[Davis County Watch: Announcements] Transportation problems

I got in a car accident yesterday. Everyone is okay. Maybe I'll feel like writing about it one day, but now....

One glimpse, though. That commercial was on the radio, when the accident happened, in which Burt Bacharach is singing, "I hope I never get hit in the rear...again".

I was laughing at those lyrics, until...Well.

Today, I don't like irony.

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Announcements at 11/30/2006 12:38:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Spending and Waste] Legislature to audit schools

I don't have a category for criminal activity. That is because we don't generally see criminal activity in local government.

(insert laughter here)

No, I'm serious. I think that most problems in government come from incompetence, or ignorance. Not intent to do wrong.

I also don't consider myself to be someone who accuses others. We're all passengers on this ship, and as such should consider it our responsibility to point out the iceberg when we see one.

So, I'm relieved to hear that the legislature wants to work with school boards to audit school districts accounting, and budgeting, practices. Not because they will find more fraud, but that they will find more waste.

Legislators may home in on Davis funds scandal

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Spending and Waste at 11/29/2006 09:34:00 AM

[Davis County Watch: Creative Solutions] Mountain Peaks of debate

There are certain issues that have become untouchable by ordinary logic. These fall under the broad head of what is called 'political correctness'. All that need be done to squelch discussion on any topic is to mention one of these code-words. In print these ciphers can be easily recognized because they are often bolded, capitalized, or italicized. When these key words are given in a sound it is appropriate to wear earmuffs.

Some sounds can still be heard with earmuffs.

When code-words are ignored by either party, which is rare since it is so deeply ingrained in our psyche, then the code can be escalated to another level.

A label.

Labels can define who the offender is without the inconvenience of a presumption of innocence. There is no longer a need to listen once a label has been successfully applied.

These key words start having their effect on us when we are very young, but they don't take full hold until we gain some experience in dealing with them.

Our programming can be reversed, but not without some conscious effort on our part. It takes two things.

Air, and exposure to ordinarily offensive materials (Not pornographic, but something that elicits a bolded response in our minds).

Listen to someone with whom you might presumably disagree, and then instead of cutting them off with a code-word, breath deep.

Take another breath.

Now for an example that could try even the most practiced of this art. The issue is now moot, which is a fantastic reason to entertain another perspective.

Moot arguments carry no inherent risk to the status quo.

In 1895, Utah was being considered for statehood, and delegations gathered to decide upon the drafting of a state constitution. One, unexpected, wedge issue was suffrage for women.

B.H. Roberts had been sent with another to represent Davis County.

When word got back to his party that he had taken the lead in opposing suffrage then the following was sent.

"DEAR SIR:_Our attention has been called to the position you are taking in the Convention, regarding woman suffrage, and we are informed, in fact the Herald says as much, that you are looked upon as a leader of the opposition on the floor of the Convention. This position is not in line with the sentiments of your constituents, and further, in the county convention that nominated you, a resolution was presented and adopted, favoring equal suffrage, and requesting our delegates to work for it. Our campaign, locally and territorially, was conducted with this as an important plank in the platform.In view of these facts, and the further fact that Davis County is so overwhelmingly in favor of an equal suffrage provision in the Constitution, we feel it our duty to ask you to not oppose this suffrage plank. If your convictions will not permit you to vote in favor of it, you might at least, remain inactive in the matter, and thus save our party the humiliation of having their pledges broken."

Roberts was asked to resign if he could not restrain himself. His Co-delegate chose to read the above letter to the entire body. (A little aside: the letter was signed by a man that, later, had Roberts speak at his funeral.)

Now what is interesting about the proceedings is that Roberts was given some time to speak, and after his time was cut short, he negotiated with the body to be allowed the final word.

The delegates opposed to Roberts spoke for an additional two days. On the third day, Roberts was finally given the opportunity to close the debate, knowing full well, that he would be buried under the votes against him for suffrage.

I find Roberts closing remarks to show tremendous courage and his arguments to be logical. I find I can't help but agree with him on some of his points, and yet the argument is moot.

It's clear that Roberts knew what could be done to him by invoking just a few code-words.

"I know, sir, for announcing this doctrine in such cool terms that I shall be anathematized perchance as a tyrant to women, a man unfeeling and tyrannical in his disposition towards the fair sex, but I shall trust to those who know me and my life not to take any serious consideration of that accusation, and I shall try to convince this Convention by an expression of my views on that subject, that I do not believe that leadership, headship, responsibility of precedency, is necessarily accompanied by tyranny and by oppression."

The main part of Roberts remarks took place on April 2, 1895.

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Creative Solutions at 11/28/2006 11:31:00 AM

[Davis County Watch: Citizenship] Standard Examiner:Davis boundaries, reloaded

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

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Citizenship at 11/27/2006 10:19:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Spending and Waste] Utah Planner's Corner: What a View... for Me!

Wilf Sommerkorn has a thoughtful piece on the NSL/SL land dispute. He's attempting to be balanced on the issue, and so doesn't let loose with any sort of conclusion. I have to concur with his feelings about the place, though.

"No question, this is a great area. The views are fantastic! Given the rapid pace of development in Davis County and all along the Wasatch Front, it is nice to have some areas that stay undeveloped. But...but, to some degree, it does strike me as more of the Gangplank syndrome (you know, "I'm aboard, now hoist up the gangplank and don't let anyone else on board!")"

I must say that NSL wants to preserve the land and they have a plan to do so. Starting by building some trailhead. If the land isn't going to be trampled by naturists, then we should lay some groundwork for them.

What a View...For Me!

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Spending and Waste at 11/27/2006 09:06:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Creative Solutions] Word of the Day: Logomachy

Main Entry: lo·gom·a·chy
Pronunciation: lO-'gä-m&-kE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -chies
Etymology: Greek logomachia, from log- + machesthai to fight
1 : a dispute over or about words
2 : a controversy marked by verbiage

This is the type of argument I wish to avoid for a number of reasons.

First, I like to play with words a little, and if I have to be overly concerned that my words will be misinterpreted, then some of my joy leaves me.

Second, I'm more than happy to interpret meaning based upon contextual clues, and purists who insist that a word must mean a certain thing, only complicate the argument for me.

Third, I like to discuss the issues, and words are merely a vehicle to carry the debate forward.

So, if I say I meant something a certain way, don't get too hung up in what you thought I meant.

This blog is not a battle-ground for logomachies.

Now, I never thought I'd ever say that!

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Creative Solutions at 11/27/2006 04:05:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Guest Bloggers] Why I yelled at Tyler yesterday

by Natalie

Let's say there is an honest, hardworking family, living below the poverty limit, because the head-of-household works somewhere that refuses to pay a living wage. Unbeknownst to this family, someone has accessed their bank accounts and is taking $25 a week from them.

When it is discovered, some people get angry that this poor family has not been receiving enough, and has then had money stolen from them. They believe that we should continue to fight for a living wage, so hardworking families can achieve their full potential. Others believe that this money being stolen from this family just goes to show how they really were receiving enough, and now, with that extra $25 a week,they should be able to do a lot more - maybe they're actually receiving too much? If they survived without that $25 a week, maybe they don't need it.

The situation regarding the embezzlement from the Davis School District is much like the analogy above. It depends on your perspective. I think Tyler's perspective is wrong.

Many of us believe that our system of public education in Utah is being slowly starved to death. The powers-that-be believe that our teachers are worth less than teachers in neighboring states, and should teach here without leaving or complaining, because they love to teach. And that we should have only the highest qualified people teaching, when the wages in Utah are so low, comparably. They believe that sharing textbooks and not being able to bring them home to do homework is acceptable, and that children can learn to read in a class with 28 other children, or can learn trigonometry in a class with 44 other students.

This is why I took offense at Tyler's comments - the question isn't that we can do more with less - we already know we can. Our luck is running out. We shouldn't have to do more with less. Those are OUR CHILDREN in those classrooms. And the accused embezzling is bad, and it makes me angry. But the attempt to starve my children's school in the name of unfunded federal and state mandates, getting even with the teacher's union, competition, so-called parent choice, or even asking the school district to do more with less is wrong. Should the district be responsible and accountable for the money it is given? Yes. Is the district given enough? No.

The days where Utah could have a great education system, regardless of the amount spent per-pupil, because of dedicated teachers and involved parents are coming to an end. There is a crisis on the horizon. It cannot be solved only with money, but money is definitely part of the solution. To imply that it is not is naive. And offensive.

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Posted by NatGo to Davis County Watch: Guest Bloggers at 11/27/2006 08:20:00 AM

[Davis County Watch: Citizenship] Thanksgiving: A week in review

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.

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Citizenship at 11/25/2006 10:07:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Spending and Waste] Lessons learned from 4 Million stolen

The embezzlement of 4 Million dollars from Davis County School District can teach us a valuable lesson. When the feelings of betrayal have past, and the District is forced to contend with its books for next year, then we may learn that we can do more with less.

Yes, you read that correctly. The Rosses allegedly kept up this fraud for Twenty-one years! And, what were they doing in that time? They were trumpeting to the District the need for more money to supply the schools with what they needed. They were, in essence, inflating the existing budget to pay for their own exorbitant lifestyle.

True, the Rosses cut many more corners than is prudent for thieves. For example, they dealt out xerox copies of many textbooks. The materials were described as "crummy" by Superintendent Bowles. Yet, the fact that must not be overlooked when we address the new problem of replacing all these books is that the budget must be revised to meet the realistic needs of the District. For, many of the books, under the Rosses stewardship, were sold to the District for as much as seven times the amount charged by the publishers!

The Rosses are, of course, saying that they are innocent. They may be innocent, but if they are, they were incompetent fools with the Districts money.

When criminals, or alleged criminals, get to be in charge of budgets, then budgets grow. Now that these budgets will be returned to responsible hands, those in charge must remember in what ways they were duped. It wasn't just with "crummy" materials, but it was also in high prices.

Couple accused of $4M school scam

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Spending and Waste at 11/24/2006 11:22:00 AM

[Davis County Watch: Announcements] Salt Lake County ‘betrays’ NSL in open space vote

Salt Lake County has voted to side with its own. If the disputed 80 acres gets disconnected from Salt Lake City, then North Salt Lake will still have to contend with Salt Lake County in order to use the land. North Salt Lake plans to fight for annexation from Salt Lake County if things progress that far.

This David now has to fight two Goliath's.

Salt Lake County ‘betrays’ NSL in open space vote

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Announcements at 11/24/2006 10:29:00 AM

[Davis County Watch: Citizenship] SL County to vote on open space

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.

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Citizenship at 11/21/2006 09:40:00 AM

[Davis County Watch: Citizenship] The best policy: School boundary panel should operate in open

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.


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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Citizenship at 11/21/2006 11:02:00 AM

[Davis County Watch: Citizenship] SL County to vote on open space

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.

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Citizenship at 11/21/2006 11:01:00 AM

[Davis County Watch: Creative Solutions] Solve Congestion first

The Utah Taxpayer Association has suggested that only "real congestion" should be addressed with dollars, not "pretend congestion". The question I have for those who advocate expanding the roads along Centerville is this. Is congestion a real problem along Main Street? It seems the influx of funds coming from the Legacy Highway fight has turned to a disadvantage for those who want thinking to be tied to spending.

The Utah Taxpayer Association blog elaborates further on this principle, as well as asserting more, in this post. It discusses the flawed thinking that has led the idea of extending TRAX to the airport.

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Creative Solutions at 11/20/2006 08:17:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Taxes]This is NOT a hard pill to swallow...

My property taxes going down.

Vitamin firm expands in North Salt Lake


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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Taxes at 11/20/2006 08:01:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Spending and Waste]Centerville Citizen: Mayor Russell response on Main Street

Centerville seems intent upon creating a faster way through town-as opposed to a faster way to town. The word, 'transportation', has become such a buzzword this election cycle that it has been assumed that any solution presented in which this word can be invoked, must be a good one.

Centerville Citizen has posted a letter from Mayor Russell in which it is urged that Centerville needs to develop its "heart". The way to this 'heart' is said to be an expansion of Main Street. Well, if Main Street is already at the center of town. If it is the heart, I would ask Mayor Russell where this new artery will lead, but out of the City.

The only way this could succeed is if Main Street were almost entirely zoned as commercial. There is a certain point at which residents want to drive slowly, and that point begins and ends at home.

This plan seems ill conceived. More still, it will lead to neighboring cities expanding adjoining streets to accommodate this action, carving it's swath throughout South Davis. Truly, this is a plan that favors commuters out of Davis County, not those who reside along the corridor.

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Spending and Waste at 11/20/2006 07:11:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Spending and Waste] Center offers report on charter schools

Utah Education Policy Center has released its findings on Charter Schools. The Legislature will have this 200 page report(pdf), as well as an audit performed by the Office of the Legislative Auditor General before it makes it's decision on what to do about Charter Schools.

Center offers report on charter schools

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Spending and Waste at 11/20/2006 05:31:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Spending and Waste] Scrutinize charter schools

This post falls under the category of Waste, because we're not quite sure if Charter schools are wasteful. No criteria exist to measure their actual benefit. Charter Schools are still experimental

Here are the Charter Schools that exist in South Davis County. Two were added this year.

• Legacy Preparatory
• Spectrum Academy
• Wasatch Peak Academy

All other Schools in the state are listed below.

Utah Charter Schools

The measure put in place to protect our investment is to cap the creation of new Charter Schools. Five new schools per year for the State. The Deseret News Editorial board has urged lawmakers to continue to curb growth of these schools until we can measure their effectiveness.

That is good advice.


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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Spending and Waste at 11/20/2006 05:13:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Citizenship] Davis School District takes off the gloves.

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

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Citizenship at 11/20/2006 04:48:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Spending and Waste] D.A.R.E.: On the Chopping Block

During the Republican Convention, Sheriff Bud Cox, pledged his support for the D.A.R.E. program. Meaning he intends to continue to use the Federal money he receives for it. Because, it turns out that this program depends upon the Byrne Grants. The Byrne grants are dollars given to local law enforcement to assist in fighting against drugs, and drug related crimes.

Up to now, funding for local drug education efforts have been given with no strings attached. Since 2004, however, the Whitehouse has made a continuous recommendation that the program either be cut, or that metrics be put in place to provide justification for the grants. The Whitehouse tried to cut them from the 2005 budget, but they were saved by the Legislature, funding them, at the previous years levels.

The Byrne Grants could be in jeopardy, again, unless local law enforcement can provide better metrics of their performance. Orrin Hatch, as recently as March 2004 has pledged his support for these grants but the Whitehouse has continued to identify these grants as 'Not performing'. To date no one has suggested how the success, or failure of these programs should be determined.

Accusations have been leveled at this Administration for overspending Federal dollars. Yet, we can't seem to stop begging for more from the same Government. How do we hold ourselves accountable for money we receive from the Federal Government? The answer is that we don't, unless it is required of us. If the Federal government does require that we report back on D.A.R.E, would Bud Cox think it is worth saving? Could we wean ourselves off of Federal handouts?

P.S. I had this post completely written when I came across this article echoing my sentiments. It gives, much better than I have here, some background on the Byrne grants, and reasons why they should only be given with the requirement of accountability. Now that the balance of power has shifted, so drastically, towards the Democrats, it is incumbent upon them to prove they can live without earmarks.

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Spending and Waste at 11/20/2006 02:29:00 PM

Up to $10,000 REWARD

UNITED STATES POSTAL INSPECTORS ARE OFFERING A REWARD OF UP TO $10,000 FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF THE PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR PLACING CORROSIVE CHEMICALS INTO THE COLLECTION BOXES AT THE NORTH SALT LAKE POST OFFICE, LOCATED AT 345 NORTH HWY 89, NSL, UT 84054, WHICH CAUSED THE DESTRUCTION OF UNITED STATES MAIL BETWEEN OCTOBER 27-28, 2006.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS INCIDENT, PLEASE CONTACT POSTAL INSPECTOR WAKEFIELD AT (801)887-1922 OR THE BOUNTIFUL POLICE DEPARTMENT (801)298-6000.

ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.

DAVID WAKEFIELD
POSTAL INSPECTOR
DENVER DIVISION
SALT LAKE CITY OFFICE

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Announcements at 11/17/2006 08:06:00 AM

[Davis County Watch: Spending and Waste] Bountiful: City Council: Various and sundry items

Bountiful's City Council met on Tuesday to discuss the following.

• A crosswalk will be added at 200 East and 1200 North for better student access to Tolman Elementary.
• A recommendation to paint no parking zones on 500 West and 2700 South at Colonial Square.
• A skate park at Tolman Park, also known as Rocket Park.

Who knew about the skate park beforehand?

• Bountiful's City Council
• The site designer, based in Arizona
• Concretedisiples.com

What are the Pro's to adding to Rocket Park?

• A place for skaters to congregate off of the roads.
• "10 foot park style bowl and then an 8 foot pool, with pool cope and all. a good flow section and nice street."
• A skate park at the Rec Center may not be built, saving the County residents money.

What are the Con's to building at Rocket Park?

• The area is secluded and may attract child predators and crime. (The park is secluded, so this argument may hold no water)
  
• No supervision, pointing to safety concerns.
• The Park is not centrally located, and is uphill.
• No venues are close, and buses are scarce.

Hat tip: Clippertoday

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Spending and Waste at 11/17/2006 02:22:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Citizenship] Centerville wants to widen Main Street

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.

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Citizenship at 11/17/2006 08:56:00 AM

[Davis County Watch: Citizenship] Davis Parents sue School Board

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

Update: A judge has issued a restraining order to prevent the boundary change from occurring. The court will reconvene in December.

My thoughts: The School District needs to settle out of court-take whatever hit is required, and move on. This could have, rather should have, been handled without a lawsuit.

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Citizenship at 11/15/2006 02:38:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Guest Bloggers] North Salt Lake is going High Tech...

I've read some controversy about the new electronic sign that is going in in the roundabout as you head up the hill. The controversy was over having something so distracting in the center of an already confusing non-intersection.

My concern is also with placement. Why in the world would the city put a sign that is supposed to announce important city-related things in an area where huge portions of the city will never see it, or even possibly be aware that it exists?

It's not something that you could see easily (or read at all) from highway 89, if you happened to be coming into the city that way. It's obvious that no location would ideal for all city residents, but placing it at the CITY BUILDING sure would have made a lot more sense.

I hate to get into "the hill people" versus "us low landers" types of arguments, but this seems a case where the city council was not thinking about all of the people they represent. I know there are good, honest people on our city council, but it is interesting that there are no city council members living below orchard drive. Seems like "us low landers" need to get a little more involved...

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Posted by Allie to Davis County Watch: Guest Bloggers at 11/14/2006 02:17:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Creative Solutions] Is Blogging a Perfect Fit?

I've come up with a list of circumstances which might make blogging a good outlet. You might consider becoming a blogger if you are:

A reformed, non-profit, spammer. Do you forward unsolicited email to your family, or friends, because you think it your duty to 'set them straight'? Blogging can save your friendships! All those people who thought you'd become too obnoxious, or annoying, will now love you. How could they feel otherwise, they hardly hear from you anymore. They don't read your blog, and they never read your emails.

Disenfranchised. Vote not counted? Crushed by your city manager? Don't have a voice? Is nobody listening? People who blog can, at least, pretend that they are being heard because, after all, you're on google aren't you? Are you a politician that recently lost an election? Instead of sending emails, and letters to all the people that ruined your life, start blogging. Soon that warm feeling you got when you thought everybody loved you will slowly return.

Unable to make enough time in the day. Blogging will, actually, free up more time in the day. This might be a surprise, until you realize that blogging will save you from having to send that letter to the editor. It will help you to organize your thoughts. In fact, blogging is such a noble enterprise, that you'll feel totally justified saying, "I know I should have patched that hole in my roof, but I was blogging."

Far too important to be blogging. You are, in fact, the perfect candidate to become a blogger, because you have already mastered the thing to which all bloggers aspire--The huge ego. Rant, rave, blast the, so called, establishment. Bring everybody down a notch. Arbitrarily delete comments. Belittle, berate, and people will recognize you for what you are. Best of all, you get to keep your superiority complex.

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Creative Solutions at 11/13/2006 09:29:00 AM

[Davis County Watch: Announcements] Blogging without a name (Not even a fake one)

A new, anonymous, blogger has started writing about South Davis County. Here is what I can surmise about them.

• They've, likely, tried blogging before.
• They probably live in Bountiful now.
• They grew up in Bountiful, attended Bountiful High School, and were taught by, one, Kim Burningham.

I always have a hard time swallowing the concept of someone who posts anonymously, but this guy(yes, I think they are male) doesn't even use a handle! How shall I refer to them? S.D. Dude? As far as I'm concerned, someone, who can't even be identified, won't get much attention. Even I've been lambasted by the Clipper's editorial page.

Little, old, me.

Mr. S.D. Guy's website

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Announcements at 11/07/2006 03:39:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Elections]Christening the New Government

Whatever happens on Tuesday, we can be sure that a sizable chunk of the populace will be disappointed in the results. Just as we are certain that, many will be indifferent, although they weighed in for one candidate, or one ballot initiative-perhaps, without thinking, in the booth.

For those of us who care about whom is elected, let me offer this one positive outlook. No matter which individual takes office in January. No matter which party marks the win, or which special interest group, our government is never divorced from our influence. It isn't some Cruise ship that comes ashore, only, every two years for a visit. We are in this government. It is a part of us, not we of it.

Think of what could have happened, in recent years, if certain elected officials got their way.

• 138% tax increase
• NSL becomes Orchard Hills
• No "Legacy Highway"
• Constitutional Flag burning amendment

Now what about the future? What more could we, the electorate, do?

[Davis County Watch: Creative Solutions] Another Check and Balance for Diebold

I Just had a thought regarding the accuracy of the vote on Tuesday. Much has been said about whether the vote could actually be hacked, and I want to pile onto that discussion.

What happens if, I, the voter become momentarily, insane, or ill, while voting? Consider the following scenario, and tell me where I'm wrong. What if, in the midst of voting for my candidate I have a stroke, and my left arm goes limp? Since I'm right-handed, I might never know that I just stroked out! Is my vote still good? Now I've, recently, learned that a good way to tell if you are having a stroke is to raise both arms high above the head, speak a sentence out loud, and smile. If you can do those three things, then you're not having a stroke.

This brings us to my proposal for stroke free vote. Let's redesign the voting machines to require the voter to raise both arms, and turn two keys simultaneously, while smiling, and saying the words, "My voice is my password". This should, forever, cure the world of stroke-based voting errors.

Now if we could only come up with a way to check for insanity-based voting.

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Posted by Tyler Farrer to Davis County Watch: Creative Solutions at 11/06/2006 12:56:00 PM

[Davis County Watch: Guest Bloggers] Can't decide who to support for State School Board?

Well, you're not alone. Chris Barden's campaign director wasn't sure, even after he'd taken the job with the Barden campaign.

Ben Horsely (who, incidentally, is a staffer for Rob Bishop) received a payment of $1,400 from Barden on September 22nd for his campaign director duties. On September 28th, he came to a meet the candidate event I had organized for Kim. I asked him if he supported Kim. He said he wasn't sure - that he'd just come to get some information to help him decide which candidate to support. I hope he's figured it out. Kim Burningham is the best choice for Utah's schools.

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Posted by NatGo to Davis County Watch: Guest Bloggers at 11/02/2006 08:35:00 AM