My Vision For Layton
My campaign for City Council stems from a deep belief in the power of the individual, and I'm seeking a seat because I truly believe our city's strength is directly tied to the freedom of its citizens.
My entire platform is rooted in the principle that individuals have an inherent right to pursue happiness and fulfillment without government overreach. I'm here to ensure that your right to choose how you live, work, and thrive in Layton is protected above all else.
Government, at any level, should never coerce or impose upon these fundamental freedoms. As your council member, I will serve as an unwavering anchor, relentlessly defending individual liberty and making sure it guides every decision we make for our city, prioritizing liberty and choice in every policy.
CORE PRIORITES
WASTE & WATER MANAGEMENT
As Layton, UT leadership navigates the critical decision regarding its future waste management plan, it's an opportunity to exemplify responsive governance. By actively listening to the diverse needs and honoring the inherent rights of individual citizens, the city can forge a path that not only addresses fiscal considerations but also prioritizes the well-being and convenience of its residents.
Engaging in transparent dialogue and incorporating community input will be paramount. This proactive approach ensures that any chosen alternative—be it contracting with private haulers, developing a city-run department, exploring interlocal agreements, or utilizing other landfills—reflects a comprehensive understanding of residents' priorities, including access to essential services like convenient recycling, household hazardous waste disposal, and fair, predictable costs.
Ultimately, a waste management plan crafted with genuine citizen involvement will not only be more sustainable and efficient but will also strengthen the bond of trust between Layton's leadership and the community it serves.
Layton's Waste Management Crossroads: Prioritizing Citizens Through Responsive Governance
PUBLIC SAFETY & HEALTH
Prioritizing Public Safety:
My Commitment to Layton's Police
& Community
As a future Layton City Council Member, I'm honored to acknowledge the incredible dedication and professionalism of our Police Department, as highlighted in their 2024 Annual Report. Our police force is committed to working in partnership with the community to ensure public safety and provide quality service with honesty and ethics.
The report clearly indicates key areas where, as a city, we can further support our police and, by extension, enhance the safety and uphold the rights of every individual citizen:
● Addressing Staffing Needs: The report notes a current staffing shortage of six officers. By supporting efforts to recruit and retain the most qualified candidates, we empower our police to maintain full coverage across Layton and continue delivering the high-quality law enforcement services our residents deserve.
● Investing in Training and Technology: Our Police Department has proactively embraced advancements like body-worn cameras, which are invaluable for transparency, accountability, and officer safety. Continued investment in such tools, alongside specialized training like Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) to effectively respond to mental health crises, demonstrates our commitment to fair and just interactions for all citizens.
● Strengthening Community Programs and Engagement: The department's efforts in initiatives like the "Shop with a Cop" program, Assault Defense for Women classes, and the radKIDS program are truly commendable. These programs are vital for fostering positive relationships between our officers and the community, while also empowering our citizens with crucial safety knowledge and support.
● Upholding Professional Standards and Accountability: Our Police Department's commitment to thoroughly investigating citizen complaints and closely monitoring the use of force reinforces its dedication to ethical conduct and protecting individual rights. We must continue to support these vital professional standards that build trust and ensure justice for all.
By focusing on these areas, we can collectively ensure that our Layton Police Department remains a beacon of professionalism, dedicated to serving and protecting our community while honoring the dignity and rights of every citizen.
FULL TIME MAYOR STATEMENT
Empowering Layton's Citizens:
A Path to Greater
Transparency & Accountability
Layton stands at a pivotal moment, ready to elevate citizen power and ensure our city government truly serves its people. While many U.S. cities operate with a "strong mayor" who has the direct authority to lead, Utah cities, including Layton, often utilize a Council-Manager system.
In this model, a part-time mayor heads a council that directs a city manager. While this system has its merits, it can inadvertently create distance between the citizens and the daily operations of our city.
The crucial question for Layton is:
How much transparency and accountability
do we demand in the execution of our city's vision?
Currently, a city manager implements the council's directives, and that manager answers to the council, which then answers to the people. While this chain of command seems logical, it can unfortunately lead to less transparent and less accountable actions. When a city manager's actions deviate from the council's vision, or when the manager's influence inadvertently reshapes that vision, direct citizen oversight can be diminished.
We can see the impact of this structure in key challenges facing Layton today, such as:
● Waste management
● Dog park development
● High-density housing initiatives
These vital issues have lingered, causing frustration among residents who deserve swift and decisive action.
Imagine a Layton where a full-time mayor, directly accountable to you, the citizen, could act with clarity and purpose. A strong mayor, armed with a clear vision and direct accountability to the citizens, could swiftly direct the city manager to execute the priorities that the majority of Layton's citizens want to see addressed.
It's time for Layton to evolve its leadership model to one that champions direct citizen engagement and ensures our city government is as responsive and transparent as possible.
A full-time mayor offers the direct line of accountability and the focused leadership necessary to ensure Layton truly thrives under the guidance of its citizens.