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.
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.
Learn about each candidate -
Click here to see common
questions to the candidates.
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.
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.
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:
It's your money.
Councilmember's, and many other elected officials decide how to
create and spend the tax burden.
So you can
complain. If you don't vote you don't really have a right
to complain.
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.
It is your right as a United States Citizen.
It is the responsibility of every United States citizen to:
SERVE ON A JURY and to VOTE
Your vote does count.
You get to wear an "I voted" sticker.
To set an example for your
family and children.
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.
It's your Constitutional Republic. Make it work. Register
and vote!
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:
I got to meet and talk with candidates and elected officials:
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.
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.
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.'"
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.)
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.
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.
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!
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]
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”
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!
Do you support the new city hall building? No.
I was against the City Hall for 3 reasons.
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.
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.
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.
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:
it was not a big deal since it was just a little raise
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.