Tom Busselberg
NORTH SALT LAKE — Democratic candidates for county commissioners said there is a need to return to a more balanced, two-party system in the county and state. Chris Martinez and Rob Miller addressed the Bountiful Exchange Club last Thursday in their regular meeting at the Best Western Cotton- Tree Inn, here.
“Gov. Huntsman is trying to build fences on both sides” of the political spectrum, Miller said. That recalls the days of former governor Calvin Rampton, with “their ability to reach out” to people in both political parties.
“There wasn’t all this demonization,” he said. “There should be two healthy parties where there is fiscal responsibility. We need to start focusing on issues that will unite instead of divide us.”
He spoke of going with Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield, and a group from the Davis County Republican Women to obtain gun permits. “We all get along, we’re all on the same team.
“It’s noble to serve our fellow citizens. It’s important to do what is best. I recall thinking how Dannie McConkie has been a good commissioner,” Miller said.
“I don’t like property tax increases, unless it’s for special projects that need to get funded,” Martinez said. “We need $1.3 million to pay for senior citizen needs.”
“To solve our transportation problems, we need money so Legacy Highway can go north from Farmington,” the Clinton resident, who travels to Salt Lake City on I-15 each workday, said.
A former Clinton City council member, he sits on that city’s board of adjustments, on the Hill Air Force Base Restoration Board which oversees pollution cleanup efforts, as well as the American Red Cross. He is also a member of the Hispanic Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Miller, who has said he will not vote for a tax hike, said the no-tax sentiment is strong in both parties. “We have a group who was involved in the (county) Republican Convention that won’t tolerate taxes.
“They (commissioners) kept the rate low and then were thrown out of office” when taxes had to be raised, he said.
“We’ve lost two hard-working commissioners” because of that feeling, where neither one could garner enough delegate votes to “make it out of convention” and before voters.
“It’s impossible to say no to taxes” for the indefinite future, Miller said.
“I’ve learned a lot from people, how to deal with issues and complaints in a local community,” Martinez said.
A need for communication with constituents is vital, Miller said. That’s one reason he maintains a blog called The Utah Amicus as another way to reach potential voters, he said.
He would also work to get county commission meetings televised on Davis Cable Channel 17. “I would work to make sure all citizens could view commission meetings. It’s time to educate people about what good government is.”
Miller called for “responsible economic development. That’s not bringing in more retail. It’s time to bring on life-sustaining jobs paying $60,000 to $80,000 a year.”
Martinez noted that more and more farmers are having trouble staying in business. “Their biggest complaint is that people are taking our land. We have no place to plant our crops.”
As a youngster raised in rural Colorado, he was a sheepherder, at one point responsible for a herd of 5,000.
Martinez worked for Hill Air Force Base for 31 years, while Miller has worked as an executive marketer, director of a senior retirement community, and now works as a consultant to solve problems for small businesses.
Miller is vice-chairman of the Utah State Democratic Party and vice president of the Utah Mental Health Association and is on the board of directors of the Children’s Justice Center.
tbusselberg@davisclipper.com
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