Home  |  Frequently Asked Questions  |  Donate  |  About Me  |  Extras  |  Forum  |  Contact  
 
 

Joshua Frazier
for
Nibley City Council


FAQ Page

LETS ASK THE CANDIDATES!
click here to see their answers!

 

 FAQ about upcoming Elections  FAQ About My Opinions
  1. When & where are the Elections?

  2. How do I register to vote?

  3. Who's running for Nibley City Council?

  4. Who should I vote for?

  5. What is Nibley City Council?

  6. Why vote?


 

  1. Does one vote matter?  (my story)

  2. Why are you running?

  3. What type of government is best?

  4. What are your plans for Nibley?

  5. What is the proper role of government?

  6. Do you support Project 21?

  7. How far should a city go in mandating design and construction policies of home, business, landscaping, fencing, etc...

  8. Do you support the new city hall building?

  9. How do you feel about Nibley Tax increase?

  10. Do you support the increase in city parks?

  11. Were you a Bennett supporter?

  12. On a scale of 1-10, how liberal or conservative are you? (1=Obama  10=Tea Party)

  13. Have you read Ezra T. Bensons speech titled The Proper Role Of Government?

Additional local information:

  1. Fun facts about Nibley

  2. Nibley Documents

 
When and where are elections?

Primary Election: (Held September 13, 2011 at the City Office).
 
NIBLEY CITY PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS
CANDIDATE VOTES
1) Larry E. Jacobsen 147
2) Joshua Frazier 139
3) Carrie Cook 126
4) Shawn B. Platt 109
5) Kathryn Anhder Beus 108
6) Michael W. Smith 98
7) Paul L. Rew 68
8) Mark A. Lawver 59
 

2503 Registered voters

303 voters

Turnout percent 11%

General Election: November 8, 2011 (times and place to be announced)

Check out this website to learn more about upcoming elections http://elections.utah.gov

Top of page

How do I register to vote? It's really easy to register to vote. Click on this link to get started:  https://secure.utah.gov/voterreg/index.html

Top of page

Who is running?

Kathryn Anhder Beus, Carrie Cook, Joshua Frazier, Larry Jacobsen, Shawn B. Platt, Michael W. Smith. (I'll update website links to candidates as they become available)

Meet the candidates!

  1. MEET THE CANDIDATES #2: This is the 2nd Meet the candidates night. It will be held October 19th at the city building (625 North 3200 South). 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. This event is hosted by the Nibley City Youth Council.
     
  2. Nibley City's website is a good place to go to see what each candidate has posted about themselves. CLICK HERE
     
  3. The first "Meet the candidates" night was held August 31st at the city council room.

    We had a great turnout. It was nice to get to meet all the candidates, and to answer questions from the public. I enjoyed all of the questions and comments. Thank you everyone who came and participated.
     

  4. Learn about each candidate - Click here to see common questions to the candidates.

Top of page

Who should I vote for? Excellent question!  What are your wants?  What are your beliefs?  Make sure you vote for someone who you feel will represent what you think and feel.  Getting to know the candidates and "interviewing" them is the best way to know that you are voting for who you want to represent your community.

View a sample ballot here: http://vote.utah.gov/on-my-ballot/sample-ballot/cache/NIB02-I/

Top of page

What is Nibley City Council?  Nibley City Council is the legislative body that governs our city. The governing body consists of six people: the mayor and five council members.  The mayor is the chairperson of the city council.  He presides at meetings but has no vote, except for when needed in the case of a tie vote.

City council meetings are held twice a month and are open to the public.  They are held the first and third Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm.

Top of page

Why should I vote? Does my vote really matter? How can my vote make a difference?

It can be frustrating to go to vote and not be happy with either of the candidates. Sometimes it feels like your vote probably wont even matter.  Do you ever get to the voting booth and ask yourself "How come these are the only choices?". Those are the only choices because you were not involved in the steps leading up to voting day.

Here are 10 good reasons to vote:

  1. It's your money. Councilmember's, and many other elected officials decide how to create and spend the tax burden.
  2. So you can complain. If you don't vote you don't really have a right to complain.
  3. Remember what a privilege it is to vote, and those who sacrificed to give us that privilege. Never are we at a greater vulnerability to lose a right than when we take it for granted or don't exercise it.
  4. It is your right as a United States Citizen.
  5. It is the responsibility of every United States citizen to: SERVE ON A JURY and to VOTE
  6. Your vote does count.
  7. You get to wear an "I voted" sticker. Smiley
  8. To set an example for your family and children.
  9. The internet makes it super easy to register and vote. So you don't have any excuse other than you are complacent, indifferent, apathetic and/or don't appreciate what you have.
  10. It's your Constitutional Republic. Make it work. Register and vote!

Top of page

Does my vote matter? (My voting story) - Allow me to share my personal story of how my vote made a difference.

Until recently, I had no idea just how important each individual was in the process of choosing who ultimately runs for office.

Last year, in 2010, I attended a local caucus for the first time.  My caucus consisted of those individuals who live within close proximity to my home.  So I recognized almost everyone in the group.

We discussed what was important to us.  Then we elected someone in our group to represent our neighborhood's voice.  That person became a delegate who went on to larger meetings and conventions to cast a vote for candidates running for office.  This vote counted as one voice for all of our group.  In other words, we delegated our vote and our voice to him.

What is interesting is that my wife and I left the caucus feeling like our 2 votes made the difference in electing our delegate.  Had we not attended, that delegate would've lost by one vote! Both of our votes increased the count and he won by only 1 vote.  IT'S AMAZING WHAT JUST 1 OR 2 VOTES CAN DO!

After the caucus, I wanted to learn more.  So I attended the local delegate conventions to see what it was like. I not only got to see how our delegate voted, but I was able to converse with him to help him to know how I expected him to represent me.

Later, I attended the state delegate convention and saw how all the delegates from all over the state narrowed down the choices of who the public would later get to vote for.  (Governor, Senator etc...) It was amazing to see it all happen.

As I was researching and learning about the candidates, I was able to remain in contact with my delegate and keep him informed of new things that I learned.  I feel this helped him to be a more informed delegate.

It's amazing how important voting and participation on the local community level really is!
 

Additional benefits of getting more involved was getting to meet candidates and volunteer my time to campaign for those whose opinions I agreed with:
Dan Oaks


I got to meet and talk with candidates and elected officials:
Candidate - Mike Lee Congresman Jason Chaffetz  United States Senator Orrin Hatch

...and, of course, it was fun!

 

Top of page

Why are you running? I have a deep love for my country and feel it an honor to serve in any way that protects the freedoms I cherish so much.  The United States of America is the most free and blessed country because of the solid principles upon which she is built.  "We the People" are the famous words beginning the magnificent document of the U.S. Constitution.  "We the People" means just that: You and I, the ordinary citizens of America, are responsible for upholding and maintaining this country.

I take this responsibility very seriously.  In the past few years, I have spent hundreds of actual hours studying economics, America's founding, and history.  I am awake and aware of friends and enemies of freedom both outside and within our country.

Being a true friend of the United States republic, I seek to do all I can to restore America to her limited government and active citizen participation ideals of yesteryear.  In addition to my own home, family and friends, I hope to make this influence known in my hometown of Nibley.

Top of page

What type of Government is best? A Republic, Governed by the US Constitution.

When Benjamin Franklin exited the Constitutional Convention he was asked by a woman, “Sir, what have you given us?” to which he replied, “A Republic, Ma’am, if you can keep it.” Understanding the statement "if you can keep it" leads me to believe that they 1) appreciated what they created and 2) knew how easily it could be lost.

Although America began as a republic (the rule of law), Franklin was right that it would not be easy to maintain.  Indeed, we as Americans, have been taught to believe that we are supposed to be a Democracy (rule of the majority). We have downgraded our republic to a democracy in word and deed.  For example:  Public school history books refer to America as a democracy.  Also, attorneys are taught to base their arguments on case law rather than Constitutional law. Consequently, a majority of cases can set a new precedence on which to base new law, even though those rulings may not be Constitutional. John Adams said "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide."

Currently it is debatable if we are still a democracy. A democracy only lasts until the majority (or the most organized and vocal majority) vote for a change. At this point, America has been successfully, and swiftly, acting like a progressive corporate oligarchy (the rule of few).

There is a misunderstanding that being too conservative (extreme right) is Fascism and that too liberal (extreme left) is Communism, and that only the middle is moderate. This video shows a different spectrum of political systems. In this spectrum, extreme right is Anarchy (the rule of none). A Republic is on the right, but not so extreme right as is Anarchy.

Originally, the founding fathers tried to organize our nation with freedoms bordering on Anarchy. It did not work. So in order to form a more perfect union, they created a rule of law which would establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to themselves and their posterity. In short they created just enough law to keep the peace, while still maintaining the greatest freedom.

Top of page

What are your plans for Nibley?  My vision for Nibley is that it remain a bedroom community. I don't want to be a Logan City or a Hyrum City. I want Nibley to be a place of refuge away from larger city agendas, and larger city government.

My first goal in City Council will be to do no harm, then to act in wisdom. I will try to act with caution before voting on an item or creating a new law. I want to make sure that each decision is consistent with my conscience, my vision for limited government, in line with Constitutional principles, and in accordance with what the citizens of Nibley actually want.

Accomplishing that will be no small order and will require a lot of studying on my part, as well as active participation from the community.

What do I mean by "First do no harm"? Perhaps this can be better understood by looking at the modern version of the Hippocratic Oath which physicians and healthcare professionals subscribe to. There is a basis which must first be reverenced before one can proceed to do any good. When you hold a position of government, you are entrusted with a delegated portion of the very life and liberty of those whom you serve. Don't be so anxious to create a change, that you don't appropriately take time to see what it is is that you are changing.

Nancy Pelosi said it best when, referring to the health care bill, she proclaimed "We have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it". That bill was pushed to get passed, but never studied to see what it contained. Since when is creating a law BEFORE understanding it a good idea?

If a great many politicians and government workers were simply prevented from being able to show up to work, we potentially might be a lot better off. "Do no harm" sometimes means that no work is better than hard work. I love this quote from Denis Kucinich when addressing the treasury department:

More harm is created by political "do-gooders" who, in the name of trying to  help, wind up just doing more harm. I like this quote from Ronal Reagan: "The 9 most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'"

Top of page

What is the proper role of Government? The most important role of government is to protect the God given rights and liberties of its citizens. You cannot be effective in life if all you are doing is defending your life, your liberty and your property all the time. We delegate the defending of those rights to government (so that we can be more free to pursue happiness). Government cannot create rights, it is only guarding those rights which are delegated to it by the people.

I like the quote in the Alabama constitution “That the sole object and only legitimate end of government is to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property, and when the government assumes other functions it is usurpation and oppression”

"Once the principle of protective functional government gives way to the aggressive or redistributive function, then forces are set in motion that drive the nation toward totalitarianism." Frédéric Bastiat

I have often noted that the laws being passed today generally have little to do with the topic they are addressing. Instead, their core is rooted in redistributive change. In the end, re-distribution by force has nothing to do with the issues they are attached to. They have nothing to do with equality of all, but everything to do with the separation of people into 2 classes; 1) The global elite, which are few, and 2) the subservient class, with are many. 

Since our government was created by the people, then WE THE PEOPLE are in charge. We must remember that the proper flow of government begins at the individual. The individual grants powers necessary for the government to help protect and defend the basic rights of Life, Liberty and Property.

The most powerful level of government is the individual. Next is the city, then the state and lastly the federal. Each has a duty to perform:

Federal: Defense of the nation, Foreign relations.

State: Civil rights, Law, Police, administration of state concerns

City: Direct the local needs and interests

Self: Govern themselves and pursue happiness, always respecting another's right to Life, Liberty and Property.    Around 1850, a member of the Legislature, asked Joseph Smith (Mayor of Nauvoo) how it was that he was enabled to govern so many people, and to preserve such perfect order; remarking at the same time that it was impossible for them to do it anywhere else. Mr. Smith remarked that it was easy. "How?" responded the gentleman; "to us it is very difficult." Mr. Smith replied, "I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves."

The proper order begins at the bottom, with the self government. The individual should never delegate to the local government that which can be maintained without it. In turn the City should never delegate to the state more than is necessary. It is best to divide power and keep it in the hands of the smallest group possible.

When you do delegate powers to government, remember what George Washington said: "Government is not reason, it is not eloquence - it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master!"

Therefore, feed not the flame any more than is absolutely necessary.

Additional roles of government:

  • Maintain a court system for upholding the law.
  • Establish a monetary system and a standard of weights and measures. (I do not believe that the Federal Reserve meets that requirement.)

Top of page

Do you support Envision Utah/ project 21 --sustainable development policies?  NO! I am vehemently against project 21, Agenda 21, ICLEI or membership with them.

I am also against their common allies, which come disguised in such terms as “smart equity”, “smart codes”, “smart growth”, “sustainable consumption”, “sustainable development”, “sustainable land use”, “open space” etc…

If Agenda 21 is fully implemented we would lose basic fundamental rights. Our ability to live the lifestyle we desire, own land, property, raise a family, and the means or types of transportation would be gone. All these are in jeopardy so long as elected officials and local government adhere to principles and protocols of Agenda 21 and sustainable development.

Our forefathers understood that freedom and property rights are inseparable. Personal liberty is consistent with property rights. The state can control the people so long as the people are on government controlled land.

George Washington said “Private property and freedom are inseparable”
John Adams said “Property must be secured, or liberty cannot exist”

I have written a letter, on this issue, to my Senator as well as representative Curt Webb, voicing my opinions, and urging them how to vote and how I wish to be represented. I urge others to do the same.

Top of page

How far should a city go in mandating design and construction policies of home, business, landscaping, fencing, etc...?  I believe that less regulation and less mandates are best. When regulations do happen they need to come from the voice of the people, NOT from the personal opinions/agendas of those voted in to run the city.

I believe that some regulations are good. I moved to Nibley for what I liked about it, not for all the change that I hope to make to it.

I’ve seen how out of control a city can get. I have built, and currently own, a business in one of the high regulated cities of our nation, West Palm Beach Florida (specifically the city of Haverhill). These cities have taken regulations to a level that I did not know were possible. They regulate every level of construction and landscaping down to the very last blade of grass; literally. They mandate, the colors, shape, size, height etc.. of your entire property, beginning from subdivision, construction and into how you run and maintain your business. I never knew that there were over 2,000 varieties of palm trees, and I certainly never anticipated that I would be told which variety I would be forced to plant. My coco plumb hedge has to be maintained at 24” and the very grass blades must be St Augustine. I am required to have a retention pond and to sod it with the more expensive St. Augustine grass. Seeding was not allowed, it had to be sod. Those with a little experience know that St Augustine does not do well in a flooded area such as a retention pond. It will die. Bahia grass is more suited for that environment. The city, however, did not care if their rules made sense to the conditions, they simply “liked how it looked”. Sitting at, and ruling from, a government desk can give way to luxuries in which common sense and practical application cannot afford.

I could create a never ending list, but here are a just few interesting things that we had to deal with because of excessive city mandates.
  1. Cell towers are only permitted on city property. Cell towers can provide private property owners with a nice source of income. The city voted to eliminate the competition and corner all of that income for themselves. I have cell towers on some of my commercial properties and enjoy the income that I can receive from them, but not at my Haverhill business!
  2. It is against the law to hold a garage sale on the same day that the city holds their garage sale. They figure people will run out of money by the time they get to them, so they have eliminated this competition. I would like to eliminate my competition, but respect for my neighbors freedom, my conscience, and Sherman Anti-Trust law prohibits me from doing so. Government consistently believes that they are “above the law”. Whatever happened to our system of Checks and balances?
    [Sherman Anti-Trust law: A federal law which applies to all. The basis of this law is that competition is good for the economy and for society as a whole. Anti-trust laws prohibit monopolies and conspiracies that could unreasonably restrain trade. Behaviors that interfere with the free flow of goods and services in a competitive marketplace are violations of this law]
  3. The city inspector would handwrite things on the building plans and make his own changes regardless of what the licensed engineer had designed. These changes often made no sense, and would add new un-foreseen construction costs as well as create lengthy delays in construction. Design changes would fluctuate and consistently interrupt the building process. As a result, the project completion date kept getting extended. The city had just raised tax rates on businesses and was anxious for us to provide them more revenue. Each day that our business was not open they figured they were losing money. So the city calculated how much revenue we would have generated, had we finished by our original projection date. They then charged us the sales tax that they would have received! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? They impede us from finishing (which increases our cost), and then they fine us for it (which increased our costs again)! I wonder what my business would look like if I ran it like the government. I could close the competition, force everyone to use my service, and then fine them for doing so. And I wouldn’t even have to worry about customer service! Ronald Reagan said: “Governments view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it”
  4. The neighboring city of Wellington, inspired by the movie “Truman Show”, wanted their city to have a similar look and feel. Consequently a 6 foot hedge became a mandatory visual barrier. However, since that did not create an actual barrier, they had to additionally require, by ordinance, a black coated chain link fence to be put up behind it. Many residents did not feel that either of these provided a sufficient barrier and so they would build a third, more solid fence inside those 2. Now you have half of the properties in that town with 2-3 fences. You can imagine the complication that ensued as compliance dates began to expire and some had obeyed the ordinance and others had not. It became an enforcement nightmare.

Those are just a few examples of regulations gone wild.

Most ordinances seem more applicable to private or gated communities in the form of HOAs and CC&Rs. Those have also been known to get out of control. Examples of this have been the forcible removal of patriotic flags, flag poles, etc… or the placement of liens on homes because the grass was not green enough. But at least in this format you know that you personally and freely choose your death by regulation.

I believe that controls and regulations should be on the lowest levels possible, in the hands of the people. That people should wisely and carefully delegate certain rights and controls to the city. Cities, should then cautiously delegate certain items to larger government and then those state governments should delegate rights to the Federal. (as long as those powers don’t violate the 3 basic rights of Life, Liberty and Property. Always remember, it was state governments who created federal government, not the other way around. Also keep in mind that a larger group should never be given power to do something that is within the ability of the smallest group to do. Controls should always be kept at the most local level possible. The most local level is the person and their property.

Smaller cities have challenges because they may want all of the benefits of the larger cities, but don’t have the recourses to accomplish it. This can lead to micromanaging, over regulating, or giving up some local freedom for some scraps from the larger governments tables. City employees and government workers often fall into the trap of feeling like it is their duty to create new rules and to regulate. In that light, citizens quickly become people who “don’t understand”, or are “unable to govern themselves”, and therefore need to be governed.

Remember that Jefferson said, in the declaration of independence, that “…Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Here is a totally random tidbit: Did you know that beekeeping, in the beehive state may become a past time? For a while it was illegal to even have them in the states capital city! Despite the fact that beekeepers are naturally losing up to half of their bee population each year, many cities are creating ordinances that either regulate beekeeping or prohibit it entirely!

Top of page

Do you support the new city hall building?  No.  I was against the City Hall for 3 reasons.
  1. I don’t think we really needed it. I believe that there is a difference in-between NEEDS and WANTS, and the 2 are often confused. In a time of crisis you forgo as many "WANTS" as possible, analyze every "NEED", then act with extra caution.
  2. I don’t believe it was a wise decision in a depressed economy. All data shows that we are in the eye of a storm, not the tail end of one. Most of the people I know are tightening their belts, losing their homes or jobs etc… or cutting back in some fashion. So to build a 1.5 million dollar luxury building made a lot of people feel disconnected from their city. I certainly did.
  3. The citizens of Nibley didn’t want it. You can view the public opinion in the Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 City Council minutes: http://nibleycity.com/PDF/cc08-26-10.pdf  it is clear that the city did not honor the voice of the people. Instead, the intellect of the elected decided that it knew best and disregarded the voice of the people. This is a classic example of the disconnect that happens between government and the governed. Thomas Jefferson knew best when he said: “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” That is an easy thing to forget, when your paycheck comes from Uncle Sam. George Bernard Shaw said "A government which robs Peter to pay Paul, can always count on the support of Paul."

At a time when many are struggling, home values still falling, and the future unstable, it seems irresponsible and reckless. Even if the budget can sustain it, it is terrible timing and sends a wrong message. That decision is one of many that continues to make me feel less connected to my city. I feel like I have less in common with those running my city, and even less like I have a voice in my own community.

If so many are struggling, then why isn’t the City?
How are they upgrading and where did their surplus come from?

Let’s suppose that there actually was room in the budget for such a new building. The members of the community still need to be the ones to call for it. I’m sure the citizens would’ve spent their money differently, given the freedom to choose.

In tough times, friends, families and communities who pull together and become one, will be stronger and survive longer. I’d like Nibley City to be that kind of a model community.

I am optimistic that our economy will get better, but there are too many indications that show that the storms of winter are not yet at an end.

There is a difference between 1) blind optimism through crossing your fingers and just believing that the badness and the sadness will go away, and 2) educated optimism because you have studied the storms and are prepared for things which may happen, but you still hope to avoid.

Top of page

How do you feel about the Nibley property Tax increase?  I disagree with the tax increase and I showed up and voted against it.

I was one of only 2 citizens who attended that meeting earlier this month (Aug 4th 2011). Corlyss Drinkard and I both gave compelling reasons against raising those taxes.

However Nibley city unanimously voted in favor of resolution 11-09 to raise the property tax to .001677, stating that:
  1. it was not a big deal since it was just a little raise
  2. they had already budgeted for and pre-spent that money, so now they had to vote on the increase.

If decisions are made and votes pre-decided before the debate, why even have a debate? The show and pretense is just a waste of everyone’s time.

I guess, technically, time was provided for “public opinion” but it felt like a show was being put on to give the illusion of public involvement. Our comments did not open up discussion on the topic. Instead, a vote was taken and a raise in taxes passed unanimously. That made me feel, once again, disconnected and out of touch with my own city.

I do not believe that during a recession or depression that any taxes should be raised. I think that spending should be cut back and focus should be put into how to survive the economic “winter”. In times of plenty you plan and prepare for times of want, which always come. In times of want you especially live within your means. Wisdom would have you live below your means because you never know exactly how long this winter will be.

You cannot tax your way out of a recession/depression.

Top of page

Do you support the new proposed city parks?  I have seen a thick book on the park plans for Nibley. I have not spent time reviewing that parks plan. However, I still think that I can answer this based upon correct principles.

We are in a difficult time, and it does not match the season. When you are in winter, you bundle up and prepare to get through the storms and the cold. It is not a time, economically, to be budgeting massive amounts of money on parks. I like a clean and nice looking community, and I like parks and spending time at the parks with my kids. I do not know what the ratio is on parks verses number of citizens, but I would be conservative in trying to meet current and future needs.

That’s my personal opinion. But there is more to be considered than just personal opinion on an issue like parks.

What is the public opinion on parks? I currently do not know. I have been trying to find out, and have talked to many people about it. Still, I do not know what Nibley residents want.

I'm continually trying to increase my awareness of what the community wants (on all topics). I make it a point to be easy to be reached, and on multiple formats. I'm very interested in what people think. In fact, this is the back of my business card:

The community should decide on the parks, not a few people in the city building. It’s the communities money. If there's not enough money to build the parks from the budget, then a community can still get together, raise money, donate time and make it happen anyway.

When done correctly, this could be an item that brings the community closer together. When done incorrectly, it can make many citizens feel disconnected with their community, and create an unwise debt burden to the city.

Top of page

Were you a Bennett supporter?  No

I was present at the State Delegate convention when Bennett was voted out. I felt that Bennett had been in too long and that he had become too entangled with powers that were not "the people". I met and talked to both Tim Bridgewater and Mike Lee. I recommended my state delegate to vote for them.

It was amazing to see the voice of the people rise up and say we are taking back the control. I believe that a clear message was sent declaring that that if you don’t represent the people, then the people will remove you from your position.

Orrin Hatch was present and I believe he took note to change his current course. I believe it put a little crack in his bell and a little pep in his step. I've noticed a difference in him ever since. However, I do not know if that is just going to be too little too late. I believe he may not survive the next round of voting.

Top of page

On a scale of 1 to 10, how liberal or conservative are you? (With 1 being an Obama supporter and 10 being a Tea Party Person)  10

I’m conservative. I believe that the principles which were laid out by our founding fathers are the same principles that are needed to maintain freedom today. I feel that your actions speak louder than what group you claim to be affiliated with. I think some people have won elections on the wings of the tea party because they talked the talk. But their actions were not, and are still not, conservative.

I think there is a difference in believing in conservatives, and actually living those principles. I often hear people say that they want to vote conservative, but then they like or want a lot of liberal ideas. (And then they don't see the contradiction.) You cant always have it both ways. Steven Wright wisely stated: "You can't have everything, where would you put it?"

I try to live my life on conservative principles. Doing so often requires letting go of liberal ideas which are tempting and so engrained into our society.

I believe that history shows success to be on the side of conservative principles. Liberal ideas have the warm and fuzzy sounds, but history has proven time and again that the feel good ideas don't actually work, no matter how much force is applied.

Ronald Reagan said “The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they’re ignorant: it’s just that they know so much that isn’t so.”

"A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money." G. Gordon Liddy

Considering the current surge towards change, for the sake of change, without questioning the cost or the result of that change, causes me to question, with boldness, any change. When your foundation is weak, you do not look towards remodeling and changing the upstairs. Get back to basics and secure that foundation first.

I've stated before that my intention is to first do no harm. I'm not interested in new "feel good' programs which trickle down from larger organizations. I want to stop the growth, stop the spending and focus to protect basic rights and liberties. Currently those liberties are under full attack, whether or not you are aware of it.

Being conservative is a core principle that is not understood or practiced enough. Too much attention is given to wants and needs, too little attention given to what resources we actually have. Forgotten is that wise old saying “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

Its nice to have dreams, but in the end you need to return to your resources and do what you can with what you have.

There are a great many programs which cater to our wants and needs, but those should never hold us, or our children, hostage by driving us into loans, debts, and deals which we cannot repay; that is not responsible. I think we have the ability to accomplish a great many things, AND stay within a budget while doing so. “Success at any cost” is not the value we should be passing on to the next generation.

I love the movie Apollo 13 where NASA specialists had to find a way to put a square peg into a round hole - literally. They put all of their items onto the table and said:

“We need to find a way to make this…(pointing to the square filter)
fit into the hole for this… (pointing to the round filter)
using nothing but that (pointing to their inventory of materials on the table).”

Working smarter is better than working harder. Here are some ways that we can work smarter:

  • Focus should be to stop out of control government growth, take control of things on a local level and never outsource to the county, state or federal what we can accomplish on our own. In essence, divide power.
    • "The way to have good safe government, is not to trust it all to one, but to divide it among the many, distributing to every one exactly the functions he is competent to....It is by dividing and subdividing these republics from the great national one down through all its subordinations, until it ends in the administration of every man’s farm by himself; by placing under every one what his own eye may superintend, that all will be done for the best. What has destroyed liberty and the rights of man in every government which has ever existed under the sun? The generalizing and concentrating all cares and powers into one body." - Thomas Jefferson
  • Stop the spending based on wants. Know what our real needs are and budget for them. The very definition of economics is "THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES AMIDST SCARCITY."  Even in times of plenty we still have to live by this simple definition. Most basic of all, is to accurately access the available resources and put those in alignment with conservative values.  This mentality is desperately needed.
  • Focus to protect the basic rights of Life, Liberty and Property. Now, more than ever, these are under full attack.

Top of page

Have you read Ezra T. Bensons speech titled The Proper Role Of Government?  Yes, and isn’t it amazing that it sounds like he gave that speech yesterday instead of 1968?

I have learned a lot from him over the years. I have both read and seen the video “The proper role of government”. I think that it is one of those foundational speeches that everyone should review from time to time. I have placed that speech here on my website: [Full Speech]   [Condensed Speech]

There are so many core foundational principles in that speech. Failure to understand those basic principles leaves you vulnerable to float along with any wind of popular doctrine.

We should base things on sound principles, not on how popular an issue is. But you need to know and understand what sound principles are! A core principle, for example, is that all men are created equal.

I prescribe to the “15 principles which make for good and proper Government”.

Top of page

Fun facts about Nibley  Nibley City was named after Charles W. Nibley. In 1920 the Millville ward was divided, creating a new ward called Nibley Ward. Five years later the Nibley Precinct was created. Ten years after that, in 1935, Nibley was officially incorporated.

Charles Nibley was born Feb 5, 1849 in Hunterfield, Scotland. In the mid 1800's he immigrated to the United States with his family. He was a leader in the LDS church for many years. He served as the presiding bishop and later as 2nd counselor, in the first presidency, to Heber J. Grant.  The photograph, on the right, is Charles at age 24; on the Left is Charles in 1915.

Historically, Nibley City has been a small, rural community. In the year 2000 there were 2,045 citizens. However in recent years Nibley has experienced a lot of new growth. It has doubled its size in just the last 10 years. The 2010 census shows its population as 5,438.

Here is some historical data on the population of Nibley:

 

Historical populations

Census Pop.  

% ±

1940 271  
1950 304   12.2 %
1960 333   9.5 %
1970 367   10.2 %
1980 1,036   182.3 %
1990 1,167   12.6 %
2000 2,045   75.2 %
2010 5,438   165.9 %

 

Nibley Documents   Nibley City provides information to the public on their website. For example: You can read the agenda and minutes of city council meetings and planning and zoning meetings. Be sure to become more familiar with the general city plan. Visit the Official Nibley City website for lots of useful information.

Top of page

 
Home  |  Frequently Asked Questions  |  Donate  |  About Me  |  Extras  |  Forum  |  Contact