Davis County Watch: Citizenship

Commission to table the tax increase

2006-12-14T07:41:00.000-08:00

I made it to the Public Meeting last night. I was able to arrange for the Scouting activity that night to be the meeting. I spoke, and so did about fifteen others. Most were Seniors and most opposed the tax increase because it would place a burden on them.

The Commission tabled the vote on the budget. They said they wanted to think about it.

That may be half of a victory. The fact still remains that they seemed to be very much in favor of the tax, and they may just vote it in in the next commission meeting when they don't have an audience.

Thanks to the citizens who came! This would have breezed by without the dissent.

More about the meeting can be found in the Deseret News and Standard Examiner.

Update: One more article in the Salt Lake Tribune with more comments of the public.

The Special interests Modality

2006-12-08T15:49:00.000-08:00

A call to a more vigilant citizenry.

"Special interest, as the history of tariffs reminds us, can think of the most ingenious reasons why they should be the objects of special solicitude. Their spokesmen present a plan in their favor; and it seems at first so absurd that disinterested writers do not trouble to expose it. But the special interests keep on insisting on the scheme. Its enactment would make so much difference to their own immediate welfare that they can afford to hire trained economists and "public relations experts" to propagate it in their behalf. The public hears the argument so often repeated, and accompanied by such a wealth of imposing statistics, charts, curves, and pie-slices, that it is soon taken in. When at last disinterested writers recognize that the danger of the scheme's enactment is real, they are usually too late. They cannot in a few weeks acquaint themselves with the subject as thoroughly as the hired brains who have been devoting their full time to it for years; they are accused of being uninformed, and they have the air of men who presume to dispute axioms."

--Henry Hazlitt, 1946

Utah Policy: Not all things to all "political junkies"

2006-12-07T11:10:00.000-08:00

Anyone that is considered a "political junkie", and that lives in Davis County, should realize that not all local issues figure into the calculus of those that publish Utah Policy.com. Just like any subjective media, they get their pet issues, and run with them.

For example, I almost never get a mention on Utah Policy--Blog Watch. I'm not hurt by it, but I have paid attention to the fact that Davis County has been all over the two largest papers in the State, with two School District controversies going on simultaneously, and yet we haven't heard a peep from Utah Policy.

I should give some background, as much as I know. The Exoro group actually runs Utah Policy.com. They are a group of political consultants whose main objective is to market themselves as "communicators". In fact, they tout their ability to "...help anyone become an effective communicator."

So, if you're a blogger, and want a mention on Utah Policy, then your objective will be to pickup one of those pet issues that Utah Policy is currently running, and blog it to death.

Blog the issue until it's dead in the ground and then blog about it some more. Utah Policy will love you!

I should mention that writing about dead issues is something for which bloggers always get high marks.

Standard Examiner:Davis boundaries, reloaded

2006-11-27T22:19:00.000-08:00

The Standard Examiner hopes that the School Board will truly display some transparency in its boundary decisions.

"For that reason, we hope the Bountiful parents who filed suit over the closed meetings do not yet drop their legal action. Obtaining a judge's ruling in favor of the open-meetings requirement will force Davis education officials to debate this and future boundary adjustments in the open."

In other words, don't stop punching until the board says 'Uncle!'

Davis boundaries, reloaded

Thanksgiving: A week in review

2006-11-25T22:07:00.000-08:00

We've had quite a bit going on this week, so I'd like to take a moment and review what has past.

Davis Lawsuit

The Davis County School District floated the idea earlier this week that the continuing lawsuit could lead to even less transparency than before.

Of course, it did.

By paying a consultant to evaluate the situation, it's anyones guess what this single individual will decide. When is the District going to involve parents?

I'm worried this lawsuit won't go away.

Charter Schools -Yea, or Nay

The Deseret News has suggested that lawmakers show restraint in the creation of new Charter Schools. A 200 page report put out by the Utah Education Policy Center suggests that this is the consensus of most parents.

Land Dispute

SL County has backed SL City in the ongoing lawsuit with North Salt Lake.

No Surprise.

Fraud in Davis County-Not a good month for the School District

Two former Davis County Employees (actually, there is another minor player) are indicted for allegedly defrauding the School District out of $4 Million dollars in five years. They likely have been doing this for 21 years, but won't be prosecuted for it. Who knows how much has been stolen in two decades?

A poorly worded post of mine prompted the suggestion that I would support continued felonious activities to be enacted upon the school district, and that I am a public school critic. This may suggest that I am anti-public school.

I, merely, intended to point out that the School District were given shoddy books at grossly inflated prices, not that we should continue to purchase "crummy" books and have someone pocket the money. I would recommend that the District take special care to implement better auditing and that it should be possible to spend much less and get much more.

As to the label, 'public school critic'. I prefer to be called a school critic. If my not being anti-private school equates me with being anti-public school, then I could be labeled as such. However, I think you can appreciate the benefits of both systems.

I do.

Is it too soon for a blogger, such as myself, to talk about reforms that could be enacted to prevent future criminal acts?

Frankly, no, but am I capitalizing on this news to make my point?

Yes. When I make 4 million dollars from 'proving my points', then talk to me about my ethics. I intend to continue drawing lessons out of situations that I encounter--good and bad.

The best policy: School boundary panel should operate in open

2006-11-21T09:51:00.000-08:00

The Tribune editorial board has weighed in against the Davis County School District asking for more transparency. My favorite quote is this.

"The district counters that the 39 committee members included parents and that there had been ample opportunity for them to have their say."

My first chortle of the day.

SL County to vote on open space

2006-11-21T09:40:00.000-08:00

SL County intends on backing SL Cities decision to zone NSL's 80 acres of land as open space. They make that stance official in a vote today.

Davis School District takes off the gloves.

2006-11-20T16:48:00.000-08:00

Davis School District officials now contend that a ruling against them in an up-coming lawsuit could lead to even less transparency. Let me say that again; School district officials are arguing that the District will have to become more secretive if they don't get their way.

Fear, uncertainty, doubt?

Other school districts in Utah, including Jordan, have almost every meeting open to the public.

It looks like the coalition of parents bringing this lawsuit deserve a win.

School official: Ruling against Davis' closed door may stifle; others say no

Centerville wants to widen Main Street

2006-11-17T08:56:00.000-08:00

WP, who posts at the Centerville Citizen blog, is helping to form the Main Street Property Owners Association to fight the widening of Main Street.

Main Street in Centerville.

Davis Parents sue School Board

2006-11-15T14:38:00.000-08:00

A group of Davis Parents have sued the County School board for convening six closed door meetings surrounding a proposed boundary change. The board says the meetings were not of a 'public body', and so can be closed.

This lawsuit should clarify whether a 'special committee' is considered a 'public body', or not.

Davis Parents sue District

The Clipper is an 'inspired' work?

2006-09-23T01:11:00.000-07:00

I realize that my previous post is quite heavy in content. So, I wanted to post something more succinct from the same event that may tickle your interest in reading, or listening, further.

If you fast forward the audio linked to in my previous post to 2:06:55, you'll get to hear Tom Hardy, Bountiful's City Manager, elevate the Davis County Clipper to the status of a 'Standard Work', along with the Bible, Book of Mormon, et. al.

Hardy said, "We do not include the Ogden Standard as part of the inspired works".

Well, I wonder what the Standard Examiner readership might say to that?

Ann Hardy questions Citizens for Tax Fairness

2006-09-23T00:16:00.000-07:00

Political Subdivisions Interim Committee--September 20th, 2006

I'll post a section of the discussion from a meeting at a State Legislature Committee meeting. The entire audio can be heard here.

The topic of discussion was "Using Public Funds to Promote Political Issues", specifically, centered on the Rec Center fiasco of a couple of years ago.

It begins 1:39:20 into the discussion with a question posed to Ronald Mortensen who was testifying in front of the committee.

Ann Hardy:
I would like to ask you how you think it's fair to taxpayers, for the last two years, for you to have taken up the time of taxpayer paid, elected officials-both County Commissioners, the County Clerk, five Mayors, City Council Members, the Attorney General, and now bring it to the Legislature. If you added that up I would guess it's probably thousands of dollars of taxpayer money that's been involved in this and I want to know how you feel that that's being fair to taxpayers?

Ronald Mortensen:
I think it's fair for a citizen to exercise their right to participate in the system. I don't think that we're...if we're doing that than nobody should become involved. Or, if we're going to put a dollar value on every time we talk to somebody, or, ask a Legislator to do something. And, I think that the system is enhanced if there is a challenge. We do challenge things! We question, why is this tax going to this? Why is this tax rate like this? Why are we building this? Why should we be doing this? And, there's different, divergent, points of view on it. It's not a uniform, or a monolithic
government where government is all-knowing and government is all-right. If you don't have public discourse in the process then you are going to have abuse of the system, you are going to have corruption come into the system. And you have...There are different groups out there that have voices. And, all we're doing is we're giving a certain voice to a certain area of concern, and I hope that we're not saying that we are going to be denied the opportunity to do that because it inopportunes public officials?

Ann Hardy: Could I make a comment?

Walker: You bet!

Ann Hardy: That wasn't really my point. My point was obviously you have that right, and any citizen has that right, but at some point you have to recognize the fact, especially after the Attorney General has ruled in the manner that he did, or one of his staff, that maybe you need to move on to another issue.

Ronald Mortensen: Well, I think you could say that. I think, though, if you look at the way the Attorney General--if you go to court and you get a...and there is a decision made in a court. You have the right to appeal that decision if you think that a mistake was made on an issue of law or, on an issue of the facts. And, that's all we're doing in this situation it's not--We just asked the Attorney General to take another look at it. Did you overlook something? And uh...and that's all we asked on this issue on it. So, I don't see that there's anything wrong with doing that. And like I say, I've been gone for two months, so I'm not badgering people every day when I'm sitting in Beirut. I'm not uh, not uh, as I guess I've been portrayed as badgering public officials.

I could have gone on beyond this, but I think this, alone, speaks volumes.

A Letter to the Past: September 2, 2001

2006-09-18T23:49:00.000-07:00

September 2, 2006

Friend,

If this letter has reached you then you can be sure that I have reached the destination that we discussed previously. Having made it thus far I can tell you that your journey may not be easy, as we once thought. And, what is worse, you may have to tread it alone. I will, however, attempt to give you hints as to what awaits you.

Several days travel for you, from now, lies a place where a great battle commenced. Many people died, and many heros were proven on that ground. Though you may think it best to not journey there, I would beg of you, for all of our sakes, that you go. Who knows but that you may prove to be one of those hero's. Or, if not, we cannot say whether your words will be the last that another hears. We must not rob those, lost to us now, of such a moment. One day yours may be our cause to fight on another field. For all that may occur, it is best that you go forward. For, as has been eloquently said by another, "they purpose not their deaths when they propose their services."(Henry V, 4.1.147)¹

It was not long after that some did first question the motives of those who stood to protect that ground, but it is my hope that your voice will not add to that company. If it had been an inside job, it would have to be one that was planned long before. Not months, as has been said.

Who can say how many were involved in such a dastardly plot to take so many lives. Is it thousands? We still don't know. More plans have been made to harm us by others. Which is why we continue the battle even today. May you, one day, make it here to battle with us. Not against us as is wont to happen in war.

Whatever may happen there for you, it is my hope that we will meet, again, soon. Remember the words that bore us on, through difficult times, in past battles.

Far-called, our navies melt away;

On dune and headland sinks the fire:

Lo, all our pomp of yesterday

Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!

Judge of the Nations, spare us yet.

Lest we forget - lest we forget!²

Sincerly,

Your Friend

Petition to End Women's Suffrage

2006-09-18T23:41:00.000-07:00

Who wants to end the suffrage of women everywhere?

Youtube: End Womens Suffrage

Please!
Learn to read.
Then read,
and read some more.

Republican Blog: Top Ten

2006-09-18T23:07:00.000-07:00

It appears the news is out that I am a registered Republican. I can't believe that I never let that fact slip out before, but I can appreciate the disappointment that it must be to those who thought that I was a liberal. The request was made in comment to my last post that I change the name of this blog to "Republican Davis County Watch". Just for fun, I'd like to discuss the possible implications of the proposed change in the following way.

The top ten reasons to change the name of this blog to "Republican Davis County Watch".

10) People who might otherwise agree with me will begin to see my true nature as the 'spawn of evil'.
9) As no Democrats ever get elected in Davis County, this will eliminate any illusion that they are in power.
8) To prevent any confusion between this and the "Green Party Davis County Watch".
7) Have you ever compared a Republican Watch with the generic version? Try it now, and you'll wonder how you ever told time without a minute hand!
6) Because, maybe I will get to vote in the Primary and my blog will get a vote too.
5) One day, when I forget my ID when voting, I can say, "But, I run 'Republican Davis County Watch'".
4) 'http://www.daviscountywatch.blogspot.com' just isn't long enough!
3) Because, everybody's doing it.
2) Because Karl Rove said so.
1) Because this blog is a fiscally responsible, conservative, and carries a gun!

Litmus test for Delegates: Caught in the Middle

2006-09-18T22:58:00.000-07:00

A similar situation to the caucuses written about in this Salt Lake Tribune article happened at my caucus on Tuesday night. I was the only nominee, that would vote for a Candidate that would support Tuition Vouchers.

It's not fun to be a dissenting voice. I was not selected as a State Delegate.

It's hard to be alone in an opinion when conspiracy theories abound. The group is wondering, 'Why is he so disagreeable?' 'Who is putting him up to this?' 'Who is funding his Candidates Campaign?'

I'm turning red from all the attention and asking myself, What is their angle? What are they worried about? They won't take my word for it that my Candidate is running on whole list of issues, and that Tuition vouchers have not come up.

They want someone without an agenda, but they have an agenda. Are the cacophony of voices just one voice-echoing, or many?

What could I have lost, if anything, in refusing to elect a candidate that didn't pass their test? Why did I stand my ground on something that is so small an issue? I suspect that something else was at stake besides school funds. Something of greater importance pressed me to resist. There is a fundamental problem in proposing a litmus test when the decision revolves around a persons character. Character is indefinable, but a litmus test demands definition. We are not all clones of one another. Something, deep within us, rebels when pressed to bend to anothers will. This is not humanities weakness, but it's greatest strength! That is not to say that mankind cannot compromise--We can leave good things behind to pursue greater things. But, our life-choices are not all-or-nothing propositions. We should not expect others to think as we do. When all voices have been heard, and reasons given, we may be left alone for a technicality.

Davis County:South Davis Recreation District Board Appointment

2006-09-18T22:53:00.000-07:00

The appointment of a new member to the Recreation District (replacing Daryl Tweede) was on the agenda for today's Commision meeting. I was unable to attend, but wonder how it went?

Salt Lake Tribune - Utah:Kanab endorses 'natural' families

2006-09-18T22:48:00.000-07:00

I wonder what knee-jerk resolutions will result from this in other communities? Let's say Equality Utah sends a resolution to cities promoting tolerance?

Salt Lake Tribune - Utah:Kanab endorses 'natural' families

Dannie McConkie wants Utah Republican National Committee job

2006-09-18T22:47:00.000-07:00

Rumor has it that Commissioner McConkie wants to be the next Utah Republican National Committeeman. My two bits: On principle this would be a bad idea since McConkie has proven to be such a poorly constructed conservative. From a practical standpoint, he would do a great job of raising money for the GOP. Just don't let him decide how it's spent.

Hat tip: Utah Policy

Local Candidates vs. Local Bloggers

2006-09-18T22:35:00.000-07:00

I wonder if any of the candidates running for municipal office are concerned that the local blogs feature more prominently in search engines than the official campaign websites? Campaigns come and go. Bloggers are forever.

This begs the question. Do bloggers rank well with voters?

Utahn's for Immigration Reform and Enforcement

2006-09-18T22:25:00.000-07:00

"I think he ought to consider his views and decide whether they're consistent with the Republican Party," Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, said of the Colorado congressman" (Tancredo)

The above quote comes from ufire.net which is dedicated to immigration reform. What does Cannon think Tancredo is doing that is out of line? It seems to me that the GOP Platform is all for enforcing legal immigration? What am I missing?

Republican Platform

deseretnews.com | S.L., North S.L. clash on venue

2006-09-18T22:07:00.001-07:00

NSL and SLC are jockeying over the venue for the lawsuits--Davis County or Salt Lake County.

deseretnews.com | S.L., North S.L. clash on venue

Handcart Days: One year ago

2006-09-18T22:07:00.000-07:00

Last year, at the Bountiful, Handcart Days Parade, the Citizens for Tax Fairness were told not to distribute fliers during the event or risk arrest. At the same time, the city distributed their own leaflets. When a complaint was submitted through the State Attorney Generals office, nothing was done. Today, we celebrate with a parade, the same freedoms that were trampled on by local officials one year ago.

Utah Taxpayers.org:Deseret News 7.28.04(PDF)

DAVIS BEAT - North Salt Lake petition drive fizzles

2006-09-18T22:02:00.000-07:00

A petition to put the decision to develop land in North Salt Lake to a ballot has not had enough signatures. Not surprising.

DAVIS BEAT - North Salt Lake petition drive fizzles

KSL: "Another Viewpoint" Editorial

2006-09-18T21:57:00.000-07:00

KSL will air Mayor Brigg's response to a recent editorial by Duane Cardall on the land dispute in the next couple of weeks.