Cedar Valley Sentinel sent a questionnaire to the City Council and Mayor (Fairfield) candidates for Eagle Mountain, Cedar Fort, and Fairfield. We Received 8 responses from the candidates back. Six of them were from the City Council race in Eagle Mountain, 1 was from the Mayor race in Fairfield, and the final one was from the City Council race in Fairfield.
Below are the bios that were submitted by the candidates when the answered the questionnaire. I have also included email, web, and social media links if they were submitted as well. They are listed in the order that they were listed on their corresponding cities websites. The Cedar Valley Sentinel will continue to post the answers to the questions over the next month. You will be able to find them by going to our #EM2023 site.
Eagle Mountain City Council
Craig Morris
No bio or answers were submitted by deadline.
Rich Wood
My name is Rich Wood and I am running for city council in Eagle Mountain. My wife Kim and I moved to Eagle Mountain with our kids in search of peace, quiet and a safe community filled with families like ours. We were looking for a slower paced lifestyle, where people were invested in creating a tight knight community. We found that here in Eagle Mountain. We were relieved to escape the overcrowding and increase in crime in Salt Lake County. Our original intention was to buy cheap and then sell the house a few years later and move. Here we are 10 years later and don’t plan to leave this city because of the wonderful people here.
Eagle Mountain is the town we all grew up in. It is filled with kids playing outside, neighborhood barbecues and fundraisers, yard sales and community service projects and community events. When I moved here, the city traditions were the kind that people move to, and stay in a city for. A rodeo, a weeklong city celebration called Pony Express Days, fireworks for different events, concerts and a parade to boot. Community buy-in will always be connected to the city’s ability to gather its citizens, provide amenities to recreate, serve each other and increase their quality of life.
After 2 previous campaigns of listening to what the citizens in Eagle Mountain want, I think it’s past time for the elected officials to deliver. I am running for City Council because:
- I believe in housing development that balances agricultural, rural and Exurb type development in Eagle Mountain.
- I believe economic growth should be focused, well planned out and impactful to our citizens. This is a responsibility of the legislative body, not a 3rd party.
- I know our code, authored most of the current zone code in 2019. I have fought overcrowding and overdevelopment land use policy locally & intend to fight the state overreach as well
- I am honest, have integrity and believe that accountability is essential at all levels of government.
- We need to be a team in city hall to effectively do what is best for our citizens. This requires some humility and accountability
Contact Info:
Email: richwood.emcity@gmail.com
www: https://electrichwood.com
Craig Whiting
Craig is married to Stephanie Whiting and is the father of 6 kids (all boys except for 5 of them). He’s the broker/owner of Prime Real Estate Experts, a full service real estate firm with 86 agents serving the state of Utah (& primarily the Wasatch Front). He has a master’s degree in Real Estate Development with certificate in Urban Planning (U of U, #1 graduate from the program) & bachelor’s degree in Business Management (BYU, cum laude) with 3 minors: Psychology, Logic, & Asian Studies.
Craig is a highly decorated broker, having personally closed over 500 transactions, placing him in the top 1% nationally and earning numerous hall of fame and distinguished service awards from the local board of Realtors. The Whiting family has a singing group (Torch Family Music) & enjoys backpacking & camping together.
The Whitings have horses, goats, & chickens. Craig served a mission in the Philippines for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is an Eagle Scout.
Contact Info:
Email: whitingcraig@hotmail.com
www: https://www.facebook.com/craigwhiting/ (Facebook)
Angelina Washburn
I have been married for 18 years and have 6 children with one in Heaven. I have lived in Utah County all my life. I am a chef, specializing in pâtisserie. I am an owner of a software/data analytics firm with global clients and also an animal boarding facility close by in Cedar Fort. This bodes well because we own a lot of fun animals.
I have a passion for basketball and play recreationally several times a week with a group of amazing women. I have been serving as a county and state delegate for 5 years and counting. I love getting to know and studying candidates and elected officials all over the state of Utah.
I have a strong desire to create a community where kids and teenagers can have a strong sense of belonging. With suicide rates going up I want to help kids develop confidence in themselves and their futures. I want them to see beyond today and to see what they can do and create.
Contact Info:
Email: adonis@angelinewashburn.com
www: https://www.angelinewashburn.com
Scott Ferre
I moved to Eagle Mountain a little over 10 years ago with my young family. I love living here. I have 5 children with my wife Sheri. My oldest daughter recently made my wife and I grandparents. I love the outdoors and spend most of my free time enjoying various outdoor activities with my family.
My professional career since my first job at the age of 14 has been in the vehicle care industry. Currently I oversee the business development portion of our company in the form of planning and executing new build and refurbishment projects for our customers. I have been in that position for the last 22 years. I also serve on the staff of our primary supplier to train and develop service technicians and owner operators from across the country. I work hard, communicate well, solve problems and work well with a wide variety of people and organizations.
Contact Info:
Email: scottferre@mac.com
www: TBA
Jared R Gray
Originally from Lehi, Jared Gray is the son of Phillip and Carol Gray. Jared worked as a farm hand for Cedar Valley Farms before the city was ever incorporated. For over 20 years, Jared and his wife, Heidi, have raised their family in Eagle Mountain.
Jared’s involvement in the city extends to various boards within Eagle Mountain; including the Cemetery Board, Parks and Recreation Board, Youth Council, Planning Commission, and the esteemed Pony Express Events Committee, where he currently serves as President. Within this capacity, Jared effectively coordinates high-profile events such as the annual PRCA Rodeo, the Demolition Derby, and the EnduroCross.
Contact Info:
Email: grayjar@gmail.com
www: https://jaredgray.godaddysites.com/
Melissa Clark
Melissa Clark is an accomplished leader with a deep love for her community and a proven track record of success in both professional and civic roles. As the President of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce, Melissa has been instrumental in promoting economic growth and supporting local businesses. Through her leadership, she has fostered a thriving business community, attracting new investments and creating job opportunities for residents.
She understands the importance of a strong local economy in providing a high quality of life for all residents. Melissa’s professional background has equipped her with the skills necessary to navigate complex issues and deliver results. Her ability to effectively manage resources, coordinate stakeholders, and drive projects to successful completion has been recognized and valued by those she has worked with. Melissa has developed strong relationships with business leaders, government officials, and residents. She has actively listened to the concerns and aspirations of the community, and is dedicated to being a voice for the people of Eagle Mountain.
As a longtime resident of Eagle Mountain, Melissa deeply appreciates the city’s unique character and natural beauty. She is committed to responsible growth that preserves the city’s heritage while creating opportunities for future generations. Melissa believes in investing in essential infrastructure, maintaining a safe and vibrant community, and protecting the Eagle Mountain way of life. By re-electing Melissa Clark to City Council, residents can trust that they are choosing a leader who will work tirelessly to promote economic prosperity, preserve the city’s values, and champion the interests of the community. Melissa’s experience, dedication, and creative solutions make her the ideal candidate to represent the people of Eagle Mountain.
Contact Info:
Email: melissa4em@gmail.com
www: https://www.melissa4em.com
Fairfield
Alina Pringle (Council Seat A)
Guiding the future of Fairfield and protecting the rights of the current and future residents has become a driving force in Alina Pringle’s life. As a Fairfield Planning Commissioner, Alina has dedicated the past four years of her life learning the challenges that Fairfield is facing as the valley experiences unprecedented growth and has guided the best course of action for future planning that will uphold and support residents’ ideals. She is honored to have the opportunity to serve as a future Fairfield Town Councilmember.
Alina owns businesses that have been thriving in Fairfield since 2002. Like other residents here, living where her businesses thrive has created an even deeper connection and desire to protect the future of the town. She is tied to its success in multiple ways and her family is tied to it with her. Alina and her husband Mark have raised seven children and have four rambunctious and amazing grandchildren. In addition to being a proud mom and grandma, Alina also takes pride in her accomplishments earning her BA in Business Administration from the University of Utah, earning her pilot’s certificate and then building her own airplane that she has flown all the way to Florida, Wisconsin and the islands of Washington State.
Alina loves to share that passion for flight. Some of her greatest joys have been working with interns from Cedar Valley High School and introducing them to the world of flight and the various future pathways they can take in aviation. The experiences, knowledge and love of Fairfield that Alina possesses and brings to the leadership as a councilmember of Fairfield are unparalleled. Serving the residents of Fairfield is her greatest honor.
Contact Info:
Email: pringlealina@gmail.com
www: https://www.facebook.com/Flyin4Fun/ (Facebook)
Michael Weber
My name is Michael Weber and I am a current resident of Fairfield Utah. I am married to Camille(Hansen) Weber who has been a lifelong member of Fairfield. I have lived in Utah for about 20 years and am very happy to call Fairfield home. I am originally from the Seattle Washington area and have also lived in Nevada and Illinois. I have 6 kids ranging from 17 to 8 months and love every minute I get to spend with them.
Contact Info:
Email: michaelweber.fairfield@gmail.com
www: none
Hollie McKinney (Mayor)
Hollie was born and raised in Lehi, Utah and has been a resident of Fairfield for 18 years. She married Joel McKinney, who was born and raised in Fairfield and has deep roots there. Many of the residents were family who helped establish Fairfield. Hollie believes the best part of her life is being a wife to Joel and mother to Tristan and Baylie. She loves spending time together as a family enjoying the outdoors, boating, dirt bike riding, camping and she loves living in such a small community.
While serving on the town council for the last 7 1/2 years she has taken on the financial responsibility of treasurer. She also coordinates the details of the Christmas celebration that includes Fireworks, Sub-for-Santa, light parade and Christmas lights for homes in Fairfield.
Hollie has the knowledge, ability and work ethic to effectively represent the interest of Fairfield residents, guide the town council and work towards the continued development and prosperity of the town.
Contact Info:
Email: Holliemc.fairfield@gmail.com
www: N/A
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.