City Politics - Honesty or Deceit

DO WE PARK OUR CHURCH MEMBERSHIP AT THE DOOR WHEN WE ENTER CITY HALL AND PUT INTO PRACTICE THE BASIC VALUES OF RIGHT AND WRONG AS WE PRACTICE OUR POLITICS. (CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE ELECTED BUT WE ALL KNOW WHICH CHURCH OUR ELECTED CITY OFFICIALS BELONG). THAT’S WHAT IS SO DISTURBING WHEN WE SEE CODE ENFORCEMENT BEING DELAYED OR DENIED TO FURTHER POLITICAL INTERESTS OR AMBITIONS OR WHEN WE HEAR THE LOGIC APPLIED TO ENDORSING CANDIDATES.

RECENT EVENTS: Councilman Almquist purchased 3000 sq. ft. of land adjacent to his property from the City of St. George at a reduced price. Paid for this land with ….. Sulfur/Fertilizer that he gave the City about two years ago. He built a wall on this property prior to obtaining ownership. City Council approved this sale deeming that no conflict of interest existed and that the price and form of payment was OK.  ( THE PERCEPTION OF WRONG DOING OR FAVORITISM  REFLECTS POORLY ON OUR MORAL/ RELIGIOUS VALUES).

CLEARING THE AIR:  June 5^th City Council Meeting included a Public Hearing to consider approval to sell City property, vacate a public utility easement and adjust the lot line for a parcel of land lying westerly of lot 39 of the Bloomington Hills No.3 subdivision. Warren Black was the applicant.  ( NOTE: MR. ALMQUIST ALSO RESIDES IN BLOOMINGTON HILLS).

Public Hearing made it possible for me to address City Officials and ask them to inform  public…..How DO YOU SET PRICE for sale of No Value Property and what form of payment is considered acceptable compensation? In the case of Mr. Black it was reported that he paid $1.00 per sq. ft. City Staff decided that this was a fair price. Reportedly NO ONE else has access to said property….. Declared by City Staff to be undesirable….. Of NO value to City. The City recognizes and accepts that owner of property adjacent to City property may have contributed to maintenance or improvement on said property….. And this could be factored into the purchase and considered a form of payment already made.

 ALL CITIZENS SHOULD BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO BID ON THE PURCHASE OF CITY PROPERTY REGARDLESS OF LOCATION…..NOT JUST THE PROPERTY OWNER ADJACENT TO SAID PROPERTY.

Based on information provided I concluded that the City has engaged in similar sale practices throughout the city and while on its face….The perception that Councilman Almquist may have received special consideration or treatment simply was not the case. Please remember…..PERCEPTION DOES MATTER regardless of which pew you sit come Sunday.

As to the issue and allegations that Councilman Almquist was given special consideration or given a wink and a nod that it was ok for him to do business in violation of a City Ordinance…..Well this is yet to be clearly answered and contributes to the suspicion that all people are not treated equally by City Government. (THE CITY MAY HIRE THE BEST LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN SALT LAKE CITY  TO GET THEM OUT OF THE MESS CREATED BY MISMANAGED CODE ENFORCEMENT PRACTICES…..BUT YOU CAN’T HIDE THE TRUTH AND YOU CAN’T KEEP THE PEOPLE FROM KNOWING WHAT IS RIGHT FROM WRONG).

POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS: Clearly Mayor Pike has endorsed Nathan Caplin for County Attorney and has presented his reasons for doing so. I have not discussed with Bowcutt, Arial, or Hughes who they may be endorsing. I have been informed that Almquist has joined Pike endorsing Caplin……This does not surprise me even though rumor has it that Almquist has a Belnap sign on the property he purchased from City.  When asked his position City Manager Esplin stated he was neutral as he has to work with whoever is elected……And he is not a registered Republican. (IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW IF MR. ESPLIN IS NEUTRAL IN CITY COUNCIL RACES AS WELL).

Councilwoman Randall has endorsed Brock Belnap for County Attorney and has articulated 5 points for her decision…..Job  Experience, Education (WENT TO DIXIE HIGH), Has GRASP of ISSUES, Has Endorsements from Law Enforcement (HER SON IS POLICE OFFICER SGPD) And Constitutional Integrity and Philosophy.  I could not help but see the Image of Tara Dunn before me as I read Randall’s reasoning. I recalled Randall’s experience, knowledge, education, bankruptcy when she ran for City Council.  It is encouraging to learn that Randall places such high values on these very important qualifications. 

In all honesty I need to state that it causes me no small degree of discomfort to come to the realization that I am thinking like Randall and remain suspicious of Almquist….. For I have come down on the side of Brock Belnap for County Attorney. My friends I can tell you that over the years of monitoring and reporting on workings of City and County Government I have had the opportunity to present cases before Mr. Belnap….. That frankly questioned the honesty and integrity of elected officials.  I can tell you that Brock Belnap is a straight shooter and that I have full confidence in his ability to administer the office of County Attorney.   Please forward your comments and don’t forget to vote.

Thank you, Ed Baca