Truth Continues To Prevail

I was in a local grocery store the other day and ran into a neighbor of mine. "Why weren't you at that gondola meeting the other day?" he asked me. I informed him that I honestly had been asking questions and getting the answers on my own and felt I had a pretty good knowledge of the issue. I asked what he thought of the presentation. "To be honest," he replied, "as I went into that meeting, I was against this idea. But if it's not going to cost the taxpayers to bring it here, the worst it could do is help bring more jobs to this wonderful place."
We spoke for a bit longer before parting, and as we did so, I couldn't help but think how yet another person has been informed and recognized the gondola issue for its true merits. The thought that struck me the most at that point was- I have not yet found one person who was originally in favor of the "Ogden Gondola" who, upon hearing the facts, changed and no longer supports the idea (though maybe I am wrong and there is someone out there who has done this). In contrast, everyday, people in Ogden and the surrounding area are finding out the facts and details about this project and are supporting it. Nearly everyone I know of who has taken the time to find out the facts, have been in favor of this once those facts are in their possession.
To those who have heard bits and pieces about the gondola- Find out the truth. Learn the Facts. Ask the Right Questions from the Right People (and LISTEN to the Answers).
To those who support the gondola- Truth is Prevailing. Just make sure you can point your friends and neighbors to the CORRECT sources for the truth.
To quote a familiar phrase from a 90's TV show, "The Truth is Out There."

Smart Growth vs. Intelligent Growth

You've probably seen them around, prominently displayed in yards and local business. The sign promoting a web site next to a large question mark. Near that question mark are two words- "Ask Questions". And Smart Growth Ogden has done just that- asked questions. The problem I see is that they stopped right there and have gone no further. The sign should read "Ask Questions- Listen for Answers".
You may have heard the statement, "The only stupid question is the one not asked." This is not always the case. I taught in the public school system for four years and quickly learned something about students- the ones who asked the questions weren't necessarily the ones who learned (in fact, most kids who asked the questions seemed to be wanting to appear smart to those around them). The true mark of intelligence is not in the number of questions being posed, rather the degree to which one attends to the answer when it is given.
Of course, the experience I have had with Smart Growth is that they really aren't concerned with finding the answers, just asking the rhetorical questions. Why? Asking a rhetorical question is a simple tactic. Rhetorical questions (or the occasional rhetorical comment) are easily remembered. They are just as easily repeated.
My challenge to those who want "smart growth" in Ogden is to raise the bar. Don't just try to appear smart by asking questions- show your true intelligence by honestly listening for the answers. I can see it now- "Intelligent Growth Ogden: Ask questions, Listen for Answers, Learn the Truth."