More Ogden Canyon Frustrations - Ogden City Council Meeting Tonight

Guest Post by Kathy Peterson promoted from Facebook

Hi everyone-

Rich and I just came up the canyon on this Friday evening Feb. 2 at 5:30 pm and the traffic going down the canyon was backed up all the way to the Oaks. There was no lead car and there was no flagman. 

What are we supposed to do about getting up and down the canyon in a timely manner? Should we call the Ogden Police as this is a problem caused by Ogden city? We certainly shouldn't (as taxpayers of Weber County) have to pay the sheriff to come and take care of the problem. What is this doing to our ski industry when tourists have to try to maneuver this mess. 

And what about the lost business for those businesses in the canyon like the Oaks, Alaska Inn and Gray Cliff? The curfew on the week nights is ridiculous-8pm, really? And on the weekend, if you go to the early movie, you still can't make it to the canyon before the supposed closure at 10pm. The times should be 10pm on weeknights and 12 am on the weekends. Half the time there is no evidence of work being done overnight anyway, especially on the weekend.  Does the contractor close the canyon just so they don't have to pay someone to monitor the traffic overnight? 

I think we citizens of Ogden Valley deserve more courtesy and accommodation for our inconvenience. I for one will be at the Ogden City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 6 pm to ask these questions of the city council. Are they going to compensate the canyon businesses for lost revenue due to this project that benefits the citizens of Ogden only? And what about the dangers imposed to us when the canyon is closed and the roads are icy and snow-covered and we are forced to risk our lives to negotiate the North Ogden Divide or go all the way around to Trapper's Loop? 

During last week's storm, Rich had to negotiate the Divide where even in 4-wheel drive, he was slipping and sliding around every corner and trying to negotiate around cars that were at a standstill while he went to get help. Please join me at the City Council Meeting if you are ready to confront this situation and ask for some relief from those who have instigated this issue. 

Thanks, Kathy Peterson."

$325,000 payment from Huntsville City to Weber School District missing

Home Abstract and Title Company president faces theft, obstructing justice charges

In today's Standard Examiner we read that $325,000 that was paid to Home Abstract Title Company for the purchase of the old Valley School Property last October never made it into the hands of Weber School District.

Here is the Scott Scwebke story in its entirety:

Home Abstract and Title Company president faces theft, obstructing justice charges

From the story, we read,

The president of Home Abstract and Title Company Inc. has been charged amid allegations that he kept about $325,000 that should have been given to Weber School District for its sale of property last year to the city of Huntsville.

Russell Charles Maughan, 58, is scheduled to make an initial appearance in 2nd District Court on July 11 for theft and obstructing justice, both felonies. The charges against Maughan follow an Ogden police investigation.

 The business, next door to the Weber County Attorney’s Office, was closed about a month ago by its underwriter, Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, based in Minneapolis, Tammy Greening, an examiner for the Utah Insurance Department, said Thursday. 

And further,

The state and police investigations stem from the Weber School District’s sale last year to Huntsville of about 6 acres of vacant land where a Huntsville school once stood. The property is between First and Second streets across from Huntsville Park.
Huntsville paid $325,000 to Home Abstract for the property in October 2011, which in turn was to provide the funds to Weber School District, said Jenna Holt, who is Huntsville’s attorney. The check cleared and Huntsville received the deed to the property, but Home Abstract reportedly didn’t provide the sale proceeds to the school district.
Jeff Stephens, superintendent of Weber School District, said the district’s business department unsuccessfully attempted to obtain the funds from Home Abstract.
“There were a series of misleading statements (about the status of the funds) from the president of Home Abstract that delayed our reporting it to police,” Stephens said, adding the district has had a lengthy relationship with Home Abstract.
The funds from the Huntsville school property sale were to be used by Weber School District to fund a capital project.
Stephens said: “We will do everything we can to protect taxpayer dollars.”

 It looks like White Collar crime so prevalent in other areas has hit Ogden Valley.

Ogden Valley Residents Urged To Wave Flags In Honor of Officer Jared Francom

It's been a tough week for our neighbors in Ogden in the wake of the tragic shooting last week.  The impact has spread well beyond the city's borders to the rest of Weber County, the State of Utah and across America.  Our friends at the Weber County Forum have done a masterful job (as always) of reporting on all aspects of the case, so we urge you to snoop around and get up to date by clicking below:

Ogden Shootings Story Update: The Latest From the Northern Utah Print Media

Today marks the funeral and memorial service for Officer Jared Francom and Ogden Valley residents have been asked to help honor Officer Francom by waving flags during the funeral procession.  The flag waving has been organized, and as we understand it, Ogden Valley-ites are asked to line Harrison Boulevard along the route between the Dee Events Center (about 4400 Harrison Blvd.) and 30th Street.  Bring flags if you have them.  The Trapper Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America will also be handing out miniature flags at various locations along the route.

The funeral procession is expected to begin at about 12:30 PM and will run North on Harrison to 30th Street, then turn west to Washington Boulevard.  From there it will turn right (north) and proceed to 12th Street, then will make a right turn eastbound to Monroe before finally turning South on Monroe for Officer Francom's final resting place at the Ogden City Cemetary.  A map of the route can be found by clicking here.

It is difficult to find good out of such a tragedy, but the events have brought the community together and have strengthened bonds.  Today we honor those law enforcement officers who routinely put themselves in harms way to keep the streets safe.  From a simple traffic stop to a complicated drug bust, cops have to constantly be wary of bad guys.  Today we thank, salute and honor you.

Rest in peace Officer/Agent Jared Francom.