Why Vote? Well this time every vote counts!

It is that time of year and as I am sure you are aware there is a mayoral race upon us. In some cases you may have felt in the past that your vote doesn't count or that you are in the minority so it wouldn't matter anyway. In this race(the primary) this couldn't be further from the truth! The city expects no more than 2000 people to vote in the primary! 2000! That means that every vote is worth 1/2000 of the vote! If you want your voice to be heard now is the time!
If you have a salt lake city address on your drivers license you are automatically registered to vote. To check your registration status, obtain a vote-by-mail ballot application or review your sample ballot, visit www.clerk.slco.org or call 468-3427
You can vote early at 2 different locations:
(make sure to bring a valid photo ID and 2 forms of forms that prove residency(like bills with your name and address on it)

Salt Lake City Govt. Center
2001 South State Street
South Building, Room S1100

or

Salt Lake City & County Building
451 South State Street Room 138
(ADA access on East side of building)

When: Weekdays between Aug 20-Sept 10
Hours: 8am-5pm


Otherwise you can vote on voting day
Where:
Mulit-Ethnic Senior Hi-Rise
120 S 200 W
7am-8pm

Here are a few articles about the mayoral race as well as district 4 & 6 reps for city council(we are district 4)

Mayor Bunch Article

Nancy Saxton(district 4) here

District 6 here

Luke Garrott-An advocate for us even though he lives on the E side

I must say Luke Garrott has been with us from the beginning. Although never attending an activity he has attended a meeting and has also been very frequent on my blog. From our conversations, he is motivated to do the right thing for our ENTIRE district, not just the E side. I appreciate his willingness to listen to our problems AND offer meaningful suggestions.

So....who am I voting for?

I went to the forum last night hoping to know who I am planning to endorse for Salt Lake City Mayor. While I feel like I know who I do not want to be in, I am still torn between 2.5 candidates.

I spoke with Jenny Wilson, Keith Christensen, and Ralph Becker(my 2.5 choices)
The first question I asked is if they would be willing to sign my petition for the dog park in Pioneer Park. Keith Christensen and Ralph Becker signed right away and spoke to me candidly and knowledgeably about the park and our neighborhood. When I got to Jenny Wilson she refused to sign. She said that she had to do more research on the subject. I can understand her hesitation, however it shows that she is not current on this issue(even though a member of Parktivites had already spoken to her about our concerns a month or so ago) She also gave me the very distinct impression that she was not talking with me but spewing lines at me(she seemed tired in her defense) Both Keith and Ralph spoke with me at length about anything that I brought up and seemed excited to support our cause(the park and our neighborhood)

I am kind of sad, truthfully I went in really rooting for Jenny. (she still has hope, she is my .5 of the 2.5 choices)I have heard wonderful things about her, she seems really well educated, spoken and connected. She is also a fighter(I could tell from her stances in the city council) however when it came down to it I got the feeling that she would come into office without knowledge of our neighborhood, which is at a very pivotal point right now and the right leadership in the mayors office is key.

So now I need to decide between Ralph and Keith. For me, I feel that these two are focused on issues that are most important to me, they know me, my causes.

Especially on the issue of our beautiful park Keith Christensen fought long and hard to make the park a destination for the city by changing it to Pioneer square and surrounding it with restaurants and life. He put his reputation on the line and in the end didn't get his way, but I was inspired by his vision.

Ralph is a bit quieter but has the right ideas and background-he is also passionate about a long term vision of Salt Lake City.

So now it is up to them to convince me.

If you have a comment please feel free to send them!

Politic 20 debate for SLC Mayor: questions and answers

I am the only candidate who:

Ralph Becker:
What do we want to accomplish as a city?
How do we get there?
Salt Lake city a great place to live and an all American city

JP Hughes:
Non Profit
wants to be involved, loves democracy, loves other candidates, new face

John Renteria:
address issues for minority

Keith Christensen:
strong civic background, doesn't make a living as a politician:desisions are based on public sector, strong experience managerial

Jenny Wilson:
changed a diaper today
passed nepotism laws
gay and lesbian support
limit campaign contributions
drug treatment more funding
48 million in open spaces

What would your experience outside of politics do to help you in your job as Mayor:

JP Hughes:
immunization records/funding
surgeon
work together with people


John Renteria:
Non profit radio
migration workers program
small business owner(bar and grill)
franchise owner

Keith Christensen
farm boy
law school
real estate, water law
business 1)retail
manufacturing
real estate sector
donated time to public service

Jenny Wilson
Olympic games
Sundance
property development at Sundance
Sundance catalog
environmental advocate
worked with Mit Romney SLOC

Ralph Becker
store clerk, janitor, law enforcement, environmental lawyer, teach part time at U of U

Since the LDS church is located in SLC, how would religious views affect u decision

John Renteria: none

Keith Chris: personal, it would not affect, no place in city hall for religious bias!

Jenny Wilson: LDS until young adult(brave to admit) none

Ralph Becker: provide for values: golden rule: separation of church and state very important

JP Hughes: Mormon big time big history buff, loves his religion but would not let it affect his policy


Do you support equal rights for gay and lesbian couples:

Keith Christensen: Yes, compared to civil rights movement

Jenny Wilson: Yes, initiated health care rights for same sex couples

Ralph Becker: Yes, Full equal rights for all. Likes Rocky's stand. Extend benefits, domestic partnerships, hate crime laws

JP Hughes: Yes, no excuse for treating anyone any differently.

John Reneria: Yes,


How do you feel about school vouchers:

Jenny Wilson: appose very strongly more money for public schools, smaller class sizes, educational advocate

Ralph Becker: Apposed, education advocate, will work to defeat

JP Hughes: Not sure: read Freakanomics, supports school vouchers because of autistic grandson

John Renteria: appose

Keith Christenson: wish it would go away, thinks it is a bad law,


Money and Politics:

Jenny Wilson: open, campaign contributions

Keith Christensen: open

Ralph Becker: open, honesty, gifts, junkets are revolting

Other Guy: running a shoestring budget, put your money where your mouth is

JP Hughes: limits and grants, put limits and give everyone the same amount, money limits the amount of trust in system

Second Amendment rights:

Jenny Wilson: supported preventing concealed weapons in public places, increase level of training for a permit, background permit

Keith Christensen: doesn't support concealing weapons, reasonable restraint-no churches, campuses, etc

John Renteria: not in public places

JP Hughes: supports concealed weapons, not in public places

Ralph Becker: thinks system for concealed weapons is ineffective-no public places
Should not be able to purchase a gun without a permit(which is the case right now)


Most innovative idea for transforming Salt Lake City:

Keith Christenson: ownership of citizens, manage the city's people well, the most livable city in America by: education, crime reduction, environment, public transit, reinvest money into city.

john: people to elect him....because he is a "minority" address politically disenfranchised(a true democrat) revitalize downtown, transform west side

JP Hughes: Put the homeless in homes

Ralph Becker: growing a great American city: engage the city, bolster public education, model green city, bike paths, neighborhoods as centers.

Jenny Wilson: creative industries, small companies, technology companies, dynamic night life.
inspired by Richard Florida, downtown rising

Individual Question: Jenny Wilson: Washington DC, and NY trip was paid for by campaign funds....is this a double standard?

Jenny Wilson: No....listed reasons how this was a legitimate campaign expense

Keith Christensen: campaign fund usage is personal, does not choose to use personal funds for any trips
Commented on how sad it is that our system of voting needs this much money

John: justified

JP Hughes: justified

Ralph Becker: justified, commented on campaign expense, that we need to change the rules so the campaign is not run by money


If built, should the sky bridge be a public space:

John Renteria: has a problem with city creek, but also feels that sky bridge needs to have access to main street. feels that the Church is the only one that will benefit

JP Hughes: of course, approves of sky bridge

Ralph Becker: does not support sky bridge, as a planner does not think they work, since it is going to happen, keep it public

Jenny Wilson: likes sky bridge idea since it is LEEDS certified

Keith Christensen: doesn't support since Rocky doesn't. It is not a no brainer, listen to both sides. Has studied bridges, thinks it would work.


How can we create a city where people can do most of the things they need to do without a car?

JP Hughes: thinks it would be hard however, thinks it is important through public transit and bikes

Ralph Becker: segregated bike ways, promote public transit, bolster bus system, bolster community centers(like 9th and 9th and 15th and 15th) makes it so people can walk everywhere. Neighborhood businesses

Jenny Wilson: public transport, helped it out. Has a goal in 10 years to be able to live without a car.

Keith Christensen: look long term, little and big things: free passes to public transit to high school students. East West transit .

John Renteria: doesn't think there is a problem except that people don't use the services that are already provided


What kinds of programs, if any, would you support the homeless:

Ralph Becker: thanks to those that go before. We need to provide shelter to those who need it. We save money if we help people.

Jenny Wilson: Housing first.

Keith Christensen: 10 year housing plan within 60 days of being in office

John: city in partnership with other programs, housing, jobs, health insurance, community centers, shelters, identify problems with each person,

JP Hughes: housing, free clinics, creativity, work together.


How would you improve downtown:

Jenny Wilson: creative, culture, expanding cultural experiences. Independant film center, creative industries, small business is key,

Ralph Becker: downtown should be 27/7 town, a gathering place. Bring creatives, green space, transportation

JP Hughes: a place of gathering for all, support downtown by mainstreet.

John: creative development, fill main street "what the hell is going on with main street?"
Liquor laws relaxed.

Keith Christensen: supports downtown rising
Parking

Closing:

Ralph Becker:
head to website, has enough experience, model of a green city, built on historic neighborhoods.

JP Hughes:
experience, his gift to community is his experience.

John:
encourage minorities to get involved in political issues.
focus on the west side

Keith Christensen:
long term business owner, Olympic trustee, lots of experience, make salt lake a safe and livable city

Jenny Wilson:
progressive credentials, go to website.

Lunch with Gpa

Today I had lunch with my grandfather who was diagnosed with Lung Cancer 7 months ago. At the time he was given 6 months to live(he is very proud to have proven the doctors wrong)

Lunch was great. I was completely in the moment, enjoying time with my grandfather when the topic of his disease came up and all of the bills that he has. He began the saga with the phrase "Well I like Bush, but on health care he really screwed up." I agreed with him, but was intrigued that he was brave enough, it seemed to me, to admit in this age of sagging poll numbers that he liked Bush.

Upon further investigating I found that my grandfather would have voted(if he voted) for Bush because he "liked the guy" he said "I couldn't stand Gore....he is an arrogant Son of a .......) " When I pressed further for what lead him to this conclusion he stated that he saw him(gore) on tv and concluded that Bush was down to earth and all around a great guy. I was aghast! I asked if my grandfather had done any research on either of the candidates lives prior to being a candidate and he responded that he didn't. He then proceeded to tell me that he not only agrees with the war in Iraq but he feels that the president had more information than all of us so we should trust him. And finally, after an hour of conversation he admitted to me that there is nothing that any of us can do to change the fate of our country. At this I was completely flabbergasted! He mentioned to me that he believed(and I'm not saying that he is wrong) that because of the electoral college our votes don't count anyway. He then concluded "they have us right where they want us-there's not a damn thing any of us can do about it"

I wondered just how many people in our state and country feel this way. Could this be why more people in America vote on American Idol than for our president?

Or is it because they don't feel that it matters to them? or is it because you have to leave your house, wait in a line and vote for our elected officials, or is it really, in the end because they truly believe that their vote doesn't count?

We stopped talking about politics after that(you know the old saying; things never to talk about: money politics and religion) but his words still echo in my mind:

"they have us right where they want us-there's not a damn thing any of us can do about it"

Who are you voting for? (Debate/fact finding)

The past few months as the political scene is heating up I find myself wondering:
If the election were today who would I vote for (for president too but here we will comment on candidates specific to SLC)


So the two biggies in our neighborhood(District 4) are Mayor of SLC and the City Council seat.



The front runners for the Mayor it seems to me are:

Ralph Becker
Dave Buhler
Keith Christinson
Jenny Wilson
(not to discredit the others that are running....but for discussion sake)



To learn a little more about them and the race go here:

http://www.slcmayor.com/candidates.html


Also we have three candidates for the District 4 City council seat:

Nancy Saxton(incumbent)
Luke Garrott
Jack Gray

What do you think? I would love to hear!