2023 Candidate Question: Future Vision

Melissa Clark
Eagle Mountain City Council

Eagle Mountain is such an amazing place to live and work. When I think of some of the awesome things we have accomplished together here, it reminds me of the term originally coined by Early American, John Winthrop, and later adopted by the great Ronald Reagan, “we shall be as a city upon a hill”. We have 50+ square miles of some of the most beautiful land around and home to some of the smartest, most talented, and most caring people in the country. For decades people have called this area “the Crossroads of the West” and recently I heard a successful business leader say, we have developed into “the Crossroads of the World”. There is a great deal of truth to that statement, but there is also a huge responsibility to get it right. We can be special and different. We can choose creative solutions over a cookie-cutter approach, and we can create that shining city on a hill that was spoken of over 400 years ago. We need to preserve the city’s unique character while meeting the needs of a growing population. With a focus on innovative practices and thoughtful planning, we must ensure that the city’s infrastructure, transportation, and public services keep pace with the demands of the community. We will plan ahead, use industry best practices, and implement the most crucial responsibilities of the government–public safety, roads, and life-sustaining infrastructure. The reality is, growth is going to happen, we get to decide if we help to manage that growth in a responsible way or if we just become subject to whatever outside forces dictate. We have to be intentional about creating safe and adequate roadways and fostering jobs and resources right here in our community. As for how I will involve residents in the shaping of that vision, I will do what I am known for–being with the people, listening to them, being available to them, and being their voice at City Hall.

Rich Wood
Eagle Mountain City Council

I look at our city for 5, 10 and 20 years when I have made policy. In the next 5 years we need to build the Midvalley road/parkway to create a better ingress and egress for our city. Because it will connect to the Mountain View Corridor, we will be able to get funding regionally from MAG because it connects two cities and from the state because it’s a state road. We need to get our new city hall built, create a city police department(We are almost at 60,000 people it’s past time), evaluate whether we should still be using UFA or start our own fire department(this is a financial decision, UFA is expensive for us to be a part of). We need to lead the way in splitting away from Alpine School district and bring education decisions back to local control with Saratoga Springs at a minimum and Lehi at a maximum. We need to start holding our state representatives accountable as a whole and those that represent our area. We need to make sure that the Suburban, Exurban and rural communities voices are heard and action is taken to protect them from damaging and dangerous urbanization policy. Every community over 5000 people should not need to conform to the state developer representatives, I mean state representatives vision of metropolitan grandeur.

Hollie McKinney
Fairfield Mayor

My vision for our Town in the next five to ten years is to maintain the unique charm and qualities that make Fairfield special.  I understand the desire to maintain the small-town character of Fairfield. However, I also acknowledge that growth is inevitable. As new development opportunities arise, I will ensure that residents are actively involved in the discussions and decisions-making processes. By fostering an environment of honest and open dialogue, we can work together to find a balance. 

Scott Ferre
Eagle Mountain City Council

At the end of a decade, our city will likely double in population. That will require more many more businesses and services. It will require our own police force. At the end of a decade, we should have more parks and open spaces for enjoyment. I look to successful communities like St. George and Mesquite Nevada that have embraced youth sports and built outstanding facilities for tournaments and events. My goal is to attract those types of developments that will also bring more retail options, hotels, and many other businesses that support large events. I see a professional district to support the retail side of business. I believe our future is bright and I am extraordinarily excited to see the progress of our city. My goal is to make Eagle Mountain a destination and not just a bedroom community.

Jared R Gray
Eagle Mountain City Council

My vision is tied to what the citizens want Eagle Mountain to be.  We need all citizens to be more involved and vocal.  We need your help!  Please get more involved.  One of the biggest reasons the Pony Express Rodeo is such a success is because of the dozens of residents who volunteer to help make it great!

Michael Weber
Fairfield Council Seat A

TBD

Angelina Washburn
Eagle Mountain City Council

There is so much we can do with the growth coming out here. We are positioned with the space and opportunity to consider hosting and inviting outside of our community. Regional events and activities would really put us on the map. We need road planning and areas to prepare for that kind of influx. I would love to see our small businesses able to advertise and be seen. I would love to see more of our youth getting involved in city planning, city events, and other important roles.

Craig Morris
Eagle Mountain City Council
No responses to questions returned.

Alina Pringle
Fairfield Council Seat A

Supporting land use ordinances that strengthen the goals for open space into the future.

Craig Whiting
Eagle Mountain City Council

The vision: make Eagle Mountain the FIRST place buyers want to live, not the last place. We do that by providing a distinct experience they can’t get ANYWHERE else in the Wasatch Front. We can compete better than other cities on these factors: lot size, wildlife preservation, open space, animal rights, mountain bike trails, ATV trails, trail connectivity, etc. We need to focus more on those things and less on being like Saratoga & Lehi.