Bargaining For Powder Mountain

Humble reader "Kyle" recently requested that we post Bruce Grandin's December 1, 2009 letter to the Ogden Valley News.

Here is an excerpt of Kyle's email request:

Did anyone see the comment by Bruce Grandin in the "Letters to the Editor" in the latest Ogden Valley News(paper)? He advocates reading a book that talks about the Snowbasin/2002 Olympics development. I think Bruce has an excellent point. Learn from what has happened (in Ogden Valley) in the past, take advantage of the lessons learned, and use the current "fight" to our advantage. I have not read the book but I personally know Bruce (and I suspect many of you do to). He is not an idiot (or a Zealot). He didn't come right out and say it but I'm thinking one of the points of the letter is something along the lines of instead of fighting and name calling (gee, heard this lately), talk, listen and understand each others needs (kinda like relationships eh?). Use cooperation (and mutual respect) to benefit everyone who lives here.


I'm heading to the Huntsville library to see of they have it. Thanks for the opinion Bruce.


Kyle

Thanks for the input Kyle. 

The following is a letter to the editor published in the December 1, 2009 issue of the Ogden Valley News.

Anyone who cares about Ogden Valley should read "Bargaining for Eden" by Stephen Trimble.  It's a fantastic story on how Snowbasin was developed just in time for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

After 12 years of extreme opposition and controversy, the mountain was changed forever.  The Olympics have come and gone.  Skiing in Utah is no longer a secret and the Beehive state was left with the crown jewel of a ski resort.  Earl Holding really did a nice job with the mountain and many people think of Snowbasin as a local treasure.  Only time will tell if it is sustainable.

Now we have another battle going on with Powder Mountain.  Were any lesson(s) learned from Snowbasin?  Steve Trimble sums it up best in the final paragraph of his book.

"We call it a paradise, this land of ours.  We call it home.  Like our nation, the West is in the middle of its arc.  We must remain both vigilant and tender if we wish to preserve its authenticity.  We can do this.  We are not yet too old, too greedy, or too cynical to take wise action together."

Wouldn't it be great if the owners of Powder Mountain, the Weber County Planning Commission, and the local community understood each other's needs and Ogden Valley ended up with another crown jewel?

Please read the book.

Bruce Grandin
Eden

We also believe "Bargaining For Eden" is a fantastic read and tout it in our left column.

What say ye Ogden Valley?

It is your turn to opine. 

DENIED!!! County Commissioners send Powder Mountain Down the Trail

UPDATE BELOW


The County Commission sent Powder Mountain packin' today and we have promoted this Ron Gleason comment to the front page.


I will try to write a more complete report later but the County Commissioners took the correct action without even breaking a sweat or blinking twice! They denied this request, offered some good ideas on how PM, pathways, citizens, and the county can work make the situation work for everyone and IMO the best part of today they got PM to admit that they did not get a required permit and they have to work with county engineering on restoration and other actions to correct, if possible, damage done.

More later,

Ron Gleason
Huntsville, UT

UPDATE 12/16/09 @ 0700 AM

The Standard weighs in this morning with more details on yesterday's meeting.

 Wolf Canyon Trail to stay open all year / Ski resort's request to restrict access denied

And don't miss last night's report from the Weber County Forum.

Powder Mountain Wants To Restrict The Wolf Creek Trail - Weber County Commission Public Hearing Tuesday

Powder Mountain is at it again and is now requesting that the infamous Wolf Creek Trail be closed during the winter for "Avalanche control" and maybe a "ski tour."  Supposedly there is a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday morning.

From the Standard,

“They are requesting that, during the wintertime, they rescind the public rights because there is some avalanche control that needs to take place there. Plus, it may interfere with other uses, such as a ski tour,” he said (Curtis Christensen, Weber County Engineer).

At 10:30 am this morning (Monday), less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled Weber County Commission meeting, the agenda is still not posted on the County's web site.  By state law, open meetings are required to be posted at least 24 hours in advance and the County's web site states that the agenda will be posted the Friday before the Tuesday meeting.  Late posting is a continual occurrence it seems.


Most Commission meetings are held Tuesday mornings (unless otherwise publicly noticed) at 10:00 a.m. in the County Commission Chambers, 2380 Washington Boulevard, Ogden.

If you'd like to verify the exact time of Tuesday's meeting, call the Weber County Commission office at (801) 399-8406.  While you are at it ask why this important meeting is not posted.

We will refer you to an excellent overview complete with links to yesterday's Standard article at the Weber County Forum.

The Powder Mountain Debate Rages On

The Powder Mountain issue rages on this morning with a new article in the Standard. 

Time is running short this Black Friday, so we will link you to a rundown on the topic By Curmudgeon over at the Weber County Forum. 

Don't miss it and Happy Black Friday!!

Fund Raiser hits Bulls eye!

Packed House!

Photo by Bill Singleton

The Citizen’s Rights Fund Raiser on November 13, 2009 was a resounding success and acheived all of the intended goals. The legal fund chest is full and the Citizen’s Rights Group is prepared for the next step in the legal process.

The success of the fund raiser was due to both the diligent work by all involved in the project and the generosity of our Northern Utah neighbors. Brisk ticket sales along with a silent auction and generous donations, made this effort worthwhile.

We wish to remind you to add your name to the online Petition that will be sent to the Utah State Legislature after the legislative session begins. It is important that we show the support we have from our residents. Any resident in Utah can sign the petition, so reach out to family and friends throughout the state and ask them to sign.

On this page of the blog, find the Peitition counter and click on it. Make sure to add your zip code as well.

The Petition In Support of Powderville Victims: An Update

It is a busy news day in Ogden Valley so don't miss our three new postings.

In three short days, Ogden Valley residents have spoken loud and clear as nearly 100 residents have already signed the petition drafted to the Utah Legislature.

This morning's Weber County Forum has an excellent post about the issue and we expect the numbers to go up significantly today.

Be sure to check out:

Powder Mountain Update: A New Citizen Petition

Power outage scheduled for Ogden Valley on Saturday

Ogden Valley residents likely received a postcard from Rocky Mountain Power informing them of a Valley wide power outage scheduled for this Saturday Morning.

Today's Standard provides us with even more details:

Power outage scheduled for Ogden Valley on Saturday

David Eskelsen, a Rocky Mountain Power spokesman, said the blackout is scheduled to last from around 7 a.m. until about 1 p.m. while crews replace a transmission pole just west of The Oaks restaurant at 750 Ogden Canyon Road (S.R. 39). The road will be closed beginning at 5 a.m. while a crane is assembled for the job, and should reopen by 3 p.m.

Utah Highway Patrol troopers and the Utah Department of Transportation will assist in the road closure. Electronic message boards will be stationed at Mile Markers 8.6 and 13.8 to alert motorists and canyon residents of the impending closure.

During the closure, Ogden Valley destinations will be accessible from S.R. 167 and the Trappers Loop Highway, via Interstate 84 at Exit 92 in Weber Canyon, according to UDOT spokesman Vic Saunders.

The power outage and road closure are subject to the weather, Eskelsen said.

With the current chilly temperatures, keeping your perishables cool should not be an issue.

This morning's Standard has a cover story about Huntsville's new recycling program.

Click the link below to read the article in its entirety:

Huntsville a pioneer in Ogden Valley Recycling

From the article:

Recycling has come to Ogden Valley, with Huntsville leading the way.
The town began its mandatory recycling program with the first pickup Nov. 2.
Huntsville joins most other incorporated Weber County cities in bringing recycling to residents.

For the most part, the idea of recycling was welcomed by residents, said Councilman Richard Sorensen.

"The biggest objection was that it had to be mandatory," he said. "Our provider required that it had to be mandatory to be cost-effective for him. That was a big hurdle, because we don't like to put mandates on anyone."

The extra $4 a month to those on fixed incomes was also a concern, Sorensen said, but the majority of town residents supported recycling, and it was passed Sept. 3.

Sorensen said no one spoke in opposition to a recycling program at a public hearing. More than 50 percent of residents returned a survey about the program, with 85 percent of respondents supporting the program.

Town officials hope to save money in landfill tipping fees, Sorensen said. If enough money is saved, he said, those savings would be passed on to the residents and the fee would be reduced.

Be the first to sign the petition

A petition to the members of the Utah Legislature regarding proposed legislation to help the Powderville victims has been created and was unveiled during last evenings fund raiser.

Click the Signature counter button below to sign our online version.




The button will also reside on the right sidebar column near the top.

BE SURE TO SHARE THIS PETITION WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW and have all who are over 18 sign it.

Ogden Valley Powderville Fundraiser is a resounding success!

A guest Post by Kimball Wheatley

Congratulations all around!

* To everyone who set up the room, the stage, the sound, the tables decoration, etc…outstanding; it looked like the work of pros.

* To everyone involved in making the play and entertainment happen…wonderful!; it was top drawer and pleased our audience.

* To everyone who badgered everyone they knew to buy tickets…wow!

* To everyone who communicated our message, from the video to the playbill…outstanding.

* To everyone who made it all happen at show time…again, the work of pros.

* To everyone else who worked more behind the scenes…it wouldn’t have been this great without you.

* And to the many I know I missed because I don’t even know what you did…sorry, and thanks to you too.

This was an outstanding community effort. Gage Froerer said to me as he was leaving “this is democracy in action…grassroots politics at its very best.” He is even more energized because our show of solidarity pumped up his political will and muscle. And think of these other objectives we nailed:

* The war chest is no longer empty.

* Knowledge about the cause has expanded dramatically, and support along with it.

* The PERPS now know that the people of Powderville are not in this alone and their scheme is in more trouble than they thought.

* And everyone had a good time.

I am proud and I know you all are too. But perhaps best of all, the fabric of our Ogden Valley Community is more tightly woven and a bit brighter because of our efforts.

Kim

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.

Huntsville Town

ELECTION RESULTS

2009

MAYOR

Mayor--Jim Truett 245 votes

COUNCIL

Richard Sorensen 142 votes

Alan Clapperton 140 votes

Doug Allen 117 votes

Mike Engstrom 102 votes

Congratulations to all candidates!