At the eleventh hour, Mayor Tom Westmoreland of Eagle Mountain, Utah, shared his perspective on Proposition 14 in a Facebook post. Proposition 14 is a ballot initiative that proposes separating Eagle Mountain and surrounding cities from the Alpine School District (ASD) to form a new school district. While the proposal has sparked intense debate, Mayor Westmoreland speaks directly to those undecided, encouraging them to approach the decision with clear-eyed reasoning rather than emotional response. Using historical analogies, he challenges residents to consider the potential benefits of self-determination in education, emphasizing the unique opportunity to craft a system that better reflects the needs of Eagle Mountain’s communities.
From Tom Westmoreland October 25, 2024
To be or not to be? That is the real question
I understand that the prospect of leaving the Alpine School District and forming a separate district has generated strong emotion.
At this point, many have already cast their ballot.
Today, I do not speak to those groups for or against Prop. 14, but to the independent thinkers that press forward despite all the noise, determined not to be swayed by fear or passion. It is your well-grounded logic that will ultimately determine your position and nothing more. You know who you are.
Well, find your quiet place and consider this: What would the world be like if the 13 American colonies had not broken off from the British Empire?
At the time, the major concerns were a product of the unknowns contrasted with the security of the empire. What was difficult to imagine at the time was that the creation of the United States of America was an investment in a people that would elevate and inspire the entire world.
Where would we be had they made the safer choice? What if thousands of years earlier, the people of Israel had not left Egypt and ventured into the wilderness? Where would the western world be if Israel had not chosen to go alone into the desert?
Is comparing the creation of a new school district to these historic events arrogance and hyperbole? Perhaps. But we should be inspiring our children to set high goals, commit themselves to good causes, and not be afraid of the challenges or work it takes to overcome and rise above them.
From my perspective, I see the creation of a new school district as a rare opportunity to have our own representation and chart our own course.
I won’t detail the positives or negatives. With every opportunity comes a cost. However, it is not by the cost, but by the reward that I choose to measure opportunity.
Is failure possible? Yes, but let failure or success be ours. Through our failures, we will learn, and by our successes we will teach. It is the history inscribed in the hearts and minds of future generations that will be our judge.
I believe that we are capable of doing it well. If not, then please tell me who is. Prepared or not, rise or fall, I cannot justify deferring responsibility.
Let us, those in Eagle Mountain, decide how things are done — especially when it comes to determining how, when, where, and what will fuel the trajectory of the education of our children.
Even in Utah County, where we enjoy an uncommon sense of unity, there are specific needs. As individuals, families, and communities, we have unique challenges. To be afforded the right to address those unique challenges as we see fit is a foundational principle on which we ought to be united.
To say this is about a split makes it sound like a divorce — leaving someone we don’t like, or don’t trust. To my mind, that is not the case.
By choosing ourselves, we choose them as well. If we leave, it is because we respect ourselves and have self-confidence. We therefore choose to extend others the same respect and confidence.
You can leave your ballot on the table and wait for some emotion to move you. Sure, you can let the opportunity pass. I, however, am urging you to be bold and daring. Just as your ancestors were bold and daring, you can decide to fill out your ballot and send it in.
Don’t do it because of an emotional rallying cry. Do it because you stand here and now, and this is who you are.
From the perspective of mayor, I urge you to vote yes on Prop. 14. Let’s create our own school district covering Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, Cedar Fort, and Fairfield.
I believe that it is in the best interest of parents, teachers, and students. It is our best chance to have a better quality of life, lower taxes, better paid teachers, and well-educated students.
This is the best option for everyone involved.”
Mayor Westmoreland frames the decision to create a new school district as an empowering opportunity for Eagle Mountain residents, comparing it to pivotal moments in history, such as the American colonies’ decision to break away from British rule. He invites residents to embrace self-reliance and innovation, stressing that while the endeavor carries risks, the rewards of local control over educational policy could be transformative. Without detailing specific benefits or drawbacks, he highlights the potential for improved quality of life, reduced taxes, better teacher compensation, and stronger student outcomes. Ultimately, he calls for a bold and confident choice, urging residents to vote “yes” on Prop. 14 for the benefit of parents, teachers, and students alike.
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.