How long have you lived in Cedar City?
17 + years
Why do you want to be a part of the City Council?
The present national political climate is utterly frustrating to me. I don't think I can do much about the national issues, however, I can make a difference at the grass root level here in Cedar City. I know one man can make a difference in the well being of Cedar City and it's residents when working effectively with other council members. I would like the opportunity help Cedar City for the next four years as your newest City Councilman.What do you think are the biggest issues in our community right now?
1) Our sluggish economy 2) Too much government spending 3) Lack of job security 4) The raising of our taxes 5) Interchanges that are not traveler friendly.This would help attract business to our city from outside sources 6) Self-sufficient city entities & partnerships thus reducing tax dollars budgeted to them. When you think of Cedar City 5 or 10 years from now, what do you want to see?
1) Growth with proper infrastructure 2) Strong school system that encourages learning & extracurricular activities 3) More businesses: that encourages shopping locally and at competitive prices 4) More jobs that are higher paying 5) Safe, cohesive neighborhoodsWhat do you see as your top priorities if you are elected?
1) Stimulate small business by reducing fees and taxes of those businesses thus increasing the number of jobs and job security 2) Reduce budget 3) Reduce the size of Government and Government control 4) Reduce taxes by a number of ways 5) Proper infrastructure scope and design.
The New Aquatic Center -
The real questions is why is it costing so much more now then what was said when the public voted it in? This idea was voted in by the voting people of Cedar City. The estimated cost was about $7 million dollars at that time. Now it is a unacceptable and outlandish level of about $12 million plus! Almost twice as much than what was voted on! This figure includes a $1.5 million over budget amount already. At present, the completion date is about four months later then contracted. Cedar has applied and received a $7 million loan with a low interest rate (about 4.25%) from the state of Utah. This needs to be paid back within 25 years. Where is the other part of the cost coming from...increased taxes? Another issue is the estimated $900,000/year to operate and maintain the facility. I really have to wonder if all of this information was known to the general public at the time of voting, would it have really past? The Aquatic center is going to be a beautiful facility when it is finished, however, I don't want my great grandchildren to be negatively effected financially by this project.
Parks and Recreation -
This is a sleeping giant for Cedar City. Cedar can host sports tournaments at least 40 weekends a year. Each event could bring over $100,000/weekend to Cedar City! This is huge for many small businesses and would increase sales tax collected and lower the taxes paid by Cedar City citizens. Cedar City is a great place just waiting to be discovered by tens of thousands of new visitors a year.
Infrastructure -
Cedar City is going to grow, there is no doubt about that. Looking into the future is the key to proper infrastructure design. Bigger is better, with respect to water, sewer, garbage, recycling, etc. It is better and cheaper to put more capacity in now than to dig up everything later and put bigger lines in then. New facilities may be needed depending on the projected growth of Cedar City. If the outlying areas will be annexed into Cedar and brought up to Cedar standards, infrastructured projects would need to be larger and more in scope.
Share your thoughts about the following:
CATS -
This public transportation system seems to be good for citizens of Cedar. Cedar City needs to have some sort of public transportation. We need to work on having it self sufficient just like many of the other Cedar City entities should be. UTOPIA -
UTOPIA is a fiber optic system that would have cost the city millions of dollars. It appears to have been a good decision by the City Council, 5-6 years ago, to vote down UTOPIA. UTOPIA is reported to be close to bankruptcy and if the city would have voted for UTOPIA we would be on the line for millions. The New Aquatic Center -
The real questions is why is it costing so much more now then what was said when the public voted it in? This idea was voted in by the voting people of Cedar City. The estimated cost was about $7 million dollars at that time. Now it is a unacceptable and outlandish level of about $12 million plus! Almost twice as much than what was voted on! This figure includes a $1.5 million over budget amount already. At present, the completion date is about four months later then contracted. Cedar has applied and received a $7 million loan with a low interest rate (about 4.25%) from the state of Utah. This needs to be paid back within 25 years. Where is the other part of the cost coming from...increased taxes? Another issue is the estimated $900,000/year to operate and maintain the facility. I really have to wonder if all of this information was known to the general public at the time of voting, would it have really past? The Aquatic center is going to be a beautiful facility when it is finished, however, I don't want my great grandchildren to be negatively effected financially by this project.
Jobs -
The national average states that 70% of people are employed by small businesses. In Cedar City, I'm sure the percentage is even higher. Why are we taxing businesses so much? There is no question in my mind that if overhead is reduced (i.e.. Decrease taxes) the more efficient the businesses will be and more production/sales would occur, and more jobs will be kept and/or created. Help out the small business man by reducing fees and taxes. Tax revenue lost by this will be realized many times over in more jobs, more money spent in Cedar, more sales tax revenue etc...Parks and Recreation -
This is a sleeping giant for Cedar City. Cedar can host sports tournaments at least 40 weekends a year. Each event could bring over $100,000/weekend to Cedar City! This is huge for many small businesses and would increase sales tax collected and lower the taxes paid by Cedar City citizens. Cedar City is a great place just waiting to be discovered by tens of thousands of new visitors a year.
Infrastructure -
Cedar City is going to grow, there is no doubt about that. Looking into the future is the key to proper infrastructure design. Bigger is better, with respect to water, sewer, garbage, recycling, etc. It is better and cheaper to put more capacity in now than to dig up everything later and put bigger lines in then. New facilities may be needed depending on the projected growth of Cedar City. If the outlying areas will be annexed into Cedar and brought up to Cedar standards, infrastructured projects would need to be larger and more in scope.
Festivals or other activities -
We are known as the Festival City. The festivals are great and bring in commerce, however, Cedar City has a myriad of things to offer that can bring even more business to Cedar. Events such as teams sports tournaments (i.e. soccer, softball, baseball, wrestling, volleyball, etc), rodeos, golf, swimming events, running events, etc. Why should a person vote for you?
My ideas and solutions are "Common Sense" approaches. I know that in the next few years, major decisions will be made that truly affect many generations to come. All aspects of the issues need to be considered and their long-term effects, not just the "feel good" for right now. Problem solving, budgeting, reducing cost, being more effficent, increasing profitability, listening to people, and helping people are just some of the qualities I possess and perform every day in my business. I will bring these qualities and more to City Council and will help make sound "Common Sense" decisions to the situations facing Cedar City now and in the future. I am someone that shoulders responsibility instead of passing the buck.
My website www.commonsensecandidate.com What is the best way for people to learn more about you?
and What's your favorite dessert?
I don't have a favorite dessert. I have a sweet tooth and I love all kinds!
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