The Red Moose Lodge has been sold

Another rumor has been confirmed.  

We made mention of this last week when an agenda item for the Ogden Valley Planning Commission listed:

 2.3. ZTA 2012-2 Consideration and Action on an amendment to Chapter 18B (Commercial Valley Zones CV-1 and CV-2) of the Weber County Zoning Ordinance to allow assisted living facility as permitted use.   

 Then we received this notice via the email list from the Red Moose Lodge:                                                                              

The Red Moose Lodge has been sold.    

The Red Moose Lodge has been SOLD and will be converted to an assisted living facility and senior community center.  The new owner takes possession on May 1st.. This is your last chance to stay with us. Call 801-745-6667 or visit our website at http://www.theredmooselodge.com/.                                      

There you have it.  Times are changing in Ogden Valley.

STRINGS FOR STRINGS

A Free Bluegrass Concert for Tennis

Friday, June 3, 6:30 pm 

Snowcrest Jr. High

Featuring Kort McCumber

                A talented, multi-instrumentalist, McCumber plays everything from guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica and piano in his brand of Americana that is one part rock and blues, two parts country-bluegrass and all parts McCumber.  His songwriting abilities have made him a Colorado favorite and garnered him national and international recognition.  Accompanying him on the bass will be Jim Gillmore.

Come enjoy a delightful evening with your community.  Wear your bluejeans.  Bring a comfortable camp chair if you wish and a snack to share.  (Snowcrest has folding chairs).

Learn how you can help build your community tennis complex

                                “brick by brick”.

Architectural drawings for the Ogden Valley Community Tennis Complex, donated by Van Zeben Architecture will be on display, as well as samples of the commemorative bricks and stones that will be used in the entry plaza to the courts.

*Kort will also be featured at the Ogden Music Festival on Sunday, June 5^th.  Location for the festival has been changed to North Fork Park.

Up Date on the Issue of Heliports in the Ogden Valley, and An Appeal for You All to Join the Planning Process

By Lee Schussman, Eden

Tuesday night (4-26-11) the Ogden Valley Planning Commission tabled a decision on an application to remove “heliport” from the CV-2 zoning ordinance. The commissioners requested their staff to gather more information, and they plan to study the issue and to re-address it at their next work- session meeting on June 7, 2011.

Everyone who has an interest in the issue of helicopters in the Ogden Valley should attend the OVPC meeting on Tuesday, June 7.

Here is a brief summary of the developments in this important issue:

After 15 months of study and deliberation the OVPC rejected an application for a heliport at the Red Moose Lodge in Eden. The Weber County Commissioners up-held that decision on April 5, 2011. That action effectively blocked the possibility of a heliport in that location at this time.

After participating as much as possible in that decision-making process, Dave Holmstrom and I worried that, since “heliport” was still included on the list of conditioned uses under CV-2, anyone could, at any time, file another application for a CUP for a heliport in any CV-2 site. We therefore needed to press the issue, and we thought the best way to do that quickly would be to submit an application to remove heliport from CV-2. That application was submitted last month.

The OVPC staff reviewed that application and recommended that it not be approved. At the meeting of the OVPC last Tuesday, we were allowed the opportunity to present our application. This is a summary of part of the discussion:

We stated that, in filing the application to remove heliport from CV-2, we had two major goals:

1- to try to prevent someone from filing an application for another heliport in a CV-2 zone in the near future.

2- to try to catalyze the start of a process that would eventuate in a policy to best deal with heliports in the Ogden Valley.

We made the following points (with thanks to Ron Tymcio, Eden, for much background work):

1- There are 17 CV-2 sites. All are on the valley floor. We tried to support our contention that none of the 17 sites are suitable for a heliport.

2-The Weber County Zoning Ordinances have been changed in the last year making it now much easier for any applicant to be granted a CUP than has been the case in the past.

3- Noise issues remain a significant concern, and will only grow in the future. Many areas of the country are already struggling with problems associated with non-military helicopter use in residential areas.

4- As the helicopter designation now exists in CV-2, it would be difficult to place any restrictions (such as frequencies, flight routes, times of flights, destinations, etc.) on that CUP. Enforcement could also be difficult.

5-We could discover no documented reasons why heliport was ever placed in the CV-2. None of the other 186 uses now permitted or conditioned under CV-2 could ever make as much of an impact impact on the Ogden Valley as could a heliport

We concluded that heliports are a very unique and specialized use, and as such they require special attention. We urged the commissioners to remove heliports from the current CV-2 so that an application for a CUP (in those current CV-2 sites) could not be filed in the near future. We also expressed the hope that this discussion could serve as a catalyst for a carefully planned process to study heliports in the Ogden Valley--a process that would involve public input, careful research, and thoughtful discussion so as to arrive at the best possible decisions as to where, when, if, and how heliports would be sited in the Ogden Valley.

During the presentation, Mr. Rob Scott, Director of the Planning Office, stated that, since an application that could result in the changing of the CUP ordinance was in progress, his office could hold the processing of any CUP applications for a heliport pending the outcomes of the ordinance changes. (During subsequent discussion, the legal council supported Mr. Scott and added that, although the county would still be obligated to accept applications for any CUP, the processes to grant that CUP could be held.)

We viewed that as very welcome information that largely achieved our first goal.

In spite of the lateness of the hour, and in spite of having spent several hours working on other difficult issues, the commissioners devoted significant time and energy to discussing our application.

They welcomed our input and presentation. They urged us, and all of the valley residents, to continue to be actively participating in this (and other) issues. They stated that they would make accommodations for their deliberations to be open and transparent and that public input would be scheduled at some of their meetings.

They did not think that the future resolution of this issue was clear enough to vote “yes-or-no” on removing heliport from CV-2 at this time. So a final vote on our application was tabled. We feel it was a very positive discussion and a reasonable decision.

That decision (plus the reassurance that it is very unlikely that anyone could at this time be granted a CUP in the current CV-2 areas) enables us all to proceed with the next phases of this endeavor: data gathering, further analysis, public input, and then the development of a reasoned policy. 

Commissioner Warburton stressed that public input does have, and will continue to have, a very large impact on the development of this important policy.

The OVPC will have a work session on Tuesday, June 7. (Preparatory to that meeting, the staff was requested to gather more information.) At that meeting, the OVPC will begin the task of developing an over-all policy with regard to heliports in the Ogden Valley. Chairman Siegel announced that their deliberations will be open to the public. (Public input may be allowed at this meeting. But if not at this meeting certainly at future meetings.) All Ogden Valley residents who have an interest in this issue should plan to attend the OVPC meeting on Tuesday, June 7^th; as this is a time that we can start to really make a difference in establishing an over-all policy. Please put your thoughts together and plan to attend that work session.

During our discussions with fellow residents, these are some of the types of questions that have been asked and that we would hope to be addressed during some phases of this process:

Where should heliports be placed?

How many heliports do we need?

Should heliports be placed on the valley floor?

Should heliports only be placed above 6200 feet?

How much noise is a tolerable level?

How can we best support a business for heli-skiing and balance the community good?

Re heli-skiing destinations: can operators be obligated to set them up to ensure the safety of other skiers in the destination area?

Are there other business or personal uses anticipated for heliports—eg: sight seeing, transportation, hunting access, timber cutting, transportation,  etc.?

Can conditions (flight times, flight paths, numbers of flights per day, etc) be placed to mitigate concerns?

Should our efforts be restricted to heliports or should the include fixed wing aircraft?

If heliports are placed in the RDD-1 zones, does that mean they can use Nordic Valley/Wolf Mt? If not, is that resort being unfairly being discriminated against?

Should we include heliports at all in any zoned areas? 

Are there sites in F-10 and F40 zones that can be used?

Is a CUP needed for the destination sites?

Do we want to zone land heliports so as to support regular helicopter service between Snow Basin and the SLC area? If so, should Powder Mountain and or Nordic Valley/Wolf Mountain be included in that zoning?

Can we learn from the heli-skiing operation based out of SnowBird?

Sun Valley has a full airport that is basically in town. Should we study that facility to see what they have done well and what has been problematic?

Can CPU’s be issued that restrict who/what types of helicopters can use them?

Please put your thoughts together and please attend the next OVPC meeting on June 7, 2011 to hear the deliberations and possibly to take place in the discussion.

An Ogden Valley Adventure You’ll Remember for a Lifetime

A Sunday Morning Exclusive
By Joe Laing, El Monte RV Rentals

There are three main ingredients for a memorable RV vacation, and Utah’s Ogden Valley offers them all. There are outdoor recreation opportunities everywhere you turn, scenic campgrounds ready to welcome travelers and historic attractions waiting to fascinate. Keep reading to find out how you can plan an Ogden Valley RV Adventure you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Where to Camp in Utah’s Ogden Valley
Before jumping right into the abundance of Ogden Valley campgrounds, let’s discover exactly where this scenic valley lies. East of The Great Salt Lake and also east of Ogden, Utah, the Ogden Valley is nestled against the Wasatch Mountains and plays host to the Ogden River and Pineview Reservoir.

What that means for RV camping fans is that you’ll find campgrounds tucked into some of the prettiest scenery imaginable. National Forest Service campgrounds in the Ogden Valley are a good place to start your planning. Public lands surrounding Pineview Reservoir and the South Fork of the Ogden River, in particular, offer amazing campsites, if you’re willing to plan for boondocking or limited services.

What to Do Outdoors in Utah’s Ogden Valley
For a truly memorable RV trip to the Ogden Valley, choose hiking trails that fit your level of activity and then get out into the great outdoors. Whether you choose to hike or ride a mountain bike, explore trails like the Monte Cristo, above eight thousand feet in elevation, or the Northern Skyline Trail along the Wasatch front; the vistas are unforgettable.

Come in May to watch the wildlife come alive, in late summer for spectacular wildflower displays or in early autumn for brilliant fall foliage. The National Forest kindly provides a listing of popular Ogden area trails. By the way, this valley is also known for world-class ski resorts such as Powder Mountain and Snowbasin, and summer trails around the resorts make for some great hiking. Outfitters at the resorts also offer summer adventures such as 4x4 off-road tours and lift-served mountain biking.

Prefer to spend at least part of your vacation on the water? Pineview Reservoir is popular among water skiing enthusiasts, and the bright blue waters of this mountain lake yield trophy-size tiger muskie to challenge the anglers in your group. Plan to spend time enjoying the beaches and take advantage of the well-run marina.

What’s Historical about Utah’s Ogden Valley?
The three small communities you’ll find in Utah’s Ogden Valley – Huntsville, Eden and Liberty – have their roots in the 1860s. History buffs will find plenty of interesting attractions in the area. Huntsville, for example, is home to the first tavern in Utah, the Shooting Star, where you can absorb a little western tavern culture along with classic bar fare. Or visit historic Our Lady of the Holy Trinity Trappist Monastery in Huntsville, where guests will find a nicely-stocked religious book store and the abbey’s famous creamed honey for sale.

Learn more about early Utah history with a visit to the birthplace of David O. McKay, an early leader of the LDS church. Take time to tour Huntsville’s first permanent dwelling with a trip to the Aldous Cabin. Or just soak up the charm of a rustic mountain village with a stroll through The Village at Huntsville Square, a retail and entertainment area.

You’re going to love the time you spend RV camping in Utah’s Ogden Valley. Whether you’re itching to hit the trails or simply to spend time in a peaceful mountainside campsite, your Ogden Valley adventure will be one you’ll remember for a lifetime.

About the Author
Joe Laing is the Marketing Director for El Monte RV Rentals. For other great RV camping vacation ideas see the Monty's Musings RV Camping Blog or the new Monty's RV Vacation Photo / Picture Gallery.

Eden Heliport Back on the Agenda

The request for a private heliport at the Red Moose Lodge is once again on the agenda for the Ogden Valley Planning Commission on January 25, 2011.

Once again, we first heard about this from all star reporter Shanna Francis of the Ogden Valley News.

Here is Shanna's article:

Ogden Valley Planning News - Eden Heliport and Residential Treatment Center on January 25 Agenda

The proposal will go before the Ogden Planning Commission:

January 25, 2011
5:00 PM
Weber County Commission Chambers
2380 Washington Blvd.
Ogden, UT

This meeting is guaranteed to be action packed and lengthy. Arrive early to get a good seat.

Eden “Resident” Killed

Guest Post by Sharon Holmstrom
A wonderful variety of creatures live along the North Fork and Wolf Creek drainages. Many are human residents and then there are what the Division of Wildlife Resources classifies as “resident” deer. These are deer who do not migrate to the high mountains when winter ends but spend generations living in the same small area. They are acclimated to humans and their “home” habitat. They mate, raise babies in the thickets along the streams and please us with their presence. In the deepest part of the harsh winters, many of us feed them. In many communities, including ours, the presence of wildlife has been cited as part of the “quality of life” that residents seek to protect. Hunting these animals in residential areas is akin to walking into the zoo and, after you have shot the tiger, boasting that you have been “big game hunting”.

A number of the human residents of Eden have encountered problems with hunters in the past: hunters who show up with rifles, dressed in camo, crossing our driveways and fences to hunt in our fields and common areas. We were told by the county sheriff’s department that in order to have protection from these hunters we must post our property. In anticipation of this year’s bow hunt, we posted private property and common areas. We let it be known throughout the neighborhoods that we did not want hunters. Even with all these precautions, a local resident told a relative by the name of Logan that he could shoot a deer on his property.

This is legal within certain perimeters. First, the bow hunter must have WRITTEN permission from any household within 600 feet of the shooting site i.e. the spot where you shoot the animal be it in the open or from a constructed blind. (pg.40, 2010 Utah Big Game Guidebook) A homeowner may give you permission to kill an animal on his property but you still may not break the law by discharging a weapon in the vicinity of an unwilling land owner.

As bow hunters know, unless you are a crack shot or fire two arrows, the animal you kill may take some time to die, sometimes in an agonizing way. To assume that the deer you shot would remain on the property is unrealistic. A beautiful buck who has lived in our neighborhood for perhaps several years and was well known to all who watched him was shot by Logan late Saturday evening. His blood trail led across a county road and down into the common area of Eden Hills subdivision, where he died and lay unrecovered through the night. The homeowners association had not only posted this property as No Trespassing but had a citizen’s watch over the area.

Logan and a hunting partner trespassed on the posted common area the next morning, where they were discovered by irate residents of Eden Hills. He has been charged by DWR with criminal trespass which carries a fine and possible jail sentence. His partner was issued a warning.

If you wish to protect yourself from invasive hunters this is how you must post your property. “Properly posted” means that No Trespassing signs are displayed at all corners, on fishing streams crossing property lines, on roads, gates and rights –of-way entering. (pg.42, 2010 Utah Big Game Guidebook). For those residents living in a smaller lot subdivision this probably means posting your front, side and back yards. Violating land thus posted is a Class B misdemeanor. The consensus of the residents involved is that there should be no hunting in residential neighborhoods. It’s dangerous and it is not sporting. What is sporting is the hunters who make the effort to hunt the “wild” game in the mountains.

You may obtain a free copy of the 2010 Utah Big Game Guidebook at the Division of Wildlife Resources office in South Ogden.

Ogden Valley in the Detroit News

Here are some out-of-state kudos of our Ogden Valley.

Northern Utah an outdoor lover's paradise

With the Motown economy flat on its back, we probably won't expect a rush of Michiganians. 

Perhaps the Motor City Madman himself will come try out our most excellent hunting after reading about the Wolf Creek Adventure Center.

Letters To The Editor of The Ogden Valley News regarding the Powderville Hostage Crisis

The June 1, 2010 issue of the Ogden Valley News was stuffed with letters from residents concerned over the outcome Powderville.


We have scanned all of the letters and will include them below in no particular order.  We will, however, post the "Open Letter to the Citizens of Ogden Valley" first, as it is signed by several of the Powderville hostages.

An Open Letter to the Citizens of Ogden Valley
By Dan VanZeben,
Darla Longhurst-VanZeben
Taylor Satterthwaite
Jim Halay
Deja Mitchell
Kathy Dowell
Suzanne Amann
Eden

Community Being Asked to Weigh in on Controversial County Decision on Powder Mountain Development  (note:  this is not a letter to the editor but a cover story written by one of the editors of the Ogden Valley News)

By Shanna Francis

A Bad Deal For Ogden Valley
By Kimbal Wheatley
Huntsville

What Is To Happen To Our Valley
By Larry Zini
Huntsville

Courage Needed To Face Powder Mountain Developer
By Frank Cumberland
Huntsville

A Community Worth Saving
By Laura Warburton
Huntsville

Powdervillains Hold Hostages
By Sharon Holmstrom
Eden

Valley Citizens Should Not Drink the Cool-Aid Offered by Powder Mountain Developers
By Richard C. Webb
Liberty

Unlink Eden Heights development from Powder Mountain MOU
By Steve Clarke
Eden


Don't Sell the Utah Supreme Court Short!
By Sharon Zini
Huntsville

Please Attend County Commission Hearing to Indicate Support Against Powder Mountain Proposal
By Edward A. Adair
Eden

Attend Public Hearing on June 1 - Democracy works best when people participate
By Kirk Langford
Eden

After perusing the twelve letters (probably the most letters the OVN has ever printed in one issue on a particular subject), we were able to break them down into three categories:

• In Favor of the MOU         1
• Against the MOU              10
• Neutral (come together)    1

American Legion Ceremony to honor the Veterans of Ogden Valley

We at the forum would like to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day weekend.  Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.  Please remember our fallen soldiers while out roasting hot dogs in the rain this weekend.


Be sure to make time to visit one of our local cemeteries on Monday to participate in the American Legion's ceremony of honor.

Here is more information on this important event submitted by Clay Poulter

On Monday May 31st. The American Legion Post 129 Ogden Valley will be conducting our annual ceremony to honor the Veterans that are buried in the four cemeteries in the Ogden Valley. Times are as follows:

Liberty @ 9:00 am
Lower Eden @ 9:30 am
Upper Eden @ 10:00 am
Mountain Green @ 11:00 am
Huntsville @ 12:00 pm
Luncheon @ 1:00 pm

OGDEN VALLEY BALLOON FESTIVAL POSTPONED TO 2011

Organizers cite RAMP up time, unfavorable economic conditions & date conflicts

Organizers of the 2010 Ogden Valley Balloon & Artist Festival voted today to postpone the event to mid-August, 2011, citing unfavorable economic conditions, timing with sponsor and grant funding as well as issues with the event dates.


The Board, which consists of community volunteers, had hoped to recruit a dedicated person to solicit corporate sponsors. When that person did not materialize through outreach efforts, Board members felt that the results required from this effort could not realistically be achieved. 2010 Chairperson Gladys Mundelius commented, “We all dedicate hundreds of hours organizing the event, and none of us could take on the additional responsibility.” Timing was also a factor. “The key to raising funds from corporate sponsors and the various entities that offer grants such as the Weber County RAMP tax is to get the fundraising effort started in the fall for the following year. By postponing this year’s event, our Board will be energized to take on this effort come fall. We’re usually exhausted after the August event and need a few months to re-group. That won’t be the case this fall.”

Date conflicts with several Valley and regional events caused delays in organizing efforts but on a very positive note, all the organizations attempting to schedule events tried very hard to work together. “That was great to see” noted Mundelius “We were touched by the efforts our neighbors underwent to try to work through the date conflicts.” By getting an early start for 2011, we can publish our dates well in advance to notify other event organizers.”

The Board is also pursuing teaming up with other Valley organizations to help improve the event and add much needed manpower to the event planning efforts “If all goes as planned, this breather will result in a really fantastic event in 2011 that offers increased community involvement.”

“Our Board of Directors made the fiscally responsible decision. We are a non-profit organization that is fully funded by the support of our sponsors for organizations expenses. We felt the postponement was the only fiscally responsible thing to do. As a non-profit volunteer organization, we simply don’t have the purse to fund the event, which costs in excess of $50,000 to produce.”

For updates on planning for the 2011 Festival, please bookmark www.ogdenvalleyballoonfestival.com and check it periodically.

Helicopters in the Valley Part 2!

UPDATES BELOW

A guest post by Shanna Francis

Friday I spoke to Sean Wilkinson in the Weber County Planning office for an update on the helipad issue at the Red Moose Lodge.

Craig Olsen, owner of Diamond Peaks, for years had been landing his helicopters at Powder Mountain dropping off and picking up heli-skiers.

Apparently he’s had a falling out with Powder Mountain so has been working with Wolf Creek to set up a service from the Red Moose Lodge flying customers to and from skiing the back side of Powder Mountain on private property owned by a family by the name of Jensen.

A couple of weeks ago a cease and desist order was placed on the landing of helicopters at the Red Moose Lodge because such a use requires a Conditional Use Permit from the county. Eric Householder of Wolf Creek has since applied for such a permit, and the issue will come before the Ogden Valley Township Planning Commission on Tuesday night, Feb.23rd at 5:00 p.m. in the Commission chambers in Ogden.

Thus, today when I heard the helicopter buzzing the Valley back and forth all day, I got a hold of Sean Wilkinson at home to check to see if they had obtained some type of special permit to continue flying. He confirmed that they had not.

I went down to the Red Moose Lodge to take some pictures of the helicopter flying, and I was told by Craig Olsen that they had received permits from Commissioner Zogmaister. I was shocked and called her at home to confirm this. I was even more shocked to learn that, indeed, the Commissioners had granted a “temporary permit” for helicopters to land at the Red Moose Lodge; apparently something Commissioners can do—grant temporary permits.

Weber County Ordinance 31-6 states, “The granting of a temporary exception may be made by the County Commission with or without the prior recommendation concerning the same from the Weber County Planning Commission. Such temporary exceptions may be granted upon the County Commission determining that such a temporary exception is justified because of some unusual, emergency, act of God situation and that the health, safety, convenience, order and welfare of the inhabitants of Weber County will not be materially affected, if such temporary exception is granted.”

This ordinance sounds like it was instituted to give the county broader discretion in the rare or unusual instances that an emergency arises; thus, this week a power has been broadly defined by our commissioners to benefit a special interest. By coincidence, Diamond Peaks is the contractor that the county uses for their avalanche control on the divide, and, I think, to help in search and rescue operations.

When I called Commissioner Zogmaister (I couldn’t believe this was true), she confirmed what I had been told, and became very defensive and defended the decision stating (Craig Olsen told me the same thing when I went down to the Red Moose Lodge) that his business had several contracts that they needed to fulfill, and couldn’t wait for the Conditional Use Permit to be approved! He also told Jan that he has been doing the same thing for years—doing drops for heliskiers and had just changed places. However, apparently he didn’t’ tell her, or explain, that he had been doing it on top of Powder Mountain where the amplified sound of the helicopter didn’t reverberate and bounce around the entire Valley. It just so happened that while I was on the phone with Zogmaister, another helicopter came down. I opened up my window and asked her listen. Yes, she heard it, but wasn’t impressed. She told me that the Valley was a recreational community, and, basically, that’s what we were getting! I really was shocked. She then went on to accuse me of being anti-recreational, ignoring the issue at hand. Asking her more questions, she stated that it was Rob Scott’s idea about the temporary permit, which he supported. I asked her why Sean Wilkinson had told me that Wolf Creek hadn’t received a temporary permit to operate the helipad at the Red Moose Lodge. She replied that she guessed he hadn’t been told about it.

I am appalled by this decision by the Commission, and their misuse of power for the benefit of a special interest at the expense of the rest community. I am also appalled by their lack of interest in the issues surrounding helicopters being permitted to zoom back and forth across the Valley. She stated that Diamond Peaks had no other options and he would go out of business. I replied that he has plenty of other options, and even if he didn’t, the business is not above the law and should be held to the same rules and laws as everyone else.

Oh, and the commissioners also pushed the date of the Conditional Use Permit hearing forward. Usually applicants have to wait 60 days instead of a couple of weeks, according to Zogmaister.

If you are concerned with year-round access for helicopters for landing and taking off from the Valley floor, please attend the planning commission meeting Tuesday, and ask all of your friends and neighbors to attend also. Although, I believe our battle will be with the commissioners, NOT the planning commission.

Shanna Francis

UPDATE:  2/15/10 @ 10 PM

CLICK HERE to see the agenda for the Weber County Commission Meeting being held tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m.  See agenda item #7!!!  Guess what’s on the agenda?  Yep, a temporary permit for a helipad at Red Moose Lodge!  Apparently they hadn’t even met on the issue before issuing it????  They were going to vote on it after the fact?????  I’m not sure how this is working.

UPDATE: 2/15/10 @ 10 AM

The Standard Examiner weighed in on the issue as the Weber County Forum Points out this morning.  Stand by for the results of the County Commission which is taking place as we speak. 

From the article, Wolf Creek's Rob Thomas said it best, "Everything we're about up here in this valley is recreation."
We respectfully disagree Mr. Thomas.  The world in Ogden Valley does not simply revolve around Wolf Creek and your exploitation of our valley.  Our valley is about local families!

Event to benefit resort town fight

Don't miss the Festivities this Friday the 13th and be sure to read this Di Lewis masterpiece in its entirety.

By Di Lewis (Standard-Examiner staff )

OGDEN -- Ogden Valley residents are becoming more imaginative in their attempts to defray the costs of fighting the incorporation of Powder Mountain town.

The latest fundraising effort is dinner, a show and a silent auction. Supporters of those who oppose the incorporation of Powder Mountain have organized a $100-a-plate dinner Friday night at Union Station, followed by a Powder Mountain-themed melodrama.

Steve Clarke, an Eden resident not in the proposed town boundaries, said the idea was spurred by requests for help from those within the boundaries who have already personally funded a district court lawsuit.

"They're appealing the case to the state Supreme Court, and having contributed more than $20,000 out of the neighborhood already, they asked for help," he said.

The idea has been in the works since August and has already gotten a lot of support from people all around the valley and Weber County. Clarke said more than a third of those who bought tickets actually can't attend, so they redonated the tickets to be sold again.

Residents will meet their goal of having enough money to take the case to the Utah Supreme Court and to lobby the Legislature next year, said Kim Wheatley, a resident near Huntsville.
People are so willing to donate and help because, once people understand what is happening, the story resonates with them, Wheatley said.

"Residents are so grateful and impressed by the people who have rallied to us and supported our cause," said Darla VanZeben, a resident within the proposed town's boundaries.

Clarke said the town's incorporation is becoming a larger and larger issue with people beyond the proposed boundaries, because they feel it is unjust and because they are worried about development issues affecting the valley.

"It's an egregious display of uncitizenlike behavior to try to override the will of the citizens and the law of the government," he said.

Donations may be made or tickets purchased from Chelse Maughan at (801) 745-4627 or chelse21@hotmail.com, or from Valley Market and Eden Coffee and Cocoa.

The Standard Takes Two Steps Forward and Twenty Steps Back and An Update on the Horse Theft

Just when the local rag, aka The Standard Examiner, had made such strides on the Powderville saga, we read this morning's piece of literary trash entitled "Proposed To Lead Powder Mountain Town."

One of our humble Powderville residents offered this heads up by email:

Has everyone seen the front page of the Standard Examiner today? There is a completely pro-Powder Mountain article. It seems as if it was written by the Exoro group themselves (PM's PR firm.) John (name changed to protect the innocent) is so angry he called up and cancelled our subscription to the paper. He says we should post a call for everyone to cancel their SE subscriptions for siding with the blatant violation of our rights. We are the ones getting screwed, not PM.

We agree with our humble reader. After the Standard Editorial board had made such great strides with two fabulous editorials, they allow staff writer Di Lewis to publish this. We guess they are taking a page out of Fox News' 'fair and balanced' book?

There are some humorous quotes that must be highlighted.

“I live right on Powder Mountain Road. I’m going to be one of the ones most affected by traffic and development, and I want to be in control of that,” said Lavar Lowther, a town council nominee. “I think the development is going to go ahead whether it’s through a town or a county, and I think the best way is to have the local people control what’s going on rather than people that don’t live in the valley and have no real concern for what’s going on up here.”

Local people who are in Powderville's hip pocket? Or members of one family? Can you say nepotism?

Jamie Lythgoe, another potential council member, believes her experience and background with Powder Mountain would be an asset to the town, although it has also raised questions about a conflict of interest.

Much of the controversy surrounding Lythgoe stems from her family ties to Powder Mountain and her former position on the Ogden Valley Planning Commission.

She does not foresee any problems with a conflict of interest. “I don’t think anyone has a hidden agenda.”

Hasn't her agenda already been executed? She got on the Planning commission during the rezone petition and as that avenue played out, she acted as a mole for the Powdervillians through their rezone petition. AGENDA COMPLETE!

[Alvin] Cobabe, the proposed mayor, said he wants to do what is best for the community, and the Powder Mountain resort has provided a good place for recreation. He said the resort cannot survive on only ticket sales, especially if old ski lifts are to be replaced. “I’ve liked Powder Mountain. I still like it. I like the community,” he said. “And as far as I’m concerned, I’d do what’s fair and best for all concerned. That’s the only reason I’d take the job.”

If he likes the community, why be a part of an unconstitutional process and taking of his neighbor's rights?

Although some are afraid the council will ignore viewpoints that do not support development, Lowther said he would listen to everyone. “I do have concerns about what’s going on up there,” he said. “It’s not like I’m 100 percent in their pocket. I think I can look very objectively at the issues and take into consideration the feelings of the people that are not for, or are ambivalent about, the development.”

If you are not 100 percent in their pocket, just how much are you in their pocket, Mr. Lowther?

Season tickets are now on sale and we say put your money where your mouth is. Snow Basin and Wolf Mountain both have easy access and would love to sell your family a season pass.


Regarding the Horse theft last week, be sure to read the update from Lori. If you are unable to open the link, simply scroll down to the Horse Theft post and click on the Click to Comment link.

Long Road Out Of Eden

It is a slow news day as we prepare for the Tuesday County commission meeting (once again the agenda is not posted on the county's web site), so we will post one of our favorites we have been saving for a few months.

The cover photo may resemble the Sahara desert, but we think it is a computer enhanced view of Geertsen a few years after our greed monger Powderville Perpetrators have created their two championship golf courses, leaving our high mountain desert valley desolate and baron.

Certainly Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Timothy B. Schmit wrote this incredible song with our Powderville Perps in mind. Yes, it is a long road out of Eden, but don't let the door hit you in the backside as you leave town, Mr. Arnold, Daniels and friends!

Be sure to read Kimbal Wheatley's latest incredulous post below and see you Tuesday morning at the Weber County Commission chambers as the mystery Powderville Mayor and Town Council will be revealed.