RENEER.ORG

Election Results for Alpine 2009

Unofficial count from election night are in ( ), the final count is bold and includes absentee and provisional ballots.

Mayor

Kim Arnold Bryant – (812) – 835

Hunt Willoughby – (856) – 870

City Council

Bradley Reneer – (777) – 793

Troy Stout – (931) – 962

Tracy Wallace – (632) – 649

Thomas Whitchurch -(344) – 351

Phil Barker – (550) – 558

Thanks to all my supporters.  I’m grateful for your confidence.  I met many wonderful people as I went door to door.  Whether or not you voted for me I hope that I can represent you well.

Another candidate states:

I am the only candidate who has voted consistently against a major development on the northwest hills, which includes 60 foot retaining walls.  Three other candidates have voted in favor of retaining walls terracing up our mountainside, claiming that the ordinance allows it”.  (emphasis in the original flyer)

What do you think of when someone says “60 foot retaining walls?”   Do you think of one huge wall with 60 vertical feet?  Or do you think of the actual plan from the developer of terraced steps up a hillside?  This candidate’s statement makes it sound like everyone else is in favor of  retaining walls like you find in Provo Canyon.

The terraced walls were allowed by the city ordinances under which the developer applied.  The  job of the planning commission is not “legislate from the bench.”  The planning commission is instructed to compare the developer’s application to the ordinance and Utah state law.  From the city ordinance governing the Planning Commission:

If the Final Plat and all supplementary data complies with the applicable requirements of these regulations and the requirements of the approved Preliminary Design Plan, the Planning Commission shall certify approval of the Plat on the space provided.

The candidate’s claim is at best over dramatic; at worst it is misleading.

For more on the subject see Vista Meadows – Role of the Planning Commission in considering applications.

Here is the letter I sent to one of the residents about this issue.  One of the other candidates says that I’m “in favor of retaining walls.”  I’d say that I’m in favor of obeying state law and Alpine’s ordinances.

Thanks for sharing your perspective.  I hope we can respectfully agree to disagree where our perspectives diverge.

> If commissioners simply ‘rubber stamp’ a staff approved subdivision then there really would be no need for judgment and thinking of a commission.

You are right.  We aren’t just a rubber stamp.  But we also work within a legal framework.  I am not a fan of judicial activism by the U.S. Supreme court and want to make sure I don’t overstep my bounds in my role as a planning commissioner and start legislating when I’m supposed to be applying.

In this case I’m supposed to be hearing my Administrative hat, not my Legislative hat.

Our city development code states:

4.6.3 FINAL PLAT
4.6.3.9 PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW

2. If the Final Plat and all supplementary data complies with the applicable requirements of these regulations and the requirements of the approved Preliminary Design Plan, the Planning Commission shall certify approval of the Plat on the space provided.

Notice the word “shall.”

However, as I understand the process there can be exceptions.  A “countervailing public interest” should result in a denial.  If an application meets all the requirements in the code but there is a countervailing public interest against the application then it can and should be denied.

“If a local government finds that a compelling, countervailing public interest would be jeopardized, it may deny the application, even though the application conforms to all land use maps and ordinances. The reasons for this denial must be expressed in writing.”  (http://propertyrights.utah.gov/landuseapps.html)

What is a  “compelling, countervailing public interest”?

“A compelling, countervailing public interest is a legitimate and substantive public problem that calls for immediate action. It is not merely a concern that calls for a reevaluation of past municipal judgment.”  (http://propertyrights.utah.gov/opinions/14_AO_Abstract.pdf)

I may need some more guidance on what that means but there is some interesting additional discussion at http://propertyrights.utah.gov/opinions/33_AO_Abstract.pdf.

See my post on leadership about how I feel that public officials are not above the law.  You may want someone to ignore a law for your benefit in a specific case.  There was a lot of talk at the meeting about Precedence.  A worse precedence than “building a retaining wall” is the precedence of circumventing the law.  It may benefit you in the first instance but it is respect for the law that protects all your rights.

We must not erode our nations tradition of the Rule of Law.

from http://alpinecity.org/PDF/Philbarker.pdf

Phil Barker—Write-in Candidate for City Council

Phil Barker was born and raised in Washington, D.C. and is married to Janine Condron Barker. They have 10 Children. He served an LDS Mission in Edinburgh, Scotland and Graduated from Ricks College and BYU undergraduate) Law School — California Western School of Law and University of San Diego.

Work: Currently – “Of Council” Bennett Tueller Johnson & Deere (Alpine Office)

Alpine City Service: Mayor, City Council, Youth Baseball Coach, Youth Soccer Coach

Qualifications as City Council Member: From 1998 to the end of 2001 I served on the Alpine City Council. I was over the Planning Commission for four years. From 2002 to the end of 2005 I served as Mayor of Alpine. My background has given me training to deal with both the legislative and budgetary issues of the City. I served in the greatest development and expansion period of Alpine’s history.

Reason for Running for City Council: I love the City of Alpine and its citizens. I have lived here over 16 years. My family has grown up here and we have received much by being citizens of Alpine. I have no agenda or long term goals for serving on the City Council except I want to keep Alpine the unique and wonderful place that it has been and will continue. I have lived a number of places in this country and outside. I have never found a place like Alpine.

I was running by the City Hall a few weeks ago and felt that I needed to get back involved in Alpine. I went in and put my name on the list as a candidate for City Council. I missed the deadline for being on the ballot. So I am a write in candidate. For me to be elected you will need to write “Phil Barker” on the ballot. I know how things work in this City. I understand its operations, its politics, its administration and its infrastructure. I understand it financial needs and challenges. I have participated in and implemented 8 balanced budgets.

We are currently in a fiscally hard time. It is time as a City to be fiscally conservative. We need to budget and put into place projects to maintain infrastructure and the safety of our Citizens. It is not time to expand and create more debt to accomplish projects that are not necessary. It is time to be wise and position the City to endure this economic down turn until better days return. This is a time to plan for the future by reviewing and changing or modifying our ordinances and general plan. Since things are slow now we can take the time to plan for the future. We can plan to keep Alpine beautiful and unique. We need to return to basics. We need to match our spending to our revenues and income. We need to make sure that our water, sewers, and roads are maintained and updated. We need to keep Alpine a place that the Citizens are what makes the difference not the Government.

Please write in “Phil Barker” on the ballot. I have experience that really matters in these times

from http://alpinecity.org/PDF/ThomasWhitchurch.pdf

Thomas Whitchurch — Incumbent Candidate for City Council

I moved here to Alpine for many of the same reasons we all moved here. I enjoy a simpler, more conservative way of life. Alpine offers all that I value: a small town feel, friendly people, a safe atmosphere in which to raise our children, and a family-oriented community with strong values.  I appreciate the open spaces and mountain views and feel blessed to be able to live in such a wonderful community. As a City Council member I have helped to preserve the Alpine we all love and would like to continue to do so for the next four years.

I was born and raised in Utah. My wife Rebecca and I, with our four children, moved here over 11 years ago. I am a computer Systems Administrator and feel fortunate to work for a company that gives me the flexibility to schedule my time as needed to serve effectively on the City Council. My pledge is to continue to make decisions with the residents of Alpine in mind, considering the future.

During my service as a city council member I have worked hard in my council assignments. I have had the privilege and opportunity to serve on the Planning Commission, work with our Youth Council, work with the Alpine Junior Miss, serve on the North Point Solid Waste District Board, and as Chairman of the Lone Peak Public Safety District. I have also been actively involved with the Alpine Arts Council as part of the Community Theater board and have been a part of the family theatrical events.

As a City Councilman, I plan to:

• Implement a summer Open/Farmers Market in Legacy Park, where residents can gather once a month to enjoy music and purchase food and Items from local vendors.
• Continue to keep our taxes one of the lowest in the state.
• Continue to create and protect community space and open space.
• Continue to make sure that our ordinances are enforced equally for all.
• Continue to support the Arts.
• Continue to support recreation programs within our City.
• Continue to protect our property values.
• Continue to protect our access to the mountains.
• Continue to make sure that our Police and Fire Departments have the resources needed to protect us all.
• Continue to preserve the history and heritage.

I have gained valuable experience as a past Chairman of the Alpine City Board of Adjustments, as a member of the Alpine City Planning Commission for 6 years and as a City Council Member for the last 8 years. I have appreciated the opportunity to work with the City Council, city personnel and most importantly the residents of Alpine, all who help make this a great place to live.

from http://alpinecity.org/PDF/TracyWallace.pdf

Tracy Wallace – Incumbent Candidate for City Council

An incumbent candidate, Tracy has been on the Alpine City Council since his successful election in 2005.  He’s married to Maureen Wallace, a teacher at Alpine Elementary, and has three wonderful daughters, one at Alpine Elementary, one at Timberline and one at Lone Peak.

Along with his commitment to the city council over the past several years, he owns a local consulting company, is a Vice Chairman of Timpanogos Special Service Sewer District, and a Boy Scout leader. He has a degree in Business Management, emphasis in Marketing and Economics. Tracy is completing a Degree in Secondary Math Education and will complete his student teaching at Timberline this fall. Two of his long-term goals are to:

• Teach at Lone Peak High School or Timberline Middle School.

• Serve the community by being actively involved with the city government, in particular, being a city council member to help guide the city.

Tracy has watched this community grow and develop and been drawn to its beauty and ability to adapt to change. To protect Alpine and help it grow into the 21st century, he is ready to commit himself to represent the residents, business interest and the City of Alpine as a council member for another four years.

Simply, he is asking for you support and vote on November 3. If you have questions or would like to contact him directly, he can be reached by email at AlpineTracy@aol.com.

from http://alpinecity.org/PDF/TroyStout.pdf

Troy Stout—Candidate for City Council

Being raised by my grandparents on a family farm in Hurricane, Utah helped me to develop a strong work ethic, an appreciation for the small town environment and a strong sense of community. Now I feel privileged to live in such a wonderful place as Alpine!

My wife Jennifer and I, along with our four children (Savannah, Jacob, Sydney and Eli) made the decision eight years ago to establish roots in Alpine, so we built our home. We were attracted to the beautiful surroundings, the great people, access to mountainside trails and open spaces, the small town values and the overall quality of life in Alpine. We’re here to stay!

We have a great community with qualities that must be preserved if we want to continue enjoying our unique lifestyle. Whether our city maintains its values, its charm and appeal is a matter of solid leadership. I believe that I can provide that leadership as a member of the City Council.

For the past two years, I have enjoyed serving on the Alpine Planning Commission. I’ve learned a great deal while working with members of our community, and I’ve also had the opportunity to be involved in key discussions that help shape the future of Alpine. Many of these issues have motivated me to pursue a position on the City Council where I feel that I can fight for the interests of concerned citizens like myself.

Some of the major issues on my priority list are:
• Responsible Spending: In principle, some projects may sound wonderful, but in reality they may not be fiscally responsible. Alpine’s budget is very limited, and we must work hard to spend our money wisely to avoid tax increases. I will act diligently to preserve our low tax structure and not waste money on projects that don’t make sense for our community.
• Protecting our Hillsides, Open Spaces and Trails: We must preserve the qualities that make Alpine great. This means that sometimes we have to say “No” to developers who move to terrace our hillsides and promote high density neighborhoods. Everyone I speak to seems concerned about this issue, and I’m committed to it.
• Creating New Revenue Sources: We can increase our revenues without increasing taxes or expanding the commercial zone in Alpine. This will require creative thinking and using our resources in ways that will not change the complexion of our community. I have some ideas to begin with and I’m excited to get started.

In the newspaper forums discussing political articles someone said “I see that ’socialism’ has become the new scary word for the right.”

Here is my reply:

Socialism should scare everyone on this forum. It is a means of concentrating power in the central government. Even if it is centralized for good reasons and benevolently dictated by “the people’s representative” it eventually falls into the hands of tyrants. Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday I came across some crude attacks against Bennion Spencer.  I’m not a Spencer fan; I’m supporting Jason Chaffetz.  But like other Chaffetz supporters I’m appalled by such crass tactics when used against any candidate.  Read the rest of this entry »

In January 2007 I got an email, one of those that get forwarded to the whole world, and while it rightly praised our soldiers it also included many disturbing comments including–

And I’m supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was “desecrated” when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet?

Read the rest of this entry »