Report From the Big-top

By Gentle Reader Sharon

Well, folks...you missed another circus tonite.

I attended the event at Union station, where Mayor Godfrey and representatives from UTA and WFRC were slated to present "accurate" information on proposed future Emerald City public transportation alternatives.

At last Tuesday's City Council meeting, I'd asked John Patterson, Bill Cook and the Council how this show was to be handled. If Godfrey was going to have the podium to "address the assemblage, then whoever was there as an authority on streetcars should also have his time at the podium to do the same." Everyone looked around and mumbled... "I dunno...it's the mayor's meeting."

Well, there was quite a crowd in that cavernous acoustically disastrous lobby at Union Station. Godfrey comes in to address us...no mike, and he could hardly be seen. A wag behind me called (softly) "stand up!" Hah! An orange crate would have been helpful.

Some lowlites: Godfrey gave the streetcar presentation. "We would have to have the County pay... we would have to tax ourselves. Roy City doesn't want to fund us." We would have 1/4% sales tax. 1/16th would go for corridor preservation. I learned that from the Wasatch Front Regional guy...Sam Klemm.

Anyway, there are 2 plans... Option 1 would start in N. Ogden..loop around the downtown and go to WSU and MCKay Dee hospital going from 13 mi down to 9.6., operating at an annual shortfall of $7 mil. Option 2 sounds the same as Option 1 except "the route goes to Ogden Regional Hosp. The County has to be willing to tax ourselves....with a shortfall of $7 mil. annually". (Godfrey's quotes.)

Now with the urban gondola: "$25 million from private money. Ridership from 23rd and Wall to WSU" He was asked who the investors were who are willing to put up the $25 mil. Absolutely no answer forthcoming. A reply to another questioner about these plans even being started...the mayor agreed, " that these proposals will wait til next spring."

Utah House Rep. Neil Hansen asked this: "You've said you'd sell the golf course for a fair market value. What is that and will the land go to the highest bidder?" Get ready, folks. Godfrey: "I'll answer that later. You can come to me after and I'll answer that." The restless crowd started to murmur and then call out..."give us the answer now. Yeah, we want the answer now. Let us all hear the answer!" Your 'lustrous potentate said, over the din..."I'll answer that question after, and anyone can come up and hear the answer."

So, then I raised my hand and said.."Mr. Mayor...when this gondola first surfaced it was Chris Peterson's idea to build his gondola up to his resort in Malan's Basin. How did that plan segue into a gondola from Wall and 23rd to WSU? Why doesn't Peterson build his gondola and we take a look at how successful that is? (The place burst into applause, which did NOT please the potentate!) A few catcalls from the LO kid in front of me...I called out... "And tell us about that 500 million dollar investment we keep hearing about. What IS that 500 million dollar investment?" the numbskull/idiot/moron in front of me kept sneering, "ask a question!"

The potentate said: ..."Segue. I don't recall that this has segued. I have people come to me from neighborhoods (by the park) who do not want THOUSANDS of cars on their streets and parking! We have to have the gondola so those thousands of cars will not be in those neighborhoods and people can get to the mountain gondola." He said this about the 500 million dollar "investment": "Come up to me later and I'll answer that question for anyone who wants to hear."

Oyvey. Oh, and hotels, restaurants and busineses will be at the base of the mountain...so those neighborhoods need to be protected from those thousands of cars...carrying all those passengers who will ride the gondola to the resort. Then everyone was admonished "no more applause, remarks to anyone else, and no sighing"...(sigh.)

A guy said: "Everyone I've talked to in this town does not like the gondola and doesn't want it. Why don't you listen to the people?" The answer??? "Well everyone I've talked to DOES want it." Someone said, "Everyone HERE who wants the gondola, raise your hand" ...looked about less than a dozen. And right on the heels of THAT, Godfrey actually said: "Well, 95% of the people support it." The idiot/moron in front of me turned around to me and sneered. "There just aren't very many of us here!."

Duh. "Why has Ogden failed to progress like other urban centers...what is our economic engine?" (Godfrey)

Now, as soon as the mayor ended his propaganda, Rep. Hansen jumped up and said to me, "I'm going up for the answer." (About selling to the highest bidder.)

Okay, here's the secret answer strait from the mayor's pristine lips: "It goes to the person who has the smartest plan." Omigawd. $1.98 and a birthday cake. WHAT are we gonna do about this foolish, blundering nekkid emperor??

How can such a tiny body hold such a massive ego?

Well, the Wasatch Front guy...Sam Klemm, was not invited by the "gracious potentate" to share the podium. After his disgraceful lack of good manners last nite did we really expect him to let anyone else, especially AN AUTHORITY, to have the crowd's attention?

Your newest Planning Commission member, Lillie Holman, asked questions and read all the posters...streetcar and gondola...met lots of people and educated herself. I think Godfrey thought he had a patsy in her, but she has a mind of her own. I have no doubt that he or a minion will call her tomorrow and tell her to 'stay away from that negative, obstructionist, Sharon Beech.'

All in all, a most delightful evening. Lillie, Dorrene and I walked out as the custodians were trying to get done and leave also before the "ghosts come out." Did you know there are ghosts in the Union Station? Yessirree, they can be "heard" on the south end cooking food.

Not all the spooks are on the ninth floor.

I did not see Mr. Schwebke, but perhaps he was in a corner? What does it cost the SE to have a reporter ask those probing questions? Is a reporter paid by the question? Ridiculous.

Not all the clowns work for Barnum & Bailey, either.