When comparing to other cities in the nation, there is nothing unique in stating West Jordan is facing a financial struggle. The difference is that West Jordan’s City Council is prudently and carefully analyzing expenditures, taking time to make tough calls. Several recent decisions are forward-thinking, as aggressive moves to avoid property tax increases:

• Council voted 7-0 to support City Manager’s decision to implement layoffs saving the City over $300K annually
• Council voted 7-0 to not spend $15K on a soccer complex study due to the inability of being able to implement whatever the result
• Council vocalized the importance of retaining $215K in the General Fund (from UTA land sales), rather than spending it now on an Arts Council facility
• Council stressed that City events must be self-sustaining or eliminated
• Council re-aligned city staff support to city committees to reduce overall staff expense

Another one of us: http://lofh.blogspot.com - Welcome to the blogroll!

I want to pass along regret to a fellow Utah blogger out there… Jeff Bell. I was rooting for him to win his campaign run for Utah Democratic Party Chair. Although I disagree with about 80% of what he says, well more like 90% of what he says (cough), I appreciate the fact that he consistently presents alternative points of view. In order to keep politics “honest,” you must always have opposition, if for nothing else, just to ensure as many viewpoints as possible are considered. Sorry, my blogging friend. ‘Til next run.

One week ago I had the honor of attending Utah Republican Party’s Convention at the Davis Conference Center in Layton. I congratulate the Republican Party’s new leaders:

• Chair: Dave Hansen
• Vice-Chair: Morgan Philpot
• Secretary: Christy Aschzinger
• Treasurer: Mike McCauley

For more information about the Party, you can visit their website at www.utgop.org.

Just shy of four years ago on November 9th, 2005, the Deseret News announced, “West Jordan voters narrowly opt for Newton for as their new mayor.” Our city’s current mayor, David Newton, had won by a mere 264 votes. The article quotes Mayor Newton saying,

I’m going to work hard to make sure I represent them in a manner that would be what they expect.

I am one who believes Mayor Newton has done a fine job on both counts; he has worked hard on behalf of the citizenry and he has performed satisfactorily. And now that the 2009 election season is fast approaching, Mayor Newton has quietly announced his intention to not run for re-election. At the same time, City Council Member Melissa Johnson has announced her intention of running for the mayoral seat. On Yahoo’s WJResident board, she stated on April 24th,

I will be running for Mayor in the coming election. I made the decision to change office because there are several things I would like to effect on a County and State level. As you probably know, the Mayor and Council members have the same vote on all City issues, but the Mayor can represent the City to the County and State governments. I think we need a strong voice in support of West Jordan, especially concerning our roads and schools.

As a resident of West Jordan, I can confirm Melissa’s commitment, zeal, and sense of direction. She is the right person as West Jordan’s mayor and has my vote!

I have been reading a lot lately about the cause of our nation’s current economic turmoils. While searching I came across a couple very interesting articles. First of all, an article entitled, Fannie Mae Eases Credit to Aid Mortgage Lending. This is no big deal until you get to the third paragraph which reads,

Fannie Mae, the nation’s biggest underwriter of home mortgages, has been under increasing pressure from the Clinton Administration to expand mortgage loans among low and moderate income people and felt pressure from stock holders to maintain its phenomenal growth in profits.

Yes, there you have it, even the New York Times pointing at least one finger at the Clinton Administration all the way back in 1999. For a really intriguing history of it all, check out How it All Came Crashing Down, an article written by Peter B. Gardner (BA ‘98, Brigham Young University).

An associate sent me a link that disgusts me. Assuming the author (Tawnell D. Hobbs) is writing an unbiased article, apparently the Dallas Independent School District is issuing fake Social Security numbers to illegal aliens (some of them already in use by real citizens) in order to put them on the payroll. I do not understand the brazen attitude of government employees who think they have the power to undermine American society. I do not understand those who go to such extreme measures to pay an employee illegally. Has not the majority of us seen the fact that illegal immigrants are sucking away at our checking accounts without us even having to dish out a physical dime? Illegals are using our hospitals for free — no wonder healthcare is so expensive! Illegals are involved in auto and health-related accidents – no wonder auto and health insurance costs are out of control! Illegals are using our publicly-funded services like highways and freeways — no wonder our taxes keep rising! Folks, if you can not read between the lines, we are losing control of our local, state, and federal governments because we are giving the power to them. It is time for the government to be held responsible by the citizens! We all need to wake up and tell our Congressional Representatives and Senators to fix legal immigration once and for all! Therein lies the quickest road to recovery!

Congratulations to those selected on Congressman-elect, Jason Chaffetz’ staff:

Chief of Staff: Justin Harding
District Director: Jennifer Scott
Deputy District Director: Dell Smith

What an honorable group of people to work with!

Welcome to the blogroll Monte. It’s good to see another Utah conservative blogger. A big “hello” to Core Conservative Values!

I had a friend send along a link to an interesting story by John Mark Reynolds entitled, “California and Thank-A-Mormon Day.” Just by the title you know it is regarding California’s Proposition 8. It is difficult to find such positive reinforcement out there in the liberal blogosphere, so thanks Mr. Reynolds! It is deeply appreciated.