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cedarvalleysentinel.com sent a survey to each of the City Council and Mayor Candidates for the 2017 election. The questions included ones about roads, education, city issues, city strengths, as well as a few to get to know the candidates on a more personal level. Over the next few weeks, those answers will be published on cedarvalleysentinel.com. If you have missed any, want to catch up, or just review them again, you can do so by visiting the Cedar Valley Sentinel (formerly i84005) Election Center at http://cedarvalleysentinel.com/elections/. Feel free to share these articles on social media. Lets get the word out and increase voter participation in this election cycle. Eagle Mountain is a great city, and it can be made even greater by our elected officials, but they need input from the residents.
The answers for the candidates have not been modified in anyway. We have also randomized the order that the answers are listed in for each question.
I think the greatest thing that eagle mountain has going for it, is the people. We come together faster than anyplace. Missing kids? Search parties. Lost pets? Everybody keeps an eye out. People need food? Organize a food drive. City cuts programs you love? Organize a board and make it happen. Family’s in need? We come together to take care of them. The way the city can help protect that is simple. Keep the small town feel.Jared Gray – City Council Candidate
The best thing about Eagle Mountain is the people. It’s such a new town, everyone is an equal no matter how you got here. It’s not a good old boy mentality that excludes new or young people. It’s a beautiful place. Lots of amenities for such a young city.Debbie Hooge – Full Time Mayor Candidate
Eagle Mountain has the people going for it. It has the land going for it. And, it has lots of room to grow, but growth needs to be smart. We need to go back to providing sufficient open space. We need to start planning for parks decades in advance and then actually building them. We need to think neighborhood, and not just city. I have eight grandchildren living and growing in Eagle Mountain. Personally, I hate seeing them stuck on their devices and watching TV. I would like them to be able to run to the neighborhood park and play, without worrying about whether or not they are safe. I love taking long walks with them on the trails or hiking in the foothills above where I live. It is such a blessing for me and them. We walk and we talk. That is my legacy to them, and it should be the legacy the City provides to all its’ citizens.Donna Burnham – City Council Candidate
The best thing Eagle Mountain has going for it is the people who live here. We have an incredible sense of community, which we don’t want to lose. We need to continue city efforts to involve citizens in the community, such as community cleanup projects, city planning and visioning, and family-friendly city events and parks. But government can’t and shouldn’t shoulder this responsibility alone. We have many great civic groups in our community that the city can highlight and give more visibility.Stephanie Gricius – Part Time Mayor Candidate
Eagle Mountain’s biggest resource is the residents. I’m always inspired by how the community comes together to help someone in need. Another of our defining characteristics is the outdoor recreation. You can hike, bike, and do just about any outdoor activity just a few minutes from home. Protecting this is something that is currently being thoughtfully considered as we redo our master plan.Melissa Clark – City Council Candidate
The best thing that Eagle Mountain has going for it is the heart of the people. When a family is facing a horrible illness, we rally together to raise funds and show support. When a local elementary school was under attack by a man with history of mental illness, we saw leaders of the business community start a drive of support for the man’s family to show that Eagle Mountain supports all of its residents, including the ones that are usually forgotten about.Tyler Shimakonis – City Council Candidate
The People. There are so many people that are involved or getting involved in different aspects of this city. From serving the community through city sponsored boards, to non-profit organizations and events, to supporting local businesses the people are what make this town great. By continuing to get people involved in serving our community, by getting the message out on opportunities to serve and the message that we can do this together will create a city culture that will set us apart in the region.Drew Curley – City Council Candidate
The best thing I can see that Eagle Mountain has going on is that it is still a great place to raise a family. Crime rates are low, schools are good, neighbors are kind and service oriented, and it’s one of the last places around where the whole town feels connected. If you were here during the Robbie Raccoon days, you know what I mean. Sometimes we are a silly, sarcastic, or even at times overly passionate people, but we are real people, living real lives, caring for one another.Jonathan Vail – Mayor Candidate
The biggest good that Eagle Mountain has going for it is the people. They are willing to help each other and the community as a whole. The way to protect this is by continuing to have the many opportunities for the city and he citizens to interact and help each other.Jan Preece – City Council Candidate
. Biggest Good of Eagle Mountain is the people and sense of community. I am impressed everyday by what my neighbors do for each other.
Mike Kieffer is an IT geek by hobby and trade, with a BS in Information Systems & Technology. He is a proud father of 10, a grandpa, an author, a journalist, and internet publisher. His motto is to “Elevate, Inspire and Inform”, and he is politically conservative and a Christian. Mike has a passion for technology, writing, and helping others. With a wealth of experience, he is committed to sharing his knowledge with others to help them reach their full potential. He is known for his jackassery or his form of self-expression that encourages boldness, creativity, and risk-taking. It can be a way to push the boundaries and challenge traditional norms, leading to creative solutions and positive change.