Here's a challenge.
Let's increase the 5% of West Valley City adults who historically vote in the Primary Election, let's double the number.
Tuesday the 13th let's get at least 10% of adults to the polls. (That would mean 20% registered voters to the polls.)
I've commit ed many many unregistered voters to use the link on my website to the online voter registration on the County website. Takes five minutes.
There are over a hundred wars on the planet where people are killing each other for the right to vote. In our city, only half the adults are registered and of that half, only 10% vote in the Primary Election.
That's 5% of the adults.
Let's double that on Tuesday.
10 September 2011
Modifying Ordinances - What Do I Mean?
I get asked all the time about what I mean by modifying ordinances. So what do I mean?
Our city ordinances state it's illegal to have an unregistered vehicle unless it's in a garage. Behind a fence or in a carport is unacceptable.
My family lived in Las Vegas and I went to college at UNLV before I moved to the Wasatch Front. At one point, the transmission went out in my car. I didn't have enough money to fix it.
My solution was to ride a bicycle while I saved enough money to repair my car. (This did make dating a challenge, but I like challenges.) It took nine months to save the money and not only did I save the money for my transmission, I also paid off a student loan.
The ordinance part of this, it's illegal in Las Vages for an unregistered vehicle to be on the street. It is, however, perfectly acceptable for an unregistered vehicle to be in a driveway, a carport or even a garage.
This makes sense. In Tennessee a car has to have tires (unless being actively worked on). This eliminates cars on cinder blocks.
Keeping unregistered vehicles in a garage only is an ordinance that's oppressive. Modifying it after Las Vegas's example would make this ordinance reasonable and give us back Liberty, restoring our constitutionally protected property rights.
Vote Jeff White
Vote for Liberty
Our city ordinances state it's illegal to have an unregistered vehicle unless it's in a garage. Behind a fence or in a carport is unacceptable.
My family lived in Las Vegas and I went to college at UNLV before I moved to the Wasatch Front. At one point, the transmission went out in my car. I didn't have enough money to fix it.
My solution was to ride a bicycle while I saved enough money to repair my car. (This did make dating a challenge, but I like challenges.) It took nine months to save the money and not only did I save the money for my transmission, I also paid off a student loan.
The ordinance part of this, it's illegal in Las Vages for an unregistered vehicle to be on the street. It is, however, perfectly acceptable for an unregistered vehicle to be in a driveway, a carport or even a garage.
This makes sense. In Tennessee a car has to have tires (unless being actively worked on). This eliminates cars on cinder blocks.
Keeping unregistered vehicles in a garage only is an ordinance that's oppressive. Modifying it after Las Vegas's example would make this ordinance reasonable and give us back Liberty, restoring our constitutionally protected property rights.
Vote Jeff White
Vote for Liberty
George Washington and I Have Something in Common
We have some neighbors who've had several ordinance violations through the years. We've never had a problem with their yard, but ordinances are ordinances as we all know.
Well, they have a dead tree next to their driveway that is next on the ordinance violation list. We have several people in our area that as neighbors wanted to help a few people today who can't, for whatever reason, take care of their yards themselves. So we removed dead trees from two yards today.
Both families have physical limitations that ordinances don't account for. As one ordinance officer told me years ago, "Ordinance doesn't care about reasons, ordinance only cares about compliance."
We need to remove oppressive ordinances and keep the reasonable ones so we can maintain clean, safe and healthy neighborhoods without being oppressive.
The founding fathers of this great nation designed a constitution that would allow maximum freedom for the people and their property rights, while also protecting us from crime. As Benjamin Franklin is quoted, "I have the right to swing my fist, until it connects with someone elses nose."
I just don't see a shovel leaning against a house, a dead tree, a lack of rain gutters, a recliner in a carport, an unregistered vehicle behind a fence or in a carport, desert landscaping (ordinance states mandatory 50% green in the yard), rocks in the park strip, etc., etc., etc. as a crime. I don't.
I intend fighting for a committee to review the ordinances, keep the ones for public safety and health, modify the ones that need modifying and eliminate the oppressive ones.
So what do I have in common with George Washington. I can not tell a lie, today I cut down a cherry tree.
Jeff White
Well, they have a dead tree next to their driveway that is next on the ordinance violation list. We have several people in our area that as neighbors wanted to help a few people today who can't, for whatever reason, take care of their yards themselves. So we removed dead trees from two yards today.
Both families have physical limitations that ordinances don't account for. As one ordinance officer told me years ago, "Ordinance doesn't care about reasons, ordinance only cares about compliance."
We need to remove oppressive ordinances and keep the reasonable ones so we can maintain clean, safe and healthy neighborhoods without being oppressive.
The founding fathers of this great nation designed a constitution that would allow maximum freedom for the people and their property rights, while also protecting us from crime. As Benjamin Franklin is quoted, "I have the right to swing my fist, until it connects with someone elses nose."
I just don't see a shovel leaning against a house, a dead tree, a lack of rain gutters, a recliner in a carport, an unregistered vehicle behind a fence or in a carport, desert landscaping (ordinance states mandatory 50% green in the yard), rocks in the park strip, etc., etc., etc. as a crime. I don't.
I intend fighting for a committee to review the ordinances, keep the ones for public safety and health, modify the ones that need modifying and eliminate the oppressive ones.
So what do I have in common with George Washington. I can not tell a lie, today I cut down a cherry tree.
Jeff White
07 September 2011
This Birdhouse Must Be in West Valley City
When I lived in Las Vegas, my transmission went out on my car. I was a poor college student (I know, that's redundant) and couldn't fix the car immediately. I didn't want to use a credit card, so I rode a bicycle for eight months and saved enough money to pay off a college loan and fix my car.
While it wasn't registered, Las Vegas ordinances prohibited my car being parked on the road, but I could park it on our personal property, in the driveway.
Our ordinance for unregistered vehicles should be modified to allow the same here in West Valley City. I understand there are those who want to improve West Valley City through beautification so we can look like the East Side, but they allow unregistered vehicles in the driveway. Go for a drive and see.
I believe in property rights and reasonable ordinances.
Vote Jeff White
Vote for Liberty
05 September 2011
Read These Candidate Responses to Oquirrh Times Questions
Use the following link to read responses for Candidates in the different Council races. There are some definite choices for everyone, we're not cookie cutter candidates you have real choices between us.
I'm glad to see that Jack Matheson responded and can only wonder why Karen Lang, Preston Smith and Dean Whitworth didn't take the time to help the voters be more informed.
If I recall correctly, the two questions we were asked are:
1. What is your greatest strength?
2. What's the most pressing issue for West Valley City and what will you do about it?
Follow this link to read the responses.
http://www.oquirrhtimes.com/?p=3531
Early voting is this week. Regular voting is Tuesday the 13th, a week away.
Jeff White
I'm glad to see that Jack Matheson responded and can only wonder why Karen Lang, Preston Smith and Dean Whitworth didn't take the time to help the voters be more informed.
If I recall correctly, the two questions we were asked are:
1. What is your greatest strength?
2. What's the most pressing issue for West Valley City and what will you do about it?
Follow this link to read the responses.
http://www.oquirrhtimes.com/?p=3531
Early voting is this week. Regular voting is Tuesday the 13th, a week away.
Jeff White
$1.8 Million for the City without taxes
Gold's Gym is profitable. I've looked at our City's budget and so have some financial experts and we all see the same thing. The WVC Fitness Center lost 1.8 million dollars last year.
I'm fully supportive of the WVC Fitness Center. As a child I used to go swimming at public pools. I love rec centers. Our children learned to swim this summer at a rec center. Make no mistake, the WVC Fitness Center is a good thing which is why we voted to have it built.
My question, if Gold's Gym is profitable, what's to stop the WVC Fitness Center from becoming profitable?
The answer, only a lack of vision and dedication to make it so.
If the center we're profitable by just one dollar, our property tax increase could be cut in half. My vision for the City is to stop spending on grand projects that raise our taxes (a hotel, UTOPIA, etc.) and make what we have profitable so we can lower our property taxes and improve our services at the same time.
Let's give our city the tools to lower taxes. Look at the best companies in the world, they're all focused on being successful and that means profitable. One last thing, profitable does not mean pay cuts and layoffs.
Three steps to make the Fitness Center profitable.
1. A vision with firm faith that it can be.
2. The Fitness Center management and staff needs to "Catch this Vision."
3. Go to work with an unwavering focus and dedication to this vision.
My vision, making the WVC Fitness Center profitable by at least one dollar.
Jeff White
I'm fully supportive of the WVC Fitness Center. As a child I used to go swimming at public pools. I love rec centers. Our children learned to swim this summer at a rec center. Make no mistake, the WVC Fitness Center is a good thing which is why we voted to have it built.
My question, if Gold's Gym is profitable, what's to stop the WVC Fitness Center from becoming profitable?
The answer, only a lack of vision and dedication to make it so.
If the center we're profitable by just one dollar, our property tax increase could be cut in half. My vision for the City is to stop spending on grand projects that raise our taxes (a hotel, UTOPIA, etc.) and make what we have profitable so we can lower our property taxes and improve our services at the same time.
Let's give our city the tools to lower taxes. Look at the best companies in the world, they're all focused on being successful and that means profitable. One last thing, profitable does not mean pay cuts and layoffs.
Three steps to make the Fitness Center profitable.
1. A vision with firm faith that it can be.
2. The Fitness Center management and staff needs to "Catch this Vision."
3. Go to work with an unwavering focus and dedication to this vision.
My vision, making the WVC Fitness Center profitable by at least one dollar.
Jeff White
21 August 2011
Read this Letter to the Editor from Deseret News
John Williams, one of the volunteers in my campaign to bring Liberty back to West Valley wrote a letter to the editor regarding the 18% increase in property taxes and it was published today.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700172133/West-Valley-City-property-taxes.html
We actually met at the said Council Meeting regarding the tax increase. He was first in the meeting to speak against the tax increase and raised some very brilliant points.
In fact, 90% of those that spoke were against the increase. In the comments section regarding this letter, "Watchman" pointed out one of the Councilmembers statement (and I might add, a finger was pointed at us during the statement) "How dare you come in here and tell us what to do."
Now I'm not going to say here whether they were right or wrong to vote for the increase, that's a story for another post. What I'd like to say is I was amazed a Councilmember feels we shouldn't dare to speak with our elected officials.
(Admittedly this was a passionate issue, and maybe this isn't what they meant to say, then again maybe it is how they feel. I just might ask sometime and find out. It was definitely a passionate meeting.)
I'm here to listen. I'm here to generate ideas that will lower taxes. I'm here to eliminate oppressive ordinances, keeping only those that are reasonable.
I'm here to restore our Liberty.
Jeff White
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700172133/West-Valley-City-property-taxes.html
We actually met at the said Council Meeting regarding the tax increase. He was first in the meeting to speak against the tax increase and raised some very brilliant points.
In fact, 90% of those that spoke were against the increase. In the comments section regarding this letter, "Watchman" pointed out one of the Councilmembers statement (and I might add, a finger was pointed at us during the statement) "How dare you come in here and tell us what to do."
Now I'm not going to say here whether they were right or wrong to vote for the increase, that's a story for another post. What I'd like to say is I was amazed a Councilmember feels we shouldn't dare to speak with our elected officials.
(Admittedly this was a passionate issue, and maybe this isn't what they meant to say, then again maybe it is how they feel. I just might ask sometime and find out. It was definitely a passionate meeting.)
I'm here to listen. I'm here to generate ideas that will lower taxes. I'm here to eliminate oppressive ordinances, keeping only those that are reasonable.
I'm here to restore our Liberty.
Jeff White
National TV? Maybe tonight (8/21/2011)
Last spring, The Great Food Truck Race from the Food Network was in Salt Lake City. Our family loaded up the van and drove around downtown Salt Lake to find one of the food trucks and we found one.
It was red and parked a few blocks north of Liberty Park. Cafe Con Leche.
The food was tasty and satisfying and our children enjoyed eating off a food truck for the first time. We figured this was a once in a lifetime kind of opportunity and we seized it.
We were interviewed on camera, but so were a lot of people all day. I don't know if we made it past the cutting room (or if we were still on it's floor), but the Salt Lake show will air tonight at 7:00pm.
I'd like to invite you to watch the show and possibly, meet my family. When we told my six year old son about the show tonight he exclaimed "TV! I always wanted to be on TV!"
You might like to hear that the crew loved Salt Lake; especially the people they met.
I look forward to meeting you at the Meet the Candidates Night, this coming Wednesday.
Jeff White
18 August 2011
My Statewide Candidate Profile
This is the bio I submitted for the Statewide Voter Information Guide. I wanted to relate my experience as a nationally certified fencing instructor, but had to keep it under 200 words, so perhaps I'll do this another time. If you'd like to know more about me or would like to discuss issues, please contact me.
Statewide Voter Information Profile
I'm a champion of Liberty. I was one that spoke out against mandatory concrete driveways; we can now park on gravel.
I live by Urban Meyers's creed if you expect a lot from people, you'll generally get it and think about his results from encouraging Liberty. (As a side for both Red and Blue fans, I grew up in Tennesse and am a Volunteer fan. Go Big Orange!)
As leader of approximately 90 volunteers; I reinforced their expectations and encouraged Liberty in their duties without micromanaging and they improved performance of responsibilities from 36 to 87% annually.
George Washington declared "Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth."
What great things would you do if you had Liberty with your own money? I'll fight for lowering taxes so you'll have that Liberty. I work in chemistry R&D and an idea of mine is being implemented that'll save our company $600,000 annually. Ideas like this will reduce taxes while maintaining quality of life.
How would you landscape if you had Liberty on your property? Instead of beautifying the way Ordinance Control wants, what would you do? I'll fight to eliminate oppressive ordinances like mandatory 50% green in your yard.
My experience proves education and Liberty are lightyears better than micromanaging with ordinances. I'll bring my ability to produce ideas and research as a Councilmember to reduce taxes. Let's create real growth.
Vote Jeff White
Vote for Liberty
Statewide Voter Information Profile
I'm a champion of Liberty. I was one that spoke out against mandatory concrete driveways; we can now park on gravel.
I live by Urban Meyers's creed if you expect a lot from people, you'll generally get it and think about his results from encouraging Liberty. (As a side for both Red and Blue fans, I grew up in Tennesse and am a Volunteer fan. Go Big Orange!)
As leader of approximately 90 volunteers; I reinforced their expectations and encouraged Liberty in their duties without micromanaging and they improved performance of responsibilities from 36 to 87% annually.
George Washington declared "Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth."
What great things would you do if you had Liberty with your own money? I'll fight for lowering taxes so you'll have that Liberty. I work in chemistry R&D and an idea of mine is being implemented that'll save our company $600,000 annually. Ideas like this will reduce taxes while maintaining quality of life.
How would you landscape if you had Liberty on your property? Instead of beautifying the way Ordinance Control wants, what would you do? I'll fight to eliminate oppressive ordinances like mandatory 50% green in your yard.
My experience proves education and Liberty are lightyears better than micromanaging with ordinances. I'll bring my ability to produce ideas and research as a Councilmember to reduce taxes. Let's create real growth.
Vote Jeff White
Vote for Liberty
15 August 2011
18% Property Tax Increase - Plan of Action
I'll state it now.
The council said it was an emergency and they raised our property taxes. This is only acceptable if, when the emergency's over the taxes are lowered.
I was at the meeting when the City Council deliberated, listened to public comment (if you could call it that) and voted on the proposed property tax increase.
The City Manager presented plenty of diagrams detailing the emergency. The City Council bought it and despite much opposition during the public comment period voted for the increase.
I'm not discussing whether this could've been avoided, I'll discuss that later. I'll simply tell you I believe it was avoidable. Here I'm discussing what to do now that the increase has been approved.
So we have an emergency and have to fix it. When I was an EMT I faced life and death emergencies. In such a situation we acted and got the victim to the hospital immediately where their emergency could be fixed. Now I ask you, after the emergency is ended and the patient has recovered, does the hospital keep them? No! I repeat, no. They release them.
We should do the same with this property tax increase. If this really is an emergency and our elected officials thought so, then let's fix it and follow the hospitals example and lower the taxes after the emergency's over.
Other candidates state we need experience, but seem to think experience on the planning commission is what's needed. How does this experience lower taxes?
We need experience all right and we need someone experienced with delivering products and services to it's customers, while reducing costs and still maintaining profitability enough to give employee raises for the last three years. Does this sound like WVC?
I work in an R&D lab with a company that's eliminated tens of millions of dollars from their annual budget and we're still receiving raises. Our customers are still receiving the same quality of service and products. Our company is profitable.
I'm experienced at generating ideas; I'm experienced at researching my ideas and the ideas of others to reduce costs, provide better products and services and increase the profitability of the company. I'm experienced at working with a team that's successful at this.
My company is now implementing an idea of mine that will save $600,000 annually. I can do this for my company, I can do this for West Valley City. Ideas like this will make the City profitable. The emergency can be resolved and we can then lower taxes.
Please ask yourselves, do you want lower taxes? What ideas does anyone on the City Council, the City Mangers office or my fellow candidates have to do so. Read my blogs, I've recorded many courses of action that would lower taxes and I have more.
We want Liberty. I'll fight for that Liberty.
We want lower taxes, I have the experience and the desire to lower them.
I'm for lower taxes! I'm for liberty!
Jeff White
The council said it was an emergency and they raised our property taxes. This is only acceptable if, when the emergency's over the taxes are lowered.
I was at the meeting when the City Council deliberated, listened to public comment (if you could call it that) and voted on the proposed property tax increase.
The City Manager presented plenty of diagrams detailing the emergency. The City Council bought it and despite much opposition during the public comment period voted for the increase.
I'm not discussing whether this could've been avoided, I'll discuss that later. I'll simply tell you I believe it was avoidable. Here I'm discussing what to do now that the increase has been approved.
So we have an emergency and have to fix it. When I was an EMT I faced life and death emergencies. In such a situation we acted and got the victim to the hospital immediately where their emergency could be fixed. Now I ask you, after the emergency is ended and the patient has recovered, does the hospital keep them? No! I repeat, no. They release them.
We should do the same with this property tax increase. If this really is an emergency and our elected officials thought so, then let's fix it and follow the hospitals example and lower the taxes after the emergency's over.
Other candidates state we need experience, but seem to think experience on the planning commission is what's needed. How does this experience lower taxes?
We need experience all right and we need someone experienced with delivering products and services to it's customers, while reducing costs and still maintaining profitability enough to give employee raises for the last three years. Does this sound like WVC?
I work in an R&D lab with a company that's eliminated tens of millions of dollars from their annual budget and we're still receiving raises. Our customers are still receiving the same quality of service and products. Our company is profitable.
I'm experienced at generating ideas; I'm experienced at researching my ideas and the ideas of others to reduce costs, provide better products and services and increase the profitability of the company. I'm experienced at working with a team that's successful at this.
My company is now implementing an idea of mine that will save $600,000 annually. I can do this for my company, I can do this for West Valley City. Ideas like this will make the City profitable. The emergency can be resolved and we can then lower taxes.
Please ask yourselves, do you want lower taxes? What ideas does anyone on the City Council, the City Mangers office or my fellow candidates have to do so. Read my blogs, I've recorded many courses of action that would lower taxes and I have more.
We want Liberty. I'll fight for that Liberty.
We want lower taxes, I have the experience and the desire to lower them.
I'm for lower taxes! I'm for liberty!
Jeff White
14 August 2011
Way To Go WVC Police
A friend of ours left church around 4:15pm today and found their car gone. It'd been stolen.
After getting home, they called the West Valley Police Department to report the stolen vehicle, around 4:45. They called us at 6:44 said they had their car back.
In less than two hours from the initial report, they had their stolen car back and it doesn't have any damage they can detect.
Crime may be the number one issue for 18% of the Cities residents, but with a Police Department like the one we have, the crime rate's been reduced four straight years. I understand not every crime is solved this rapidly, but my friends are certainly relieved.
Yesterday, volunteers from my campaign met a gentleman who wanted a Jeff White sign in his yard. When I delivered it, his wife stated two of her issues were the need for better roads and more Police officers.
If you'd heard the relief in our friends voice when she exclaimed they had their car back, you'd agree more officers would be a great thing. I'll fight for not only a pay raise for City employees, but for more officers. A hotel won't reduce crime, more officers and neighborhood watches will.
I'm with you, I want liberty from crime.
Vote Jeff White
Vote for Liberty
After getting home, they called the West Valley Police Department to report the stolen vehicle, around 4:45. They called us at 6:44 said they had their car back.
In less than two hours from the initial report, they had their stolen car back and it doesn't have any damage they can detect.
Crime may be the number one issue for 18% of the Cities residents, but with a Police Department like the one we have, the crime rate's been reduced four straight years. I understand not every crime is solved this rapidly, but my friends are certainly relieved.
Yesterday, volunteers from my campaign met a gentleman who wanted a Jeff White sign in his yard. When I delivered it, his wife stated two of her issues were the need for better roads and more Police officers.
If you'd heard the relief in our friends voice when she exclaimed they had their car back, you'd agree more officers would be a great thing. I'll fight for not only a pay raise for City employees, but for more officers. A hotel won't reduce crime, more officers and neighborhood watches will.
I'm with you, I want liberty from crime.
Vote Jeff White
Vote for Liberty
04 August 2011
Spread the Word - Online Voter Registration
It's my understanding that less than 50% of the adult population of West Valley are registered to vote and only 13% of those vote in the City Council races. That means approximately 6 to 7% of West Valley's adult population is having any influence on the City's government.
Our ancestors fought for Liberty from England and won. The Constitution that was written gave everyone the privilege to vote (OK, it actually, at the time only gave male landowners the right to vote, that's since been corrected and every adult that hasn't been convicted of certain crimes has the right to vote.)
Please exercise that right. Please encourage your neighbors to exercise that right.
I believe in Liberty and Justice for all. As I visit with people door to door, at the gas station or the grocery store, I ask people if they are registered to vote. If someone says no (and it's no surprise half the people I ask say no) I tell them about the online voter registration for Salt Lake County.
So far, all but two people have said they haven't wanted to go down to the County Building to register. The good news, the County has made registering to vote available online. By the way, except for the two, the others want to be a part and are following this link to register so they can vote.
Follow this link and register or even change party affiliation. Tell your friends and neighbors about it. Help others be a part of this process and from my experience, you'll want to tell someone what you did, it feels that good.
Let Freedom Ring and vote!
http://vote.utah.gov/register-to-vote/online/
Jeff White for West Valley City Council
03 August 2011
A new website
My campaign has a website. It's not complete, I'll have the issues page up in a couple of days, but there's enough that on the home page, bio page and the link to this blog that issues are probably pretty clear.
A vote for me will bring liberty. I'll fight to eliminate unresonable and oppressive ordinance. I'll fight to save money in the budget so we can lower taxes and give the city employees, including our Police Officers the first raise in three years.
We want liberty from crime, let's help those fighting to prevent crime and enforce the law.
Please visit my website and tell your family, friends and neighbors about the site. I'm only one vote. Insanity is defined as doing the same things and expecting a different result.
I stood up in a City Council meeting and reminded the Council they swore to uphold the US and Utah Constitutions and so far I don't see anywhere where these documents give authority to protect property values. They do give direct authority to protect property rights.
If you want to stop the insanity, vote for Jeff White. If you want liberty, vote for Jeff White. I'll fight for the liberty and rights of you, my neighbors in this great city.
votejeffwhite.com
After you visit my site, call me, e-mail me, use the contacts page and ask me to bring you a yard sign. I'll be out in evenings and Saturdays.
Jeff White
A vote for me will bring liberty. I'll fight to eliminate unresonable and oppressive ordinance. I'll fight to save money in the budget so we can lower taxes and give the city employees, including our Police Officers the first raise in three years.
We want liberty from crime, let's help those fighting to prevent crime and enforce the law.
Please visit my website and tell your family, friends and neighbors about the site. I'm only one vote. Insanity is defined as doing the same things and expecting a different result.
I stood up in a City Council meeting and reminded the Council they swore to uphold the US and Utah Constitutions and so far I don't see anywhere where these documents give authority to protect property values. They do give direct authority to protect property rights.
If you want to stop the insanity, vote for Jeff White. If you want liberty, vote for Jeff White. I'll fight for the liberty and rights of you, my neighbors in this great city.
votejeffwhite.com
After you visit my site, call me, e-mail me, use the contacts page and ask me to bring you a yard sign. I'll be out in evenings and Saturdays.
Jeff White
31 July 2011
Improving West Valley - Battling Gangs
We just spent a weeks vacation as a family. I'm no longer a Scoutmaster and this is the first week long vacation we've had as a family in five years and it was great. I have no regrets spending the last few years vacations with the Scouts, they've all turned out great and there are no gang members among them. (Not all me, they and their mother's should receive most of the credit.)
We can fight the gang problem in West Valley best with prevention. Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting stated if we want to keep a boy out of trouble, we need to give him something better to do. Scouting is one way, sports are another and there are many more. We can do this.
I took a couple days of our vacation to attend the annual National Conference of the United States Fencing Coaches Association. I learned much about coaching in general and instructing fencing in particular. The best three things of the conference, (not necessarily in order),
1. We received instruction from Muriel Zagunis, two time Olympic gold medalist in women's sabre.
2. I made some great new friends.
3. I tested and became nationally certified as a fencing coach by a fencing master.
May I repeat this, I'm a nationally certified fencing instructor. I'm striving to better my life and I'm pleased with this one.
I'm striving to better West Valley. This is why I'm running for City Council. Police response to crime is an average of seven minutes, if we can prevent crime and prevent gang membership by giving our youth something better to do, seven minutes will be fine.
Let's support our law enforcement by giving them less criminals to chase, let's support our youth by giving them something better than gangs.
Jeff White
We can fight the gang problem in West Valley best with prevention. Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting stated if we want to keep a boy out of trouble, we need to give him something better to do. Scouting is one way, sports are another and there are many more. We can do this.
I took a couple days of our vacation to attend the annual National Conference of the United States Fencing Coaches Association. I learned much about coaching in general and instructing fencing in particular. The best three things of the conference, (not necessarily in order),
1. We received instruction from Muriel Zagunis, two time Olympic gold medalist in women's sabre.
2. I made some great new friends.
3. I tested and became nationally certified as a fencing coach by a fencing master.
May I repeat this, I'm a nationally certified fencing instructor. I'm striving to better my life and I'm pleased with this one.
I'm striving to better West Valley. This is why I'm running for City Council. Police response to crime is an average of seven minutes, if we can prevent crime and prevent gang membership by giving our youth something better to do, seven minutes will be fine.
Let's support our law enforcement by giving them less criminals to chase, let's support our youth by giving them something better than gangs.
Jeff White
23 July 2011
District 3 and Gooseberry Pie, Part I
Do you remember Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Snow White made gooseberry pie for one of them. Well we just had gooseberry pie last night from gooseberries we picked in our back yard. So let me tell you about gooseberries.
They are on a beautiful medium green bush that is roundish. All the berries are on the underside of the limbs. This inviting plant has thorns, inch long thorns, thorns that are needle shaped and as sharp as any sewing needle and there are a lot of them.
If it wasn't for the delectable berries (they are really tasty), we'd have saved our skin and left them for the birds (but I believe the thorns keep the birds away as well.) I have little thornprick marks on my hands.
The pie tastes great!
If we work and overcome the thorns, we get something wonderful, gooseberries. I see problems as an opportunity in disguise, just waiting to be solved. One just has to go to work and find a solution.
When I worked in a distribution facility we had an obsolete system. It was a nightmare for whomever was assigned to fill the orders. I looked at the "problem" and thought of ideas for a solution. After many ideas, I imagined how each would work and thought of every consequence, good and not so good of each idea.
When the best idea had surfaced and I felt confident, I explained and showed the Superintendent the "problem" and explained the opportunity of my idea to him. He decided to implement my idea (actually a merging of three I'd worked through) and we went with it.
Order filling efficiency improved at least 15% and when your moving tens of thousands of items each day, 15% is gold. As a side, a friend who was in constant hot water with management for poor efficiency and had been threatened with termination was still there last we spoke. It wasn't him, it was the system.
Problems are opportunities in disguise. I find hidden opportunities.
I work past the thorns, pick the berries and we have gooseberry pie.
Stay tuned for part II.
Jeff
They are on a beautiful medium green bush that is roundish. All the berries are on the underside of the limbs. This inviting plant has thorns, inch long thorns, thorns that are needle shaped and as sharp as any sewing needle and there are a lot of them.
If it wasn't for the delectable berries (they are really tasty), we'd have saved our skin and left them for the birds (but I believe the thorns keep the birds away as well.) I have little thornprick marks on my hands.
The pie tastes great!
If we work and overcome the thorns, we get something wonderful, gooseberries. I see problems as an opportunity in disguise, just waiting to be solved. One just has to go to work and find a solution.
When I worked in a distribution facility we had an obsolete system. It was a nightmare for whomever was assigned to fill the orders. I looked at the "problem" and thought of ideas for a solution. After many ideas, I imagined how each would work and thought of every consequence, good and not so good of each idea.
When the best idea had surfaced and I felt confident, I explained and showed the Superintendent the "problem" and explained the opportunity of my idea to him. He decided to implement my idea (actually a merging of three I'd worked through) and we went with it.
Order filling efficiency improved at least 15% and when your moving tens of thousands of items each day, 15% is gold. As a side, a friend who was in constant hot water with management for poor efficiency and had been threatened with termination was still there last we spoke. It wasn't him, it was the system.
Problems are opportunities in disguise. I find hidden opportunities.
I work past the thorns, pick the berries and we have gooseberry pie.
Stay tuned for part II.
Jeff
21 July 2011
I've researched
I asked a City Councilmember last night about the 3500 South widening I wrote about a couple days ago. He didn't know anything about it.
He stated 35th South is a State road and it could be a UDOT project and that UDOT doesn't always inform the City Council about it's projects.
So what part of 35th South needs widening? I asked and still don't know.
Well, tonight's blog is in part to say oops in my being bothered the city has another 35th South project (although the City Planning Commission seems to know about it) and to inform you about what I'm hearing as I hit the streets.
I've been talking to people in the City and I hear this, they're concerned about crime and not what their neighbors yard looks like. There are a lot of concerns about graffiti, but not yards.
Always searching the "bigger picture."
Jeff
He stated 35th South is a State road and it could be a UDOT project and that UDOT doesn't always inform the City Council about it's projects.
So what part of 35th South needs widening? I asked and still don't know.
Well, tonight's blog is in part to say oops in my being bothered the city has another 35th South project (although the City Planning Commission seems to know about it) and to inform you about what I'm hearing as I hit the streets.
I've been talking to people in the City and I hear this, they're concerned about crime and not what their neighbors yard looks like. There are a lot of concerns about graffiti, but not yards.
Always searching the "bigger picture."
Jeff
20 July 2011
Wow! Really? You've Got to Read This.
According to a member of the City Planning Commission (I just read this on his Blog), the city is going to widen 3500 South.
Again? Really? How many times has this road been widened in the last ten years, or been ripped up to provide a different drainage system? It seems constant.
How many businesses are no longer on 3500 South because of this? Is this thoroughfare always going to be picked on? If we have such great planners, why is this street in constant upheaval? Did the businesses on 35th South request this, again? Let's get this done right and leave these businesses and the surrounding neighborhoods alone. Give them peace.
Here's a "link" from the past regarding 35th South. An idea to help the businesses on this street or any businesses in a similar situation. http://jeffwhiteforcitycouncil.blogspot.com/2009/09/lets-help-35th-south-businesses.html
I'm stunned. Really stunned.
We all make mistakes, I know I do and I know how to correct them when I make them. Let's correct this mistake of constant destruction (oops, I mean construction) and move on, let's correct this constant rebuilding of 35th South and leave it alone. I drive it regularly because it's well designed as it's currently constructed.
Wow! I'll fight for you 35th South. I'll fight for you.
Jeff White
Again? Really? How many times has this road been widened in the last ten years, or been ripped up to provide a different drainage system? It seems constant.
How many businesses are no longer on 3500 South because of this? Is this thoroughfare always going to be picked on? If we have such great planners, why is this street in constant upheaval? Did the businesses on 35th South request this, again? Let's get this done right and leave these businesses and the surrounding neighborhoods alone. Give them peace.
Here's a "link" from the past regarding 35th South. An idea to help the businesses on this street or any businesses in a similar situation. http://jeffwhiteforcitycouncil.blogspot.com/2009/09/lets-help-35th-south-businesses.html
I'm stunned. Really stunned.
We all make mistakes, I know I do and I know how to correct them when I make them. Let's correct this mistake of constant destruction (oops, I mean construction) and move on, let's correct this constant rebuilding of 35th South and leave it alone. I drive it regularly because it's well designed as it's currently constructed.
Wow! I'll fight for you 35th South. I'll fight for you.
Jeff White
19 July 2011
Emancipate Your Property Against Tax Increases
Here's the promised idea based on lifetime hunting/ fishing licenses Utah used to offer. I'm not sure how to work this logistically, but if we could...
We're facing an 18.15% property tax increase depending on a vote by the City Council on August 9th. How does this effect those among us on fixed incomes, what about those struggling to survive paycheck to paycheck.
I understand a City needs money to operate. I also understand some of our neighbors (and perhaps even you) are struggling as well.
The idea: We could pay the City say $10,000 to $20,000 and emancipate our property against property taxes for the lifetime of the homeowner. Emancipate before retirement and your fixed monthly income will never be effected by a tax increase. (We may be able to apply this to the County, School District, and the Library also.)
If you look at how the property tax pie is split up, it may take a little negotiating with the other entities who have their fingers in the pie, so to speak. Follow this link to see what I mean. http://www.wvc-ut.gov/index.aspx?NID=1115
This property tax calculator is on the West Valley Cities home page and it's enlightening.
I don't know how to do it, but lifetime memberships are nothing new. The United States Fencing Association offers this, the State offered it with hunting/ fishing licenses, why not our City. Emancipate your property and never see another tax increase as long as you own the home (at least the WVC portion.)
We could then say, "The only constants may be death and taxes; but not in West Valley City."
Perhaps this idea is workable, perhaps not, perhaps it'll lead to an idea that's better. As Alfred Nobel stated, "If I have a 1,000 ideas a year and only one of them works, I'm satisfied."
Jeff White
We're facing an 18.15% property tax increase depending on a vote by the City Council on August 9th. How does this effect those among us on fixed incomes, what about those struggling to survive paycheck to paycheck.
I understand a City needs money to operate. I also understand some of our neighbors (and perhaps even you) are struggling as well.
The idea: We could pay the City say $10,000 to $20,000 and emancipate our property against property taxes for the lifetime of the homeowner. Emancipate before retirement and your fixed monthly income will never be effected by a tax increase. (We may be able to apply this to the County, School District, and the Library also.)
If you look at how the property tax pie is split up, it may take a little negotiating with the other entities who have their fingers in the pie, so to speak. Follow this link to see what I mean. http://www.wvc-ut.gov/index.aspx?NID=1115
This property tax calculator is on the West Valley Cities home page and it's enlightening.
I don't know how to do it, but lifetime memberships are nothing new. The United States Fencing Association offers this, the State offered it with hunting/ fishing licenses, why not our City. Emancipate your property and never see another tax increase as long as you own the home (at least the WVC portion.)
We could then say, "The only constants may be death and taxes; but not in West Valley City."
Perhaps this idea is workable, perhaps not, perhaps it'll lead to an idea that's better. As Alfred Nobel stated, "If I have a 1,000 ideas a year and only one of them works, I'm satisfied."
Jeff White
14 July 2011
Gumps
My grandfather, Gumps, spent the last several years of his life with us. This was great for him (he loved family), it was great for us (Gumps was my hero growing up and our children developed a close relationship with him.)
Our children enjoy visiting our retired neighbors and Gumps's influence is a huge part of that. He passed away a little over a year ago at the age of ninety-three.
All my life I thrilled to hear Gumps beckon, "Come over here, I have something to tell you." It meant a story (o.k., it meant a lot of stories.) He was a story teller and his favorite stories were about courting my Grandmother, his experiences as a forward observer in WWII and his childhood on a farm.
When I campaigned for City Council two years ago, he couldn't stop telling me how proud he was. He loved this country and fought for the liberty of all countries during World War II. He was pleased as punch that I was fighting for the liberty of West Valley.
We have a great city. There was a needed vision to beautify West Valley several years ago and the city leaders went to work. Now, think of a pendulum. We needed beautification and started the pendulum swinging to this end. As is always the case, a pendulum will swing too far and must be brought back to center. With the monumental task of beautifying the city, the pendulum of city ordinances went too far. It's simply nature and physics.
We need someone with vision and the ability to fight for liberty to go to work on the city ordinances. I'm that someone. I believe in liberty. Let's keep the ordinances that make sense (safety comes to mind), modify the ones needing modification (who's to determine how much "clutter" in a carport is too much?) and eliminate the bad ones (mandatory gutters, for example.)
Vote for liberty
vote for Jeff White
13 July 2011
The Last Two Years
I'm running for West Valley City Council, District 3. To begin the campaign, I wanted to tell you what I've been doing since I ran for the At-Large seat.
Two of our three children are fencing with me through Granite Peaks and last month, I competed in the Utah Summer Games. There's at least one current Councilmember that wants next year's Westfest to be the best ever. I say let's include games similar to the Utah Summer Games on a citywide scale. This would be a revenue generator and a lot of fun. I had a Blast.
We planted a huge berry patch (blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries and of course strawberries.) I love reading and have read around fifty or sixty books since 2009. Oh and you might be interested in this, we found the best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever. Ask and I'll share it with you, it's in public domain.
While I'm no longer a Scoutmaster, I'm still actively involved with the Troop and the University of Scouting.
I've spoken with a multitude of people regarding the direction of the city; I'll share just a couple thoughts now and more later. I love living in West Valley. I believe the City could allow more liberty and freedom for the citizens. Actually, I don't believe the city has the right to "allow" us liberty (it is after all "we the people.")
Why are the Housing ordinances "reserved" on the cities website. We're cited for ordinances we can't have knowledge of until after we're cited. Wow.
I'm an ideas man. Do you recall the lifetime hunting and fishing licenses Utah offered a decade or so ago. These licenses gave me a brilliant idea regarding property taxes. Does the last statement give you ideas? I'll share my idea in a few days.
Welcome back my friends, I'm really looking forward to this campaign.
Jeff
Two of our three children are fencing with me through Granite Peaks and last month, I competed in the Utah Summer Games. There's at least one current Councilmember that wants next year's Westfest to be the best ever. I say let's include games similar to the Utah Summer Games on a citywide scale. This would be a revenue generator and a lot of fun. I had a Blast.
We planted a huge berry patch (blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries and of course strawberries.) I love reading and have read around fifty or sixty books since 2009. Oh and you might be interested in this, we found the best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever. Ask and I'll share it with you, it's in public domain.
While I'm no longer a Scoutmaster, I'm still actively involved with the Troop and the University of Scouting.
I've spoken with a multitude of people regarding the direction of the city; I'll share just a couple thoughts now and more later. I love living in West Valley. I believe the City could allow more liberty and freedom for the citizens. Actually, I don't believe the city has the right to "allow" us liberty (it is after all "we the people.")
Why are the Housing ordinances "reserved" on the cities website. We're cited for ordinances we can't have knowledge of until after we're cited. Wow.
I'm an ideas man. Do you recall the lifetime hunting and fishing licenses Utah offered a decade or so ago. These licenses gave me a brilliant idea regarding property taxes. Does the last statement give you ideas? I'll share my idea in a few days.
Welcome back my friends, I'm really looking forward to this campaign.
Jeff
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