I was very happy with the results of the Convention, and our campaign's execution at the Convention. I believe we surprised many delegates with our ability to effectively get our message out at the Convention. I was especially happy with our speech to the delegates - the nominations went great, none of my children started crying (though one did fall asleep), and the delegates really responded to our message.
Now we have a primary. It is a completely different race than the one we had at Convention. I heard one person tell me that the Convention is sort of like a boxing match, while the Primary is sort of like a football game. I think that is a good analogy. We are actively working on our strategy for the Primary election on June 22, 2010 when every single registered Republican in Utah County (over 200,000 voters) can vote for County Commission Seat A, even though if the Primary elections in June 2006 or June 2008 are any indication, we'll likely only get 20,000 to 30,000 voters to come out. And if we don't have a Senate Primary Race, we might get even fewer. In other words, it will once again likely be a race where a few highly discerning voters will determine the outcome.
Below are the articles on the Convention from the Daily Herald, Des News and SL Trib. I include the highlights immediately below:
DAILY HERALD (at http://bit.ly/cOItev ):
"The other incumbent, Gary Anderson, will have his hands full come June when he has a primary with challenger Joel Wright in what was a very close convention vote."
Great picture of my daughter during my speech to the delegates: http://bit.ly/bFpJLr
Picture of me giving my speech to the delegates: http://bit.ly/cuzYOZ
DESERET NEWS (at: http://bit.ly/cr9Yh7 )
"There will be a primary election for the other Utah County Commission seat, as incumbent Gary Anderson and Joel Wright split the vote, 52 percent to 48 percent.
Wright said he was satisfied to take the election to a Republican primary race.
"I'm really happy. It's very hard to take out an incumbent," he said."
SALT LAKE TRIBUNE (at: http://bit.ly/cM9ns8 )
"An anti-incumbent backlash swept one Utah County Commissioner out of office and forced another into a primary battle for the Republican nomination."
....
Anderson and Wright's race went to a second ballot, as neither of them got 60 percent on the first round. During the second round, with candidate Jim Vein eliminated, Anderson received 51.6 percent to Wright's 48.4 percent.
"It's very hard to take out a powerful incumbent, who has the support of powerful types," Wright said. But he said his message of fiscal responsibility and taking on Anderson's support for the Utah County Convention Center helped with delegates.
Anderson noted the convention's anti-incumbent tone, but said he was grateful he was still in the race. He said primary voters are more representative of the party's mainstream than delegates.
"I felt good coming out of there," Anderson said. "The voters know me."
END
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Watch the debate between Joel Wright & Gary Anderson
Part #1 of 2 below.
Just go to this link:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=electwright&aq=f
And you can see a list of all the videos below.
Noah Webster Debate
Two weeks ago in Orem I had the opportunity to debate my opponent
on several important issues facing Utah County. Many of the
questions brought out clear differences between us on important
subjects. These questions ranged from jobs to the Utah Lake Bridge
to the County spending $40 Million on a Convention Center in Provo.
I believe the responses show clear differences to our priorities and
values.
Below you will find a summary of the responses and a link to watch
the full video for yourself on You Tube. Half of the debate will be in
this email and you will get the other half tomorrow.
Opening Statements
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGZhBT8Ok-A
Summary of Joel Wright's statements:
--We need to get more people involved
--This is a Debate on issues
--We have fundamental disagreements on certain issues
--Are we doing well enough right now? Or can we do better?
--My Experience
+Helped get a sales tax base into Cedar Hills while
on the City Council by removing obstacles to
economic development
--Proper role of Government is to remove obstacles to
Economic Development
--What got me interested in County was the roads that need County
Leadership and it’s not there
Summary of Gary Anderson's statements:
--Lives in Springville
--Ran for County Commission first in 1983
+I was elected to 2 terms then
--4 years ago approached to run for Commission
--Now we have a lot of road projects like I-15 going
Please set forward the top 5 long term problems facing
Utah County now, and discuss your proposed solution
for the biggest problem?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I2BXJmok4I
Summary of Joel Wright's answer:
--Live within your means
--I think Utah County can do a lot better with living within our means
--Must pay attention to new crimes
+Investment fraud gone from 30 million-104 million a year from
2006 to 2009
>It’s undermining our economy and getting worse
+Prescription Drug Abuse
>We need to be engaged
+Child Sex Abuse
>We need to give the Sheriff the resources to
combat this serious crime
--Transportation
+Government’s role is transportation
+We are at mercy of State & Federal Government
for roads
+I will push the State to give us the control and let
us keep our money here in Utah County
Summary of Gary Anderson's answer:
--Number 1 issue is Economy
--Bring good jobs
--Next is Economic Development
--Crime is a problem but we disagree with what is the biggest
problems
--Senior Citizen issues are problems
--Transportation
+Done a lot for this
Recently Utah County borrowed 40 million dollars to
build a convention center in Provo do you think this was
a wise use of taxpayer dollars?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEke_ERefes
Summary of Joel Wright's answer:
--There are some serious concerns
--Decision is made and we have to make it successful though
--Must analyze decision making process
--Why did Utah County put in 40M but Provo around 7M?
--Started out purely Provo project and they get most benefits, why
County now?
--Pleasant Grove has plans for a convention center that could have
been built with private funds
--If they fixed stink at Sewer plant we could potentially get a
convention center built by private sector in Pleasant Grove
--Restaurant sales tax is paying for the Convention center and
residents of Utah County pay 80% of the restaurant tax, tourists
only pay 20%
--We are paying for the Convention center
--Opponent looks at Govt sector first, while I will remove obstacles
to private growth
Summary of Gary Anderson's answer:
--Happened a long time ago I can’t take credit for it
--People came to Utah County saying we need a Convention center
--Nobody else would build it
--By law only County can build Convention Center
--Claims only TRT room taxes pay for the Convention Center and
then rental car fees if we need it from Rental Car & Restaurant
Taxes
--We said we have this much money what are you going to give us
to designers
--The Convention Center in Pleasant Grove “isn’t happening”
Where do you see your role in Economic Development as
a County Commissioner?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBLNN2wu_5I
Summary of Gary Anderson's answer:
--“I think Utah County and State and govt in general has a few core
jobs and one of them is to make sure your people are working,
make sure we have good jobs in this county”
--Govt needs to compete with other states and provide incentives to
lure people in
--We said to Microsoft if you come in we will give you a tax break
--Brought in 7 companies,
--Claims nothing was happening 4 years ago, we are now in EDCU
under his watch
Summary of Joel Wright's answer:
--This is a critical difference between us
--Government's job is to remove obstacles to Economic Development,
keep taxes low (instead they’ve been going up), fight crime and
build infrastructure
--Tax breaks and incentives - doesn’t work long term
--Unemployment rate has grown in last 4 years, Govt isn’t responsible
for jobs, but if they are, they have done a dismal job
--We should stay in EDCU Utah
--None of the companies identified on opponent's flyer would say
opponent had anything to do with them coming
--EDCU has been in place for us since before my opponen came into
office and we should stay with them
--My job will be to remove the obstacles and let you create the jobs
and the innovation not government
On the topic of Econ Dev what can the county do about
the sewer treatment smell in the PG area?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD_epUc1WAU
Summary of Gary Anderson's answer:
--Joel said that Commission is responsible but its independent but we
could get rid of the district and take it back over
--I’ve never smelled it but I believe them
--Problem is composting
--My stand is this, we have a new system coming in, in June or July,
until then compost should be moved off site, when done move it
back and try again, if that doesn’t work we take drastic measures
Summary of Joel Wright's answer:
--I agree the problem has to be solved
--There was a window to solve this earlier but we didn’t get it done
earlier, County failed at leadership
--Utah County is changing we were rural but we are rapidly becoming
urban
--Competing Property Rights is becoming a big issue
--Govt should define property rights and say who needs to take care
of what
--The independent district isn’t fair or proportionate to users or
effects, Cedar Hills with 10,000 people shouldn’t have same vote
as Pleasant Grove with triple that amount and the smell
The two of you have conflicted on whether the County has
raised taxes recently, will you please explain your position.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQdx4R-5DGk
Summary of Gary Anderson's answer:
-Shows chart
--Tax rate went up about 8% in 2008-2009 but its set by state, but we
still collect the same amount of taxes
--Talked about his and Joel’s tax payments for their homes
--Talks about Joel has nice house and he has a picture of it here
--Says he pays less now
--We needed to be made whole
Summary of Joel Wright's answer:
--We disagree
--Gary and I are privileged people in nice homes that have gone down
in value in last few years
--If you have home that is 200k or less you are paying more, property
taxes are a regressive tax
-- “We have shifted [property] tax from rich attorneys to hard
working school teachers and other working [people] of the
county”
--Ut Co has grown dramatically in last few years 68% more
expenditures since 2003, population growth only 29%
--Anderson amended the budget up by 7% in 2007, then another 14%
in 2008
--Anderson increased salary from 94k to 104 K in 2008 the same year
he raised property tax rate
+I will not vote for a budget with that commission salary
increase
--Anderson also voted to increase the sales tax by largest increase
ever not approved by vote
--Anderson wants government to be made whole, and doesn’t care
what’s happening with the people
--On property tax we can have honest debate, on sales tax there is no
debate he raised the tax
--Anderson thinks govt can solve problems, and get you a job with
taxpayer money
--It’s not commission’s job toget you a job, government's job is to
remove obstacles
What is the total county budget and how much of that
money is from Fed govt?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjbzdgYK4U4
Summary of Joel Wright's answer:
--Total budget is about 80M but I don’t know percentage of Fed
money in there, I admit I don’t know everything
--This is a frustrating issue when Fed govt takes money from us and
offers to give it back if we do it their way
--State govt often does the same, and so does the County to our cities
--We need to press down decisions and money to lowest level to local
officials
--I came through a small city that got hit with mandates too often
--We should get as much of this money back as we can
Summary of Gary Anderson's answer:
--We didn’t increase budget 50%
--We get 22% from Fed Govt
--I am happy to get these monies from Fed government it is good
--We don’t want one time stimulus money
--Those guys are way out of line
--Haven’t had to raise taxes everything we’ve done without raising
taxes
As you can see we have very different views on these issues. I look
forward to talking with you more about the issues that affect Utah
County.
You are always welcome to call me on my
cell phone at 801-368-5385.
As always, I also ask for your vote April 24th at the
Utah County Convention!
Warm Regards,
Joel Wright
Joel Wright
p.s. Please always feel free to call me or email me questions or
concerns, I will always be engaged and look forward to earning
your vote!
Just go to this link:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=electwright&aq=f
And you can see a list of all the videos below.
Noah Webster Debate
Two weeks ago in Orem I had the opportunity to debate my opponent
on several important issues facing Utah County. Many of the
questions brought out clear differences between us on important
subjects. These questions ranged from jobs to the Utah Lake Bridge
to the County spending $40 Million on a Convention Center in Provo.
I believe the responses show clear differences to our priorities and
values.
Below you will find a summary of the responses and a link to watch
the full video for yourself on You Tube. Half of the debate will be in
this email and you will get the other half tomorrow.
Opening Statements
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGZhBT8Ok-A
Summary of Joel Wright's statements:
--We need to get more people involved
--This is a Debate on issues
--We have fundamental disagreements on certain issues
--Are we doing well enough right now? Or can we do better?
--My Experience
+Helped get a sales tax base into Cedar Hills while
on the City Council by removing obstacles to
economic development
--Proper role of Government is to remove obstacles to
Economic Development
--What got me interested in County was the roads that need County
Leadership and it’s not there
Summary of Gary Anderson's statements:
--Lives in Springville
--Ran for County Commission first in 1983
+I was elected to 2 terms then
--4 years ago approached to run for Commission
--Now we have a lot of road projects like I-15 going
Please set forward the top 5 long term problems facing
Utah County now, and discuss your proposed solution
for the biggest problem?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I2BXJmok4I
Summary of Joel Wright's answer:
--Live within your means
--I think Utah County can do a lot better with living within our means
--Must pay attention to new crimes
+Investment fraud gone from 30 million-104 million a year from
2006 to 2009
>It’s undermining our economy and getting worse
+Prescription Drug Abuse
>We need to be engaged
+Child Sex Abuse
>We need to give the Sheriff the resources to
combat this serious crime
--Transportation
+Government’s role is transportation
+We are at mercy of State & Federal Government
for roads
+I will push the State to give us the control and let
us keep our money here in Utah County
Summary of Gary Anderson's answer:
--Number 1 issue is Economy
--Bring good jobs
--Next is Economic Development
--Crime is a problem but we disagree with what is the biggest
problems
--Senior Citizen issues are problems
--Transportation
+Done a lot for this
Recently Utah County borrowed 40 million dollars to
build a convention center in Provo do you think this was
a wise use of taxpayer dollars?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEke_ERefes
Summary of Joel Wright's answer:
--There are some serious concerns
--Decision is made and we have to make it successful though
--Must analyze decision making process
--Why did Utah County put in 40M but Provo around 7M?
--Started out purely Provo project and they get most benefits, why
County now?
--Pleasant Grove has plans for a convention center that could have
been built with private funds
--If they fixed stink at Sewer plant we could potentially get a
convention center built by private sector in Pleasant Grove
--Restaurant sales tax is paying for the Convention center and
residents of Utah County pay 80% of the restaurant tax, tourists
only pay 20%
--We are paying for the Convention center
--Opponent looks at Govt sector first, while I will remove obstacles
to private growth
Summary of Gary Anderson's answer:
--Happened a long time ago I can’t take credit for it
--People came to Utah County saying we need a Convention center
--Nobody else would build it
--By law only County can build Convention Center
--Claims only TRT room taxes pay for the Convention Center and
then rental car fees if we need it from Rental Car & Restaurant
Taxes
--We said we have this much money what are you going to give us
to designers
--The Convention Center in Pleasant Grove “isn’t happening”
Where do you see your role in Economic Development as
a County Commissioner?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBLNN2wu_5I
Summary of Gary Anderson's answer:
--“I think Utah County and State and govt in general has a few core
jobs and one of them is to make sure your people are working,
make sure we have good jobs in this county”
--Govt needs to compete with other states and provide incentives to
lure people in
--We said to Microsoft if you come in we will give you a tax break
--Brought in 7 companies,
--Claims nothing was happening 4 years ago, we are now in EDCU
under his watch
Summary of Joel Wright's answer:
--This is a critical difference between us
--Government's job is to remove obstacles to Economic Development,
keep taxes low (instead they’ve been going up), fight crime and
build infrastructure
--Tax breaks and incentives - doesn’t work long term
--Unemployment rate has grown in last 4 years, Govt isn’t responsible
for jobs, but if they are, they have done a dismal job
--We should stay in EDCU Utah
--None of the companies identified on opponent's flyer would say
opponent had anything to do with them coming
--EDCU has been in place for us since before my opponen came into
office and we should stay with them
--My job will be to remove the obstacles and let you create the jobs
and the innovation not government
On the topic of Econ Dev what can the county do about
the sewer treatment smell in the PG area?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD_epUc1WAU
Summary of Gary Anderson's answer:
--Joel said that Commission is responsible but its independent but we
could get rid of the district and take it back over
--I’ve never smelled it but I believe them
--Problem is composting
--My stand is this, we have a new system coming in, in June or July,
until then compost should be moved off site, when done move it
back and try again, if that doesn’t work we take drastic measures
Summary of Joel Wright's answer:
--I agree the problem has to be solved
--There was a window to solve this earlier but we didn’t get it done
earlier, County failed at leadership
--Utah County is changing we were rural but we are rapidly becoming
urban
--Competing Property Rights is becoming a big issue
--Govt should define property rights and say who needs to take care
of what
--The independent district isn’t fair or proportionate to users or
effects, Cedar Hills with 10,000 people shouldn’t have same vote
as Pleasant Grove with triple that amount and the smell
The two of you have conflicted on whether the County has
raised taxes recently, will you please explain your position.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQdx4R-5DGk
Summary of Gary Anderson's answer:
-Shows chart
--Tax rate went up about 8% in 2008-2009 but its set by state, but we
still collect the same amount of taxes
--Talked about his and Joel’s tax payments for their homes
--Talks about Joel has nice house and he has a picture of it here
--Says he pays less now
--We needed to be made whole
Summary of Joel Wright's answer:
--We disagree
--Gary and I are privileged people in nice homes that have gone down
in value in last few years
--If you have home that is 200k or less you are paying more, property
taxes are a regressive tax
-- “We have shifted [property] tax from rich attorneys to hard
working school teachers and other working [people] of the
county”
--Ut Co has grown dramatically in last few years 68% more
expenditures since 2003, population growth only 29%
--Anderson amended the budget up by 7% in 2007, then another 14%
in 2008
--Anderson increased salary from 94k to 104 K in 2008 the same year
he raised property tax rate
+I will not vote for a budget with that commission salary
increase
--Anderson also voted to increase the sales tax by largest increase
ever not approved by vote
--Anderson wants government to be made whole, and doesn’t care
what’s happening with the people
--On property tax we can have honest debate, on sales tax there is no
debate he raised the tax
--Anderson thinks govt can solve problems, and get you a job with
taxpayer money
--It’s not commission’s job toget you a job, government's job is to
remove obstacles
What is the total county budget and how much of that
money is from Fed govt?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjbzdgYK4U4
Summary of Joel Wright's answer:
--Total budget is about 80M but I don’t know percentage of Fed
money in there, I admit I don’t know everything
--This is a frustrating issue when Fed govt takes money from us and
offers to give it back if we do it their way
--State govt often does the same, and so does the County to our cities
--We need to press down decisions and money to lowest level to local
officials
--I came through a small city that got hit with mandates too often
--We should get as much of this money back as we can
Summary of Gary Anderson's answer:
--We didn’t increase budget 50%
--We get 22% from Fed Govt
--I am happy to get these monies from Fed government it is good
--We don’t want one time stimulus money
--Those guys are way out of line
--Haven’t had to raise taxes everything we’ve done without raising
taxes
As you can see we have very different views on these issues. I look
forward to talking with you more about the issues that affect Utah
County.
You are always welcome to call me on my
cell phone at 801-368-5385.
As always, I also ask for your vote April 24th at the
Utah County Convention!
Warm Regards,
Joel Wright
Joel Wright
p.s. Please always feel free to call me or email me questions or
concerns, I will always be engaged and look forward to earning
your vote!
Response to Linda Houskeeper, and a Challenge to Gary Anderson
Since one of Gary Anderson’s campaign supporters, Linda Houskeeper, made a series of baseless attacks on our campaign last Tuesday, we have been hoping that Gary Anderson would publicly distance himself from the actions of one of his supporters. Since he has not yet done so, we feel obligated to defend ourselves from these baseless charges, and challenge Gary Anderson to refuse to participate in any more Meet the Candidate events sponsored by Linda Houskeeper unless all county candidates are invited to attend, which is what the overwhelming majority of the county delegates would prefer.
Campaign Tactics used by Linda Houskeeper and Sandi Hoffman, supporters of Gary Anderson
Facts:
1. Linda Houskeeper is currently a Republican candidate for Utah County Commissioner Seat B, and Sandi Hoffman is a county employee.
2. Both Ms. Houskeeper and Ms. Hoffman are supporters of Gary Anderson for Utah County Commissioner Seat A, and are doing everything they can to help Gary win a fourth term as County Commissioner against Joel Wright.
3. Ms. Houskeeper scheduled a number of Meet & Mingle events that were advertised to the county delegates as being held for all county candidates with all county delegates invited. The emails advertising these events did not disclose they were Linda Houskeeper campaign events, as required under Utah Code 20A-11-901. The sign at the door of each Meet & Mingle event stated “Utah County Republican Party – Meet and Mingle – Utah County Office Candidates” – and did not clarify they were Linda Houskeeper campaign events. This gave most, if not all, county delegates the false impression that the Utah County Republican Party was sponsoring these events, instead of being sponsored by the candidate Linda Houskeeper.
4. At the Meet & Mingle scheduled by Ms. Houskeeper on Tuesday, April 6th, Ms. Hoffman came over to Mr. Wright’s table and repeatedly interrupted a conversation Mr. Wright was having with a delegate who was complaining about the difficulties he encounters in filing personal property taxes. Ms. Hoffman told the delegate that she makes such filings all the time and they are easy to do.
5. Mr. Wright then asked Ms. Hoffman to stop interrupting their conversation because he wanted to hear from the delegate.
6. Ms. Hoffman then raised her voice and called Mr. Wright a “liar” because “everyone knew Mr. Wright had promised to cut the salaries of county employees if elected, and now he was saying something different.”
7. Mr. Wright told Ms. Hoffman that he would indeed likely propose a cut to the salaries of county employees if the economy got worse and the tax revenue continued to decline, and would make no promises either way.
8. Ms. Hoffman called Mr. Wright a liar again, and then Mr. Wright’s campaign manager intervened and asked her why she was doing this. They spoke for a short while, and Ms. Hoffman then left, and she was not crying at any point. Mr. Wright’s campaign believes Ms. Hoffman has no grounds for her claim that “I have never been so publicly humiliated in my whole life.”
9. Mr. Wright never used any personal attacks or disparaging comments in his conversation with Ms. Hoffman. In contrast, Ms. Hoffman called Joel Wright a liar.
10. After this incident, Ms. Houskeeper asked Joel Wright about it, and Joel Wright discussed the event extensively with her on several occasions along with at least one witness of the event. Ms. Houskeeper then decided to “uninvite” Joel Wright from attending all future Meet & Mingle events based on this incident.
11. Ms. Houskeeper has also “uninvited” Jeff Buhman, the only Republican candidate for County Attorney, from attending her Meet & Mingle events, because she also dislikes him for reasons we do not understand, but we believe to be without merit.
12. Ms. Houskeeper continued to promote her Meet & Mingle events as open to all County Candidates, despite the fact she had uninvited both Joel Wright and County Attorney Jeff Buhman.
13. Joel Wright’s campaign then did their homework, and learned there are a number of restrictions on public buildings holding campaign events. Our campaign shared this research with the public charter school in Salem, and they concluded that their tax exempt status could be revoked if they held a campaign event that favored one candidate over another (see applicable IRS guidance here: http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=163395,00.html), and they also learned that their insurance through the State of Utah would not cover any campaign event because the taxpayers would then be subsidizing a political campaign. The school then informed Ms. Houskeeper of these facts.
14. Ms. Houskeeper’s response to these facts provides tremendous insight into her true motives. When Ms. Houskeeper was informed that the public charter school in Salem could not host the Meet & Mingle unless all candidates were invited, Ms. Houskeeper sent Joel an email dated 9:58 AM on Tuesday, April 20, revoking her previous “uninvite” and re-inviting Joel Wright to attend the Meet & Mingle that night. In other words, if Ms. Houskeeper truly believed that the incident she cited above was a legitimate reason for “uninviting” Joel Wright from attending any future Meet & Mingle events, she immediately discarded that reason once it was not in her best interests. In other words, she did not “uninvite” Joel Wright on principle – she only uninvited Joel Wright because she thought it was in her best interests, and then immediately re-invited Mr. Wright once it was in her best interests to do so.
15. The public charter school in Salem then informed Joel Wright that because he had been invited, that they would go ahead and allow Ms. Houskeeper to hold her Meet & Mingle that night at their school, so long as Ms. Houskeeper could provide event insurance as they were required to do so by the State of Utah’s Division of Risk Management. (Call Morris Haggerty at the State of Utah at 801-538-956 to confirm the requirement that a public charter school may not use their insurance on a campaign event.)
16. Ms. Houskeeper failed to provide event insurance to the public charter school in Salem by that afternoon as required, so the public charter school cancelled the event.
17. Ms. Houskeeper then indirectly “uninvited” Joel Wright again to all the remaining Meet & Mingles on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 20, when she sent out an email to all county delegates stating I was “officially uninvited” from all the remaining events. Once again she violated the law by failing to disclose these were Linda Houskeeper campaign events, as required under Utah Code 20A-11-901.
18. Ms. Houskeeper also accused Mr. Wright of using “legal tactics” to prevent her from hosting a Meet & Mingle the night of Tuesday, April 20 at the public charter school in Salem. Mr. Wright’s campaign respectfully disagrees, and believes that all elected officials take an oath to uphold and defend the law, so candidates should respect all applicable laws, even when such laws are not convenient or in your favor.
Our Challenge to Gary Anderson:
Please make a public statement today that you will not attend any campaign events for multiple county candidates going forward unless ALL county candidates are invited, including Joel Wright and Jeff Buhman. And then please refuse to attend any such events unless you have solid proof that all county candidates have been invited. Note that Joel Wright promises you that he will not attend any campaign event for multiple county candidates unless you are invited on equal terms as well.
Note that Joel Wright’s campaign is not asking Gary Anderson to determine the truth of the facts above. We are simply asking him to comply with the wishes of the overwhelming majority of the county delegates to allow all candidates to attend so they can decide for themselves who deserves their vote.
Campaign Tactics used by Linda Houskeeper and Sandi Hoffman, supporters of Gary Anderson
Facts:
1. Linda Houskeeper is currently a Republican candidate for Utah County Commissioner Seat B, and Sandi Hoffman is a county employee.
2. Both Ms. Houskeeper and Ms. Hoffman are supporters of Gary Anderson for Utah County Commissioner Seat A, and are doing everything they can to help Gary win a fourth term as County Commissioner against Joel Wright.
3. Ms. Houskeeper scheduled a number of Meet & Mingle events that were advertised to the county delegates as being held for all county candidates with all county delegates invited. The emails advertising these events did not disclose they were Linda Houskeeper campaign events, as required under Utah Code 20A-11-901. The sign at the door of each Meet & Mingle event stated “Utah County Republican Party – Meet and Mingle – Utah County Office Candidates” – and did not clarify they were Linda Houskeeper campaign events. This gave most, if not all, county delegates the false impression that the Utah County Republican Party was sponsoring these events, instead of being sponsored by the candidate Linda Houskeeper.
4. At the Meet & Mingle scheduled by Ms. Houskeeper on Tuesday, April 6th, Ms. Hoffman came over to Mr. Wright’s table and repeatedly interrupted a conversation Mr. Wright was having with a delegate who was complaining about the difficulties he encounters in filing personal property taxes. Ms. Hoffman told the delegate that she makes such filings all the time and they are easy to do.
5. Mr. Wright then asked Ms. Hoffman to stop interrupting their conversation because he wanted to hear from the delegate.
6. Ms. Hoffman then raised her voice and called Mr. Wright a “liar” because “everyone knew Mr. Wright had promised to cut the salaries of county employees if elected, and now he was saying something different.”
7. Mr. Wright told Ms. Hoffman that he would indeed likely propose a cut to the salaries of county employees if the economy got worse and the tax revenue continued to decline, and would make no promises either way.
8. Ms. Hoffman called Mr. Wright a liar again, and then Mr. Wright’s campaign manager intervened and asked her why she was doing this. They spoke for a short while, and Ms. Hoffman then left, and she was not crying at any point. Mr. Wright’s campaign believes Ms. Hoffman has no grounds for her claim that “I have never been so publicly humiliated in my whole life.”
9. Mr. Wright never used any personal attacks or disparaging comments in his conversation with Ms. Hoffman. In contrast, Ms. Hoffman called Joel Wright a liar.
10. After this incident, Ms. Houskeeper asked Joel Wright about it, and Joel Wright discussed the event extensively with her on several occasions along with at least one witness of the event. Ms. Houskeeper then decided to “uninvite” Joel Wright from attending all future Meet & Mingle events based on this incident.
11. Ms. Houskeeper has also “uninvited” Jeff Buhman, the only Republican candidate for County Attorney, from attending her Meet & Mingle events, because she also dislikes him for reasons we do not understand, but we believe to be without merit.
12. Ms. Houskeeper continued to promote her Meet & Mingle events as open to all County Candidates, despite the fact she had uninvited both Joel Wright and County Attorney Jeff Buhman.
13. Joel Wright’s campaign then did their homework, and learned there are a number of restrictions on public buildings holding campaign events. Our campaign shared this research with the public charter school in Salem, and they concluded that their tax exempt status could be revoked if they held a campaign event that favored one candidate over another (see applicable IRS guidance here: http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=163395,00.html), and they also learned that their insurance through the State of Utah would not cover any campaign event because the taxpayers would then be subsidizing a political campaign. The school then informed Ms. Houskeeper of these facts.
14. Ms. Houskeeper’s response to these facts provides tremendous insight into her true motives. When Ms. Houskeeper was informed that the public charter school in Salem could not host the Meet & Mingle unless all candidates were invited, Ms. Houskeeper sent Joel an email dated 9:58 AM on Tuesday, April 20, revoking her previous “uninvite” and re-inviting Joel Wright to attend the Meet & Mingle that night. In other words, if Ms. Houskeeper truly believed that the incident she cited above was a legitimate reason for “uninviting” Joel Wright from attending any future Meet & Mingle events, she immediately discarded that reason once it was not in her best interests. In other words, she did not “uninvite” Joel Wright on principle – she only uninvited Joel Wright because she thought it was in her best interests, and then immediately re-invited Mr. Wright once it was in her best interests to do so.
15. The public charter school in Salem then informed Joel Wright that because he had been invited, that they would go ahead and allow Ms. Houskeeper to hold her Meet & Mingle that night at their school, so long as Ms. Houskeeper could provide event insurance as they were required to do so by the State of Utah’s Division of Risk Management. (Call Morris Haggerty at the State of Utah at 801-538-956 to confirm the requirement that a public charter school may not use their insurance on a campaign event.)
16. Ms. Houskeeper failed to provide event insurance to the public charter school in Salem by that afternoon as required, so the public charter school cancelled the event.
17. Ms. Houskeeper then indirectly “uninvited” Joel Wright again to all the remaining Meet & Mingles on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 20, when she sent out an email to all county delegates stating I was “officially uninvited” from all the remaining events. Once again she violated the law by failing to disclose these were Linda Houskeeper campaign events, as required under Utah Code 20A-11-901.
18. Ms. Houskeeper also accused Mr. Wright of using “legal tactics” to prevent her from hosting a Meet & Mingle the night of Tuesday, April 20 at the public charter school in Salem. Mr. Wright’s campaign respectfully disagrees, and believes that all elected officials take an oath to uphold and defend the law, so candidates should respect all applicable laws, even when such laws are not convenient or in your favor.
Our Challenge to Gary Anderson:
Please make a public statement today that you will not attend any campaign events for multiple county candidates going forward unless ALL county candidates are invited, including Joel Wright and Jeff Buhman. And then please refuse to attend any such events unless you have solid proof that all county candidates have been invited. Note that Joel Wright promises you that he will not attend any campaign event for multiple county candidates unless you are invited on equal terms as well.
Note that Joel Wright’s campaign is not asking Gary Anderson to determine the truth of the facts above. We are simply asking him to comply with the wishes of the overwhelming majority of the county delegates to allow all candidates to attend so they can decide for themselves who deserves their vote.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Clear Differences on Proposed Bridge Over Utah Lake
Last week in Orem I had the opportunity to debate my opponent on
several important issues facing Utah County. One of the questions
was on the Utah Lake Bridge proposal. I believe the responses once
again show clear differences to our approaches and feelings about the
issues.
Below you will find a summary of the responses and a link to watch
the full video for yourself on You Tube. We will also be putting the
other questions and answers on You Tube from that debate over the
next couple days.
The Question was:
There is a proposal to build a bridge across Utah Lake by a
private group. Do you support this effort? If so, how can you
guarantee the taxpayers won’t foot the bill should the group fold?
Summary of Joel Wright's answer:
1. Governor Herbert and his administrative staff will decide this.
2. If the private sector can come and solve one of our transportation
problems, let's make it happen. I'm all for it.
3. The State of Utah should return to Utah County all the revenue
they get from leasing the easement over Utah Lake, and Utah County
should insure that 100% of those funds go to improving the Lake.
4. There should be a construction (or completion) bond on the
construction to make sure the bridge will be completed when it is
started.
Summary of Gary Anderson's answer:
1. I am not for the bridge proposed right now.
2. We need to do an Environmental Impact Study "EIS", and let that
study tell us if a bridge is feasible
3. There are three developers that will pay for the bridge wanted by
the Lake, which an EIS will tell us
4. The developer/owner of the bridge should not make a profit from
the bridge because they will make so much money from the land
across the lake once it becomes accessible. Direct quote: "We have
them develop it, we have them build it, and then the money
(and this is another problem I have with the present bridge) the
money, if that is a toll bridge and it has to be a $2 toll or
something, the money that is made in excess of the debt service on
that bridge goes back into the Lake."
YouTube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEK0f7mJL_A
As you can see we have very different views on this issue. I look
forward to talking with you more about the issues that affect Utah
County including the Bridge.
If you would like to talk in person please see the complete schedule
of all such meetings here:
http://wright4countycommissioner.blogspot.com/2010/04/where-you-can-meet-me-in-person.html
Alternatively, you are always welcome to call me on my
cell phone at 801-368-5385.
As always, I also ask for your vote April 24th at the
Utah County Convention!
Warm Regards,
Joel Wright
p.s. Please always feel free to call me or email me questions or
concerns, I will always be engaged and look forward to earning
your vote!
several important issues facing Utah County. One of the questions
was on the Utah Lake Bridge proposal. I believe the responses once
again show clear differences to our approaches and feelings about the
issues.
Below you will find a summary of the responses and a link to watch
the full video for yourself on You Tube. We will also be putting the
other questions and answers on You Tube from that debate over the
next couple days.
The Question was:
There is a proposal to build a bridge across Utah Lake by a
private group. Do you support this effort? If so, how can you
guarantee the taxpayers won’t foot the bill should the group fold?
Summary of Joel Wright's answer:
1. Governor Herbert and his administrative staff will decide this.
2. If the private sector can come and solve one of our transportation
problems, let's make it happen. I'm all for it.
3. The State of Utah should return to Utah County all the revenue
they get from leasing the easement over Utah Lake, and Utah County
should insure that 100% of those funds go to improving the Lake.
4. There should be a construction (or completion) bond on the
construction to make sure the bridge will be completed when it is
started.
Summary of Gary Anderson's answer:
1. I am not for the bridge proposed right now.
2. We need to do an Environmental Impact Study "EIS", and let that
study tell us if a bridge is feasible
3. There are three developers that will pay for the bridge wanted by
the Lake, which an EIS will tell us
4. The developer/owner of the bridge should not make a profit from
the bridge because they will make so much money from the land
across the lake once it becomes accessible. Direct quote: "We have
them develop it, we have them build it, and then the money
(and this is another problem I have with the present bridge) the
money, if that is a toll bridge and it has to be a $2 toll or
something, the money that is made in excess of the debt service on
that bridge goes back into the Lake."
YouTube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEK0f7mJL_A
As you can see we have very different views on this issue. I look
forward to talking with you more about the issues that affect Utah
County including the Bridge.
If you would like to talk in person please see the complete schedule
of all such meetings here:
http://wright4countycommissioner.blogspot.com/2010/04/where-you-can-meet-me-in-person.html
Alternatively, you are always welcome to call me on my
cell phone at 801-368-5385.
As always, I also ask for your vote April 24th at the
Utah County Convention!
Warm Regards,
Joel Wright
p.s. Please always feel free to call me or email me questions or
concerns, I will always be engaged and look forward to earning
your vote!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Fiscal Facts on Utah County (4-9-10 email to county delegates)
I sent the email below to all County Delegates on the morning of Friday, April 9, 2010. It goes through and details the Fiscal Facts on Utah County, and explains my position in response to the claims from Gary Anderson. I have included Gary Anderson's email below for you to review because I want to earn the vote of delegates who have reviewed the claims, and verified the facts.
Dear County Delegate,
Wednesday you received an email from Gary Anderson with a number of claims about our campaign for Utah County Commissioner. I would like to take a few moments of your time to respond. You are always welcome to call me on my cell phone directly at 801-368-5385. I’ll first cover the fiscal facts that you can verify, address the claims in Commissioner Anderson’s email, and then make three promises to you that you will be able to verify if I run for re-election in four years.
FISCAL FACTS
1. Utah County’s expenditures have grown twice as fast as our population the last five years. Utah County’s expenditures have grown 68% in the last 5 years, from $51.04 million (in 2003) to $85.78 million (in 2008).[1] During that same time, Utah County’s population only grew 29.6%, from 409,000 to 530,000.[2]
2. Commissioner Anderson has supported these increases in the budget. Shortly after Commissioner Anderson was sworn in for his third term (2 terms in the late 80s previously) in, he approved amending the budget to increase it by 7% in 2007,[3] and then was the deciding vote (by 2 to 1) to approve a substantial 14% increase to the 2008 budget.[4] This rapid increase in spending led the Utah County Auditor to warn in 2008 that such expenditures would deplete the surplus (or general fund) and created a budget situation that “will not be sustainable in subsequent years without either new revenue sources or increased revenue from existing sources.”[5]
3. Commissioner Anderson voted to increase his salary by 10% in 2008. Commissioner Anderson was the deciding vote (by 2 to 1) to increase the salary of the Utah County Commissioners from $94,700 to $104,000 in June 2008.[6] In November 2009 I suggested this salary increase be rolled back to ease the burden on tax payers, and was rebuked by Commissioner Anderson.[7]
4. Commissioner Anderson voted for the largest combined sales tax increase in Utah County’s history that was not approved by the voters. In August 2007, Commissioner Anderson voted to increase the voter approved 0.25 percent sales tax for transportation (2006) by 20% up to .30 percent in 2007.[8] Further Commissioner Anderson voted in September of 2008 to further increase it by almost 100% more to .55 percent. [9] We certainly need transportation projects, but I believe any sales tax increase should be put before the voters so they can determine if it is justified.
5. Property Taxes Increased in 2008 and 2009: Utah County’s property taxes had stayed relatively modest and stable until 2008, when Utah County received a windfall due to the Utah State Tax Commission allowing a one time change in the assessing and collecting rate without going through the truth-in-taxation process, which resulted in the Utah County’s property tax revenue going from $25,430,082 to $30,299,437 from 2007 to 2008, or a 19% increase, in a single year.[10] It would have been responsible to either return this windfall to the taxpayers, or at least save it, but instead it was immediately spent on the growing budget. Because the surplus had been used up, Utah County then had to raise property tax rates by 8.5% in 2009[11] when our property values declined so Utah County could collect the same amount of revenue, even though it means they were now taking a larger percentage of your home’s value, or a bigger piece of the pie.
6. $40 million in new debt for the Convention Center in Provo: We can have honest disagreements on the Convention Center, including whether it is the proper role of government, why Utah County is paying $40 million for the Convention Center while Provo is only paying approximately $7 million, and whether the private sector would have built a convention center for our County in Pleasant Grove. But we cannot debate that the taxpayers of Utah County are paying for the Convention Center, because they clearly are. According to the Preliminary Offering Statement used to sell the Convention Center debt to investors, the annual debt service on the Convention Center will be paid as follows: 7% from the tax on hotel rooms, 11% from the tax on car rentals, and 82% by the one percent tax on restaurant food in Utah County.[12] While the tax on hotel rooms and car rentals are typically paid by visitors from out side our County (while also being paid by local businesses bringing in clients and employees), the tax on restaurant food in Utah County is paid overwhelmingly by the residents of Utah County, and most informed observers believe approximately 80% of the restaurant tax is paid for by the residents of Utah County.[13] Bottom Line: While tourists and business will generate up to 40% of the revenue to cover the debt service on the Convention Center, the tax payers of Utah County will pay the most of the cost of the Convention Center. Furthermore, without the Convention Center’s debt service, the restaurant tax could have been decreased substantially, easing the tax burden on our residents.
CLAIMS FROM
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
1. Claim: “Mr. Wright wants to expand the county commission to a council form of government or expand it to five commissioners.”
True? Partially. Our campaign wants to trust the voters to decide how best to govern Utah County. The current form of government (3 full time County Commissioners) has no checks and balances, has no regional representation, and is not based on the Constitution. If only two county commissioners would trust the voters, then the form of county government would be put on the ballot, and the voters could decide to consider a potential change. If the voters approved the change, then a study commission would be created to recommend a potential change to either a Mayor/County Council form (Salt Lake and Cache counties have done this), or a full time executive and part time county council (Grand, Morgan, Summit and Wasatch have done this) or five or seven full time county commissioners (no county has done this, but former Utah County Commissioner and current Governor Gary Herbert told me in February 2010 that he publicly supports increasing the full time Commissioners in Utah County from 3 to 5). Such recommendation would then be on the ballot, and the voters could accept or reject their recommendation. In other words, the voters would directly decide this issue, not the Utah County Commissioners. Finally, I believe the best choice would be a full time Mayor and five part time county council members, which would cost substantially LESS than the current form of three full time county commissioners. Right now, three full time county commissioners cost Utah County $312,000/year in salary, while a full time Mayor (at $104,000/year), and five part time county council members (at $20,000/year) would only cost Utah County $204,000/year.[14]
2. Claim: “Mr. Wright wants our county to take over jurisdiction from the State all of the roads in Utah County that do not cross county lines.”
True? Yes, but only on fair terms. I believe Utah County can more effectively govern its future if it controls the roads within Utah County that do not cross county lines. However, I would only accept the transfer of such roads to the extent the State allows us to keep the funding associated with such roads. As a former City Council member, I have seen the arrogance of our Federal Government, the State of Utah and even Utah County with a “one size fits all” approach on certain issues. As Dr. Skousen points out in the 5,000 Year Leap, one of the principles of the Founding Fathers was that “Problems were solved to the greatest possible extent on the level where they originated.”[15] In short, we should not be expecting citizens of another county to be funding Utah County's roads, nor should they expect us to fund their roads. To the greatest extent possible, where roads need repair, or where residents desire new roads, I believe we should be funding them ourselves rather than forcing others to help pay for them.
3. Claim: “Mr. Wright wants to give the County Attorney more funds to prosecute White-collar crime.”
True? Yes, absolutely. I believe investment fraud is at epidemic levels and is harming our economy far more than any form of “economic development” by the government can improve our economy. In 2009, the Utah County Attorney received claims of $104 million in investment fraud. When Commissioner Anderson assumed office in 2007, those claims were less than $20 million annually. Since 2000, the Utah County Attorney has received investment fraud claims totaling $432 million.[16] We need seasoned and experienced investigators and prosecutors to fight this relatively complicated form of crime that has done tremendous damage to our property values, and our community’s ability to remain solvent and self-sufficient. On October 24, 2009, County Attorney Buhman was quoted as follows: "The honest truth is we're barely scratching the surface [on investment fraud]. We could double or triple our department easily, and we would still be extremely busy."[17] However, I am unwilling to raise taxes to increase the resources devoted to investment fraud, but I will find savings from other areas to do so. The very first cut will be $10,000 to the salary of each of the County Commissioners, giving us another $30,000 to fight investment fraud immediately.
4. Claim: “I believe we should be involved in and support Economic Development in Utah County. Mr. Wright does not.”
You have to define “Economic Development.” I believe government does not know better than the private sector how to most effectively allocate resources, and should instead live within its means and do the jobs it is given, namely fight crime and build transportation infrastructure, as effectively as possible. In contrast, Commissioner Anderson has said on multiple occasions that “It is the government’s job to help you get jobs.” Nonetheless, I support the relatively minimal expense for the Economic Development Corporation of Utah to help companies that are already attracted to Utah find the best location for their operations in Utah. Commissioner Anderson claims that 1,027 jobs have come to Utah County in the last 2 years due to his work, even though he offers no evidence that his personal efforts made any difference.
Finally, I make three promises to you that you will be able to verify four years from now, and that Commissioner Anderson is unwilling to make:
1. I will vote against any budget that includes an increase in the property tax rate in the next four years. Our citizens and businesses have to live within their means. It is time for Utah County to do the same.
2. I will vote against any budget that includes the 2008 salary increase from $94,700 to $104,000 for the County Commissioners, and vote against any salary increase for Commissioners in the next 4 years. Everyone is doing more with less. It is time for our Commissioners to lead by example.
3. I will not run for more than two terms as a Utah County Commissioner. Our founding fathers understood the problems with any individual accumulating too much power, and becoming a career politician. I believe no one should serve in any Executive Branch position for more than two terms, and that includes our County Commissioners. In contrast, my opponent is asking you for a fourth term in office.
Thank you very much for engaging with me in an informed discussion of these issues.
I would warmly welcome an opportunity to discuss these issues with you at length. Please join me at any of the meetings below where we will discuss these issues in depth:
1. Saturday, April 10 from 6 PM to 8 PM at the home of Oak Norton in Highland at 10812 North 5800 West.
2. Tuesday, April 13 from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM at the Cotton Tree Inn in Provo at 2230 North University Parkway. Light refreshments will be provided.
3. Wednesday, April 14 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the home of Karen Herd in Cedar Hills at 10669 Fiddlesticks.
4. Saturday, April 17 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the home of Kirk & Shannon Magleby at 553 East 100 North in American Fork.
I will also be attending all the mass meetings for county candidates in the next three weeks, which includes events in Santaquin, Lehi, Eagle Mountain, Provo and multiple times in Springville. Please see the complete schedule of all such meetings here:
http://wright4countycommissioner.blogspot.com/2010/04/where-you-can-meet-me-in-person.html
Alternatively, you are always welcome to call me on my cell phone at 801-368-5385.
As always, I also ask for your vote April 24th at the Utah County Convention!
Warm Regards,
Joel Wright
Joel Wright
p.s. If you want further clarification please give me a call. 801-368-5385
p.p.s. Let me know what you think on these issues! I always welcome feedback.
SOURCES
[1] Numbers from 2004 to 2008 available at http://www.sao.state.ut.us/lgr/county/2008/08xbutco.pdf , 2009 numbers from http://www.sltrib.com/utahcounty/ci_13862040 (Note that final official expenditures for 2009 are not yet available.)
[2] See http://www.census.gov/
[3] 2007 Lower budget was approved in 2006, but subsequently amended after Commissioner Anderson came into office in 2007, see: http://www.sao.state.ut.us/lgr/county/2008/08xbutco.pdf
[4] See the Minutes from the December 18, 2007 Utah County Commission Meeting, Item #26: http://www.co.utah.ut.us/Dept/COMMISH/Data/Minutes/CM/2007/121807-CommissionMinutes.pdf
[5] See page 9 of the 2008 Financial Statements from the Independent Auditor here: http://www.sao.state.ut.us/lgr/county/2008/08xfutco.pdf
[6] See the Minutes from the June 17, 2008 Commission Meeting, Item #1: http://www.co.utah.ut.us/Dept/Commish/data/minutes/CM/2008/061708-CommissionMinutes.pdf ; see also the Deseret News article dated June 18, 2008: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700235619/Utah-County-commissioners-hike-pay.html
[7] See the blog of Daily Herald reporter Joe Pyrah here: http://sausagegrinding.blogspot.com/2009/11/game-on.html
[8] See Item #22 on the August 28, 2007 Commission Minutes at: http://www.co.utah.ut.us/Dept/Commish/data/minutes/CM/2007/082807-CommissionMinutes.pdf
[9] See item #17 on the September 23, 2008 Commission Minutes at: http://www.co.utah.ut.us/Dept/Commish/data/minutes/CM/2008/092308-Commission-Minutes.pdf
[10] See page 46 of the 2008 Financial Statements here: http://www.sao.state.ut.us/lgr/county/2008/08xfutco.pdf
[11] Such information not yet available in official Financial Statements, but available on every property tax notice in Utah County. The Utah County Tax Levy was .000809 in 2008, and increased to .000878 in 2009, which is an 8.5% increase.
[12] Copy of the Preliminary Financial Statement (page 3) obtained from Utah County in February 2010 through a GRAMA request. Email Joel Wright at Joel@ElectWright.com if you would like a copy of it.
[13] The Utah Restaurant Association told me that at least 80% of the restaurant tax is paid for by the residents of Utah County, and likely over 90%. I have also had conversations with Commissioners Anderson and White, as well as Rep. Frank who tried to repeal this tax earlier this year, and they all have said to me that approximately 80% of the restaurant tax is paid for by Utah County residents.
[14] See our campaign blog for more details on this proposed change here: http://wright4countycommissioner.blogspot.com/2009/11/should-utah-county-change-its-form-of_18.html
[15] See page 16 of the “5,000 Year Leap” by W. Cleon Skousen.
[16] See: “Investment Fraud Rampant in Utah County” from the Daily Herald, February 28, 2010, available at: http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/article_7c2429f4-a9ed-5ce2-af14-a40ed6c7b8bc.html, or see “Investigators say $59 million scheme targeted Utah County” from Deseret News, October 24, 2009, available at: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705339222/Investigators-say-59-million-scheme-targeted-Utah-County.html?pg=4 ; the number of $432 million from 2000 to 2009 is from an email from the Utah County Bureau of Investigations in our possession that we are happy to share.
[17] See “Investigators say $59 million scheme targeted Utah County” from Deseret News, October 24, 2009, available at: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705339222/Investigators-say-59-million-scheme-targeted-Utah-County.html?pg=4
Dear County Delegate,
Wednesday you received an email from Gary Anderson with a number of claims about our campaign for Utah County Commissioner. I would like to take a few moments of your time to respond. You are always welcome to call me on my cell phone directly at 801-368-5385. I’ll first cover the fiscal facts that you can verify, address the claims in Commissioner Anderson’s email, and then make three promises to you that you will be able to verify if I run for re-election in four years.
FISCAL FACTS
1. Utah County’s expenditures have grown twice as fast as our population the last five years. Utah County’s expenditures have grown 68% in the last 5 years, from $51.04 million (in 2003) to $85.78 million (in 2008).[1] During that same time, Utah County’s population only grew 29.6%, from 409,000 to 530,000.[2]
2. Commissioner Anderson has supported these increases in the budget. Shortly after Commissioner Anderson was sworn in for his third term (2 terms in the late 80s previously) in, he approved amending the budget to increase it by 7% in 2007,[3] and then was the deciding vote (by 2 to 1) to approve a substantial 14% increase to the 2008 budget.[4] This rapid increase in spending led the Utah County Auditor to warn in 2008 that such expenditures would deplete the surplus (or general fund) and created a budget situation that “will not be sustainable in subsequent years without either new revenue sources or increased revenue from existing sources.”[5]
3. Commissioner Anderson voted to increase his salary by 10% in 2008. Commissioner Anderson was the deciding vote (by 2 to 1) to increase the salary of the Utah County Commissioners from $94,700 to $104,000 in June 2008.[6] In November 2009 I suggested this salary increase be rolled back to ease the burden on tax payers, and was rebuked by Commissioner Anderson.[7]
4. Commissioner Anderson voted for the largest combined sales tax increase in Utah County’s history that was not approved by the voters. In August 2007, Commissioner Anderson voted to increase the voter approved 0.25 percent sales tax for transportation (2006) by 20% up to .30 percent in 2007.[8] Further Commissioner Anderson voted in September of 2008 to further increase it by almost 100% more to .55 percent. [9] We certainly need transportation projects, but I believe any sales tax increase should be put before the voters so they can determine if it is justified.
5. Property Taxes Increased in 2008 and 2009: Utah County’s property taxes had stayed relatively modest and stable until 2008, when Utah County received a windfall due to the Utah State Tax Commission allowing a one time change in the assessing and collecting rate without going through the truth-in-taxation process, which resulted in the Utah County’s property tax revenue going from $25,430,082 to $30,299,437 from 2007 to 2008, or a 19% increase, in a single year.[10] It would have been responsible to either return this windfall to the taxpayers, or at least save it, but instead it was immediately spent on the growing budget. Because the surplus had been used up, Utah County then had to raise property tax rates by 8.5% in 2009[11] when our property values declined so Utah County could collect the same amount of revenue, even though it means they were now taking a larger percentage of your home’s value, or a bigger piece of the pie.
6. $40 million in new debt for the Convention Center in Provo: We can have honest disagreements on the Convention Center, including whether it is the proper role of government, why Utah County is paying $40 million for the Convention Center while Provo is only paying approximately $7 million, and whether the private sector would have built a convention center for our County in Pleasant Grove. But we cannot debate that the taxpayers of Utah County are paying for the Convention Center, because they clearly are. According to the Preliminary Offering Statement used to sell the Convention Center debt to investors, the annual debt service on the Convention Center will be paid as follows: 7% from the tax on hotel rooms, 11% from the tax on car rentals, and 82% by the one percent tax on restaurant food in Utah County.[12] While the tax on hotel rooms and car rentals are typically paid by visitors from out side our County (while also being paid by local businesses bringing in clients and employees), the tax on restaurant food in Utah County is paid overwhelmingly by the residents of Utah County, and most informed observers believe approximately 80% of the restaurant tax is paid for by the residents of Utah County.[13] Bottom Line: While tourists and business will generate up to 40% of the revenue to cover the debt service on the Convention Center, the tax payers of Utah County will pay the most of the cost of the Convention Center. Furthermore, without the Convention Center’s debt service, the restaurant tax could have been decreased substantially, easing the tax burden on our residents.
CLAIMS FROM
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
1. Claim: “Mr. Wright wants to expand the county commission to a council form of government or expand it to five commissioners.”
True? Partially. Our campaign wants to trust the voters to decide how best to govern Utah County. The current form of government (3 full time County Commissioners) has no checks and balances, has no regional representation, and is not based on the Constitution. If only two county commissioners would trust the voters, then the form of county government would be put on the ballot, and the voters could decide to consider a potential change. If the voters approved the change, then a study commission would be created to recommend a potential change to either a Mayor/County Council form (Salt Lake and Cache counties have done this), or a full time executive and part time county council (Grand, Morgan, Summit and Wasatch have done this) or five or seven full time county commissioners (no county has done this, but former Utah County Commissioner and current Governor Gary Herbert told me in February 2010 that he publicly supports increasing the full time Commissioners in Utah County from 3 to 5). Such recommendation would then be on the ballot, and the voters could accept or reject their recommendation. In other words, the voters would directly decide this issue, not the Utah County Commissioners. Finally, I believe the best choice would be a full time Mayor and five part time county council members, which would cost substantially LESS than the current form of three full time county commissioners. Right now, three full time county commissioners cost Utah County $312,000/year in salary, while a full time Mayor (at $104,000/year), and five part time county council members (at $20,000/year) would only cost Utah County $204,000/year.[14]
2. Claim: “Mr. Wright wants our county to take over jurisdiction from the State all of the roads in Utah County that do not cross county lines.”
True? Yes, but only on fair terms. I believe Utah County can more effectively govern its future if it controls the roads within Utah County that do not cross county lines. However, I would only accept the transfer of such roads to the extent the State allows us to keep the funding associated with such roads. As a former City Council member, I have seen the arrogance of our Federal Government, the State of Utah and even Utah County with a “one size fits all” approach on certain issues. As Dr. Skousen points out in the 5,000 Year Leap, one of the principles of the Founding Fathers was that “Problems were solved to the greatest possible extent on the level where they originated.”[15] In short, we should not be expecting citizens of another county to be funding Utah County's roads, nor should they expect us to fund their roads. To the greatest extent possible, where roads need repair, or where residents desire new roads, I believe we should be funding them ourselves rather than forcing others to help pay for them.
3. Claim: “Mr. Wright wants to give the County Attorney more funds to prosecute White-collar crime.”
True? Yes, absolutely. I believe investment fraud is at epidemic levels and is harming our economy far more than any form of “economic development” by the government can improve our economy. In 2009, the Utah County Attorney received claims of $104 million in investment fraud. When Commissioner Anderson assumed office in 2007, those claims were less than $20 million annually. Since 2000, the Utah County Attorney has received investment fraud claims totaling $432 million.[16] We need seasoned and experienced investigators and prosecutors to fight this relatively complicated form of crime that has done tremendous damage to our property values, and our community’s ability to remain solvent and self-sufficient. On October 24, 2009, County Attorney Buhman was quoted as follows: "The honest truth is we're barely scratching the surface [on investment fraud]. We could double or triple our department easily, and we would still be extremely busy."[17] However, I am unwilling to raise taxes to increase the resources devoted to investment fraud, but I will find savings from other areas to do so. The very first cut will be $10,000 to the salary of each of the County Commissioners, giving us another $30,000 to fight investment fraud immediately.
4. Claim: “I believe we should be involved in and support Economic Development in Utah County. Mr. Wright does not.”
You have to define “Economic Development.” I believe government does not know better than the private sector how to most effectively allocate resources, and should instead live within its means and do the jobs it is given, namely fight crime and build transportation infrastructure, as effectively as possible. In contrast, Commissioner Anderson has said on multiple occasions that “It is the government’s job to help you get jobs.” Nonetheless, I support the relatively minimal expense for the Economic Development Corporation of Utah to help companies that are already attracted to Utah find the best location for their operations in Utah. Commissioner Anderson claims that 1,027 jobs have come to Utah County in the last 2 years due to his work, even though he offers no evidence that his personal efforts made any difference.
Finally, I make three promises to you that you will be able to verify four years from now, and that Commissioner Anderson is unwilling to make:
1. I will vote against any budget that includes an increase in the property tax rate in the next four years. Our citizens and businesses have to live within their means. It is time for Utah County to do the same.
2. I will vote against any budget that includes the 2008 salary increase from $94,700 to $104,000 for the County Commissioners, and vote against any salary increase for Commissioners in the next 4 years. Everyone is doing more with less. It is time for our Commissioners to lead by example.
3. I will not run for more than two terms as a Utah County Commissioner. Our founding fathers understood the problems with any individual accumulating too much power, and becoming a career politician. I believe no one should serve in any Executive Branch position for more than two terms, and that includes our County Commissioners. In contrast, my opponent is asking you for a fourth term in office.
Thank you very much for engaging with me in an informed discussion of these issues.
I would warmly welcome an opportunity to discuss these issues with you at length. Please join me at any of the meetings below where we will discuss these issues in depth:
1. Saturday, April 10 from 6 PM to 8 PM at the home of Oak Norton in Highland at 10812 North 5800 West.
2. Tuesday, April 13 from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM at the Cotton Tree Inn in Provo at 2230 North University Parkway. Light refreshments will be provided.
3. Wednesday, April 14 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the home of Karen Herd in Cedar Hills at 10669 Fiddlesticks.
4. Saturday, April 17 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the home of Kirk & Shannon Magleby at 553 East 100 North in American Fork.
I will also be attending all the mass meetings for county candidates in the next three weeks, which includes events in Santaquin, Lehi, Eagle Mountain, Provo and multiple times in Springville. Please see the complete schedule of all such meetings here:
http://wright4countycommissioner.blogspot.com/2010/04/where-you-can-meet-me-in-person.html
Alternatively, you are always welcome to call me on my cell phone at 801-368-5385.
As always, I also ask for your vote April 24th at the Utah County Convention!
Warm Regards,
Joel Wright
Joel Wright
p.s. If you want further clarification please give me a call. 801-368-5385
p.p.s. Let me know what you think on these issues! I always welcome feedback.
SOURCES
[1] Numbers from 2004 to 2008 available at http://www.sao.state.ut.us/lgr/county/2008/08xbutco.pdf , 2009 numbers from http://www.sltrib.com/utahcounty/ci_13862040 (Note that final official expenditures for 2009 are not yet available.)
[2] See http://www.census.gov/
[3] 2007 Lower budget was approved in 2006, but subsequently amended after Commissioner Anderson came into office in 2007, see: http://www.sao.state.ut.us/lgr/county/2008/08xbutco.pdf
[4] See the Minutes from the December 18, 2007 Utah County Commission Meeting, Item #26: http://www.co.utah.ut.us/Dept/COMMISH/Data/Minutes/CM/2007/121807-CommissionMinutes.pdf
[5] See page 9 of the 2008 Financial Statements from the Independent Auditor here: http://www.sao.state.ut.us/lgr/county/2008/08xfutco.pdf
[6] See the Minutes from the June 17, 2008 Commission Meeting, Item #1: http://www.co.utah.ut.us/Dept/Commish/data/minutes/CM/2008/061708-CommissionMinutes.pdf ; see also the Deseret News article dated June 18, 2008: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700235619/Utah-County-commissioners-hike-pay.html
[7] See the blog of Daily Herald reporter Joe Pyrah here: http://sausagegrinding.blogspot.com/2009/11/game-on.html
[8] See Item #22 on the August 28, 2007 Commission Minutes at: http://www.co.utah.ut.us/Dept/Commish/data/minutes/CM/2007/082807-CommissionMinutes.pdf
[9] See item #17 on the September 23, 2008 Commission Minutes at: http://www.co.utah.ut.us/Dept/Commish/data/minutes/CM/2008/092308-Commission-Minutes.pdf
[10] See page 46 of the 2008 Financial Statements here: http://www.sao.state.ut.us/lgr/county/2008/08xfutco.pdf
[11] Such information not yet available in official Financial Statements, but available on every property tax notice in Utah County. The Utah County Tax Levy was .000809 in 2008, and increased to .000878 in 2009, which is an 8.5% increase.
[12] Copy of the Preliminary Financial Statement (page 3) obtained from Utah County in February 2010 through a GRAMA request. Email Joel Wright at Joel@ElectWright.com if you would like a copy of it.
[13] The Utah Restaurant Association told me that at least 80% of the restaurant tax is paid for by the residents of Utah County, and likely over 90%. I have also had conversations with Commissioners Anderson and White, as well as Rep. Frank who tried to repeal this tax earlier this year, and they all have said to me that approximately 80% of the restaurant tax is paid for by Utah County residents.
[14] See our campaign blog for more details on this proposed change here: http://wright4countycommissioner.blogspot.com/2009/11/should-utah-county-change-its-form-of_18.html
[15] See page 16 of the “5,000 Year Leap” by W. Cleon Skousen.
[16] See: “Investment Fraud Rampant in Utah County” from the Daily Herald, February 28, 2010, available at: http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/article_7c2429f4-a9ed-5ce2-af14-a40ed6c7b8bc.html, or see “Investigators say $59 million scheme targeted Utah County” from Deseret News, October 24, 2009, available at: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705339222/Investigators-say-59-million-scheme-targeted-Utah-County.html?pg=4 ; the number of $432 million from 2000 to 2009 is from an email from the Utah County Bureau of Investigations in our possession that we are happy to share.
[17] See “Investigators say $59 million scheme targeted Utah County” from Deseret News, October 24, 2009, available at: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705339222/Investigators-say-59-million-scheme-targeted-Utah-County.html?pg=4
Retraction of Public Safety Endorsements of Gary Anderson
Yesterday my opponent, Gary Anderson, sent out an email that implied he was officially endorsed by the following groups:
Sheriff Jim Tracy
Utah County Sheriff’s office
County Attorney’s office
Utah County White Collar Investigative Unit
Utah County Major Crimes Task Force
Utah County Special Victims Unit
County Attorney Jeff Buhman
However, none of the above groups have, or will, endorse Gary Anderson, so Gary sent out a second email clarifying that none of the above groups have endorsed him. In addition, Sheriff Tracy sent out an email further clarifying that he is not endorsing Gary Anderson.
Below I include three emails, the first is the original email that Gary Anderson sent out Friday morning, the second is the email Gary sent out retracting his initial claim that these groups had endorsed him, and the third email is from Sheriff Tracy clarifying that he is not endorsing Gary Anderson.
I will have no further comment on this matter, except to refer anyone with questions to Gary Anderson, Sheriff Tracy or County Attorney Buhman.
Sheriff Jim Tracy
Utah County Sheriff’s office
County Attorney’s office
Utah County White Collar Investigative Unit
Utah County Major Crimes Task Force
Utah County Special Victims Unit
County Attorney Jeff Buhman
However, none of the above groups have, or will, endorse Gary Anderson, so Gary sent out a second email clarifying that none of the above groups have endorsed him. In addition, Sheriff Tracy sent out an email further clarifying that he is not endorsing Gary Anderson.
Below I include three emails, the first is the original email that Gary Anderson sent out Friday morning, the second is the email Gary sent out retracting his initial claim that these groups had endorsed him, and the third email is from Sheriff Tracy clarifying that he is not endorsing Gary Anderson.
I will have no further comment on this matter, except to refer anyone with questions to Gary Anderson, Sheriff Tracy or County Attorney Buhman.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Salt Lake Tribune article on County Commissioner Debate
I really enjoyed this debate last night. We had nearly 400 people in attendance, and I felt the issues our campaign is pushing were driving the discussion. Delegates learn so much more when we go head to head, rather than speaking to us separately. I wish we had more debates on the schedule and fewer "Meet and Mingles" but there is only so much you can do as a single county candidate.
Article at: http://bit.ly/bYPYdJ
Complete copy below:
Candidate says council form more efficient
Utah County » Commissioner disagrees, says just look north to S.L. County.
By Donald W. Meyers
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune
Updated:04/07/2010 10:31:27 PM MDT
Orem » A county-council form of government would better suit Utah County's growth than a three-member commission, a commission candidate argued Wednesday.
Joel D. Wright, who is challenging Utah County Commissioner Gary J. Anderson for the Republican nomination, rejected arguments that the current form of government is a more effective way of governing a fast-growing county.
"If three full-time county commissioners are efficient, then it would be more efficient to have just one commissioner, and we could call him king," Wright told the 300 people crowded into Noah Webster Academy's cafeteria/gymnasium for a candidate debate.
But Anderson said one only need look north at Salt Lake County to see that a council-mayor form of county government would be too expensive and inefficient. Anderson noted that between 2000 and 2001 -- the period when Salt Lake County transitioned from a three-member county commission to its current form of government -- the cost of government went from $832,490 to $2.9 million, a 346 percent increase. Today, Anderson said the county council costs Salt Lake County residents $7.7 million.
"And they're raising taxes and charging you for the police to come out," Anderson said, referring to the Unified Police Department's service fee.
Wright blasted the comparison, noting that Salt Lake County was dominated by Democrats, as opposed to Utah County, a Republican bastion. A better comparison, he said, was to Cache County, where its elected county council and full-time executive only cost $308,903.
If Utah County were to create a five-member county council, pay the part-time elected officials $20,000 a year and pay a full-time mayor/executive $104,000, it would only cost Utah County $204,000, compared to the $312,000 a year the three commissioners now collect.
Wright also vowed that he would only serve two terms on the commission to avoid having the power of the office get to him. And, he said he would also reject any salary increase for commissioners and would fight to keep taxes low.
Wright also criticized the county's involvement in the Utah County Convention Center. He said it was wrong for the county to take taxpayer money -- he said the center's $40 million bond would be paid through restaurant taxes collected from county residents -- to build something that could have been built by private developers. He pointed to Missouri hotelier John Q. Hammons' planned conference center in Pleasant Grove, which is now stalled.
It is also located near the Timpanogos Special Service District's sewage treatment plant, the smells from which Wright said is making it difficult to attract businesses to the area.
"Instead of building a convention center, the county should have fixed the stink, and we would have had a convention center built by the private sector," Wright said.
Anderson said the county has lost conventions to Salt Lake City because it did not have adequate meeting halls, and the private sector was not interested in building in Provo. The county, he said, was the only government body that could legally do it, and he said it is being funded with hotel room taxes, paid mostly by tourists.
As for the sewage plant, Anderson said it is governed by a board of representatives from northern Utah County cities. But he said he's ready to order the district to ship out the waste it is composting until odor control devices are installed.
After the debate, Becky Strain, a GOP delegate from Provo, said it was interesting to hear the candidates discuss issues side-by-side, but said it didn't help make up her mind about who to support. She noted that the candidates were similar in some aspects.
"I'm more undecided now than I was before," Strain said.
dmeyers@sltrib.com
Article at: http://bit.ly/bYPYdJ
Complete copy below:
Candidate says council form more efficient
Utah County » Commissioner disagrees, says just look north to S.L. County.
By Donald W. Meyers
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune
Updated:04/07/2010 10:31:27 PM MDT
Orem » A county-council form of government would better suit Utah County's growth than a three-member commission, a commission candidate argued Wednesday.
Joel D. Wright, who is challenging Utah County Commissioner Gary J. Anderson for the Republican nomination, rejected arguments that the current form of government is a more effective way of governing a fast-growing county.
"If three full-time county commissioners are efficient, then it would be more efficient to have just one commissioner, and we could call him king," Wright told the 300 people crowded into Noah Webster Academy's cafeteria/gymnasium for a candidate debate.
But Anderson said one only need look north at Salt Lake County to see that a council-mayor form of county government would be too expensive and inefficient. Anderson noted that between 2000 and 2001 -- the period when Salt Lake County transitioned from a three-member county commission to its current form of government -- the cost of government went from $832,490 to $2.9 million, a 346 percent increase. Today, Anderson said the county council costs Salt Lake County residents $7.7 million.
"And they're raising taxes and charging you for the police to come out," Anderson said, referring to the Unified Police Department's service fee.
Wright blasted the comparison, noting that Salt Lake County was dominated by Democrats, as opposed to Utah County, a Republican bastion. A better comparison, he said, was to Cache County, where its elected county council and full-time executive only cost $308,903.
If Utah County were to create a five-member county council, pay the part-time elected officials $20,000 a year and pay a full-time mayor/executive $104,000, it would only cost Utah County $204,000, compared to the $312,000 a year the three commissioners now collect.
Wright also vowed that he would only serve two terms on the commission to avoid having the power of the office get to him. And, he said he would also reject any salary increase for commissioners and would fight to keep taxes low.
Wright also criticized the county's involvement in the Utah County Convention Center. He said it was wrong for the county to take taxpayer money -- he said the center's $40 million bond would be paid through restaurant taxes collected from county residents -- to build something that could have been built by private developers. He pointed to Missouri hotelier John Q. Hammons' planned conference center in Pleasant Grove, which is now stalled.
It is also located near the Timpanogos Special Service District's sewage treatment plant, the smells from which Wright said is making it difficult to attract businesses to the area.
"Instead of building a convention center, the county should have fixed the stink, and we would have had a convention center built by the private sector," Wright said.
Anderson said the county has lost conventions to Salt Lake City because it did not have adequate meeting halls, and the private sector was not interested in building in Provo. The county, he said, was the only government body that could legally do it, and he said it is being funded with hotel room taxes, paid mostly by tourists.
As for the sewage plant, Anderson said it is governed by a board of representatives from northern Utah County cities. But he said he's ready to order the district to ship out the waste it is composting until odor control devices are installed.
After the debate, Becky Strain, a GOP delegate from Provo, said it was interesting to hear the candidates discuss issues side-by-side, but said it didn't help make up her mind about who to support. She noted that the candidates were similar in some aspects.
"I'm more undecided now than I was before," Strain said.
dmeyers@sltrib.com
Monday, April 5, 2010
Good short summary of County Races from Salt Lake Tribune
http://www.sltrib.com/closeup/ci_14750194
Utah County commissioners to face challenges from GOP, Dems
Politics » Many candidates throw their hats into the election ring.
By Donald W. Meyers
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 03/24/2010 05:17:22 PM MDT
Utah County commissioners Gary J. Anderson and Steve White face challenges from inside the Republican Party, as well as from Democrats.
Meanwhile, two Republicans aim to oust Utah County Sheriff Jim Tracy. And the county assessor and recorder are also facing GOP challenges, and two Republicans are vying for the surveyor's post, which was recently separated from the recorder's office.
But County Clerk-Auditor Bryan Thompson and Treasurer Robert C. Kirk are running unopposed.
Here's a roundup of major Utah County races:
Commission Seat A
Anderson, who served as a commissioner from 1983-1986, and won again in 2006, is being challenged from within his party by Joel D. Wright and James L. Vein. Anderson, an attorney who once worked in the Utah County Attorney's Office, is touting his efforts to promote cooperation between the county, regional agencies and cities, as well as promoting economic development.
Wright, an attorney with Kirton and McConkie, is a former Cedar Hills City Councilman and a former member of the Board of Regents. He is campaigning on a platform of fiscal restraint and combating white-collar crime and has suggested changing county government to a council form to give better representation for cities.
Attempts to contact Vein, an American Fork resident, were unsuccessful.
Democrat J. Lane Henderson is the former Salem mayor and city councilman. He also runs a printing in business in Spanish Fork.
He believes his experience as a city official can help the county better work with cities, as well as give southern Utah County residents a voice on the commission.
"I think [Anderson] has tried," Henderson said of the incumbent's efforts to reach out to cities. But, Henderson said there is a possibility that Anderson may not come out of the Republican convention.
Commission Seat B
Steve White was first elected to the commission in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. He previously served on the Utah County Planning Commission and is a former Utah County Republican Party Chairman. He said he wants another four years to ensure that the county maintains its fiscally conservative principles while keeping taxes low and providing essential services.
His challengers include Republicans Douglas Witney, Linda Housekeeper and Leon M. Frazier; Democrat Ted Barratt has also filed.
Witney, of Springville, is a retired Utah County Sheriff's captain who organized and headed the Utah County Attorney's Office's fraud division.
Witney said he would like to see major crime units within the county bolstered, and do more to retain the county's best employees. While officials talk of those employees' great work, there has been a "systematic dismantling" of benefits and salaries, he said.
Witney said he would also work to overhaul the budget process and would not accept any pay raises as a commissioner.
Housekeeper, of Orem, is hoping to become the first woman on the commission. She has served as a legislative district chairwoman in the Utah County Republican Party.
If elected, she would push the commission to do more to solve problems.
"I feel like Steve White is more beholden to a faction of the Republican Party than to the people who he is supposed to represent," Housekeeper said.
Frazier, owner of Frazier Park in Provo Canyon, said the county is harassing small business owners through high taxes and regulation. He vowed to bring the county back to a more libertarian and conservative philosophy by cutting bureaucracy and taxes. He said commissioners need to cut their own salaries by 10 percent.
Barratt is the former mayor of American Fork. He said he would work with county employees to make county government run more efficiently. He would also lobby the Legislature to improve education, which he said is vital to economic development.
Sheriff
Tracy is standing on his record of reducing expenses at the county jail through a combination of charging inmates for their time behind bars and operating an inmate vegetable garden on the jail grounds. He also touted his work with judges in reducing overcrowding in the jail and adding an additional 400 beds to the Spanish Fork detention center.
Tracy said deputies on his watch also have cracked down on crime in the canyons, breaking up rave parties that he said were making the areas unsafe for families.
He is being challenged by Robin D. Wall and Dan Burton.
Wall, a sergeant in the sheriff's office, said he would push for new programs to identify career criminals and educate parents about the dangers of drug addiction and gang activity. He also said he would build a coalition with the American Red Cross and other groups to work on emergency planning.
Attempts to contact Burton were not successful.
Utah County commissioners to face challenges from GOP, Dems
Politics » Many candidates throw their hats into the election ring.
By Donald W. Meyers
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 03/24/2010 05:17:22 PM MDT
Utah County commissioners Gary J. Anderson and Steve White face challenges from inside the Republican Party, as well as from Democrats.
Meanwhile, two Republicans aim to oust Utah County Sheriff Jim Tracy. And the county assessor and recorder are also facing GOP challenges, and two Republicans are vying for the surveyor's post, which was recently separated from the recorder's office.
But County Clerk-Auditor Bryan Thompson and Treasurer Robert C. Kirk are running unopposed.
Here's a roundup of major Utah County races:
Commission Seat A
Anderson, who served as a commissioner from 1983-1986, and won again in 2006, is being challenged from within his party by Joel D. Wright and James L. Vein. Anderson, an attorney who once worked in the Utah County Attorney's Office, is touting his efforts to promote cooperation between the county, regional agencies and cities, as well as promoting economic development.
Wright, an attorney with Kirton and McConkie, is a former Cedar Hills City Councilman and a former member of the Board of Regents. He is campaigning on a platform of fiscal restraint and combating white-collar crime and has suggested changing county government to a council form to give better representation for cities.
Attempts to contact Vein, an American Fork resident, were unsuccessful.
Democrat J. Lane Henderson is the former Salem mayor and city councilman. He also runs a printing in business in Spanish Fork.
He believes his experience as a city official can help the county better work with cities, as well as give southern Utah County residents a voice on the commission.
"I think [Anderson] has tried," Henderson said of the incumbent's efforts to reach out to cities. But, Henderson said there is a possibility that Anderson may not come out of the Republican convention.
Commission Seat B
Steve White was first elected to the commission in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. He previously served on the Utah County Planning Commission and is a former Utah County Republican Party Chairman. He said he wants another four years to ensure that the county maintains its fiscally conservative principles while keeping taxes low and providing essential services.
His challengers include Republicans Douglas Witney, Linda Housekeeper and Leon M. Frazier; Democrat Ted Barratt has also filed.
Witney, of Springville, is a retired Utah County Sheriff's captain who organized and headed the Utah County Attorney's Office's fraud division.
Witney said he would like to see major crime units within the county bolstered, and do more to retain the county's best employees. While officials talk of those employees' great work, there has been a "systematic dismantling" of benefits and salaries, he said.
Witney said he would also work to overhaul the budget process and would not accept any pay raises as a commissioner.
Housekeeper, of Orem, is hoping to become the first woman on the commission. She has served as a legislative district chairwoman in the Utah County Republican Party.
If elected, she would push the commission to do more to solve problems.
"I feel like Steve White is more beholden to a faction of the Republican Party than to the people who he is supposed to represent," Housekeeper said.
Frazier, owner of Frazier Park in Provo Canyon, said the county is harassing small business owners through high taxes and regulation. He vowed to bring the county back to a more libertarian and conservative philosophy by cutting bureaucracy and taxes. He said commissioners need to cut their own salaries by 10 percent.
Barratt is the former mayor of American Fork. He said he would work with county employees to make county government run more efficiently. He would also lobby the Legislature to improve education, which he said is vital to economic development.
Sheriff
Tracy is standing on his record of reducing expenses at the county jail through a combination of charging inmates for their time behind bars and operating an inmate vegetable garden on the jail grounds. He also touted his work with judges in reducing overcrowding in the jail and adding an additional 400 beds to the Spanish Fork detention center.
Tracy said deputies on his watch also have cracked down on crime in the canyons, breaking up rave parties that he said were making the areas unsafe for families.
He is being challenged by Robin D. Wall and Dan Burton.
Wall, a sergeant in the sheriff's office, said he would push for new programs to identify career criminals and educate parents about the dangers of drug addiction and gang activity. He also said he would build a coalition with the American Red Cross and other groups to work on emergency planning.
Attempts to contact Burton were not successful.
Where you can meet me in person
As most of you know, the County Convention is on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Mountain View High School in Orem. I am determined to personally meet or call every single one of the 1,451 Utah County Republican Delegates before the County Convention. To that end, I hope any delegate will feel free to call me at any time on my mobile at 801-368-5385, or email me at "Joel@ElectWright.com", or come to one of the meetings below that I am current planning to attend. Note the schedule below may change, but I will keep this page updated with the current plans:
1. Thursday, April 15 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM at the Old Utah County Courthouse in Provo, Tea Party Rally, Corner of University and Center (I have been invited to speak for 3 minutes at this event.) See a summary of the event here: http://bit.ly/dgGyEs
*2. Thursday, April 15 from 6:30 to 9:30 PM at Reagan Academy in Springville at 1143 West Center Street: Meet & Mingle with all County Candidates invited.
3. Friday, April 16 from 5:30 to 6:30 at the home of Joylin Lincoln in Saratoga Springs at 958 South Austin Court.
4. Friday, April 16 from 7 to 9 PM at Rockwell High School in Eagle Mountain located at 3435 East Stone Bridge Lane: Event hosted by Legislative District #56. Three minute speeches from all candidates, and then a chance to talk to candidates individually.
*5. Saturday, April 17 from 8:30 to 11:30 AM at Lincoln Academy in Pleasant Grove at 1582 West 3300 North: Meet & Mingle with all County Candidates invited.
6. Saturday, April 17 from 5 PM to 6:30 PM at 455 East 500 North in Lindon, hosted by Peter & Merrilee Schofield. Cottage Meeting where we can go in depth on the issues.
7. Saturday, April 17 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at 553 East 100 North in American Fork: Cottage Meeting at the home of Kirk & Shannon Magleby.
8. Monday, April 19 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at 9102 Silver Lake Drive in Cedar Hills. Cottage Meeting at the home of Joel & Marisa Wright. Great chance to get to know Joel better at his home, and talk about the issues in depth.
9. Tuesday, April 20 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at Kirkham Motor Sports located at 2575 West 1680 North in Provo. Cottage Meeting hosted by David Kirkham. Another great chance to discuss the issues in depth with others concerned about the loss of liberty due to government expansion.
10. Wednesday, April 21 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Wells Fargo Building in Provo at 100 North University Avenue. Hosted by Legislative District #64, but all County Delegates are welcome. More details will be coming, but I believe most, if not all, county candidates will be there.
*11. Thursday, April 22 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Provo City foyer located at 650 West Center Street in Provo: Meet & Mingle with all County Candidates invited.
[All events marked with an asterisk or * are events scheduled by Linda Houskeeper, a candidate for Utah County Commissioner Seat B, and are being run in her discretion, so we cannot guarantee how they will be managed or organized.]
1. Thursday, April 15 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM at the Old Utah County Courthouse in Provo, Tea Party Rally, Corner of University and Center (I have been invited to speak for 3 minutes at this event.) See a summary of the event here: http://bit.ly/dgGyEs
*2. Thursday, April 15 from 6:30 to 9:30 PM at Reagan Academy in Springville at 1143 West Center Street: Meet & Mingle with all County Candidates invited.
3. Friday, April 16 from 5:30 to 6:30 at the home of Joylin Lincoln in Saratoga Springs at 958 South Austin Court.
4. Friday, April 16 from 7 to 9 PM at Rockwell High School in Eagle Mountain located at 3435 East Stone Bridge Lane: Event hosted by Legislative District #56. Three minute speeches from all candidates, and then a chance to talk to candidates individually.
*5. Saturday, April 17 from 8:30 to 11:30 AM at Lincoln Academy in Pleasant Grove at 1582 West 3300 North: Meet & Mingle with all County Candidates invited.
6. Saturday, April 17 from 5 PM to 6:30 PM at 455 East 500 North in Lindon, hosted by Peter & Merrilee Schofield. Cottage Meeting where we can go in depth on the issues.
7. Saturday, April 17 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at 553 East 100 North in American Fork: Cottage Meeting at the home of Kirk & Shannon Magleby.
8. Monday, April 19 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at 9102 Silver Lake Drive in Cedar Hills. Cottage Meeting at the home of Joel & Marisa Wright. Great chance to get to know Joel better at his home, and talk about the issues in depth.
9. Tuesday, April 20 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at Kirkham Motor Sports located at 2575 West 1680 North in Provo. Cottage Meeting hosted by David Kirkham. Another great chance to discuss the issues in depth with others concerned about the loss of liberty due to government expansion.
10. Wednesday, April 21 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Wells Fargo Building in Provo at 100 North University Avenue. Hosted by Legislative District #64, but all County Delegates are welcome. More details will be coming, but I believe most, if not all, county candidates will be there.
*11. Thursday, April 22 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Provo City foyer located at 650 West Center Street in Provo: Meet & Mingle with all County Candidates invited.
[All events marked with an asterisk or * are events scheduled by Linda Houskeeper, a candidate for Utah County Commissioner Seat B, and are being run in her discretion, so we cannot guarantee how they will be managed or organized.]
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The six reasons I am running
A county delegate recently asked me to give him the 5 main reasons I am running. It made me think long and hard about what I specifically value the most. But, I could only narrow the main reasons I am running down to six points, and I couldn't eliminate another one. So, here are the six reasons why I am running for Utah County Commissioner Seat A this year:
1. Fiscal Responsibility: Utah County's budget has grown 50% in the last 5 years, while our population has only grown by 25%. This has resulted in a need to raise the property tax rate by 20% in the last 2 years to sustain this increase in spending. And in 2008, my opponent voted to raised his salary by 10% in the middle of the year (to $104,000) and then had to raise property taxes by 11% at the end of the year. I find it amazing he would raise property tax rates instead of repealing his salary increase. If elected, I will vote against any budget that contains an increase in the property tax rate for the next 4 years, and I will vote to repeal the 2008 salary increase.
2. Economic Development: I believe government should remove the obstacles to economic development, instead of assuming the government actually is the economic development. One example. The County Commissioners recently borrowed $40 million to build a Convention Center in downtown Provo, which will be owned by Utah County. However, Utah County is responsible for a sewer plant in Pleasant Grove that makes a lot of stink. The American Fork Chamber of Commerce says this is the #1 problem for business in the Lindon/American Fork/Pleasant Grove area, and the Pleasant Grove City Council believes the stink is blocking over $300 million in economic development, including a convention center funded in part by the private sector. If elected, I would focus on doing what government should be doing (removing the stink) and less on putting us further in debt. When I was on my city council in Cedar Hills I was a strong advocate for removing the obstacles to the development of our commercial sector by Wal-Mart and a permanent solution to our city's money losing golf course.
3. Transportation: I believe we need to take responsibility for our own transportation problems, and be less subservient to the state and federal governments. Specifically, I believe we should push the State of Utah to turn over to Utah County all roads that do not cross county lines, as well as our portion of the gas tax, and let us fund our roads as we see best. We also need to work to expand the Commuter Rail to Santaquin if the initial phase is successful, and build more and better bicycle trails that connect throughout the County. Most importantly, we need to proactively make 20 or even 50 year transportation plans, that take into account Utah County's population will grow from the current 550,000 to over one million in 20 years or less.
4. Crime: Over 60% of Utah County's budget goes toward fighting crime through the Sheriff and County Attorney. I believe we need to give our law enforcement all the resources necessary to enforce the existing laws. If we are unwilling to do that, we should change the law to something we are willing to enforce. While crime is generally low in Utah County, there are three areas in which we need to improve, specifically: (a) Investment Fraud, (b) Prescription Drug Abuse, and (c) the Sexual Abuse of Children. Please see my campaign blog for more details, but note that investment fraud claims filed with the County Attorney have gone from under $30 million in 2007, to $104 million in 2009, making it an economic development issue as well as a criminal issue.
5. Constitutional Principles (form of government and term limits): I believe Utah County's current form of government of three full time Commissioners with "executive, legislative and judicial" powers is not based on the Constitution, does not provide for appropriate checks and balances, and does not provide for regional representation. If just two County Commissioners would trust the voters, then we would hold a first election asking the voters of Utah County if they wanted a new form of government. If the voters said yes, then a study commission would be created to examine the issue for a year and recommend a new form of government. They could recommend a Mayor/County Council (both Cache and Salt Lake Counties have done this) or go with an Executive and part time County Council (Wasatch, Summit and Morgan Counties have done this) or expand to five or seven full time county commissioners (no county has done this). I believe it is time to consider this change. Also, I believe the Founding Fathers understood the nature of man, and were wise to set a precedent of no more than two terms in any elected office. My opponent is asking for a fourth term as a County Commissioner. I would not serve more than two terms as a Utah County Commissioner (or 8 years) under any circumstances.
6. Engagement and Transparency: I would send a monthly email to everyone who would receive it highlighting the main decisions we were making and issues we were tackling. I would include all press articles on Utah County, and warmly ask for input and feedback. I would post on a web page where anyone could make comments, even anonymous comments. I would also post all the information I received on the web for the public to review to the greatest extent possible, so the public could read and review the information going into our decision making process. Finally, I would end the practice of scheduling general public comments at Utah County Commission meetings at the END of their meeting. I believe our County Commissioners should listen to public input at the very beginning of their meeting, before they make any decisions.
Thank you very much for considering the reasons I am running. I am very interested in your thoughts. Please give me your feedback below.
1. Fiscal Responsibility: Utah County's budget has grown 50% in the last 5 years, while our population has only grown by 25%. This has resulted in a need to raise the property tax rate by 20% in the last 2 years to sustain this increase in spending. And in 2008, my opponent voted to raised his salary by 10% in the middle of the year (to $104,000) and then had to raise property taxes by 11% at the end of the year. I find it amazing he would raise property tax rates instead of repealing his salary increase. If elected, I will vote against any budget that contains an increase in the property tax rate for the next 4 years, and I will vote to repeal the 2008 salary increase.
2. Economic Development: I believe government should remove the obstacles to economic development, instead of assuming the government actually is the economic development. One example. The County Commissioners recently borrowed $40 million to build a Convention Center in downtown Provo, which will be owned by Utah County. However, Utah County is responsible for a sewer plant in Pleasant Grove that makes a lot of stink. The American Fork Chamber of Commerce says this is the #1 problem for business in the Lindon/American Fork/Pleasant Grove area, and the Pleasant Grove City Council believes the stink is blocking over $300 million in economic development, including a convention center funded in part by the private sector. If elected, I would focus on doing what government should be doing (removing the stink) and less on putting us further in debt. When I was on my city council in Cedar Hills I was a strong advocate for removing the obstacles to the development of our commercial sector by Wal-Mart and a permanent solution to our city's money losing golf course.
3. Transportation: I believe we need to take responsibility for our own transportation problems, and be less subservient to the state and federal governments. Specifically, I believe we should push the State of Utah to turn over to Utah County all roads that do not cross county lines, as well as our portion of the gas tax, and let us fund our roads as we see best. We also need to work to expand the Commuter Rail to Santaquin if the initial phase is successful, and build more and better bicycle trails that connect throughout the County. Most importantly, we need to proactively make 20 or even 50 year transportation plans, that take into account Utah County's population will grow from the current 550,000 to over one million in 20 years or less.
4. Crime: Over 60% of Utah County's budget goes toward fighting crime through the Sheriff and County Attorney. I believe we need to give our law enforcement all the resources necessary to enforce the existing laws. If we are unwilling to do that, we should change the law to something we are willing to enforce. While crime is generally low in Utah County, there are three areas in which we need to improve, specifically: (a) Investment Fraud, (b) Prescription Drug Abuse, and (c) the Sexual Abuse of Children. Please see my campaign blog for more details, but note that investment fraud claims filed with the County Attorney have gone from under $30 million in 2007, to $104 million in 2009, making it an economic development issue as well as a criminal issue.
5. Constitutional Principles (form of government and term limits): I believe Utah County's current form of government of three full time Commissioners with "executive, legislative and judicial" powers is not based on the Constitution, does not provide for appropriate checks and balances, and does not provide for regional representation. If just two County Commissioners would trust the voters, then we would hold a first election asking the voters of Utah County if they wanted a new form of government. If the voters said yes, then a study commission would be created to examine the issue for a year and recommend a new form of government. They could recommend a Mayor/County Council (both Cache and Salt Lake Counties have done this) or go with an Executive and part time County Council (Wasatch, Summit and Morgan Counties have done this) or expand to five or seven full time county commissioners (no county has done this). I believe it is time to consider this change. Also, I believe the Founding Fathers understood the nature of man, and were wise to set a precedent of no more than two terms in any elected office. My opponent is asking for a fourth term as a County Commissioner. I would not serve more than two terms as a Utah County Commissioner (or 8 years) under any circumstances.
6. Engagement and Transparency: I would send a monthly email to everyone who would receive it highlighting the main decisions we were making and issues we were tackling. I would include all press articles on Utah County, and warmly ask for input and feedback. I would post on a web page where anyone could make comments, even anonymous comments. I would also post all the information I received on the web for the public to review to the greatest extent possible, so the public could read and review the information going into our decision making process. Finally, I would end the practice of scheduling general public comments at Utah County Commission meetings at the END of their meeting. I believe our County Commissioners should listen to public input at the very beginning of their meeting, before they make any decisions.
Thank you very much for considering the reasons I am running. I am very interested in your thoughts. Please give me your feedback below.
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