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The Crossroads Journal

Question and Answer with Eagle Mountain Candidates

By Mike Kieffer
The Crossroads Journal recently offered Cedar Hills mayoral and city council candidates the chance to answer questions addressing issues important to local voters. Sixteen questions were sent to each of the candidates in the municipal elections that The Crossroads Journal covers. These candidates were given the opportunity to answer questions on a wide range of topics including; roads, development, family life, open space, schools, and why they are running for office. Participation in the survey was voluntary, not all candidates responded, and not all questions were answered by those that responded. Four of the sixteen questions were then randomly selected for each city to be published. The candidates did not know which questions were going to be selected for their city for publication.

The questions, printed below, are followed by the answers of individual candidates in random order.

Question - Why Eagle Mountain?

Debbie Hooge - Full Time Mayor Candidate (debbie4mayor@gmail.com)
I think it chose me in some crazy cosmic way.

Stephanie Gricius - Part Time Mayor Candidate (stephanie@votestephanie.org)
Why would you not choose to live in Eagle Mountain? This place and the people here are amazing. We're close to everything, yet still outside of the hustle and bustle of city life, and that's something Chris and I both love.

Donna Burnham - City Council Candidate (dburnham@gmail.com)
Believe it or not, my husband and I initially did not want to move to Eagle Mountain. it was simply too far from everything. We were struggling to decide where to relocate, made a spreadsheet with categories that were important to us, weighted the categories, and evaluated several communities. To our surprise, Eagle Mountain won hands down. I don't remember all the categories, but I know we wanted a child-friendly community where we could stay for many years, raise our children in a safe community and be close to a library. Since then, we have enjoyed many other wonderful aspects of eagle mountain, including open space, night skies and a real sense of community. We have lived here over 16 years and still love it.

Matt Visser - City Council Candidate (Givemeyours1st@gmail.com)
About 16 years ago we moved to Eagle Mountain. The house we were going to build in Saratoga Springs fell through. So we continued to look, and found a house here. We moved to the city, when the closest grocery store was in Lehi, or Riverton. We had to plan trips to the store and it saved us tons of money on impulse buys. I'm glad we moved here. This community is a tight knit community where people are willing to help. I don't see the same things in other cities. The reason we moved here is like many others, the open space and we get more home for less money.

Drew Curley - City Council Candidate (drew@drewcurley.com)
My wife and I chose Eagle Mountain ten years ago because we love the wide open spaces, the small town feeling, the friendly citizens and that this is one of the few places in the state that remind us a little bit of where we grew up. When we moved to a larger home a year ago, we chose Eagle Mountain again because we love this city.

Jan Preece - City Council Candidate (preecejan@gmail.com)
We lived in West Valley for 20 years and had wanted to move for a while. My husband got a job in Orem so we took the opportunity to go ahead with our plans and just move. We picked Eagle Mountain because of its location to the Salt Lake Valley and Bountiful area where we have family. Later my husband's job changed to Sandy and we loved the peace and quiet out here, the stars at night and most important the people we choose to stay!

Melissa Clark - City Council Candidate (melissa4EM@gmail.com)
We moved to Eagle Mountain 9 years ago because we were making a job change and needed an affordable place to rent. We stay in Eagle Mountain because it is where our hearts are. As we have fallen in love with this place and the sense of community and beauty, we have made this place home and bought our family a home here. We raise our kids here, garden here, worship here, serve here and wouldn't have it any other way.

Jared Gray - City Council Candidate (grayjar@gmail.com)
I grew up in Lehi, so at first (back in 1998) to find my wife! (She was in Eagle Mountain.) Then, like most, it was affordable. But now, almost 20 years later, because it's the best. We have the best of all worlds and lack very little. Close to big city's with jobs and airports, yet far enough away to be quite with open space and clean air. It's perfect here.

Question: With the new High School and the development in City Center, what do you feel would be the best way to alleviate the road problems facing Eagle Mountain?

Jan Preece - City Council Candidate 
Roads are, and will always be, a big issue in any city, Eagle Mountain not excluded. First off, roads are expensive to build and expensive to maintain, so this issue cannot be taken lightly.

We need to make sure to hold the developers accountable for the roads they are responsible to put in. This has been a problem more in the past more than at this time. The problem I am seeing with adequate roads now stems mostly from developers waiting until the end of a project before they complete the secondary access road into and out of neighborhoods. I feel as a city we need to address this issue upfront and possibly change when we require the developer to put these secondary access roads in or, if it is the city that is responsible, we need to do so in a timelier manner.

Jared Gray - City Council Candidate 
Well this is a multi part question to me, and it can't be given justice in only a few sentences. Our existing roads need better infrastructure, and we need better access to destination locations in this city. Maybe a bypass or collectors. Much more on this topic, and I built roads for a living, so my knowledge is extensive on this topic.

Melissa Clark - City Council Candidate 
It comes down to safety, the great snow storm of 2008 had kids stranded in school gyms overnight because parents could not get to them and many adults spent the night walking around Smiths because the roads home were all shut down, and the roads that were open could not handle the traffic. There was also the evacuation and state of emergency in 2012 due to wild fires, because the number of roads and specifically lanes were limited, there were an increase of accidents and again more traffic than the current roads could handle. Let's not let the territory battle over roads keep any of us from getting home safely, so we have to work together with our state and county leaders to make reasoned decisions to improve the development of roads.

Matt Visser - City Council Candidate 
Roads are a huge concern for all of us in EM whether it's limited access to neighborhoods, too few lanes to accommodate the high traffic times, or something as simple as maintenance. While I believe that we're trying to correct the problem, I believe more can be done. Developers need to be held to contracts or we should renegotiate for the best long term interests of the city. SITLA seems to hold a lot of control and, I believe there are ways we can develop the way the city feels is best and not let SITLA decide for us.

Jonathan Vale - Mayor Candidate (jokersstyle@hotmail.com)
As with any problem, there are multiple ways to solve a problem. That is why it is important that as mayor, I would consider not only my solution, but the solutions of the city council, the residents of Eagle Mountain, and others as well. My idea on how to alleviate the road problems for the new High School would be to have multiple ways for traffic to flow. The main exit corridor, to me, is going to be Pony Express Parkway. Since this has only one way both directions, traffic would soon come to a bottleneck when school is let out or when any event at the school would occur. To alleviate this, the answer would be to expand the road to two lanes in both directions.

Drew Curley - City Council Candidate 
The best way to alleviate road problems facing Eagle Mountain is twofold. First, when we construct new roads and make repairs, they need to be done in such as a manner as would provide longevity. When you already have traffic flow issues, ill-planned construction along with more frequent or longer lasting repairs have devastating effects. This will require higher investment in our road infrastructure. Second, we need more arterial roads. We need a road to connect Cory Wride Hwy (or at least EM Blvd) directly to Pony Express Pkwy near Cory Wride Memorial Park. This will not only help school traffic, but also ease driving to what is scheduled to be a destination park.

Debbie Hooge - Full Time Mayor Candidate 
Good question and, yes, it is a big problem, especially for people in The Ranches where neighborhood collectors are beginning to act like freeways to accommodate through traffic.The answers are not simple, nor are they cheap. I believe the smartest is a third North/South collector on the West of the new high school, past the airport and up to SR73. Eagle Mountain Blvd was designed to be the major collector on the west side of town. While it is a fast road, some residents seem reluctant to use it and prefer going through The Ranches. Another option is to slow travel on Pony Express and Ranches Pkwy, such that it is not a fast solution. Then, build a collector from west of the high school over to Eagle Mountain Blvd. This would probably not be a popular solution, but I believe it would be the quickest and cheapest.

Donna Burnham - City Council Candidate 
With the new high school and continued development in City Center, we have a serious transportation problem. I would like to propose both short-term and long term-solutions to the problem. First, we need to add a long center turning lane on Pony Express so that those turning left into or out of the school will hold up thru traffic as little as possible. Then I propose we build a secondary access road to the school from Eagle Mountain Boulevard. In the long term, we need to widen Pony Express all the way to City Hall. SITLA has fought the expansion of the road from the beginning, but even with other road options in our long-term plan, this road needs to be widened to help meet the city's transportation demands.

Stephanie Gricius - Part Time Mayor Candidate 
It's obvious that as the city grows we are going to need more roads, and roads cost money. Right now the city is working on a comprehensive road maintenance plan. This will prolong the life of our existing roads. My number one budget priority for this fiscal year is roads, as was the majority of the council's, and you'll see this reflected in the upcoming budget.

Question: What are your views on property rights, and how do you plan on balancing the property rights of current residents with the property rights of prospective developers?

Jonathan Vail - Mayor Candidate
My view on property rights is that the owner of the property should be able to build or do what they need to do as long as they: 1. Follow all applicable laws, permits, and zoning criteria, 2. Do not negatively impact the values of neighboring properties, and 3. During building phases, all procedures and plans should minimize the impact that is made on the current residents. In order to obtain a balance, I plan on working with the appropriate committees and the city council to ensure appropriate zoning is applied to each area. Planning is a key part to ensuring that values are maintained. On top of this, any major developments will need to submit plans, which need to be approved, on how they are going to minimize any impact (i.e. dust prevention procedures, truck traffic routes) on the existing community.

Donna Burnham - City Council Candidate
Balancing property rights of current residents with the rights of developers is one of the most important yet difficult tasks a council faces. Everyone is a fan of property rights until their neighbor wants to build an ugly garage or a developer plans a new subdivision that will destroy their view. I am a strong proponent of property rights for all and will work within the legal parameters the council has to protect existing residents. Confrontational diplomacy doesn't work. Finding the proper balance of rights, listening to input from residents, developers, and city staff, and working together will always produce a better result.

Jan Preece - City Council Candidate
Property Rights are guaranteed under the 5th Amendment to the Constitutions of the United States of American and reads in part, "No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation." My beliefs follow the constitution. A person has a right to do with their property (land) as they see fit, but there is the exception of zoning regulations which are in place to ensure that land, and land use is developed in a matter that protects the right of the community. At times the rights of the land owner collide with zoning laws and or the desire of other landowners to change the zoning laws. When considering any changes to zoning laws, or appropriating private property for public use the rights and good of the community must be considered. I am not in favor of changing zoning unless the applicant can prove by a preponderance of evidence that it is for the public good and not just a private good.

Matt Visser - City Council Candidate
I stand strong on property rights. If you own the property you should decide what happens on it. That said we have zoning for a reason. We probably don't want a pig farm, next to a restaurant. Recently in a city council meeting, staff proposed that we change wording in our code. The change is simple, but it limits property rights tremendously. Heres the run down. The proposal was to restrict anything that wasn't specifically mentioned as approved in the code. I don't think its governments role to tell us what we can do, but to give basic restrictions. I stood up and gave public comment on my feelings, at that council meeting.

Drew Curley - City Council Candidate
I am a firm believer in property rights and conforming with the laws, whether they be city-wide or for your community. If you live in an HOA, I believe in abiding by those standards or working to change them if you believe they are unjust. The same goes for the city. If we want higher property values and a safe community, these are necessary. Developers have a hand in this of course. We need to plan our city's development responsibly to lend itself to conditions where the goals of safety and community are maintained. When and where permitted, I am committed to take the legal approach, which is to leave property as unencumbered as possible, giving preference to freedom.

Melissa Clark - City Council Candidate
Our country was founded on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It all comes to property, personal property rights and freedoms, and when we stick to these basic founding principles, we can avoid costly or dangerous mistakes made by government.

All over Eagle Mountain, we have developments popping up, but the plans for those developments haven't happened overnight; someone has invested their own money into the land, then the engineering and plans, and amenities and infrastructure. Those who have followed proper procedures, laws, and codes should be allowed to develop their property. It has been hard losing our unblemished view out of my backyard, but I know that the houses being built across the street also represent the hopes and dreams of another family and it is not my right to stand in the way of that.

Stephanie Gricius - Part Time Mayor Candidate
Property rights are just that, a RIGHT. The balancing act between developers and residents can sometimes be a little sticky, but it can be worked through. One example is the dust issue that was facing the Mt. Airey area. The landowner was vested with the extractive industries overlay zone, and therefore within their right to do certain things. I went to lunch with the landowner and discussed the problem. At that point I asked if he would mind doing a presentation on the the new dust mitigation measures, which he put together and brought to council. Later, when their MDA was before council, I asked if they would be willing to remove the overlay zone if we included language that protected their current operation. They accepted, and it turned out that the conversation up to that point had been, in large part, based on a misunderstanding. Communication is key.

Debbie Hooge - Full Time Mayor Candidate
Well, I would separate property rights from development rights. Property rights involve our right to enjoy the use of our property and to have it protected from the government changing our quiet use and enjoyment without having some eminent domain that would alter this. I am passionate about protecting the rights of the residents and people who own or lease a property and want them to able to use and enjoy it. I do not believe eminent domain or dramatic changes in use should ever be used except in the most critical occasions where there are risks to the community.

Jared Gray - City Council Candidate
Property rights are important to me. I will defend rights of property owners (both existing and future) by staying within the law first of all, but making sure our zoning and future zoning plans are what is best for our city and residents.

Question: What do you see as the best thing that Eagle Mountain has going for it, and how do you plan on protecting it for future generations?

Matt Visser - City Council Candidate
I think the greatest thing that eagle mountain has going for it, is the people. We come together faster than anyplace. Missing kids? Search parties. Lost pets? Everybody keeps an eye out. People need food? Organize a food drive. City cuts programs you love? Organize a board and make it happen. Family's in need? We come together to take care of them. The way the city can help protect that is simple. Keep the small town feel.

Jared Gray - City Council Candidate
The best thing about Eagle Mountain is the people. It's such a new town, everyone is an equal no matter how you got here. It's not a good old boy mentality that excludes new or young people. It's a beautiful place. Lots of amenities for such a young city.

Debbie Hooge - Full Time Mayor Candidate
Eagle Mountain has the people going for it. It has the land going for it. And, it has lots of room to grow, but growth needs to be smart. We need to go back to providing sufficient open space. We need to start planning for parks decades in advance and then actually building them. We need to think neighborhood, and not just city.

I have eight grandchildren living and growing in Eagle Mountain. Personally, I hate seeing them stuck on their devices and watching TV. I would like them to be able to run to the neighborhood park and play, without worrying about whether or not they are safe. I love taking long walks with them on the trails or hiking in the foothills above where I live. It is such a blessing for me and them. We walk and we talk. That is my legacy to them, and it should be the legacy the city provides to all its citizens.

Donna Burnham - City Council Candidate
The best thing Eagle Mountain has going for it is the people who live here. We have an incredible sense of community, which we don't want to lose. We need to continue city efforts to involve citizens in the community, such as community cleanup projects, city planning and visioning and family-friendly city events and parks. But government can't and shouldn't shoulder this responsibility alone. We have many great civic groups in our community that the city can highlight and give more visibility.

Stephanie Gricius - Part Time Mayor Candidate
Eagle Mountain's biggest resource is the residents. I'm always inspired by how the community comes together to help someone in need. Another of our defining characteristics is the outdoor recreation. You can hike, bike and do just about any outdoor activity just a few minutes from home. Protecting this is something that is currently being thoughtfully considered as we redo our master plan.

Melissa Clark - City Council Candidate
The best thing that Eagle Mountain has going for it is the heart of the people. When a family is facing a horrible illness, we rally together to raise funds and show support. When a local elementary school was under attack by a man with history of mental illness, we saw leaders of the business community start a drive of support for the man's family to show that Eagle Mountain supports all of its residents, including the ones that are usually forgotten about.

Drew Curley - City Council Candidate
The best thing I can see that Eagle Mountain has going on is that it is still a great place to raise a family. Crime rates are low, schools are good, neighbors are kind and service oriented, and it's one of the last places around where the whole town feels connected. If you were here during the Robbie Raccoon days, you know what I mean. Sometimes we are a silly, sarcastic, or even at times overly passionate people, but we are real people, living real lives, caring for one another.

Jonathan Vail - Mayor Candidate
The biggest good that Eagle Mountain has going for it is the people. They are willing to help each other and the community as a whole. The way to protect this is by continuing to have the many opportunities for the city and he citizens to interact and help each other.

Jan Preece - City Council Candidate
Biggest Good of Eagle Mountain is the people and sense of community. I am impressed everyday by what my neighbors do for each other.
The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2024 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 


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