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Show Volume XXX Issue IX The Ogden Valley News Page 3 February 15, 2023 Editor’s View Guest Commentary “Let Every Man Remember That To Violate The Law Is To Trample On The Blood Of His Father” Huntsville Town and the Ogden Valley Incorporation Effort One of the most important distinctions of a civil society is order and respect for the law; that of a failed state: disrespect and lack of enforcement of the law. Failed states are characterized by corruption, chaos, anarchy, and decay where civil society is characterized by citizens who respect and gladly obey the law and thrive on the order and predictability it provides; thus, they feel comfortable to invest in its future, generating a positive cycle of growth and development where fee expression, ingenuity, and a healthy culture thrive. While the importance of a civic body—a populous—respectful of the law cannot be overstated, even more important is respect for the law by those who have been elected or appointed to represent the governed. They hold a special position of public trust. When that trust it broken through corruption and self-serving acts for personal gain at the expense of the governed, a civilization is on the decline. Why? The betrayal of the public trust leads to disrespect for law and order across society, escalating any fraying edges of the fabric of civilization, leading to the complete unraveling and eventual demise of a once fully functioning and thriving free nation. In a journal article titled “Disrespect for Law” found in Anarchism (1978) and published by American Society for Political and Legal Philosophy, Lester J. Mazor writes “Respect for law is the cornerstone on which the framework of the legal order and the political structure of the modern nation-state have been erected. The argument for the rule of law asserts both the possibility and the benefit of a government by means of a widely accepted rational administration of norms. Absent the reciprocal relation of the rule of law by government on the one hand and respect for law by the citizenry on the other, the state would owe its continued existence only to brute force, and this is seen to be both perilous and costly. Not least of these costs is loss of liberty. And since liberty is both the guarantor of the separation between the public realm and the inviolable private sphere of activity and the protector of the opportunity to better one’s life position by competition in the economic market, both personal privacy and free enterprise are threatened by the development of a situation in which respect for law is in jeopardy.” Disrespect for law and its threat to civil society hinge on the erosion of the guiding principles established as part of the historical foundation of this nation—principles deeply engrained into the American psyche… the very principles of democracy. They include freedom of assembly and association; meaningful participation by citizens in the public process, including the right to vote and freely express opinions and desires; equality and inclusiveness for all; accountability and political integrity by those to whom citizens entrust power to act on their behalf; transparency, to ensure that those elected are truly acting on behalf of the governed. This includes a free and independent and integrous press to facilitate transparency. Also, political tolerance of all voices; respect for a multi-party system; respect for property rights and human rights, including freedom of religion and speech and others found in the Bill of Rights; consent of the governed, and freedom from unwarranted governmental deprivation of the right to life and liberty; means of control over abuses of power by elected officials; economic freedom and freedom from excessive taxation and regulation; free and fair elections unfettered by suppression or distortion of relevant information; free courts and equal access to the law and its legal system independent of political bias; and, of course, rule of law, including enforcement of laws established through the established and democratic public process. Anne Twomey writes in “Constitutional Risk,” Disrespect for the Rule of Law and Democratic Decay,” “One indicator of democratic decay is a lack of respect for the rule of law. This can be seen when the Government dismisses strict compliance with the rule of law and instead opts for an assessment of ‘constitutional risk’—whether it is likely that anyone with the standing to do so will challenge the constitutionality or legality of its conduct. While this approach may be pragmatic, it reveals an underlying acceptance of failure to comply with the law as long as one is not called to account for doing so.” Examples of this may be seen in the pervasive fraudulent allocation of federal and state grant monies and other governmental funding sources for social programs, such as COVID relief. Disrespect for law also includes not only respect and obeyance of the law, but also respect and obeyance of the intent of the law. Morris L Leibman, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1981, gave an address before the American Bar Association that same year titled “Civil Disobedience: A Threat to Our Society Under Law.” In part, Leibman stated, “We live in that instant of time when it can be said that never before have the people in this country enjoyed so many material goods, however ‘imperfect’ their distribution…. But the multiplication of consumer wealth is subordinate to our greatest accomplishment—the fashioning of the law society [one that operates under the rule of law]…. “There is an obligation to that law society. It was stated by Abraham Lincoln in these passionate words: ‘Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well-wisher to his posterity swear by the blood of the Revolution never to violate in the least particular the laws of the country.... Let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the charter of his own and his children’s liberty. Let reverence for the laws be breathed by every American mother to the lisping babe that prattles on her lap; let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges; let it be written in primers, spelling books, and in almanacs; let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. And in short, let it become the political religion of the nation; and let the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the grave and the gay of all sexes and tongues and colors and conditions, sacrifice unceasingly upon its altars’…. “No society whether free or tyrannical can give its citizens the ‘right’ to break the law. There can be no law to which obedience is optional, no command to which the state attaches an ‘if you please.’… “Our imperfections do not justify tearing down the structures which have given us our progress. The only solution is the free and open law society. In times when man’s progress seems painfully slow on any one issue, we might also consider how well we are doing on all issues compared to most areas of the world over most of the world’s history…. “Freedom is not some easy gift of nature. The plant of liberty has not grown in profusion in the wilderness of human history. Liberty under law is a fragile flower. It must be nurtured anew by each generation of responsible citizenry. Let but a year of neglect be sanctioned, even celebrated, and the jungle of force threatens to recapture the untended garden.” Let us all fastidiously tend to the flower of liberty and reverence its precarious life by strictly respecting the laws of the land and ensuring our elected and appointed officials do likewise, and ensure that following generations are taught to do likewise. The sweetest Valentines at Utah’s most unique gift store! Cards Chocolate Candy Candles Clothing for everyone on your list! MOUTH OF OGDEN CANYON 801-621-1606 OPEN Mon - Thur 10-8 | Fri - Sat 10-9 | Sun 11-7 w w w. r a i n b o w g a r d e n s . c o m A hundred years ago, in 1923, forwardlooking Huntsville residents took a valiant stand and voted to incorporate as the Town of a Huntsville. The incorporation was finalized in 1924. With history on their side, those residents were able to look back at some of the mistakes made just a couple of decades earlier. Huntsville was originally incorporated in 1903, but dissolved just six years later, in 1909, essentially financially insolvent. While we don’t know all the reasons our forefathers chose to reincorporate a hundred years ago, one would guess that rapid growth and property development were not the issue in the years leading up to the depression. However, the desire for a local voice with local governance and decisions, were probably high on the wish list. I believe the petitioners for incorporation share those desires. Funding for a water system was also a key factor of that early reincorporation drive. Fast forward a hundred years, and our forefathers would not recognize Ogden Valley. Once a Mecca for farming and agriculture, our open spaces are dwindling, as many farmers have been forced to sell. Our landscape has forever changed, and our beautiful valley has been discovered. Despite regular updates over the past year or so in The Ogden Valley News, many Ogden Valley residents were surprised to receive letters recently from the Lieutenant Governor’s office detailing the newly proposed area for incorporation. Some Huntsville residents were left concerned since the incorporation map appeared to include incorporated Huntsville town. I can assure you that Huntsville Town is going nowhere and will remain autonomous. The town owns property in unincorporated Weber County (green waste/landfill, water plant, etc.), and we also received letters from the Lt. Governor’s office. Background - Nearly one year ago, the proposed city organizers met with Huntsville Officials to present and discuss their plans. Their first question was, “Would Huntsville like to team up and expand its borders to encompass the entire valley?” Our reply was, “No, but thank you.” While we liked the idea of local control and representation, we didn’t feel that the Town of Huntsville could adequately provide the services necessary to grow from a small town of 650, to a city of nearly ten times that amount. Our citizens like living in and being part of a small town. Incorporation organizers have reached out several times over the past year to update us on their progress, and we have appreciated the open dialogue and their desire to coexist. While I personally support their efforts, that is not to say that I don’t have some concerns about our town becoming an “island,” surrounded by another city. Huntsville has recently updated our annexation plan, which is essentially a wish list of areas and properties we may consider annexing in the future. The new plan includes areas to the north, east, and south of our current boundaries. While there are pros and cons to expanding our borders through annexation, we have chosen to proceed with great caution. As previously mentioned, we are concerned about being able to adequately provide services and water to a larger area. The newly revised annexation plan may ultimately become a moot point, because if we choose to proceed with annexation, then the expansion would need to be completed prior to the new city’s proposed boundaries being approved and recommended by the Lt. Governor’s office. I am hopeful that these details will alleviate some of the concerns of our residents. Sincerely, Richard L Sorensen Mayor, The Town of Huntsville ----- Public Notice of Vacancy for Ogden Valley ----Transmitter & Recreation Special Service District Notice is hereby given that applications are being accepted by the Weber County Commission to fill (1) position on the Ogden Valley Transmitter and Recreation Special Service District Board (Ogden Valley TV Board). The board is responsible for providing over-the-air television broadcast to Ogden Valley residents. Applicants shall be registered voters within District boundaries and a resident within the District. One of the board positions will be filled by the recommendation of the Huntsville Town Board. Applications can be requested by contacting the Weber County Commission Office, 2380 Washington Blvd., Suite 360, Ogden, UT 84401, 801-399-8403. Applications will be accepted at the Weber County Commission Office through February 25, 2023. Board appointments will be made subsequent to the deadline at a public meeting of the Weber County Commission. |