I have tried in futility for the past two years to get local officials to blog.

Still none do.

One commented to a colleague that only 18-25 year olds blog and they don’t vote anyway so it would be a waste of time.

Blogging is to 21st century democracy what the town hall meeting was to the 19th century democracy. It’s where citizens with diverse schedules, backgrounds and ideas can converge with their elected officials to discuss policy.

Our politicians are almost exclusively baby boomers in Cache Valley. None blog. I think it’s a generational thing. Now to be fair, statewide there are baby boomers that get it including Ric Cantrell, Rob Miller, Steve Urquhart, LaVarr Webb and others. They understand the medium and have effectively used it to their advantage.

I give up on getting baby boomer politicians in Cache Valley to blog.

They don’t get it. They never will. And really it’s their loss. The Baby Boomers can keep
their 1980′s era political model while my generation, Generation Simpsons, will use blogs and the internet eventually kick the baby boomers ass politically.

Game on, baby boomers.

-Tom

rwatts@loganutah.org

Tonight on KVNU’s For the People…

KVNU’s Craig Hislop talks with Doug White of ATK Launch Systems about a rocket motor to be tested tomorrow.

We’ll talk with Logan City Councilman Jay Monson about a presentation made to the Cache County Council on the Countywide library proposal.

We’ll explain the evolving and changing proposal for park strip enforcement. We’ll also talk about last nights big public hearing before the City Council and even play some of the testimony given by citizens both for and against the City’s new policy.

Hillary Clinton and John McCain are proposing a “gas holiday” for the summer eliminating taxes on gas. Is this a good idea? Will it help people out?

All of that, your phone calls and more, tonight on KVNU’s For the People!

First, let me say that I think Tami Pyfer did a pretty good job conducting and moderating the hearing.   At the beginning of the meeting she called for a show of hands for those against the City’s new policy and those in favor.   The ratio was an overwhelming 9:1 against the City’s new policy.   Many in the room became upset when Councilwoman Pyfer then took comments giving equal time to both proponents and opponents, eventually settling in on a one for and one against pattern.   Some in the room became angry and spoke out of turn complaining that proponents were given disproportionate time and say.

Initially that concerned me, however, in the end the hearing was extended at the request of Councilman Steve Thompson.   Everyone that wanted to speak had a chance.   Once they ran out of proponents it was nothing but opposition.   I will also say that Councilwoman Pyfer did a fantastic job of keeping it civil and being respectful to all participants.

I left the meeting with a clearer understanding of the issue.  This debate is not about park strips.   It’s about whether rentals will continued to be allowed in Single Family neighborhoods throughout the City, specifically Adams Park.   Most of the proponents that spoke in favor of the City’s new policy spoke not just against park strips but against rentals existing in their neighborhoods.   The new park strip policy is not intended to merely enforce a law, but create a hostile environment that drives out rentals.

I also left the meeting feeling grateful.  Grateful that I have not purchased a home yet and that when Karen and I do purchase a home we have advanced warning.    We know not to purchase a home in Logan City because we may be required to pave our backyard or deal with abrupt changes in policy regarding property rights.   We know that the neighborhood culture in the City has deteriorated.   Instead of dealing directly with a neighbor on issues, City residents have been encouraged and are going to authorities to resolve issues.   They do it anonymously and create feelings of suspicion and ill will.   I won’t buy a home in a neighborhood like that.

I also must say that I actually admire the City and Mayor Watts for resolving this situation.   I say that because right now the City has two sets of rules regarding property: one on the books and one in practice.     They need to be reconciled for consistency.   It’s not an easy task, and I think all involved want what’s best for the City.   The central question in reconciling the two rules is will Logan be better with more government or less government?

Community Development Director Jay Nielsen gave a presentation on a new proposal for enforcement.   It’s interesting to note that the enforcement plan seems to be evolving as pressure from citizens has mounted.  A year ago the plan was simply to enforce the park strip, give tickets May 1 and make owners pay for conversions.   Now, the City says it will pay for all removal and top soil, though it’s unclear where those likely millions of dollars will come from.

The Council still had problems with the plan, especially selling on street parking permits for $200 a year to those who were unable to pave their backyard with cement.

Councilman Monson and Councilwoman Swenson seemed willing and eager to vote on the plan last night. The other three didn’t.   So it’s been deferred to the next meeting in May.

It’s my belief that the plan wasn’t implemented last night in large part because the room was packed with citizens in opposition 9:1.

As long as citizens keep speaking out on the new policy it will continue to change from the pressure.

I also must give praise to Councilman Steve Thompson.  On KVNU’s For the People we often argue for the importance of divided government prevents bad policy.  Such is the case here.   Without Councilman Steve Thompson the original policy would already be in effect creating financial ruin, destroying backyards and driving young families an any interest in ownership from anyone in inner-Logan.    He has been in a lonely place with other members of the Council, Community Development and Mayor Watts anxious for a one-size-fits all implementation.    The concessions already made can be attributed to his scrutiny and opposition.

The citizens of this City owe a lot to Steve Thompson for having the guts to be the only guy to stand up and ask hard questions.  He has saved the City, at least temporarily, from a policy with devastating unintended consequences.

-Tom

First let me say I have the COOLEST. WIFE. EVER.

She’s cool enough to sign off on blowing $120 on playoff tickets.

I owe Karen big time!

Let me also say TICKETMASTER SUCKS.

Every time I’ve bought Jazz or concert tickets online there has been some hiccup or glitch.

Anyway, It’s going to be awesome watching the Jazz deliver the final blow on Friday night!

GO JAZZ!!!!!!! 

Tonight on KVNU’s For the People…

The falling out between Barack Obama and Rev. Wright continues. Is Obama effectively distancing himself from his pastor? Should his Pastors radical politics be used to judge Obama as a candidate?

Tonight the Logan City Council will hold a public hearing on the park strips in the ongoing War on Property Owners/Reclaiming Inner-Logan struggle. We’ll talk with Terry Oliver who is part of a group of property owners that has been lobbying the Council for a change of course.

The President of OPEC says oil could reach $200 a barrel. President Bush, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain all assure us that they have plans to fix things. Does that have you worried?

All of that, your phone calls and more, tonight on KVNU’s For the People!

From Eugene Robinson in the Washington Post:

We all have our crosses to bear. The Rev. Jeremiah Wright has become Barack Obama‘s.

I’m sorry, but I’ve had it with Wright. I would never try to diminish the service he performed as pastor of his Chicago megachurch, and it’s obvious that he’s a man of great charisma and faith. But this media tour he’s conducting is doing a disservice that goes beyond any impact it might have on Obama’s presidential campaign.

The problem is that Wright insists on being seen as something he’s not: an archetypal representative of the African American church. In fact, he represents one twig of one branch of a very large tree.

It’s understandable, given how Wright has been treated, that he would want to attempt to set the record straight. No one would enjoy seeing his 36-year career reduced to a couple of radioactive sound bites. No preacher would want his entire philosophy to be assessed on the basis of a few rhetorical excesses committed in the heat of a passionate sermon. No former Marine would stomach having his love of country questioned by armchair patriots who have done far less to protect the United States from its enemies.

Given Wright’s long silence, I thought he had taken to heart Jesus’s admonition to turn the other cheek. Obviously, I was wrong.

I’m through with Wright not because he responded — in similar circumstances, I certainly couldn’t have kept silent — but because his response was so egocentric. We get it, Rev. Wright: You’re ready for your close-up.

Amen!

It’s almost like some extremists that define themselves and their politics by their African-American race are upset that Barack Obama isn’t the “black candidate”- that he has transcended race like no other politician in history.    And now they’re sabotaging him, it seems, to make him exclusively theirs.

I wouldn’t have voted for Obama anyway, I’m a libertarian, but I think he’s getting screwed by some who consider themselves to be “his people”.

-Tom

April 29, 2008

Logan Landlord Coalition

Reg: Logan City Meeting

Dear Coalition Member:

On Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 at the City of Logan offices, a public hearing will be held regarding the park strip issue.  Your attendance and input, at the meeting, is  very important.  We encourage you to attend and to come early.  This will allow a seat and then we can be, both, seen and heard.  Please, also invite any others who have strong feelings regarding this issue.

Over the past few weeks, many have contacted the City Council and Community Development Department, through e-mails, personal visits, and by telephone.  This has been productive, we will learn how productive tomorrow evening.  Owner occupants stories seem to carry more weight with the Council Members than managers and landlords.  Please encourage those, that you know, who have reservations regarding this issue to attend and be heard at this meeting.

I am hopeful that our comments and attitudes can be controlled and that respect is shown to the members of the council, this will only aide our cause.

I am appreciative of your support and look forward to your attendance tomorrow.  This issue has been addressed with the Apartment Association of Utah, the ACLU, and the State of Utah – Mr. Obudsman.  It is the opinion of many that if left to the Community Development Department, it will be costly, flawed and unfairly administered by some employees who have more authority and motive than deemed necessary and who administer policy with a heavy hand.

See you at the meeting,

Kent Dunkley

• The City’s new policy on property ownership creates unfair and unnecessary financial hardships and burdens.
  • Construction modifications will cost property and home owners tens of thousands of dollars.
  • Properties that can no longer function as a rental unit because there is not parking will decline in value. 
  • Property owners will lose income when units become vacant.
  • Many retired couples and widows on fixed incomes are dependent upon renting the basement of the home they live in.  Eliminating the parking of their tenants will put their income, livelihoods and ultimately homes at risk.

• The City’s new policy on property ownership will increase mortgage foreclosures, vacancy and blight.
  • Property owners will see duplexes, legal conversions and other properties change in use through the new parking policy and therefore value of properties will dramatically change. Owners will then be upside down- paying the mortgage of a duplex while receiving no or little income.
  • On Thursday when the new policy goes into effect, changing the use of many legal properties, tens of millions of dollars in real estate value will vanish.
  • Massive foreclosures will result throughout inner-Logan.
  • The City’s new policy will create the very problem it seeks to solve- blight.  Foreclosed and unrented properties will become vacant.   Owners, under financial distress, will have no resources for maintenance or improvements.  Properties will sit vacant with weeds growing and boarded up windows.   Real blight will result.
  • The flood of foreclosed properties in Logan will devalue all property in Logan.    The supply will far outpace demand, possibly excaserbated by national economic trends that will likely hit Utah.

• The City’s new policy on property ownership will not attract young families to “inner-Logan” as it intends.
  • One of the proposed solutions to accommodate more parking is cement pads in back yards.  What young family is going to purchase a home that has converted or must convert the play area of children to parking?
  • CMPO and Logan City have extensive plans to run several corridor roads through “inner-Logan”.  Busy streets already exist on 1^st East, 2^nd East, 6^th East, 5^th North and 10^th North.   What parent would want small children playing in such busy and dangerous streets?
  • The Mayor would like to see a return of the neighborhood to the nostalgia of the 1950’s.  In the 1950’s most families had just one car.   Today even young families have at least two cars, yet the new policy accommodates just one car for most homes.   This is an unattractive investment for them.
  • The City’s policy instability makes for a risky investment. Given the dramatic shift in policy by the City, young families must wonder what other dramatic shifts may continue to change the use and value of homes in the future.  A home is the biggest investment most Americans ever make.   Young families will not invest in a City with unstable property policies.
  • It is not the business of the City to decide what kinds of people will live in what kinds of neighborhoods.   This is both anti-market and anti-liberty. It is social engineering.  

• Changing the rules in the middle of the game is unfair.
  • The only laws that count are the laws that are enforced.   Logan City may be enforcing existing laws, but is dramatically changing its policy as if a law were being created. 
  • Logan City is not a homeowners association.  Residents who wish to have a say in the private property of their neighbor should invite their neighbors to create a voluntary homeowners association.   They do not have the right to use the force of government to impose their will on adjoining private property.

• Proceeding with the City’s new policy creates adversarial relationship with citizens.
  • “What’ll happen a year from now is if they think we’re just bluffing we’ll put enforcement behind the statement.  There’s going to be some of those nasty incidents” –Logan Mayor Randy Watts, Herald Journal, June 28 2007
  • The City is willing to create collateral damage of legal properties and responsible citizens to eliminate illegal properties.   The City cannot accurately discern illegal and legal properties.   Therefore, it has put the burden of proof upon citizens and property owners.   Legal properties without exhaustive documentation and often expensive legal representation will lose their rights.
  • The desired effects of the current policy can only be maintained by an aggressive Executive and Council.  The presence of Utah State University adjacent to “inner-Logan” is an omni-present market demand for rentals and student housing.   A passive Mayor and Council in the future may not be willing to continue fighting the market forces, reversing all of the initiatives by current leadership.

 From the Tribune:

Dallas attorney Polly R. O’Toole said she visited two facilities on Monday: Boysville Inc., which has 17 FLDS children; and Baptist Children’s Residential Emergency Shelter, which has 71. Staff at the facilities are “generous, caring and concerned” but also complained about the lack of information and direction from CPS, she said.
She also said that, contrary to a courtroom pledge by CPS, sibling groups have been split up. Eight children from one monogamous family have been sent to five different shelters, she said. Another little girl is in a shelter an hour away from the group home where her sisters are, O’Toole said.
Azar acknowledged the state had broken up sibling groups but said officials were working to reunite at least some of them. He said making placements was difficult given that the “children don’t even want to answer you what their name is and where they feel everyone is their brother and sister.” 

These kids are being abused by the State of Texas.   And no one cares because of the indignation that comes with accusations of sex crimes.   No one is watching out for their individual rights.   They are guilty of having weird parents, which in Texas, is apparently a crime punished by incompetent administration of custody by Texas CPS.

Come on, Texas.

If there have been sex crimes, figure out who is responsible and prosecute them.

And liberate the rest of the children and send them home.  They are suffering being away from their siblings, parents and community.

This is wrong, cruel and un-American.

1. 1. Matt. 18: 6

        6 But whoso shall ^aoffend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

-Tom

An email we received today regarding the property rights issue (name withheld, permission to reprint given):

If the city is going to enforce a 50 year old law after not doing so for like half a century, and they’ve also approved all the construction of duplexes etc., and the city government has let people make money off of the parking strips (in a round about way granted, but still) for a long time, now they’re taking that away.  Ya the law has been on the books, but it wasn’t ever enforced, so was it really ever on the books (I think they’re called dead letter laws, but they basically are no longer relevant, but still on the books, or never were relevant, but are on there for moral purposes.  I think some state somewhere actually still has a law that says it’s illegal to have sex with a raccoon), what’s the city going to do to reimburse the property owners it’s taking income away from?  Is there a devaluation of the properties (and hence less property tax to the city)?  And are they going to pass a new law, since it seems the original law was never enforced (and, so it can be assumed, was never intended to be enforced – that’s more of a spirit of the law vs the letter of the law type thing).

Also, they can’t call it a parking strip if you can’t park there, they should call it a “small public place” or a “demilitarized parking zone.”  Also, if people want to protest, they will just start parking on their yards.###

I DO!!!!!!!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teA1boR5Ah4&feature=related[/youtube]

GO JAZZ!!!!!!!

Rick Adelman says Matt Harpring and the Jazz play dirty.

There’s a certain long time Jazz fan in Salt Lake who disagrees:

And the players and coach are certainly no strangers to President Monson, who smiled and said, “Oh, yes,” when asked if he was a Jazz fan.

“Always have been,” he said.

And his favorite Jazz player?

“I like a lot of them,” President Monson admitted. “I like that new man, (Kyle) Korver. I like (Matt) Harpring’s gutsy way of playing. He’s all right.”

’nuff said.

-Tom

From MormonTimes.com:

“He’s not a regular guy, but he is a regular guy,” said Wayne Henderson, who taught Carroll as a freshman. “He doesn’t put himself above or beyond anyone just because he is the star athlete at Utah State University.”

While Henderson has been a friend to Carroll since the two met in 2004, he acknowledges that “everybody’s got a Jaycee story.” The fifth-year instructor, who is also a stake president, says Carroll is always willing to give time to others and goes about serving in a quiet manner.

Killpack has a “Jaycee story” that involves his then-7-year-old son, who met Carroll following a preseason scrimmage autograph session and was given an unexpected invitation by the basketball star.

“He said, ‘Why don’t you come to your dad’s class with me tomorrow?”‘ said Killpack, whose son attended and was able to sit by Carroll. “He’s just that kind of a person.”

Carroll said he feels an obligation to make a difference when he can.

“You have a responsibility to be a good role model to kids, to teach them, to get out in the community and help any way you can,” he said.

Part of fulfilling that responsibility is speaking — and speaking some more. Carroll estimates that he has participated in 80 different church activities where he has addressed youth groups, including 40 in the most recent calendar year. Henderson said his friend’s schedule is “booked up” with firesides.

It’s good for young and old alike to have an example like Jaycee Carroll.   His success is a good reminder to all of us about the enormous potential each of us has if we work with passion, dedication and purpose.   He is also an example of what it is to be a good citizen.

-Tom

I have 2 comments:

First:  What is the problem with parking on the parking strip?  I heard an interview a few days ago with someone from the city council about it, and she said that the law hadn’t been enforced in years and it had developed into a big problem.  But what’s the problem?  Plenty of housing for students?  Is that the problem?  Giving property owners the ability to rent to thousands of kids in locations that are simply ideal for walking and easing traffic?  Is that the problem?  Using private property in a way that wouldn’t be acceptable on cliffside?  Is that the problem?  I can only assume the problem is safety or something, but where?  Which house?  Let’s deal with that house and move on.

Second:  Logan city council would make a great ex-wife.  Seriously.  Who else drags up old statements from 40 years ago, statements which both parties had mutually agreed to ignore, and tries to institute and enforce them?  Not only is the city council grasping out at any ammunition it can find against renters, it’s expecting us to go along with it happily.  One council member recently made statements which I summarize as, “It’s been on the books for 40 years.  I don’t see what all the confusion is about.”  Really?  You don’t?  Watts has brought up a 40-year-old forgotten statute and has decided to hang his administration on it.  It’s like one partner in an habitually unfaithful marriage suddenly calling the other a hussie after years of mutual infidelity.  These property owners have poured concrete for crying out loud.  I know of a 12-plex on 100 East which will be completely shut down because all of its parking is on the parking strip.  (this is a Needham property which I don’t much care for anyway but I’m just saying)  It’s not a great looking place, it’s probably not the best location to build a 12-plex, but it’s there.  It was built and the city let it happen.  Not much input was received a year ago because it was ridiculous to think the philandering relationship between property owners and the city would ever come to this.  The proper approach for the swinging couple would be to sit down and decide together where to go after the rocky years.  One side can’t just ask the opinion of the other, and then conduct a head-nod decision on enforcement of the original marriage vows which were long ago discarded.  So too, the city has to come to an agreement with the property owners which were left unattended or even encouraged for all these years.

Wow.  I’ll wipe the spit off my computer screen.  Sorry about that.  I’m really not that mad about all this.  It’s just that I’m not even a property owner and I’ve been pushed around by Jim Geyer and his crew several times.  What other government entity has the audacity to search property without a warrant in an effort to catch zoning violations?  The councils behavior on this subject exhibit disingenuous peacemaking at its best.

Props on a great show.  I wish I could listen more often.  Keep it real and keep it local.

-Mike

From the Tribune:

Sen. Chris Buttars is getting some help from Senate leaders in his effort to keep his seat, but his Republican challengers say it’s wrong for senators to get involved in the intraparty fight.
Buttars’ campaign is passing out to delegates an endorsement letter signed by Senate President John Valentine and other members of Senate leadership: Sens. Curtis Bramble, Dan Eastman and Sheldon Killpack.
“We support his bid for re-election and hope you will, too,” says the letter. “Senator Buttars is an unwavering supporter of Republican principles. He has consistently and passionately espoused the principles that we hold dear.” 

This isn’t about Republican values, it’s about Republican good-old-boys unconditional loyalty for one another.

I am a State Delegate to the Republican Party and I am disgusted by Senator Buttars.   He is a thoughtless bigot.   I believe in a Republican Party that emphasizes individual responsibility and the potential in all humans for greatness.  Senator Buttars has consistently demonstrated a position that those not like himself are deficient and even a harm to our society and community.

I think I will look into whether it’s too late to submit a resolution for the State Convention.  If I can I may sponsor one condemning Senator Buttars.

People need to know that Senator Buttars is the antithesis of Republican values.

-Tom

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kn6yFfwyRM[/youtube]