Josh Belka

1. I will NEVER support eminent domain for economic development. If you make an exception, you set an ugly precedent. The lust for money should never supersede individual property rights.

2. These are my primary concerns:

Ogden must find ways to attract employers that can provide a “living wage,” full time work and affordable health care.

Maintain Ogden’s history architecturally and culturally.

All retail space in the Riverdale and 12th Street areas already look like every other commercialized city anywhere. Let us keep the flavor and architecture of the inner city and downtown area historic and eccentric. NO WALMARTS!

By “cultural” I mean ever expanding and diverse. We should embrace, communicate with, support, incorporate and seek input from all segments of our population.

We need to support and encourage in all ways possible, socially responsible independent local businesses.

We should find better ways to hold absentee landlords of rental and commercial space (developed or undeveloped) accountable for “blight” and/or lousy (socially irresponsible) tenants.

We need nonpolluting public transportation that serves all Ogden residents and visitors, not just tourists and students. I support trolley and/or electric buses systems.

Conservation of natural resources.

Public spaces and property (with the exceptions of parks) should be xeriscaped. I also believe a graded fee for water usage would encourage residents to do the same.

All public buildings should be built “green” by incorporating any available technology that either conserves energy or uses renewable energy sources.

As a city we should also expand recycling. Why don’t we recycle glass? Where’s the next landfill?
Wouldn’t it be great if would could attract manufacturers of renewable resource technology. Demand for this technology can only skyrocket.

Industry that can potentially pollute our air or water should not be welcome.

Health, Safety and Education. Public services and the employees that provide these basics should never be compromised in city/county budgeting. If we have to eliminate bureaucracy to achieve this goal, let’s do it.

All city government agenda, studies and information should be easily accessible to the public via the internet.

This would encourage voter/citizen participation in city government decision making.

In addition, all contentious (usually expensive) decisions or projects (that will directly or indirectly affect or disenfranchise residents of Ogden) should be put to public vote.

I believe this would be less expensive in the long run than alienating or leaving out portions of the population. Remember the Mall?

It is my belief that with these priorities, we can set an example contrary to the status quo that is sustainable, provides an adequate tax base, and will also improve the quality of life for all Ogden citizens (present and future).

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me better. You can contact me at 499-1880 or morlocks@ferozrecords.com.-