Standard-Examiner Editorial Board

Since its founding by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1889, Weber State University has seen a number of name changes.

Initially it was Weber Stake Academy and then Weber Academy. In 1918 it was renamed Weber Normal College, then shortened to Weber College. After the LDS Church transferred ownership to the state, it became Weber State College. In 1991 the college gained university status and officially became Weber State University.

Through all the name changes, one part has remained constant: "Weber."

Thumbs up: To RC Willey in Riverdale and the store’s employees for giving the Family Counseling Service of Northern Utah office a much needed facelift.

The writing is on the wall: Volunteers make a difference. And thanks in part, to several tutoring programs, more students in the Ogden School District can read that message.

Last year the school district and Read Today launched a pilot program to improve reading comprehension for students at Ogden elementary schools.

Thumbs up to Ogden and Weber County firefighters for their quick response and effective way they battled a fast-moving brush fire Tuesday morning at the mouth of Ogden Canyon. Their efforts prevented the fire from being much worse under such extreme conditions. No structures were damaged, and the effective and prompt manner in which residents were evacuated prevented any injuries.

Thumbs down to irresponsible gun owners who seemed oblivious to the mounting fire danger and continued to go out target shooting on public lands with bullets that created sparks. As a result of their carelessness, more than 20 wildfires were ignited in Utah over the last two months. This created a dilemma for politicians and responsible gun owners who had to deal with the necessity of supporting a ban on target shooting during the fire season.

The Standard-Examiner Editorial Board recommends that voters support incumbents Joyce F. Brown and Scott Freitag and challenger Dawn Fitzpatrick for Layton City Council.

Brown and Freitag have played an important role in the city's efforts to develop a business environment at the East Gate Business project. We need their continued input and expertise to make sure that tenants are gathered to East Gate and that the city benefits fiscally from it. Both also are innovative thinkers and will work to find ways to mix, in a positive manner, residential living in Layton with business development. We also believe that the pair will continue the council's efforts to take advantage of development opportunities on the city's west side.

Can anyone show any leadership in Washington over the debt limit talks? The sole accomplishment over reaching a deal to maintain America's ability to pay its bills is that Congress has agreed to return to work on July 5. This has oddly been hailed as a sign of resolve. Only among politicians is taking one day off for a holiday considered a sacrifice.

It's time for all members of the political game in Washington -- and that includes President Barack Obama -- to get to the negotiating table and hash out a plan that is fiscally sound and will extend our nation's obligations and credit. The pre-planned walkout of talks with Vice President Joe Biden by Rep. Eric Cantor and other Republicans was cynical and unserious.

And President Obama needs to insert himself into the debt limit talks. His scoffing at such a suggestion at last week's news conference underscores his oftentimes reluctance to lead. We didn't elect Vice President Joe Biden to guide this nation out of its fiscal dysfunction. Being the president comes with required leadership responsibilities -- President Obama should meet that criteria.