Growth is coming and we need to control it or it will control us. We should follow the master plan that we recently revised in 2017 and only put higher density in the areas that we already designated for such, near public transit and freeway entrances. If we find that is not sufficient we will need to do another official revision of the master plan and not approve higher density projects haphazardly and in a vacuum. We need to consider how any additional population density would affect traffic, crime, schools and our limited resources like water, open space, etc. We need to assure we have the resources to not only accommodate this additional population but continue to adequately provide for our current citizens. Higher density provides housing but in most cases it is not affordable. Utah has a housing crisis, and the legislature has put pressure on cities to facilitate more moderately priced housing options. I will fight against this pressure as it is an overreach into the zoning powers of a municipality and we are providing more than our fair share of high density housing to the valley. Once they make other surrounding communities come up to our level, then we can allow more high density housing but only when and where it is right for Murray as a whole according to the master plan. If we make zoning exceptions to the master plan, we are setting a precedent of doing so and rendering the master plan a mere suggestion, when in fact, it is a plan. If we stop following the master plan, we won’t be able to appropriately prepare for the future and plan for success. Someone asked if I was anti-development and density. That is definitely not the case. I am pro smart development and smart density.

I went to lunch with Chief Burnett and we discussed the rise in crime. Having the proper incentive structure to retain our best officers is a top priority. He said high density doesn’t bring disproportionate crime unless the building is mismanaged. We need to be selective about which, how many and where high density developments are allowed. We need to make sure they will be projects that are well maintained and attract self respecting tenants who respect their community. We could implement a “Good Landlord Program” to help with this. We need to not allow too many high density projects, too fast as we already have a lot of density and we have limited resources including for public safety. The PD is also willing to help neighborhoods set up their neighborhood watch program and I would encourage each neighborhood to take advantage of this opportunity.

I would not support a plastic bag ban but would rather support businesses who encourage customers to bring their own bag, use multi-use bags, or charge extra for disposable bags.

Tea Rose Diner

Bill H.B. 308 passed last year and it prohibits any governmental entity from requiring that an individual receive a vaccine for COVID-19. This means we would need to be creative. I think that we could have employees who didn’t vaccinate (if any) volunteer to have less interaction with the public. I think masks could be a mitigation as well but we will have to figure out what we can do legally.

-Source: Facebook post 7-21-21

 I went to lunch with Chief Burnett and we discussed the rise in crime. Having the proper incentive structure to retain our best officers is important. He said high density doesn’t bring disproportionate crime unless the building is mismanaged. We need to be selective about which and how many high density developments we allow. We need to make sure they will be projects that are well maintained and attract self respecting tenants who respect their community. We also need to not allow that many more high density projects as we already have a lot of density and we have limited resources including for public safety. The PD is also willing to help neighborhoods set up a neighborhood watch program.

-Source: Facebook post 7-22-21

I see a lack of creativity and vision regarding Murray and its potential. I see Murray as more than a bunch of hotels and apartment complexes. Sure, we needed some but we should be more than just the place where people sleep at night. We want people to come and spend their time and entertainment dollars in Murray. We need more eateries and beautiful places to walk and be downtown. We need more parking. I don’t think the city should give away the property of the current city hall/ historic Arlington school. I’d love to see it turned into a community space such as an arts facility for classes and the like or possibly use it for the library expansion. If that is not viable then I would like to see some out of the box thinking and proposals regarding that space. In my estimation, that is one of the most valuable properties in the valley and we should use it to bring people to Murray and to enhance the place we live and not just provide more hotel rooms.

-Source: Facebook Post 7-21-21

I think the city’s new policy requiring that the owners live on site for at least 6 months of the year will help with the issues that arise out of short term rentals.

-Source: Facebook post 7-22-21

I don’t love it. I think we have better places to put density and we should limit the amount of proposed density since we have some limited resources that we are close to maxing out

Source: Facebook post 7-22-21

Housing costs have doubled and even when new projects are developed the demand is such that they are equally as expensive. We should partner with and follow the recommendations of organizations like the Utah Housing Preservation Fund to address the affordable housing crisis. They recommend we seek out NOAH or naturally occurring affordable housing and maintain affordable rents while improving the safety and quality of these properties. We should maintain and improve any affordable housing we can, not tear it down to put up apartments that won’t be affordable nor provide ownership opportunities.

We can and should initiate fines. We have an ordinance that says no watering between 10:00AM and 6:00PM. We need to get aggressive and start issuing warnings and then tickets. We can also do a better job of educating the community on this ordinance. I think the city should zeroscape park strips so we don’t water sidewalks and useless grass.

Source: Facebook post 7-22-21

I agree that we need more townhomes and single family dwellings in Murray. We already have a lot of apartments and we need to be selective about how many more we allow. I think we need a mix of single family, medium density and high in our city and I am worried the current direction we’re headed involves too much high density.

Source: Facebook post 7-21-21

Good question! as I looked around at my fellow candidates last night, I felt more kinship then competition. I have nothing but respect for those who are willing to put themselves out there to serve their community. I can tell that everyone there last night really loves Murray and wants the best for it. I don’t agree with all of their approaches but I don’t respect them any less. I don’t really know Blair and I don’t really agree with his approach but I appreciate his willingness to serve, it is not for the faint of heart.

Source:Facebook post 7-22-21

Diet Dr Pepper all the way! Though when I want to go decaf, I actually prefer caffeine free diet Pepsi 

Utopia can and should be extended to all areas of Murray. Adding other cities to the network is another question, but since Murray shoulders a big portion of the Utopia debt, we should build out as much as possible. We already made the investment and all Murray citizens deserve it!

-Source: Facebook post 7-31-21

I have reached out to those on the Murray School board to see if we can meet and discuss how we as a city can better support education. Education is a top priority for me. I have 3, soon to be 4 children in Murray Schools. We need to seriously consider how allowing more high density near a school will affect it. Some schools suffer due to the transient nature of their students. Parkside already has struggles relating to issues that arise when you have too much high density housing near a school and it could get worse with a 7 story apartment complex going in on Vine by State and the city’s propsed 6 story apartment complex on 48th and State. What about the schools on our west side when we add the 935 Bullion project, the Jefferson Street project, the 5400 and 7th west project and the 1,200 to 2,600 units planned for the Galleria property. Additionally, what will all the development do to traffic on 7th? There are long lasting ramifications to where and when we add high density housing.

Hi Brenda, I have lived in Murray for 13 year and I have been on the Murray Arts board for the last 5 years. I grew up in Midland, Michigan that is almost the same size as Murray and very similar in many ways. I honestly moved to Murray 13 years ago because it was in the center of everything but fell in love with the history, independence and community.

Source: Facebook post 7-27-21

Growth is coming and we need to control it or it will control us. We should follow the master plan that we recently revised in 2017 and only put higher density in the areas that we already designated for such, near public transit and freeway entrances. If we find that is not sufficient, we will need to do another official revision of the master plan and not approve higher-density projects haphazardly and in a vacuum. We need to consider how any additional population density would affect traffic, crime, schools, water supply, etc., and assure we have the resources to not only accommodate this additional population but also continue to adequately provide for our current residents. We can preserve our small-town feel and sense of place while we grow if we do it strategically and purposefully. We should preserve the historic buildings we can and include them in an overall plan for a beautiful, walkable, destination downtown. Too often, people pass by Murray on their way to spend money elsewhere. We are in the heart of the valley with significant freeway and public transit access. We should become a premier destination for residents and visitors, increasing our sales tax revenue.

Source: https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/10/08/murray-voter-guide/

In addition to partnering with and following the recommendations of organizations like the Utah Housing Preservation Fund to address the affordable housing crisis, we need to address the concerns our residents and business owners have about the lack of citizen engagement from our leaders. Many Murray residents feel unheard and disenfranchised. We need better systems in place to make sure all have a recourse to be heard, understood and treated with respect. The mayor needs to have evening office hours and be available to hear resident concerns. The mayor needs to employ additional methods of direct communication including social media, texting/direct messaging, virtual/in person meetings, citizen advisory groups, regular town halls and door knocking (not just during the election) and any other tool at their disposal. Residents need to feel represented and trusted with the explanation of why decisions were made. Too often the cart is leading the horse. Citizens should lead the city, contributing to its vision and the mayor should proactively bring that vision to fruition. Murray has suffered from a severe lack of vision. We should be planning for what we want Murray to be in 50 years, not reactionary to issues as they come up.

Source: https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/10/08/murray-voter-guide/

We should apply these funds to infrastructure repairs/upgrades; to create more green space in any areas that we allow higher density; for NeighborWorks to use for residents who need home repairs or for home down payment assistance; to incentivize citizen and business localscaping and increase our clean energy production.

Source: https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/10/08/murray-voter-guide/

I do some acting on the side and have performed at the Desert Star, Hale Centre Theatre and CenterPoint Theatre.

Source: https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/10/08/murray-voter-guide/

I have no specific intentions of proposing a tax increase or decrease. I would like to increase our sales tax revenue by making our downtown into a beautiful, walkable, historic looking destination that attracts businesses and people to spend time and money. We can keep our small town feel and sense of place while we grow if we do it strategically and purposefully. We should preserve the historic buildings we can. We are in the heart of the valley with significant freeway and public transit access. Too often people pass by Murray on their way to spend money elsewhere.

We should use the American Rescue Plan funds for infrastructure repairs and upgrades; for more green space in any areas where we have allowed higher density according to the master plan; for NeighborWorks to use for citizens who need home repairs or home down payment assistance; for incentives encouraging citizen and business localscaping and for increases to our clean energy production.

We should partner with and follow the recommendations of organizations like the Utah Housing Preservation Fund to address the affordable housing crisis. They recommend we seek out NOAH or naturally occurring affordable housing and maintain affordable rents while improving the safety and quality of these properties. Growth is coming and we need to control it or it will control us. We should follow the master plan that we recently revised in 2017 and only put higher density in the areas that we already designated for such, near public transit and freeway entrances. If we find that is not sufficient we will need to do another official revision of the master plan and not approve higher density projects haphazardly and in a vacuum. We need to consider how any additional population density would affect traffic, crime, schools, water supply, etc and assure we have the resources to not only accommodate this additional population but continue to adequately provide for our current citizens. Higher density provides housing but in most cases it is not affordable.

We need to incentivize property owners and lead out by example in localscaping. We need to enforce our current code regulations such as only irrigating between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m and limiting irrigation to twice a week.

We should require that any new development be LEED certified. We should encourage renovation of any viable existing buildings to bring them up to code for a practical purpose. Far too often we are defaulting to demolition in favor of new construction. This is wasteful and often unnecessary. As discussed, we should maintain naturally occurring affordable housing where possible.

Disagree

If you disagree, what steps should the city take to improve transparency and/or encourage input from citizens on key issues?

We need to address the concerns our citizens and business owners have about the lack of citizen engagement from our leaders. Many Murray citizens feel unheard and disenfranchised. We need better systems in place to make sure all citizens have a recourse to be heard, understood and treated with respect. The mayor needs to have evening office hours and be available to hear citizen concerns. The mayor needs to employ additional methods of direct communication including social media, texting/direct messaging, virtual/in person meetings, citizen advisory groups, regular town halls and door knocking (not just during the election) and any other tool at their disposal. The citizens need to feel represented and trusted with the explanation of why decisions were made. Too often the cart is leading the horse. Citizens should lead the city, contributing to its vision and the Mayor should proactively bring that vision to fruition. Murray has suffered from a severe lack of vision. We should be planning for what we want Murray to be in 50 years, not reactionary to issues as they come up.