. No symbol is more important in securing the history of this great event than Ogden Union Station. The Station is at the apex of the connection of the transcontinental railroad. It is among six or seven locations in the country that can combine location and historical importance to this great Railroad Industry, and is the reason the Ogden Union Station Museum exists today. The Station is a national, state, and local treasure and should be supported by a broad group of governmental and community groups. This support should be coming from federal, state, and local taxes, as well as all of the American railroads and the Chamber of Commerce. Ogden City, by itself, will not be able to turn the Union Station Museum into the primary museum that it deserves to become. Schools and citizens in Weber, Davis, and Box Elder Counties should make it a point to visit the museums at the Union Station at least once a year. Such support would cover the cost of running the Station as a secondary museum. There would be no need for the current dismantling of the personnel organization that has been part of the Station. The Federal government has authorized five million dollars to establish the Ogden area as a “Crossroad of the West” designation, with Union Station as the kingpin. With this offering in the offing, what is the danger of pulling support from Union Station at this time? The federal pledge toward a “crossroads” designation is a signal that they recognize the importance of Ogden and the Union Station to preserve the history and artifacts of these early historical events. A decision that may send signals that support for the Union Station will be removed during a difficult tax year may send the wrong message to those who are beginning to recognize the unique position that the Ogden Union Station has as a national, state, and local treasure. Do yourself a favor—support the Union Station by being a frequent visitor to this historical treasure! Doug Olson, Eden Brave Little Man Friday night, while in Ogden, my daughter Elle and I inadvertently left Dexter, our 10-year old buff-colored Cocker Spaniel, near the Cemetery on 20th Street. Not realizing he was gone until we returned home to Eden, we immediately got back in the car to retrace our path to find him. Nowhere to be seen was Dexter and we combed the area ‘till the wee hour, finally returning home for some rest. Saturday, with several friends, we started in earnest to find him, putting up posters and checking at the Ogden Animal Shelter. No luck. Elle, returning from the Snowboard Jam at Powder Mountain the next day, said that her friend Mitch thought he had seen Dexter at the Valley Market around midnight Friday. Our hopes mounted as Mitch described Dexter’s recently groomed coat and funny shaved feet. Could our little man actually have followed the long path home to his Valley, to the Valley Market? After putting up a poster for Dexter’s return on the post in the market, Jessica and Brittany, the two cashiers on duty, realized that Erin Taggart of Liberty had put up a flyer with her phone number on the other side of the post, saying that she had found a Cocker, seemingly lost, early that morning and had taken him home with her. Another call from a friend, Ginette, connecting the leads, led us to the Taggart’s home and there was Dexter, brave little man, wagging his tail, his little shaved feet a bit dusty from his long journey up the Canyon. Happy thanks to all those who brought Dextie home to his family! Marsh Rasmussen, Eden EDEN PARK’S 5th ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT Saturday, April 10, 2004 11:00 A.M. EDEN PARK For ALL children of the Valley, ages 11 & under. If anyone would like to donate, please send contributions to Eden Park, P O Box 34, EDEN UT 84310 |