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Saratoga Springs Candidate Questions - General Election 2017 October 29, 2017, 6:17 amQuestion: There is a steep learning curve in becoming well-versed and effective in managing local government operations and functions. What strategies, tools, and methods will you use to most quickly and efficiently bring yourself up to speed on those aspects of governance? Stephen Willden, City Council Candidate, "Over the last four years as a city council member, I have been actively engaged learning the various aspects of the local government becoming an effective member of the city council. As stated by Jefferson Moss, Representative of House District 2, '[Stephen has] been a solid and stable member of the Council through the various challenges our city has faced.' David Lifferth, Former Representative of House District 2, stated '[Stephen] really does understand the issues and he knows how they will impact the families and individuals that he represents.'" Michale McOmber, City Council Candidate, "I continuously stay up to date and informed not just on the city business that I am expected to be well versed and informed on as I make decisions, but on what the state and in some cases the federal government are up to in terms of regulations affecting the city. They expect the cities to pay for these unfounded mandates with taxpayer money. Staying informed allows me to push back and communicate with state and federal officials that I have established relationships with and have open dialogue and discussions with on a regular basis." Leah Hansen, City Council Candidate, "Thankfully it is steep and not vertical! I think it'd be safe to say that that same "learning curve" is bestowed by God upon many adults to raise children and a family, and yet, somehow people still manage to do that well, despite the lack of experience in the first place, so I am hopeful! While I don't know EVERYTHING there is to know right now about aspects of governance, I am not new to the challenges of raising a family with its accompanying curveballs. My experiences with my husband, children and life, in general, have taught me to be teachable, to seek learning from any and every one, to be honest, to seek truth regardless of where it is found, to ask questions about anything I don't understand, to embrace the pain of learning, to embrace that some solutions require thinking outside the box, to see that principles are the answer, to see people as people, to work to be one and I believe that these experiences are strategies, tools and methods that will be helpful to me as I work with others on aspects of governance." Jim Miller, Mayoral Candidate, "Over the past four years I have overcome the learning curve by working hard to understand all departments and roles/functions of the city so that decisions from the council can be made with as much knowledge as possible. Saratoga Springs Councilman Stephen Willden stated, 'Jim Miller is truly the people's mayor. He has worked tirelessly over the past four years with the city council to improve our infrastructure, reduce densities, bring in businesses, expand recreation, increase services, preserve open space, and generally make our city a better place to live all without increasing taxes.'" Question: Frequently two or more principles will be placed in direct conflict of one another. As an example, in the case of property rights vs city planning, what the property owner desires for their land use may be in direct conflict with the city general plan or may be incompatible with adjacent landowners land uses. How will you resolve the dissonance between two important principles? Stephen Willden, City Council Candidate, "Often desires of adjoining homeowners or landowners often come into conflict, and the city council is charged with protecting property right of all residents. When conflicts between homeowners or landowners arise, the key is to bring all parties together and work towards a solution that is generally amenable to all the parties. The council and mayor have been able to successfully accomplish this over the last four years many times. For example, Gavin McClellan, Saratoga Springs Resident, stated '[Stephen] was empathetic and proposed common sense solutions that were mutually beneficial.'" Michale McOmber, City Council Candidate, "Vested property rights must be protected or compensation for any taking should be considered. Granting additional property rights above and beyond what is currently granted must be in line with the strategic vision and published land use and zoning maps which are presented to the community regularly for their input and constructive feedback. Open discussion and transparent decisions by the Council are an essential part of the process and make sure that all property rights are being discussed and evaluated when decisions are made." Leah Hansen, City Council Candidate, "Going along with the late Stephen Covey's reference that principles are "natural laws that cannot be broken," I have a hard time understanding how principles (like the law of the harvest or the law of gravity, or property rights) could ever be in conflict with one another, unless something else is getting in the way. Principles are not the problem, we are. The question isn't whether or not there is dissonance between principles but between the actions of people (let's get that straight!) applying principles, and it wouldn't matter what principle, either. How to resolve that problem of people applying principles is a hard one, and I plan to handle it with lots of dialogue, care and lots and lots of prayer." Jim Miller, Mayoral Candidate, "I know that open communication with the residents is a big part of solving disputes on planning, zoning, and property rights issues. Often I have found that both sides want something similar, but just need the opportunity to bring them together. '[Jim's] leadership has kept communication open between the city, developers, and residents…to assure all stakeholders are heard and carefully considered,' stated Paula Hill, Alpine School District Board Member and Saratoga Springs resident. '[Jim] supports the open discussion of issues, often making himself personally available to listen to concerns relative to the smallest issues in our city,' said Saratoga Springs resident, Brandon Taylor." Question: How will you approach working with entities whose authority supersedes the local government (SITLA, BLM, State Government, County Government, School districts) and the conflict that presents to the city and concerned residents? Stephen Willden, City Council Candidate, "The key to working with other government agencies is to develop positive relationships and work together to find the best solution for the taxpayers. Over the last four years, the council and mayor have worked to improve relationships with the school district, the state, UDOT, and other government agencies. Due to these relationships, we have been able to expedite the Redwood Road improvements by UDOT and begin building sorely needed schools in our area. Paula Hill, Alpine School District Board of Education, stated 'Stephen's banking background has added greatly to the good work of the City Council.'" Michale McOmber, City Council Candidate, "I have developed relationships with all the entities listed above in the question. The city must work with these groups in order to be successful in accomplishing our goals. One group, in particular, is UDOT since many of our roads including Redwood are under their 100% jurisdiction. All the construction that is going on with that road is a perfect example of why it is important to have established relationships. UDOT can do what they want with their roads and through proactive dialogue, I have communicated the concerns and desire of the residents to widen Redwood Rd sooner than originally scheduled. We were successful and they started this year rather than waiting till the Spring of 2019." Leah Hansen, City Council Candidate, "I will approach working with entities whose authority supersedes city government the same way that is described in the Bible when referring to sheep being in the midst of wolves: Be wise as serpents and harmless as a dove." Jim Miller, Mayoral Candidate, "Relationships with the various entities are key to successfully working with them. I have had the chance to work closely with all the groups you have mentioned and had successful outcomes on many occasions for the residents. Jefferson Moss, District 2 House Representative and Saratoga Springs resident stated, 'In my interactions with other cities, Utah County, MAG, and the legislature, it's clear that Jim is highly regarded and that he does a great job representing Saratoga Springs' interests.'" Question: What personality trait do you have that you feel gives you an advantage over the other candidates? Stephen Willden, City Council Candidate, "The personality trait that sets me apart from other candidates is my ability to emotionally detach myself from politically charged situations and make decisions based on facts, data and the desire of the residents. Brian Chapman, Saratoga Springs Planning Commissioner, stated '[Stephen] carefully evaluates issues and makes reasonable decisions based on the information and effect on residents, he makes the right decisions even when they aren't easy or self-promoting.'" Michale McOmber, City Council Candidate, "I am a very good negotiator and debater. I also understand the power of good customer experience as this is what I do for my professional full-time job. I am the Customer Experience Director for a multi-billion dollar IT company and have to assess relationships and identify ways to address and rectify different points of view or desired outcomes. This has helped me often in my tenure as a city council member in Saratoga Springs and I hope to be able to continue to serve the city the next four years." Leah Hansen, City Council Candidate, "I am not in the habit of looking for things that make me look better than the other candidates, because we candidates are running for office, and that, I feel, is something that ought to be applauded. I do, however, feel that the personality trait that I have that will be advantageous to the city as well as to the other candidates who are also running for City Council, is that I love looking for ways to find what's common between us -- what we agree on and work together on/from that, and I believe that the residents, as well as my other esteemed candidates, would appreciate that as well. I wish the other candidates well as we work through to the General Election." Jim Miller, Mayoral Candidate, "I believe my level-headed approach to situations and my love for serving the community is a great advantage to leading the city and working with residents. Erica Groneman, a Saratoga Springs resident said, 'Mayor Jim Miller has an excellent disposition to lead our city. He doesn't over-react under pressure, but he is pragmatic, calm and composed. I witnessed this first-hand in the fight to keep the prison out of our community. Mayor Miller wasn't afraid to stand up for the residents in our city and do and say what needed to be done and said.'" 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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