Sharon Price AndersonCitizens for a Fiscally-Sound Orem City Curious? Concerned? Confused? I think the large field of candidates has been daunting for the average voter, as illustrated in this drawing my sister Kristie made for me. I hope by now, most people have figured things out. But just in case anyone is doing some last minute investigation, the following might help, even though it is a generalization and may miss the mark in some ways. Of course each candidate has different strengths and experiences and I would expect that no two will vote exactly alike, but as the campaigning has progressed, it seems the candidates have become identified with one of four different groups. • The following FIVE candidates have lined up together in support of the current city council and its policies: Chris Nichols, Tom McDonald, Debbie Lauret, Brent Sumner and Mary Street (the two city council incumbents). They favor enlarging the influence government, increasing taxes, and continuing subsidies. They stand by UTOPIA, and are against letting the citizens vote on the property tax increase. • There are FIVE who favor less government and more transparency and appreciate citizen involvement. They also want a free enterprise approach to economic prosperity: Hans Andersen, Wayne Burr, Sharon Price Anderson, Claude Richards, and Skyler Hamilton (Wayne, Claude and Sharon were all very involved in the referendum so that citizens can vote on the tax increase in Nov. ) • THREE candidates seem to be somewhere in between the first two groups. Each seems to agree with each those groups on some issues. For example each they favored the referendum, but also seem to support some RDAs (redevelopment areas) and economic subsidies. These are Dick Brunst, David Spenser, and Jared Jardine. • Finally, there are FOUR who do not seem to be mustering any significant support and/or are apparently not really serious about campaigning Bob Wright, Charles Hart, and Bob Davis, and Brian Jenkins. There you have it--something on all 17 candidates. Happy voting, Orem. I am anxious to see what those who go to the polls will decide.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 06:39:36 +0000