Due to the importance of the issue, we are including his latest Sunday morning extravaganza, complete with links to many recent Standard Examiner articles, editorials and letters to the editor.
Interestingly, while Summit is embattled in an "Uncivil War" in the local media, they seem to be the darling of the National stage as illustrated in this April 10, 2015 New York Times article.
The Ski Resort That Crowdsourcing Built
The New York times certainly paints a different light on our neighbors to the North.
Enjoy Rudi's Sunday morning post in its entirety:
Standard-Examiner Editorial: Our View: Make Peace in Ogden Valley Water War
For the benefit of those who haven't been following this story, we'll provide these background stories and letters to the editor, just to add some historical perspective into what's fast developing into what we'll label the"Ogden Valley Water War":
- Water experts take jabs at each other over Summit's Hidden Lake Well
- Summit threatens Wolf Creek sewer district with eviction
- Summit showing its true colors
- Summit water exchange should be denied
This morning's editorial advocates the following proposed solution:
We think for the sake of the entire valley, a compromise should be reached that involves a direct transfer of water from Pineview to Powder Mountain. Yes, we are talking about a pipeline. But that doesn’t mean Summit should bear all the responsibility of paying for such a pipeline.We'll leave it up our gentle readers (especially those who reside in Ogden Valley) to explain whether this is a good idea (or not).
If Jones decides to grant the well application, it should be done on a temporary basis so that all the stakeholders could be brought together to discuss a central water distribution system that serves everyone. Forming a compact, similar to the states using Colorado River water may be the best solution, with one system in Ogden Valley to distribute the water all entities are entitled to.
The springs and streams would then be free to flow into the reservoir, or the watershed in Cache County.
We understand water distribution systems can be expensive, but we feel it is time for such a solution. Let the peace talks begin.
Don't let the cat get your tongues, O Gentle Ones.
And yes, we'll be keeping an "Eagle Eye" on this story as it develops.
20 comments:
Summit showing their true colors. It didn't take long.
Arf!...The Ski Resort That Crowdsourcing Built...some of the best fiction I've read in a long time...grrr.
Are you saying the NYT didn't do any fact checking? What is fiction about this article. Our valley was mentioned in the NYT and you want to balk about it? Didn't God ask that you not envy your neighbor? It seems like that is truly what is at the heart of some residents issues with Summit. We got rid of the big bad developers- Western Holding Group. Why would we run the only environmentally conscious developer out as well who love our valley just as much as we do? This is our solution we should be helping them not fighting them.
Environmentally conscious? The last I knew, water was part of the environment.
Yes, so stop watering your Kentucky Green Grass lawns and maybe we wouldn't be in the predicament we are currently in. Stop wasting water on frivolous things. AND yes the only environmentally conscious developers listen to what they are ACTUALLY doing without all of the envious hear-say that is so prevalent in the Valley. It's actually quite embarrassing that we have treated newcomers with such disrespect. How long have YOU been in the valley? It was fine for them to build YOUR house, but just not others, right?
Fiction...lets start with the title of the article... "The Ski Resort That Crowdsourcing Built"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowdsourcing
I always thought Alvin Cobabe built Powder Mountain.
Yes he did.... I know him personally (didn't have to look it up on the most reliable source: Wikipedia lol) and then what happened? It wasn't ran too great and before it went bankrupt he sold it.... thus summit was able to raise funds from "crowd sourcing" to purchase it (FACT). So thank you Summit it for not adding Powder Mountain to the list of all the mess Wolf Creek left us from THEIR BANKRUPTCY (which we are still dealing with) ...... once again I am going to ask how long have YOU been in the valley? It doesn't seem like you really know the background of everything that has happened up here.
Not sure that it matters oneeden, but my family settled in the Valley in the early 70s'. Sounds to me like Cobabe built and Crowd bought the place.
The signs come out.....................
How about you Eden. How long have you been an Edenite?
my entire life.... which is why I know what is happening here.... I grew up in the SAME ward as Dr. Cobabe. Please find out the facts before you run around complaining about things. Amazing both of you have such strong opinions about something you have NO background of and are not even from here. How do you have the right to say someone else shouldn't be up here? Please help us keep YOUR kind out of OUR valley. WE IN THE VALLEY are known as pleasant, hard-working people who stick up for TRUTH and you two are literally ruining our reputation.
Skip, can you bring up another piece of fiction in the story or do you want to keep going with the fact that Cobabe built the resort.... which it also says in the piece... did you even read the entire thing... again please can you read an entire story; learn ALL the facts; and then say your opinion...
"Alvin Cobabe, a Utah physician, founded Powder Mountain in 1972 on his family’s sheep ranch.....In 2006, Dr. Cobabe sold the resort to a group of Utah business partners, who rankled locals with sprawling plans to build 18 ski lifts, 2,700 homes, lodges and hotels, corporate retreats and golf courses. After they tried to circumvent a zoning disagreement by using a controversial state law to incorporate the land into a town, Eden residents sued. Meanwhile, the real estate market tanked. Powder went quietly back on the market."
Then Summit bought it.....Neither of you were probably up here in 2006 to remember that nor seem capable of doing research outside of Wikipedia......
Frivolous? You don't get more frivolous than luxury ski resort. What has summit done that makes them so environmental? They seem to be doing all the normal developer strong arming and resource grabbing. Are you really from eden? You sound like a clown poser.
For someone standing up for a "newcomer" you sure like going after perceived newcomers who don't agree with you. I guess all that stuff about respecting newcomers is only for luxury ski resort owners who are trying to endanger an critical aquifer.
He build it after the taxpayers build him a road.
I believe that Cobabe built the first road, however the State has since taken over responsibility and ownership.
The county built the road. Cobabe did not build it. The county accepted a section of ground up under James peak in exchange for the road. Since then the public has been denied access and a gate has been built across the access road.
Is that the section that county sold to Rulon?
Taken straight from their website:
"The Summit community shares a philosophy of innovation, creativity, cultural enrichment, and environmental conservation. Preservation of the existing natural environment, which includes an elk reserve, natural waterways, and a thriving wildlife population, is one of the leading design principles. Homesites and Nests will be tucked in clusters of pine and aspen trees to maintain natural views for all community members, and The Village will be dense with living accommodations to allow for more open space in wildlife-sensitive areas. Each building design will meet recognized environmental standards, and energy conservation guidelines will be provided to incorporate cutting-edge sustainability systems and materials."
Sounds like environmentally conscious developers to me, no?
Please give me an example of what Summit has done to "strong arm and resource grab" ? I guess I am missing something? Because when I read the letter they sent out it seems like everyone was down from the water transfer back on 06' when Western Holding owned the property. So what is the issue now? The Fullers/Ogden Valley News decided they don't like Summit so we all have to fall in line? Give me a break.
Oneeden, your proven appreciation for the progressive
approach that Summit has projected with their plans is beyond reserve, but I
still think the NYT article sucks.
Oneeden, its the same song and dance that every developer has tried in this valley! A flowery video series and environmental spin to include a human sized bird nest! People simply can't come in and mess with the valley residents!
Weber County is to blame as well. Back in 2007ish, developers would present their plans. I remember the board members saying "they meet all the criteria, so we have/need to approve the proposal". Look at all the curbed and guttered sub-divisions currently with no homes, or home that have been sitting empty for years! The county must be responsible and just say no, no matter how much money is passed under the table!!
Its great to have a vision for a place, but in reality, it just won't work! Summit will eventually go away, and someone else will come in with their next greatest plan. Or their stuff will get approved, and we will have several hundred empty structures rotting at the top of Powder Mountain.
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