Recently I was asked the following four questions.  Hopefully you find my answers helpful:

What would you consider the most important issue facing West Valley City and how can you fix it?

The most important issue facing West Valley City is navigating the city through the recession and into recovery without harming taxpayers or essential services.  Sales tax revenues are down ten percent, the economy continues to sputter, and residents cannot afford tax increases during the worst recession in decades.

As a businessman, an MBA grad, and with my past experience as West Valley’s Business Development Manager I am uniquely suited to lead the city towards continued economic development and to steer us out of the recession.  We have critical projects underway—the Valley Fair Mall redevelopment, the Jordan River Marketplace, the City Center project, the Hexcel industrial park, and more—that we must see through to success.

But economic development alone is not enough.  We must hold the line on spending.  I’m a fiscal conservative and have proven that with my votes.  In my time on the City Council, the city’s debt has been paid down 43%.  As a result, our bond rating was upgraded to AA+ and we were able to save millions in taxpayer dollars by refinancing city bonds at lower interest rates.  I wish that Washington D.C. could learn from us the value of living within your means!

Why should the residents of West Valley City vote for you?

The residents of West Valley should vote for me because I have a depth and diversity of city experience, a vision for the future, and a record of accomplishment.  I fight for lower taxes and fiscal restraint.  I have worked with my colleagues to balance the budget, yet fund a record number of police officers. 

I am tough on crime and voted for the “Good Landlord Program”.  This incents apartment owners to run criminal background checks on prospective tenants and has helped reduce crime by 35% in some apartment complexes.  I will continue to combat crime by increasing coordination with neighboring police agencies and expanding the neighborhood watch program.    

I voted to fund a dedicated graffiti officer, whose good efforts have resulted in a 40% drop in graffiti.  I voted for citywide recycling.  We are coming together as a city to reduce our landfill costs (can you imagine life now without your blue can?).

I developed a program to recognize the city’s top students.  So far, 120 have received the Mayor’s Star of Excellence Award, aiding in college and scholarship applications.  I don’t just talk about making our city better; I have a record to show I walk the walk.

What have you done to prepare yourself to be Mayor of West Valley City?

I bring a diverse package of experiences– service as a citywide elected official, four years as West Valley’s Business Development Manager, experience running the city’s oldest business, and deep roots in the community.

I hold an Honors BA in History and an MBA from the University of Utah.  I’m also a graduate of the Governor’s Honors Academy at Southern Utah University and completed an executive program at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

As a historian, I have been appointed by Governor Huntsman to two terms on the Utah Board of State History. I am an author of six published books, including Utah in 2050: Glimpses of Our Future, and regional bestseller Presidents & Prophets. 

For a dozen years I’ve volunteered on numerous committees, including the West Valley Historical Society, the WV Civic Committee, Miss West Valley Scholarship Pageant, the West Valley Olympic Organizing Committee, the WV Sister City Committee, the first West Side “Relay for Life” for the American Cancer Society, Granger Crossings Business Improvement District, the Salt Lake Employers’ Council and Chamber West’s Economic Development Committee.

Most importantly, I’ve also prepared to be West Valley City’s mayor by listening and gathering input from hundreds of city residents.

What qualities would you bring to the West Valley City Council?

By state law, the mayor of West Valley City has three roles, that each require qualities I would bring:

First, the mayor is the chair of the City Council, leading and voting in their meetings.  This requires TEAMWORK to work with the other members of the Council, ORGANIZATION to run efficient meetings, KNOWLEDGE of parliamentary procedure and Robert’s Rules of Order, EMPATHY to listen to the people who will address you and even PATIENCE for long meetings!

Second, the mayor is the city’s Chief Ceremonial Officer.  Yes, this means you get to cut the ribbons, dig in the dirt at groundbreakings, and welcome visitors from our sister cities.  This requires someone who is ARTICULATE to give short speeches, and since one of our sister cities is Nantou, Taiwan, it doesn’t hurt that I speak fluent MANDARIN CHINESE.

Third, the mayor is the city’s official representative with the community at-large.  I would bring ENERGY, ENTHUSIASM, and PASSION as I advocate for West Valley City.  Through years of civic involvement, I would bring RELATIONSHIPS with county, school board, state, and national leaders that I would leverage to benefit West Valley City.  I would bring WISDOM on how to best present our city.