Inside 84045

Posted By Mike Kieffer on October 12, 2009

The Seventh question: What resolutions and or ordinances do you feel need to be created or modified within the next 4 years?

Jeff Francom – Mayor

Many of the ordinances we have would work fine but they aren’t always evenly or consistently enforced. Ordinances that provide for individual property rights balanced with existing city ordinances.

Mia Love – Mayor

There are several ordinances that can use improvement. One specific area that I believe we can improve upon relates to our local businesses. The success of small business is important to our city. When they succeed, our city thrives. I have met with various business owners in our city and some of them are finding it difficult to advertise under the current signage ordinance. In these tough economic conditions, we need to give our businesses opportunity to succeed. I believe that we can make some changes to our ordinance that will allow our businesses to advertise while keeping our city neat and free from visual clutter.

Michael McOmber – City Council Member

I believe that this is speculative to try and foresee the future ordinance needs and demands might be. However, I do believe that a 5 and 10 year plan need to be put in place that outlines the city’s goals and directions we would like to see Saratoga Springs go. This will be accomplished with the City Council and the Mayor along with a lot of support from the city staff. When ordinances are needed I believe that the rights of the citizens should be the number one priority. That does not mean we will always get what we want, but the focus needs to be on the overall welfare of the citizens of Saratoga Springs.

Jim Miller – City Council Member

I believe the signage ordinances for businesses needs to be readdressed to allow businesses to promote themselves and their identity in a way that is conducive to our city’s plan and desired look, but allowing them to succeed in our community.

Michael Simpson – City Council Member

I would like to modify compensation given to our Mayor and City Council. Instead of a monthly stipend I would like to see the pay be based on attendance at City Council. I feel by doing this we can keep our elected officials more accountable to the people.

Our city needs to create an ordinance to specifically address the proper keeping of chickens and bees in residential neighborhoods so property owners can exercise their rights without infringing upon the rights of their neighbors. While I would love to be on the council when this is decided to help ensure property owner rights are not abused, it would be disappointing to know our current council cannot handle this issue appropriately before January.

I would like to see a change in the way we handle code enforcement as it comes to weed and landscape issues. Improperly maintained yards are a fire hazard in our community, they are bringing down property values in the city and providing habitat for rodents and mosquitoes.

Cecil Tuley – City Council Member

As I mentioned in the first question, I believe we need to get certain information out to residents on a more timely basis. I would present a resolution, possible coupled with an ordinance adjustment that would require certain actions be available to resident for review of one week longer than currently available.

Other considerations will focus on commercial development, responsible residential development changes, and reevaluation of our general (master) plan, and a review of our current court system costs and benefits.

NOTE: Next question: What is your favorite US Founding Father quote?

I am not editing any of the responses. They are being posted as I received them from the candidates.

Categories: Elections 2009
Tags: candidate questions, election 2009