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Show Page 10 The Ogden Valley News Volume XXX Issue IV October 1, 2023 Letters to the Editor Intrusive, Invasive Destruction of Private Property & Long-Standing Private Property Rights Unacceptable: Enough is Enough! station next to the highway (Hwy 166) between Valley Market and Carlos and Harleys, which is being equipped to sustain 2,000 hook ups. But numbers thrown out by developers in public meetings have alluded to much higher desired numbers down the road. For those who are sick of the county favoring big developers over the residents—many who have lived here for generations—please attend the public meeting at the Ogden Valley library in Huntsville on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 5:00 p.m. and let your voice be heard by speaking up against the tearing up of our Valley. We must speak up now and let the commissioners know we want to retain the rural atmosphere of Ogden Valley as noted in our general plan, and we don’t want form-based On February 14, 2023, Paula Heward Willden, who was out of state, received a text from her mom, informing her that there were five backhoes tearing up the land on their property—the Sowers property in Eden. Soon after the text, Paula received a call from her mother asking if she knew what was going on in their field as Paula’s grandma was reporting that backhoes were now tearing up the Sowers fence. Paula responded by saying, “No, it’s February, in the worst winter we’ve had in 20 years, there should be nothing going on in the field.” Paula, out of state at the time the ranch invasion occurred, arrived home a few days later to find that a massive trench had been dug on the eastern edge of their property near their fence line (see pictures). Sewer pipes were placed in the ground the following day and within a short five days, sewer pipes had been buried under a portion of their private property. The Sowers ranch has been a mainstay in the Valley for well over five decades. This attack on their land was carried out without warning, notice, or even a phone call. It is also unclear at this time whether a permit was even obtained for the excavation and installation of the sewer lines. The Sowers long-established 642.08-foot-long fence was torn down and destroyed along with dozens of trees and a dog run. Paula (Heward) Willden is the daughter of Chuck and Barbara (Sowers) Heward, and the great-granddaughter of rancher Clyde Sowers Sr. and wife Mable (Hatfield) Sowers of Eden. The Sowers purchased what was previously known as the Burnett Homestead in 1947 to create a cattle ranch. The ranch was beautiful and provided an essential element too surrounding property… water. Years later, the Sowers family generously donated the Burnett Spring to Eden Water to help the farming community have access to pristine culinary water. Anyone who uses Eden’s water has the Sowers family to thank! But now—this land that has provided life water for over fifty years to Eden residents—has suffered greatly by the hands of John Lewis and those trying to bulldoze a sewer system into this Valley. When Paula’s mother confronted one of the workers who invaded the property, the worker said, ”We were told to remove the fence and trees.” In speaking with those who have dealt with the developer in past developments, Paula has been told that this is how he does business: he “takes action and asks for forgiveness later.” Predictably, John Lewis has asked for Paula’s forgiveness since the event, but the Sowers property remains scarred and without a fence. Paula has had to retain an attorney and is currently contemplating her next steps. Let this stand as a warning to all Valley residents. Our farmlands are dwindling, and the agricultural nature of this Valley is under attack by developers who desire to strip the land of its resources (including remaining water rights) and whose primary motive is greed and profit. The time is now to stand up for our Valley. The Hewards have sought legal counsel and took pictures of the torn-up land. Should the sewer get approved, everyone bordering the line will be required to hook up at their expense and residents will no longer be allowed to utilize septic tanks. There are currently two proposed sewer pump stations going in: one located northwest of the north arm trail and the other one called the Brown Photos show the damage and destruction of the Sowers’ fence line, trees, dog run, and cement foundation of shed a while contractors for John Lewis were putting in the new sewer line this winter parallel to Wolf Creek Drive in Eden. PARK SERVICE cont. from page 1 amenities, programs, and services in Ogden Valley. Only 300 responded. The OVPSA is now looking for additional public input. The information collected will be used to plan for improvements to the Valley’s parks that meet the specific needs and desires of those who live and recreate here. The Eden Bowery is located at 2100 N. 5600 E. in Eden. For more information, please call Mark Ferrin at 801-745-0445. zoning that is currently grossly expanding our Valley’s small commercial nodes by basing zoning on road designations instead of the zoning of property. We oppose being forced to use a private sewer system. Most of all, well resent the intrusive, invasive destruction of our private property and our longstanding private property rights! Jeff Guthrie, Eden Pictured below is a rendering of proposed additions and amenitites to Liberty Park in Liberty to be discussed at the Tuesday’s October 5 meeting at the Eden Bowery. |