Jeff LeFevre

CANDIDATE QUESTIONAIRE

1. Using eminent domain to seize private property makes me queazy. If they can do it to someone else, they can do it to me. As an alternative to this practice, I believe local governments should work closely with citizens and the private sector in determining future developments using free market mechanisms.

A relevant example of this is the area now known as "Pacific Place" in downtown Seattle. The city worked with private developers to open up previously closed streets, and improved police activity to clean up the neighborhood. The developers worked with property owners to make arrangements for a mutually-beneficial deal. The result, a new wave of retail shops and hot spots which significantly improved a dying area. This is what happens when a city doesn't bite off more than it can chew and property rights are respected.

2. Throughout Ogden, but particularly in the heart of Ogden, (32nd Street - 17th Street, and Harrison to West Ogden) these issues continue to prevail:

- Too many residents live in poverty

- There are too many low-paying jobs and high unemployment

- Poor educational attainment, low literacy, and language barriers

- Deteriorating housing and infrastructure

- Crime and drugs

- Uninsured residents without basic health care services

The Challenge Defined

Many residents do not earn enough income to support their needs. In fact, more than 2700 Weber County residents seek monthly emergency food support from the food bank, and this figure excludes services from organizations like L.D.S. social services or other similar programs. According to Census data, 28.4% of Ogden's inner city residents live in poverty... a rate more than three times higher than all of Utah. Half of all inner city children under age 6 are living in poverty.

Many homes, businesses, and rental properties downtown continue to decay. In a three-year period, 80% of inner city rental properties were cited for zoning violations. The average low-income household pays more than half of its income for rent and utilities, putting them at risk for homelessness. In 14 categories of expenditures (ie...apparel, entertainment, food, home furnishings, restaurants, retail goods, travel, and vehicle maintenance), Ogden consumers spend only 60% of the national average for such items.

As neighborhoods continue to deteriorate, crime increases, and little new investment occurs due to falling property values. There are more than 50 known gangs in Ogden with more than a thousand known gang members. More than 50% of all violent crimes are committed by juveniles. In the 84401 zip code, there are 183 registered sex offenders.

Solutions

As a representative on the City Council, I would consider my first obligation to invest my time and efforts in helping people obtain the basic building blocks for success:

- Education

- Employment

- Housing

- Good health care

- Public safety

We cannot become another New Orleans, turning our backs to what we don't want to see. City government needs to get back into servicing the public, taking care of the roads, utilities, public safety, and downtown infrastructure with more urgency.

Somewhere along the way, our administration has lost sight of basic needs in order to run risky special interest ventures, which have not been successful and have even been embarrassing. We have discouraged small- and medium-businesses from coming or staying here, discounted the voice of citizens, and alienated ourselves from state officials. We need to repair and rebuild our relationships with businesses, residents, and state agencies.

Once our reputation has been rebuilt, we need to rigorously go about recruiting high-paying employers to Ogden, so local graduates from WSU can stay in the community and raise their families. This will also increase our pool of disposable income, so retailers and rec. centers can actually have Ogden residents spending money here. Good jobs bring better benefits. They also bring the kind of tax base that allows the city to address public services. Through community outreach, we can improve the health, welfare, and safety of Ogden's low income families.

This is not an easy sell, but it is possible with the right leadership. Some argue, that no emerging businesses would ever come to Ogden which has so little to offer. This is nonsense. A good example where a city made things happen is Lindon, Utah. With less than 10,000 residents and close proximity to BYU, little Lindon was able to attract dozens of Canopy Group companies, ie... Altiris, SCO, Maxstream, etc... to locate corporate headquarters in their town. If Lindon can do it, Ogden can.

This is a critical election. As it stands, Ogden's economy is based on volatile, seasonal industries which depend on consumer spending. Yet, Ogden's population spends less and less in the community. Citizens are not receiving their basic needs--and the problem is growing. We need to look to the leading and emerging industries and invite them to grow Ogden from the inside out.

If you have any questions about my views or qualifications, please contact me at mailto:me@jeff901@earthlink.net-.