It is interesting to me how this seems to be a new experience for some of the people I talked to.
UTAH COUNTY COMMISSIONER: SEAT A Joel Wright vs Gary J. Anderson (i)
Mr Wright is a young energetic lawyer. As I listened to him, his approach was to point out the faults of the existing incumbent. Currently there is quite a concern for budget fraud fraud and neglect when it comes to planning. He's frustrated that the incumbent voted for a pay increase the same time they increased everyone's taxes.
Joe feels fat business and the private sector can resolve a lot of the concerns better than the County. He believes that government obstacle should be reduced from businesses. an example that again was the fact that the County borrowed $40 million to build a convention center when they could have focused on removing the stink from the Lindin treatment plant. As a result business or private sector will not build in Lindin and we are still stuck with paying the $40 million.
Regarding immigration : this is actually managed at the federal level but he believes that we should enforce current laws, Deport immediately without courting them out of our prisons. He also promised to expose the cost of illegal immigration so that we might encourage our federal representatives to take a harder stand.
He wants to improve transportation and if possible get the right from the state in the nation so that we can manage the improvement of our roads in Utah County.
He fills Utah Lake is been neglected. He questioned whether if he can comment actually shows up to participate. Promised a two-year term and feels he brings new perspective.
Gary Anderson (i) is the existing incumbent. I asked him what our biggest expense is: he reported the Sheriff's office followed by the attorney's office. He reported 85% of the jail is full of drug users. as a result he helped establish a program called SMART which works with city mayors, pharmacies doctors lawyers and hospitals to combat the drug problem.
He's worked with the current sheriff to reduced jail costs and establish several volunteer programs to prevent crime..
Says he believes in small government less taxes.
While I was standing there another delegate came who wanted to discuss problems with one of the County programs called OUT. this is a drug rehab program running the prison system. The commissioner was surprised to learn that half of the staff have been removed causing a 30 for 45 day delay. This employee complained that she was underpaid and could get a better job she worked with the school district. She said you got a raise but I haven't had a raise in three years.
I asked Mr. Anderson about the future. He explained that Utah County explorer expects to double or triple in the next 10 years. Bringing in additional half million people to the Valley. He believes that the entire west side of Utah Lake be developed. He is working with the LDS church who owns a majority of the land in Alberta to bring in huge manufacturing facilities. The sobering thousands of additional jobs and wants to make sure that as the infrastructure is added to that side of the valley it accommodates the counties growth plan. His plan is to get a majority of the developers to cover the costs including a bridge across Utah Lake.
He thinks that Utah Lake could be a great asset I like to see it dredged adding an island that would bring additional resources.
He takes credit for the additional roads to Eagle Mountain and various programs within the Sheriff's Department. He bragged that I did several of the programs are admired by other states and on the federal level and that many people come to learn from what our County is doing.
He talked about many large businesses that are coming into Utah County such as Microsoft and how he is working to bring additional business and tax revenue to the County.
My impression was that he very informed with what is happening, is willing to take credit for all the success and sees no problems with the way things are currently running.
UTAH COUNTY SHERIFF James O. Tracy (i) vs Robin Wall
Mr Tracy - Greatest EXPENSE? he explained his budget is split almost 50-50 into correction and enforcement.
We spoke of sex offenders Mr. Tracy described ICAC program which was established with federal money. Mr. Tracy also implemented a program where inmates are charge rent for their time in jail. it costs the county $75 a day to house inmates and the inmates are charge $45 a day. If the inmate is unable to pay there are work programs a garden, kitchen, etc. in which the inmate can earn income. Their rent is deducted, any expenses due to a victim and the rest they keep until they are released from prison. This is allow the inmates to be able to find an apartment and start their life again.
they have a program for prescription drug abuse, child pornography, drug disposal etc. he also described the fact that he had help unified communication creating a central dispatch. Note for cities do not participate. ( Provo, Orem, Pleasant Grove, Springville)
There is a gang prevention unit. In our discussion one of the other precinct delegates came up with an idea of creating a online registry for known gang members and people convicted of violent crimes. Currently there's a sex offenders list online but it might be useful to know your neighbor is a gang member. He really like this idea and asked if he could bring it up to our state legislators.
Greatest obstacle? Funding / Under staffed / Limited programs.
Future? would like to expand volunteer programs so that officers can focus on resolving crime rather than looking for offenders.
Mr. Tracy seemed pretty uniform with what was going on and also appears to accomplish much in his years of service he also seems to have a wide variety of experience to draw from. And is open and willing to work with others.
Robin Wall - I really didn't get a chance to talk to him. Mr. Tracy reported that his experience is limited to specific functions. Although his service is commendable but probably have to ask for questions.
COUNTY RECORDER Jeff Smith vs Rod Cambell (i)
This was an interesting discussion. apparently the old county recorder retired early. The county delegates nominated Jeff but the committee gave it to Rod Campbell. Jeff works for Rod. Jeff also the seems to manage the public side of the recorder's office. He listed a number of attorney and title companies he works with and feels he has a strong rapport with the public. Jeff described the technology that they use to improve the existing records and feels that he can continue to provide excellent service as well as improve the County recorder services.
This was an interesting discussion. apparently the old county recorder retired early. The county delegates nominated Jeff but the committee gave it to Rod Campbell. Jeff works for Rod. Jeff also the seems to manage the public side of the recorder's office. He listed a number of attorney and title companies he works with and feels he has a strong rapport with the public. Jeff described the technology that they use to improve the existing records and feels that he can continue to provide excellent service as well as improve the County recorder services.
Rod Campbell (i) - Greatest expense? People Greatest obstacle? none enough people. Apparently he feels under budgeted an overworked. I asked him why he was running again, he wants to keep his job.
My overall impression was that Mr. Smith seems to be doing mostly work anyways and seems more optimistic about the future of that role. He is kind and nerdy!
COUNTY ASSESSOR Kris Poulson (i) vs ?
Mr. Paulson has 14 years of experience. EXPENSE? employees. Greatest challenge? Trying to accurately calculate the value of the market. He also was responsible or for tracking fraud with estimators titles and appraisers. Future? He would like to see a new computer system integrated which will tie all their records in with the state. he also mentioned that he is currently the only candidate who is certified to do the job. However his opponent will be completed by November.
COUNTY SURVEYOR Scott M. Peterson vs Gary Ratcliffe (i)
Gary Ratcliffe has 25 years working for the department. I asked him his most important role: He feels it is to identify and protect survey monuments. Currently there are 4000+ survey monuments. the county knows of 3300. These monuments are used by private surveyors to accurately calculate property lines. EXPENSE? technology and personnel. OBSTACLES? the assessors and the recorder's office. FUTURE? accomplish the research of the monuments and improve the website used by private surveyors.
Scott M. Peterson - Feels his advantage is that he has worked in the private sector. His experience will allow him to improve in areas that currently frustrate all private surveyors. He believes that there is fraud happening and also feels he can better represent individuals and defend their rights. FUTURE? He would like to work with the recorders in the assessor's office to improve communication.
Apparently there's quite a bit of frustration between these three offices. I was also left with the impression that the current County Commissioners have left these departments underfunded and understaffed.
Tonight there was a meeting with all the Springville County candidates. This was a new experience for me I hope to recap what took me three hours to collect. I do think I'm getting better the more I practice.
It is interesting to me how this seems to be a new experience for some of the people I talked to.
UTAH COUNTY COMMISSIONER: SEAT B Doug Whitney vs Steve White(i)
I didn't get a chance to visit with Steve. Doug Whitney however was an interesting discussion. Apparently he has worked for the county for a number of years, retired, and got frustrated with how the counties being run. He believes there's a lot of misappropriation of funds. The shares department feels that if they don't spend everything they have, they will lose it. Including the next year. As an example he reported that 80% of the Sheriff's Department budget is unchangeable. They paid double the cost to purchase vehicles and approximately $1900 a year for a maintenance on a new vehicle, needing only oil changes an entire rotation. He believes that he can improve the existing budget and reduce the wasteful spending happening in the county. He filled his greatest obstacle right now is that the current incumbent knows the budget extremely well and is also very articulate.
Currently there are many in the county who feel their ideas are not wanted adult budget concerns are verbally addressed through the existing incumbent.
OVERALL - I felt this was a good experience for me. Being able to discuss with all of the candidates allowed me to get an idea of regarding the current state and the frustrations happening within the county management. All incumbents seem to be determined to keep their positions. All opposing delegates, perhaps for a little naive regarding the position and struggle to have specifics regarding their idea of the future. However, all are optimistic of the future and their role in it. That's enough for now.
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