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Show Volume XXIX Issue XIV The Ogden Valley News Page 11 June 1, 2022 Primary Candidates — Weber School Board Janis Christensen Raised in Minnesota, I graduated from the University of Minnesota in English Education and Speech Communications. I taught public school for four years before marrying my husband, Allen. I have lived in Northern Utah (Ogden and North Ogden) for 49 years. After my husband, an Ogden native, completed dental school in 1973, we returned to Ogden to set up his practice as a pediatric dentist. While raising our six children, I remained very active in the education process as a substitute teacher and a heavily involved PTA member, serving on various committees, many times as a room mother, and as a PTA President. In addition to being active in the education process, I have served in my community and in our church during this time. From 2004 to 2020, my husband served in the Utah State Senate, representing the people of Northern Utah. I recognized this as an opportunity to get involved and learn more about Utah’s legislative processes. I served for 16 years as a Senate volunteer staff member. The things I learned during those 16 years about the interrelationships between the legislature and educators have prov- en invaluable to me as a school board member. Heidi Gross As a school board member since 2014, I My name is Heidi have been proud to be part of a district governGross, and I am ing body that has as its accomplishments: running for Weber • Prioritized student achievement (Graduation School Board District rate increased from 82-91%.) #6. I am a native of • Teacher retention and recruitment (Yearly, Huntsville, attendWeber School District ranks first or second ed Weber County highest in the state in teacher retention.) schools, and gradu• Fiscal responsibility (Our district has ated from Weber High an Aa+ bond rating, passing two bonds School. I then went to without raising the tax rate. Our buildings Utah State University include, past and future, six new schools to where I earned my accommodate growth.) BS degree in Home Economics/Consumer I will continue to be an outspoken advocate Education. I later went to Weber State for positive communication between parents, University and received my Elementary teachers, administrators, and students. I have experience from all aspects of the education proHeather Koci cess (student, teacher, parent, and administrator.) Our students will win if we can work together Heather is running toward healthy solutions. This is the only way for the local school we can save our public education system. board. I am prepared and committed to deal with Being a mother of the difficult issues facing educators today and four young children, the issues we will face in the days and years who all attend Valley ahead. Elementary. She A well-respected colleague of mine told me, coaches her boy’s rec “Thank you! You have made me think! You soccer teams, helphave made all of us think! I certainly hope you ing with her daughwill seek re-election.” ter’s Nutcracker playWith this in mind, I sincerely ask for your vote. ing the parents or the maid, not to mention volunteering at the school, and in her local church, she’s involved. After hearing a friend comment that the school board needs a parent, someone in the thick of it who knows what’s relevant and what $2.5 to $4 million each, with lots selling for the kids needs are, as well as making the teachabout $750,000. The average selling price for the ers feel respected and appreciated, with her encouragement, Heather decided to run. 1,000 to 1,500 condos would be $500,000. Heather was in sales, when she first marWhen Ferrin was asked by Commissioner Ferre if he really thought that the lots would sell, Ferrin ried, and thankfully because of her hardworkreplied that there weren’t really any other, or very ing husband she was able to be a stay-at-home few, lots in the world today where owners could mom. While her kids have been at school, she’s walk out their back door to reach both a ski lift and been able to serve on many different chairs in a golf course. He further explained that he already her kids school PTO’s. She has also served as the Vice President had a commitment for the purchase of about 20 lots. The proposed premier resort community and President of the PTO’s. One reason she’s been so active at the also included plans for an observatory, museum, amphitheater, equestrian arena, hotels, restau- school is because of her son’s sensory disorder; rants, conference centers, 15 additional ski lifts, he calls it his “spidy” sense. Working with the school gave her the chance golf courses, fire station, heli-pad and small airstrip, and an interconnected pathway system. to make sure not only her son but every kid with The petitioner now has the opportunity an Individualized Education Program (IEP) was to take the proposal before the three-member getting every chance they could to express themWeber County Commission, which will make self and find their own victories at school. She had the chance to be an assistant crossthe final decision. Commissioners will hear the country coach for Maria Montessori, working proposal in June or July [2002]. Referring to the Planning Commission’s with the kids, to see how far they could push recommendation for denial, Planning themselves and to see what they could accomCommissioner Sharon Holmstrom stated, “I plish if they pushed themselves! She’s been fortunate to work with the youth think our elected county commissioners need to answer these issues [that have been brought in her church serving in various roles in the forth]. Our unanimous decision sends a strong LDS primary, and young women’s programs. message regarding the concerns over the impact Most would say she’s the happiest at girl’s a development of this magnitude could have.” camp, watching the girls grow and find their own strengths, and independence! Education Endorsement. I have taught for 35 years, beginning at Roy High School and ending at Green Acres Elementary. My husband and I lived and raised our five children in North Ogden and recently returned to Huntsville. I am running for School Board because I want to be the moderate voice for students, parents, and teachers. I am fresh from the classroom after 35 years of different experiences, which include learning and implementing technology, a pandemic, and the aftermath of the pandemic. I know the frustrations, stresses, and burn out that our teachers are facing. I will be out in the community listening to concerns and then taking that knowledge back to the board to set structured policies that will best support our schools. My perspective will be an asset to the board. Currently she’s embarked on a new adventure and moved to a little farm, to provide the ability to give her children responsibility, and the chance to be a kid, get messy and dirty. Heather is running for school board not to change things, but to fight for our children to have the childhood they deserve, to turn back the clock and refocus on the children and the teachers. In these ever-evolving times, sometimes going back to our roots can help us find our future. She would love your support and your vote. Vote for Heather Rose Koci. Twenty Years Ago: Weber Planning Commission Denies Powder Mountain Zoning Request By Shanna Francis Weber County Township Planning Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday, May 21, to deny petitioner Brett Ferrin’s request to rezone 2,681 acres at the top of Powder Mountain. The decision came after five hours of public testimony and deliberation. People came from as far away as Salt Lake City and Cache County to testify. Along with residents from Ogden Valley, representatives from Utah Waters, The Audubon Society, Save Our Canyons, and the Sierra Club were also in attendance. Ferrin is the President of Powder Mountain Resort Holdings LLC, which is under contract with the Cobabe family to purchase 12,000 acres of the mountain property. Of the 12,000 acres, approximately 3,600 acres are located in Cache County. Under the current proposal, development in Cache County would also be accessed through Weber County. The Planning Commission members sited primary concerns over road access; impact of water consumption and runoff; wildlife habitat; proposed helicopter pads for commuter traffic, as well as emergency access; fiscal analysis; and the impact high-end development would have on property taxes. During the public hearing, Ferrin stated the projected cost of the proposed 500, three- to five-acre single-family homes would be from The Eden post office staff would like to thank High Altitude Kids for their great artwork depicting their gratitude for the postal staff. The students were treated to a tour/field trip in February of the Eden post office and how it works. Each student mailed a letter and got to personally choose a stamp. One of the mail carriers even asked each student if they knew their address and showed them the spot their mail was sorted to in the carrier case or PO Box section. Amy Shibuya, Postmaster, said “It is exciting and fun to share the magic of how the mail goes out and how it gets delivered.” |
