CITY NEWS FR OM C I T Y H A L L T O YO U R HO ME
POSTAL CUSTOMER PRSRT STD US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 493 OGDEN, UT ECRWSS
February 2026
Mayor’s Message
Leading with clarity through uncertain times
By Ogden Mayor listening to our police chief Benjamin K. Nadolski and law enforcement leaderThese are serious times. ship, to frontline officers and Across our country, comto legal counsel. I am listening munities are grappling with to mayors and leaders across Ogden City’s PATH to Citizenship Program aims to support, educate and motivate Weber County fear, anger and a deep desire Weber County and to lessons residents who qualify to become naturalized U.S. citizens. for justice. National events learned from other cities — — particularly around immiboth where calm has been gration enforcement — have preserved and where things raised urgent questions about have gone wrong. And I am lishow power is exercised, how tening to my own conscience. rights are protected and how Listening is not optional. It is communities remain safe a duty of this office. and stable in an increasingly complex and fast-changing WHAT I AM HEARING environment. Here is what I am hearing Removing barriers through My Hometown Ogden, Cities as city chair alongside his Here in Ogden, those naclearly: Strong Foundation and Ogden wife. “If we can all come into collaboration with community tional debates have surfaced People want criminals who City, with several local busidifferent places and different partners has allowed Ogden locally as questions about harm others to be held acentities and connect with oth- how our city should respond, City’s PATH to Citizenship nesses, are working together countable. Program to continue into its to remove those challenger people — that’s what gives what actions local leaders are They want that accountabilthird year while welcoming its strength and security and alle- authorized to take, and how es, each contributing their ity carried out lawfully, peacelargest class yet. knowledge, time and money viates that fear.” we preserve both justice and fully and without disorder in to make this program more My Hometown Ogden is a The program aims to supstability at the same time. our streets. accessible and to reduce the citywide program now headport, educate and motivate Much of the outrage we are They want to know clearly fear of reaching out to local Weber County residents who ing into its fifth summer. It seeing is directed at events that the Ogden Police Departgovernment. qualify to become naturalized serves as a touchpoint to unfolding in other cities and ment is not enforcing immigra“We have a great partU.S. citizens and keep them bring together volunteers at federal authorities — areas tion law. civically engaged in their com- nership with Weber County from across the city’s diverse where local government has They want to know that the community, including resiLibraries. They’re the ones munity over the long term. little, if any, direct control. city is prepared to respond and who do all the classes to get Launched in 2024, this dents, local organizations, What I control as mayor is adjust in an ever-changing sopeople ready for interview,” churches, and businesses and how my administration govcommunity-led, city-supportcial and political environment. Lopez said. “Catholic Comcivic partners, with a common erns here at home. ed program set out to idenThey want leadership that goal of beautifying neighbortify the obstacles preventing munity Services does the When making decisions in is reasoned, disciplined and immigrants from pursuing cit- legal representation for all the hoods, strengthening relathis moment, I am constantly principled, not reactive or perpaperwork needed to apply izenship and to address them tionships and connecting with listening — both broadly and formative. for citizenship.” through established organineighbors through service. intentionally. They want to know that their “We actually go out into the zations already serving the Ogden City’s PATH to leaders are guided by justice, neighborhoods here in Ogden WHO I AM LISTENING TO community. According to the Citizenship program also has due process, ethics, integrity City and we look for homes 2020 census, Weber County grants to cover the cost of I am listening to residents and public safety with fidelity has nearly 8,000 residents N-400 Citizenship Application. that are in need. We work who are speaking publicly and to the law. closely with the city finding who would qualify to apply for Volunteer group My Homepassionately, and to residents They want to know that Ogthose homes and we get to naturalization but have yet to town Ogden tackles one of who are reaching out quietly den respects and values the know the individual or family do so. PATH hopes to reach the biggest problems families and privately. I am listening to diversity of faiths, nations and in that home, in those neighthose people. face when it’s time for those leaders and members of our cultures, and that everyone — “This program definitely fills evening classes: childcare. borhoods,” Griffin said. Those immigrant communities. I am See MAYOR’S MESSAGE on page 2 “They have a big room right same My Hometown voluna need we have in the communext to where the classes nity. That’s easy to do when teers are also offering free are, and we babysit, we have the funds and the community childcare to help make the activities for the kids,” said partnerships are there,” said PATH to Citizenship Program Diana Lopez, Ogden City com- Cherie Griffin, a city chair work. for My Hometown Ogden. “We’re trying to eliminate munity outreach coordinator. “It’s amazing to connect with every barrier, and having the “These barriers are similar for these little kids and their fam- kids in the same physical locaso many families. People are working full time. They don’t ilies.” She and her husband, tion with their parents makes have time to study. They think Steve, have volunteered with it easier,” Lopez said. “They they’re too old, not smart the organization for the last come with their kids and leave enough to learn the informathree years and see the role of with their kids.” My Hometown directly aligned Other aspects of PATH to tion. For some, it’s a financial with PATH’s goal of communi- Citizenship include a required barrier. Legal representation 40 hours of community sercan cost a lot of money. Right ty connection. now, we’re seeing a lot more “The most important thing vice, which can range from fear.” we can do inside of our comvolunteering at their chilWeber County Libraries, munity, to lift our community, dren’s school to attending city council meetings. This serves Catholic Community Services, is make connections,” said Mayor Ben Nadolski See CITIZENSHIP on page 3 United Way of Northern Utah, Steve Griffin, who serves
Program helping residents find a path to citizenship