Guest Rant By "Born To Be Free"

This rant was tucked away today as a comment under our August 6, 2009 post entitled:

Stop Powder Mountain Town Sign Thefts

With the 2010 Legislative session opening this Monday, we thought this would be a perfect preamble:


By Born To Be Free

I'm shocked at some of these comments.

First, there was no 'loophole' that granted the developers the right to form Powder Mountain Town. It was a very well devised scheme between the developers and willing Utah politicians who in the shadow of the night wrote a law that allowed for the development. Once the 'good' people of the legislator figured out what they had voted in, they voted it out just as fast. It was a scam, pure and simple.

Second, there is nothing selfish about people standing up for their constitutional rights that were tromped on by scheming individuals. Get your facts straight before you start calling people names.

Third, spare me your "I've lived here longer than the hills" speech. I'm sick of it. Guess what? I live here too. I have land just like you.

Fourth, those people who were swallowed up by Powder Mountain Town are mostly in a demographic that generally does not need to steal tickets, or jump on the lifts for free, or any other silly things you accused them of doing.

I was at the meeting where the representatives of PM requested permission after the fact to close down the public trail so they could open it for private tours. Over and over again, PM employees testified that people used the mountain without paying. It sounds to me like their employees aren't doing a very good job. Maybe they just need more employees? If someone can get on a lift without a pass and the employees are selling discounted tickets in the parking lot, who's fault is that? Come on!

And finally, leave Jim Halay out of your childish rant. Mr. Halay is a good man. He lives here, works here, and loves the land. He has integrity.

Soon this will be finished…..and the people of Powder Mountain Town will be free.

Any comments Ogden Valley???

Jenkins for Senate majority leader

Today's Standard has an excellent editorial endorsing Senate Majority Whip Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, as the new Senate majority leader, replacing former Sen. Sheldon Killpack, who resigned Saturday after being arrested for driving under the influence.

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  OUR VIEW: Jenkins for Senate majority leader

  
  

We couldn't agree more.  From the editorial,

There are three solid reasons for elevating Jenkins to Senate majority leader:
* First, it would be a deserved promotion for a legislator who has done an admirable job as majority whip.
* Second, it would preserve a top legislative leadership slot for the Top of Utah. With an effective, qualified choice such as Jenkins, there's no reason to move that slot to a southern legislator.
* Finally, Bramble was replaced as majority leader because he represented a distasteful style of legislative leadership that we hope can be phased out of Utah politics. Whether it's unapologetically soaking up lobbyist perks or intimidating pizza delivery workers, we need leaders who are cognizant that they are public servants.
Jenkins is the right choice, period.

Over the years we at the forum have weighed in on Bramble and agree with the Standard's reasoning for supporting Jenkins over Bramble.  Bramble would take the predominant Republican party back to the same old stuff.

POWDER MOUNTAIN PROTEST REDUX

It was two years ago that a feisty group of Ogden Valley citizens made television and other media news when they picketed the road up to Powder Mountain.

They carried signs that gave a clear message about the unconstitutional effort by Powder Mountain to force many homeowners into the proposed town boundaries without their vote, and deny them the vote to choose the town leadership.

This morning, those pickets were BAAAAACCCCCCK.

We ask all residents of Utah that read this to contact your State Representative and State Senator. Encourage them to support Gage Froerer's (HB 218) and Alan Christensen's (SB 34) bills in the upcoming legislative session that will allow the homeowners to vote to disincorporate immediately if the town incorporation is finalized. This would prevent the owners of Powder Mountain from forming their own town council and planning commission, and from changing the zoning for the area without the input from the Weber County Commission.

Representative Froerer Seeking Input

Representative Gage Froerer is sponsoring legislation again this year that will allow the citizens impacted by the Powder Mountain incorporation the right to vote for or against the incorporation without waiting two years.   

Representative Froerer is also seeking input from his constituents on a variety of issues including the Powderville debacle and he wants to know, "Would you support or oppose this legislation?"

As the Fair and Balanced media source of Ogden Valley, we want our humble readers to be sure to let Gage know your feelings.  Click the link below to answer his brief survey.

Utah Republican Party

Dear Neighbor,   In order to best represent you, as your elected representative, I need your input. Please visit www.utgop.org/froerer and complete a survey to help me learn how you feel on current issues facing the state. Your comments and ideas will be extremely helpful to me in the coming months as I serve you in the 2010 legislative session.   Please pay particular attention to the "Your Comments" section so I may be better informed on the specific issues that are important to you. Please also join me at a town meeting on Thursday, January 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Huntsville City Library. Thanks for your participation! Sincerely, Gage Froerer District 8 Representative Please visit www.utgop.org/froerer to complete this important survey

A Guest Post For You To Savor Over A Morning Cup Of Joe - More Bullying Powder Mountain Style

By Java Girl

Here we are at the 2nd anniversary of the "Dear Neighbor" letter and the start of the whole Powder Mountain fiasco....

We heard recently that a Powder Mountain employee showed up to work with a white coffee cup in their hand and was immediately chastised by their superior for buying coffee from the local shop. The supervisor made it clear that they don't want to see that specific type of coffee cup on the mountain ever. To protect the employee from further trouble, we won't mention names.

When will Powder Mountain's bullying end?
This is corporate fascism at it's worst.

Seems to us that Powder Mountain's bullying is so intolerable, that even the snow is boycotting them!

Huntsville Ice Rink Open

By Richard Sorensen

Huntsville Town Council

I failed to get this info into the latest issue of the Ogden Valley News but want to spread the word that the Huntsville Ice Rink is up and running.

Please spread the word to your Ogden Valley friends and family.

Happy New Year.

The Ice Rink Is Open   

Conditions are improving daily as more layers of ice are added.  We will try to update the town website every couple of days with the latest ice conditions.

Visit www.HuntsvilleTown.com

Ice Skate Rentals:

This year we will be offering  rentals thanks to the Weber Ice Sheet generously donating their old rental skates...

• Skates are available at Texas Pride Barbecue during their normal business hours.  The price will be $2 to help cover Texas Prides costs.  To speed things up, visit www.HuntsvilleTown.com, print out and complete a release of liability and take it to Texas Pride.  Be sure to take a deposit in the form of a Drivers license, credit card or lots of cash.
• Not all sizes are available but we have supplied Texas Pride with at least one pair of each available size.  We have skates in most kids sizes, but have fewer choices above about a size 9 figure skate.  However, we do have hockey skates in the larger sizes.
• Thanks to Texas Pride Barbecue for helping to make the skates available.
  

Group Skating

We will also try to accommodate groups with skate rentals.  Let us know if you would like to have a skate night or day for your youth, family or school group and we will arrange to have skates available for a night of fun.  Contact Richard@HuntsvilleTown.com if you would like to arrange a skate night or day for your group.

Merry Christmas To All

The Season is upon us and we ran across a truly unique and inspiring story that involves annual Christmas traditions in our Valley.

Click here to read about one young family who makes the annual trip to the Huntsville Monastery to visit a lifelong friend.

Merry Christmas to All!

Powder Mountain Ski Resort Boycott - Now is the time!!

With Prime time of the ski season rapidly approaching, the week or so from Christmas through New Years, the time is right for Utah residents (and the rest of the world) to show their displeasure of the numerous antics of the Powder Mountain owners and management team.   A dent in their pocket book may be the only way to show the greedy developers our displeasure.

A boycott is certainly not a new idea as we promoted one in July when season ticket sales were kicked off.  Our intel informs us that season ticket sales are substantially down over last year.  In February 2008, a boycott was also kicked off garnering significant support and media attention.

More recently, a lower key, word of mouth boycott has been initiated and we feel it is time to get the word out to the masses.

Our once family and locals friendly Powder Mountain has gone the way of bottom line corporate greed.  Every step of the way, Powder Mountain continues to snub their nose at residents, neighbors and even employees.  They have lost dozens of long term veterans on their employee and volunteer staff, some with over 30 years of service.  Some were fired while others resigned in protest.

The snubbing of Ogden Valley began in 2007 when the new owners/developers (more affectionately known as the "PERPS") made extensive rezone and density requests from the Ogden Valley Planning Commission.  Ultimately, the request was approved with several contingencies, but that was not good enough for the PERPS.

The PERPS objected to the contingencies and filed for Incorporation in early 2008 under the flawed HB466 - a law that was only on the books of the State of Utah for one year.

They have continued down the road of forcing residents into their company town and the case has now been appealed to the Utah State Supreme Court.  The overwhelming majority of the "forced" residents of Powder Mountain Town (Powderville) oppose the incorporation and feel their Constitutional rights are being violated.

In January 2009, the PERPS vigorously and successfully lobbied against a proposed bill that would have allowed residents of a town incorporated under HB466 the ability to file for immediate disincorporation.  A similar bill is being proposed for the upcoming legislative session and the PERPS will certainly vigorously fight the bill once again.

More recently, Powder Mountain requested that a public access trail be closed during the winter months so Powder Mountain could offer high dollar back county tours while keeping the non paying riff raff out.  They made the request AFTER bull dozing the once narrow trail and without requesting or receiving the necessary permits.  It is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission seems to be Powder Mountain's motto.


Ogden Valley has a lot to offer winter skiing enthusiasts and we highly recommend SnowBasin and Wolf Creek Utah.

Supporting Powder Mountain at the ticket window helps fund the PERPS Corpo-Fascist regime. 

We say THE BOYCOTT OF POWDER MOUNTAIN IS ON!

Keeping trail open right call

By Pistol Pete,

The editorial page in today's Standard Examiner hits it right on the button. There appears to be no end to the recklessness that Powder Mountain will employ to take away the freedom of other citizens. They also have violated Weber County permit rules along the way.

These clowns belong in the Circus, not in Weber County.

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.