Well, last night’s election results were not the message I expected to send to City Council. All of you that supported this campaign, thank you.
I have a question that I don't know the answer to. Perhaps it's the researcher in me, but I can't help wonder why my campaign received only 6.7% of the votes. I've come up with five reasonable explanations.
This campaign was founded on what WVC residents stated as their biggest concerns. 80 to 90% of everyone I spoke with, informed me that too many ordinances and property taxes that increased while values decreased, were the two highest priorities.
1. Perhaps the 2,000 or so people I spoke with were not a true representation of the City's concerns.
2. Perhaps most of those I spoke with were just not interested enough to vote.
3. Perhaps those with the above concerns were not all registered voters.
4. Perhaps I just didn’t get the message of my campaign out well enough to the voters.
5.Perhaps name recognition means more than concerns.
Well, only you can answer these questions so I know how to proceed. Should I run again or not? Time will tell.
Thanks for your support; it meant a lot.
Well it looks like; the Time is Not Yet Right for Jeff White
16 September 2009
14 September 2009
Let's Send a Message
For over two years I've been hearing there are too many ordinances. I decided instead of listening to this, I would step up and do something. Typical voting in the Primaries is 7%, that's about 350 votes per candidate.
Let's send a clear message to the City. Call your family, friends and neighbors. Carpool to the polls. A thousand votes or more will send the message loud and strong that we the people want our freedom back.
Our properties are worth less and taxes are the same or higher. We're in a recession and have to spend our money the way Ordinance Control tells us. It's our properties and our money. Send the message that it's also our freedom.
A vote for me will send that message. The City Council all know what I'm running for; send the message and send it strong.
The Time is Right for Jeff White
Let's send a clear message to the City. Call your family, friends and neighbors. Carpool to the polls. A thousand votes or more will send the message loud and strong that we the people want our freedom back.
Our properties are worth less and taxes are the same or higher. We're in a recession and have to spend our money the way Ordinance Control tells us. It's our properties and our money. Send the message that it's also our freedom.
A vote for me will send that message. The City Council all know what I'm running for; send the message and send it strong.
The Time is Right for Jeff White
Follow the Money
The City website has all financial disclosures for each candidate. Look at how much each candidate is spending and who's money it is.
I've not asked for any donations. I've also not turned down friends who've told me they want to support what I'm fighting for. Lower taxes, reduced ordinances and more.
I've provided a link. I wonder, why would some organizations give money to several competing candidates in the same race? It seems they don't want a particular candidate, they just want... well, it's curious.
Here's the City's link.
http://www.wvc-ut.gov/index.aspx?NID=865
If you support lower taxes and reduced ordinaces then let's get out the vote, for
The Time is Right for Jeff White
I've not asked for any donations. I've also not turned down friends who've told me they want to support what I'm fighting for. Lower taxes, reduced ordinances and more.
I've provided a link. I wonder, why would some organizations give money to several competing candidates in the same race? It seems they don't want a particular candidate, they just want... well, it's curious.
Here's the City's link.
http://www.wvc-ut.gov/index.aspx?NID=865
If you support lower taxes and reduced ordinaces then let's get out the vote, for
The Time is Right for Jeff White
12 September 2009
A Beautification Contest Between Districts
While campaigning door to door, I met a family who’ve done wonders to their yard. They would qualify for my idea posted September 9th.
The landscape they put in has the look of a miniature mountainside, surrounded by lawn. The mountain has a miniature evergreen and a child safe waterfall.
While he was showing me the waterfall it hit me, let's have a beautification contest.
The city could publish before and after pictures of the top five landscape improvements for each of the four West Valley Districts. We could have the City's residents vote for their favorite in each primary election.
The Top winner could earn $10,000 dollars. The next three top landscape winners could get $5,000. For the District that garners the most votes, the Districts five homeowners would be awarded $1,000 each. Healthy competition between Districts could be fun.
We could even award the contractors of the five best landscapes, with a free business license for a year. (They would probably have to be WVC contractors, unless we could negotiate something, between Cities through the Council of Governments.)
This would motivate people to beautify their landscapes, motivate contractors to do their best work every time and may improve the 7% voter turnout in the primaries.
We could fund this through donations, from individuals and businesses that want improved beautification in West Valley. Realty and landscaping companies would benefit and would be a good source for donations to fund the prizes. They would get a tax write-off. This sounds even better now that I've written it down.
“If I have a thousand ideas and only one turns out to be good, I am satisfied.”
- Alfred Nobel.
The Time is Right for Jeff White
The landscape they put in has the look of a miniature mountainside, surrounded by lawn. The mountain has a miniature evergreen and a child safe waterfall.
While he was showing me the waterfall it hit me, let's have a beautification contest.
The city could publish before and after pictures of the top five landscape improvements for each of the four West Valley Districts. We could have the City's residents vote for their favorite in each primary election.
The Top winner could earn $10,000 dollars. The next three top landscape winners could get $5,000. For the District that garners the most votes, the Districts five homeowners would be awarded $1,000 each. Healthy competition between Districts could be fun.
We could even award the contractors of the five best landscapes, with a free business license for a year. (They would probably have to be WVC contractors, unless we could negotiate something, between Cities through the Council of Governments.)
This would motivate people to beautify their landscapes, motivate contractors to do their best work every time and may improve the 7% voter turnout in the primaries.
We could fund this through donations, from individuals and businesses that want improved beautification in West Valley. Realty and landscaping companies would benefit and would be a good source for donations to fund the prizes. They would get a tax write-off. This sounds even better now that I've written it down.
“If I have a thousand ideas and only one turns out to be good, I am satisfied.”
- Alfred Nobel.
The Time is Right for Jeff White
11 September 2009
Jeff White Signs Anyone?
I'm placing the last of my yard signs tomorrow morning. I have a few left and will personally bring them to your home or business. First come, first served. When there gone, well you know.
After the election I'll even come take them down so you won't have to. Now I'm expecting that election to be the 3rd of November.
With your support and the support of your family, friends and neighbors, I'll be elected and can begin implementing plans to:
1. Reduce Ordinances
2. Lower Property Taxes
3. Tighten the City's Belt
The Time is Right for Jeff White
After the election I'll even come take them down so you won't have to. Now I'm expecting that election to be the 3rd of November.
With your support and the support of your family, friends and neighbors, I'll be elected and can begin implementing plans to:
1. Reduce Ordinances
2. Lower Property Taxes
3. Tighten the City's Belt
The Time is Right for Jeff White
10 September 2009
Reducing Ordinances Will Reduce Crime
I was talking with a City official and he stated one of the problems the courts face is not enough time for criminal trials. The time spent in the courts enforcing ordinances is time the courts can't spend on criminal trials. Then, because the courts time is filled, criminals spend longer in jail and we have more overcrowding of our jails.
Our law enforcement can't keep putting criminals in jail and see them let out because of overcrowded jails, because the courts are spending time on ordinance violations. Where should our courts spend their time; with criminals or with someone who's paint is pealing?
90% of the residents tell me we have too many ordinances. We can reduce ordinances, this will free up the courts time so they can hold trials for criminals and we'll reduce crime. West Jordan doesn't have ordinances like WVC, and who has less crime?
Reducing Ordinances Will Reduce Crime
I'll fight to reduce ordinances. I'm here now and if you want things to continue the same, you have seven candidates to choose from. If you want things to improve, I'm here. Spread the word and vote for me.
I became Scoutmaster for a Troop that hadn't had a rank advancement in two years and as of two weeks ago; we've had by my count, 46 rank advancements in two and a half years. I know how to get things done.
The Time is Right for Jeff White
Our law enforcement can't keep putting criminals in jail and see them let out because of overcrowded jails, because the courts are spending time on ordinance violations. Where should our courts spend their time; with criminals or with someone who's paint is pealing?
90% of the residents tell me we have too many ordinances. We can reduce ordinances, this will free up the courts time so they can hold trials for criminals and we'll reduce crime. West Jordan doesn't have ordinances like WVC, and who has less crime?
Reducing Ordinances Will Reduce Crime
I'll fight to reduce ordinances. I'm here now and if you want things to continue the same, you have seven candidates to choose from. If you want things to improve, I'm here. Spread the word and vote for me.
I became Scoutmaster for a Troop that hadn't had a rank advancement in two years and as of two weeks ago; we've had by my count, 46 rank advancements in two and a half years. I know how to get things done.
The Time is Right for Jeff White
Let's Help 35th South Businesses
Road Construction.
It's a nuisance to those driving, but it can be a death sentence to a business. In an area like 35th South where the construction is longer than a week or a couple of months, businesses could fail.
Politicians and City leaders are always stating we should be more business friendly. This is not just West Valley; all Cities recognize the need for sales tax revenue generated within City limits. This is why they want to be business friendly. The improved road will help future business, but durring the construction it's killing them.
Here's my business friendly proposal.
When a construction project lasts longer than a week or two, the City should help the businesses affected weather the storm. Give them a free business license for a year. If the project lasts longer than a couple of months, give them a waiver on the West Valley portion of their property taxes.
Let's do more than say we're business friendly; let's be business friendly. Large companies can absorb this, but a small business owner cannot.
I'm here for you. The Time is Right for Jeff White.
It's a nuisance to those driving, but it can be a death sentence to a business. In an area like 35th South where the construction is longer than a week or a couple of months, businesses could fail.
Politicians and City leaders are always stating we should be more business friendly. This is not just West Valley; all Cities recognize the need for sales tax revenue generated within City limits. This is why they want to be business friendly. The improved road will help future business, but durring the construction it's killing them.
Here's my business friendly proposal.
When a construction project lasts longer than a week or two, the City should help the businesses affected weather the storm. Give them a free business license for a year. If the project lasts longer than a couple of months, give them a waiver on the West Valley portion of their property taxes.
Let's do more than say we're business friendly; let's be business friendly. Large companies can absorb this, but a small business owner cannot.
I'm here for you. The Time is Right for Jeff White.
Campaign Signs Along Bangerter Highway
The following is a direct quote, in italics, from the UDOT website.
The American political process is firmly interwoven into the fabric of American life. We, at the Department of Transportation, hope your political experience is a rewarding and successful one.
To that end we offer the follow information to assist you in complying with current laws and to help your campaign proceed as smoothly as possible.
The Utah Department of Transportation regularly observes campaign signs placed within UDOT right-of-way throughout the state. Many of these illegally placed signs are attached to utility poles, the right-of-way fence, and UDOT's sign posts.
The following Utah Code articles are listed below but are not necessarily direct quotes.
U.C.A. 72-7-102
A person may not dig or excavate or place a billboard, advertising sign, of any kind shall be placed, constructed, or maintained within the right-of-way, except as permitted by and in accordance with, the regulations of the highway authorities having jurisdiction over such right-of-way.
Candidates state qualifications all the time, so I'll state two of mine; I researched all sign ordinances and laws before placing a single sign. I know how to research and I obey the law. Have you noticed any other candidates obeying this law? I have.
You won't find my signs on Bangerter Highway.
The American political process is firmly interwoven into the fabric of American life. We, at the Department of Transportation, hope your political experience is a rewarding and successful one.
To that end we offer the follow information to assist you in complying with current laws and to help your campaign proceed as smoothly as possible.
The Utah Department of Transportation regularly observes campaign signs placed within UDOT right-of-way throughout the state. Many of these illegally placed signs are attached to utility poles, the right-of-way fence, and UDOT's sign posts.
The following Utah Code articles are listed below but are not necessarily direct quotes.
U.C.A. 72-7-102
A person may not dig or excavate or place a billboard, advertising sign, of any kind shall be placed, constructed, or maintained within the right-of-way, except as permitted by and in accordance with, the regulations of the highway authorities having jurisdiction over such right-of-way.
Candidates state qualifications all the time, so I'll state two of mine; I researched all sign ordinances and laws before placing a single sign. I know how to research and I obey the law. Have you noticed any other candidates obeying this law? I have.
You won't find my signs on Bangerter Highway.
Should Rain Gutters Be Mandatory?
I'll fight for a committee to take a hard look at the ordinances and keep the good ones, modify the ones needing modifying and eliminate the bad ones. Here's one to eliminate.
24-7-105.
MAINTENANCE OF STRUCTURES.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or occupying real property within West Valley
City, to fail to:
(1) ....
(2) Maintain each exterior window of a building with an intact and unbroken window
pane with an appropriate screen that shall remain in place at all times.
(3) ...
(4) Provide and maintain weatherproofing on all exterior surfaces that protect the
building such as paint, masonry, siding, stucco, roof coverings, rain gutters, garage doors,
and carports as required by the International Property Maintenance Code, the Uniform
Housing Code, and the Uniform Code for Abatement of Dangerous Buildings.
My wife and I put in rain gutters, not because of ordinance, but because we wanted them. It cost us $1,000. What could you do with $1,000 of your own money? Is it the place of government to tell us how to spend our money? We have ordinances that state it's unlawful for something to be "unsightly." Who's to judge unsightly?
I'll fight to eliminate ordinances such as this!
24-7-105.
MAINTENANCE OF STRUCTURES.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or occupying real property within West Valley
City, to fail to:
(1) ....
(2) Maintain each exterior window of a building with an intact and unbroken window
pane with an appropriate screen that shall remain in place at all times.
(3) ...
(4) Provide and maintain weatherproofing on all exterior surfaces that protect the
building such as paint, masonry, siding, stucco, roof coverings, rain gutters, garage doors,
and carports as required by the International Property Maintenance Code, the Uniform
Housing Code, and the Uniform Code for Abatement of Dangerous Buildings.
My wife and I put in rain gutters, not because of ordinance, but because we wanted them. It cost us $1,000. What could you do with $1,000 of your own money? Is it the place of government to tell us how to spend our money? We have ordinances that state it's unlawful for something to be "unsightly." Who's to judge unsightly?
I'll fight to eliminate ordinances such as this!
09 September 2009
A New Idea for Rewarding Beautification
Check this out, I'm a Scoutmaster and if I tell the Scouts "you agreed to do so many merit badges at camp so go do them," they earn a few merit badges (3 days, 16 merit badges for 10 Scouts). Now at our last camp I held up a polished, carved staff and declared "whoever earns the most merit badges gets this staff." (4 days, 72 merit badges for 15 Scouts and three of them earned eight each.)
Rewards are better than "you'll do it" any day.
Elect me and I'll do the same for West Valley. We have all these ordinances for beautification; if we want beautification, let's do it right.
I propose for every $1,000 to $5,000 spent improving a home or landscape, you get the West Valley portion of your property tax waived for a year. The dollar amount would be negotiable. We wouldn't be able to waive the Salt Lake County or school district portions, but the WVC portion is $500 give or take.
Think of it, put on a new roof and you have 1 or 2 years without property taxes. A finished basement, remodeled kitchen or a new garage and we're talking $15,000 and a 5 years waiver on your property taxes. This would help you pay the loan on the improvements. The City would be being beautified, our taxes would be lowered and our property values would increase.
The City would be rewarding us for beautification instead of threatening us for not beautifying. My children and Scouts respond better to rewards; come to think of it, so do I. So do we all.
The Time is Right for Jeff White
Rewards are better than "you'll do it" any day.
Elect me and I'll do the same for West Valley. We have all these ordinances for beautification; if we want beautification, let's do it right.
I propose for every $1,000 to $5,000 spent improving a home or landscape, you get the West Valley portion of your property tax waived for a year. The dollar amount would be negotiable. We wouldn't be able to waive the Salt Lake County or school district portions, but the WVC portion is $500 give or take.
Think of it, put on a new roof and you have 1 or 2 years without property taxes. A finished basement, remodeled kitchen or a new garage and we're talking $15,000 and a 5 years waiver on your property taxes. This would help you pay the loan on the improvements. The City would be being beautified, our taxes would be lowered and our property values would increase.
The City would be rewarding us for beautification instead of threatening us for not beautifying. My children and Scouts respond better to rewards; come to think of it, so do I. So do we all.
The Time is Right for Jeff White
08 September 2009
Radio Interview Friday, 11 Sept.
Last Wednesday at the Meet the Candidates Night, a radio talk show host visited with me and asked me to join his show this coming Friday. What a day to be interviewed for City Council.
It will be Friday night, 11 September, at 9:30 pm.
The talk show is broadcast online at the following link.
http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=38294&cmd=tc
The show is Reality Slate.
Christian Riehle (pronounced real) is the host and has requested questions from anyone for use in this interview. You may e-mail him at
ubermensch576@hotmail.com
You've read what I have to say in my blog, now you can listen to me live and ask your questions.
The Time is Right for Jeff White
It will be Friday night, 11 September, at 9:30 pm.
The talk show is broadcast online at the following link.
http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=38294&cmd=tc
The show is Reality Slate.
Christian Riehle (pronounced real) is the host and has requested questions from anyone for use in this interview. You may e-mail him at
ubermensch576@hotmail.com
You've read what I have to say in my blog, now you can listen to me live and ask your questions.
The Time is Right for Jeff White
05 September 2009
You Said it First
I was campaigning door to door and explained why I was running to a couple; I explained that 90% of the people I visit with claim there are too many ordinances. They liked that I was listening to you and they liked my ideas to lower taxes.
They decided I needed a campaign slogan and we began brainstorming. The best one is now on my signs.
What's exciting to me is how many people like that I'm actually listening. You state you like that I'm committed to reduce ordinances and have real ideas on how to lower taxes.
The cool part, I had designed my signs and submitted them to a sign shop earlier that day. They gave me a slogan timely enough for me to redesign my signs and have them printed with your slogan.
You said it first…
The Time is Right for Jeff White
They decided I needed a campaign slogan and we began brainstorming. The best one is now on my signs.
What's exciting to me is how many people like that I'm actually listening. You state you like that I'm committed to reduce ordinances and have real ideas on how to lower taxes.
The cool part, I had designed my signs and submitted them to a sign shop earlier that day. They gave me a slogan timely enough for me to redesign my signs and have them printed with your slogan.
You said it first…
The Time is Right for Jeff White
04 September 2009
Manufactured Home Park Co-Ops
Did you know that until recently a manufactured home park owner could sell the park and give the residents only 30 days notice to vacate? Given that it's $10,000 to $15,000 to move a manufactured home and some are immovable, that's the same as stealing homes.
Recently the laws were changed and the residents have to be given a nine-month notice. This is good, but it's still not much time to obtain funds and find a place to move your home.
In New Hampshire, the residents are allowed first opportunity to purchase a park if the owner decides to sell. They form a co-op and the residents become the owners instead of a developer.
A park up North did this and paid off the co-op's loan in ten years. The lot rental is now $50.00 each month for maintenance and improvements. This would be something to fight for.
Manufactured Home Parks are a haven for fixed and low-income families and individuals. Whether someone earns six figures or $20,000, we all deserve the American Dream of home ownership. Through the Salt Lake Council of Governments, I would champion this cause to the State for appropriate legislation.
The Time is Right for Jeff White
Recently the laws were changed and the residents have to be given a nine-month notice. This is good, but it's still not much time to obtain funds and find a place to move your home.
In New Hampshire, the residents are allowed first opportunity to purchase a park if the owner decides to sell. They form a co-op and the residents become the owners instead of a developer.
A park up North did this and paid off the co-op's loan in ten years. The lot rental is now $50.00 each month for maintenance and improvements. This would be something to fight for.
Manufactured Home Parks are a haven for fixed and low-income families and individuals. Whether someone earns six figures or $20,000, we all deserve the American Dream of home ownership. Through the Salt Lake Council of Governments, I would champion this cause to the State for appropriate legislation.
The Time is Right for Jeff White
01 September 2009
Tightening the Budget
I just read in the West Valley Journal that the City saved several millions of dollars by cutting costs in different departments. This is great. Now for the hard part. Did I say hard part? I meant the fun part.
We all know that the initial cutting of expenses is the easiest, so we need incentive to find ways to save money after the initial round.
I propose we offer an incentive such as this. For each department of the City, whatever you can cut from your departments budget and save, without lessening services or having layoffs, we'll divide 25% of the saved money equally amongst all employees in said department as a year end bonus.
We can use the other 75% to do any number of wise things. Such as paying down the City's bond debts, building up a rainy day fund, applying towards next years budget and lowering the West Valley City portion of property taxes, hiring more law enforcement and fire fighters, etc.
The only thing we wouldn't do with the money is spend it on new programs.
We all know that the initial cutting of expenses is the easiest, so we need incentive to find ways to save money after the initial round.
I propose we offer an incentive such as this. For each department of the City, whatever you can cut from your departments budget and save, without lessening services or having layoffs, we'll divide 25% of the saved money equally amongst all employees in said department as a year end bonus.
We can use the other 75% to do any number of wise things. Such as paying down the City's bond debts, building up a rainy day fund, applying towards next years budget and lowering the West Valley City portion of property taxes, hiring more law enforcement and fire fighters, etc.
The only thing we wouldn't do with the money is spend it on new programs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)