In our effort to give you the best coverage of St. George area politics we are reaching out to all 25 applicants for the St. George City Council appointment. In the interest of time and fairness, we are asking each applicant the same set of questions (with a variation for Tara Dunn and Ed Baca) and will be releasing them in blocks of about six between now and next Thursday, when the council is set to make the appointment. These were the first six we were able to reach.
Greg Aldred
What qualifications do you think a person should have to be a council member?
I think they have to have great communication skills. A love for the city and a past track record of volunteering and a business background helps a lot.
What makes you uniquely qualified over the other candidates?
I think what I bring to the table is expertise in infrastructure. Also sitting on the board for SUHBA, and I have a unique business in alt energy and a background in the arts. I’ve also chaired a lot of executive boards: Dixie Republican Forum, Washington County Fair board. Presently on the Southern Utah Educational Board.
In your case, what makes you more qualified than, say, Tara Dunn or Ed Baca, who beat you in the council race last year?
I don’t think primaries indicate a true vote for the people, since we have such a low turnout. I don’t know their backgrounds but I do know what I bring to the table.
Do you think the council will choose you?
I’m hopeful, but each one has a fair shot. And I think the resume will speak for itself.
Anything else?
Regardless of what happens, as our city grows we need to stand behind public safety, and that’s the No. 1 priority for me.
Gregg McArthur
What qualifications do you think a person should have to be a council member?
Love for the city. Open-minded. Willing to base their decisions on objective, not subjective, beliefs.
What makes you uniquely qualified over the other candidates?
I think I’ve got a pretty good knowledge of the city, culture, business, and history.
In your case, what makes you the more qualified than, say, Tara Dunn or Ed Baca, who placed third and fourth in the council race last year?
I think each candidate is uniquely qualified in their own right. And it’s up to the city council to decide who they want to work with. I think they are qualified, as well.
Do you think the council will choose you?
No idea.
Anything else
If it were to move forward and I were to be selected, that would be the time, I think, for people to get to know me better.
Greg Whitehead
What qualifications do you think a person should have to be a council member?
There’s an application for the city, and that’s all the city requires so I don’t think I would require anything else.
What makes you uniquely qualified over the other candidates?
I ran this last year. I would say I’m willing to put the effort and the time to make informed decisions and try to be a bridge builder. I’d say there has to be a certain amount of time dedicated to the job to do it correctly.
What makes you more qualified than, say, Tara Dunn or Ed Baca, who placed third and fourth in the council race last year?
There were only two positions open, so only four go through the general. Had there been three spots open there would have been six in the general, and I was sixth. A lot of times voter turnout is low in primaries. I don’t think it’s a question if I’m more qualified, I think it’s a case of being noticed.
Do you think the council will choose you?
I don’t know.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I’m excited to see the seat filled, and you’ll be supportive of whoever gets it.
Jason Stout
What qualifications do you think a person should have to be a council member?
First of all, I’d like to say how much I trust the existing council to make this decision.
What makes you uniquely qualified over the other candidates?
I’m not sure I’m uniquely qualified over the other candidates. I’m genuinely interested in serving the community. I feel I could be a valuable team player to help the council move forward with their vision and mission statements that they spoke about during their campaigns.
What makes you more qualified than, say, Tara Dunn or Ed Baca, who placed third & fourth you in the council race last year?
Again, I’m not sure I’m more qualified than any of the other candidates. Tara and Ed have put themselves out there and ran savvy campaigns and fell just a little bit short of Joe Bowcutt. The margins were minimal, as you remember. It’s not about me running against other people at this point, it’s about throwing my hat in the ring and serving the people of St. George.
Do you think the council will choose you?
I have no idea. This process is very unique – hard to say what will happen.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I believe government that is closest to the citizens is the government that governs best. I feel the council is a powerhouse team, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for the members on the council. I do feel I would be a valuable member of that organization. It’s a nonpartisan position, and I’m a very nonpartisan person. Previous leaders have built a strong foundation on which to build the future of St. George.
Bette Arial
What qualifications do you think a person should have to be a council member?
Well, first I think they should be experienced dealing with people and understanding how laws and government works. I think they need to have passion about their city and have the time to spend on the issues and be dependable and willing to give the time to listen to all points of view.
What makes you uniquely qualified over the other candidates?
I’ve been very blessed with a breadth of experience. I believe each of these past work or volunteer experiences have helped me gain insight in dealing with city issues.
What makes you more qualified than, say, Tara Dunn or Ed Baca, who placed third and fourth in the council race last year?
I also have run in citywide races. They’re not the only ones that have received votes from the city. One race I was successful and one I was not. I’m certainly not them – I have a completely different set of experiences that make me qualified, without comparing myself to them. I have experiences as a mother with four children that went through the school systems, played in the parks, climbed the rocks and went to the movies, attended Dixie College, graduated from there, and that was helpful to understanding this community. I also managed a congressional office, where I learned to deal with the federal government and agencies concerning issues in relation to St. George and other cities.
Do you think the council will choose you?
I have no idea. I think I’m qualified. I think I’m willing and able and love the community, but I have no idea.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I have a multitude of ancestors who settled this valley, and even though I wasn’t born and raised here I feel an obligation to serve and to pay back the sacrifices they made for us, living in this fabulous place. That’s probably my only motivation, other than just service. I have no other reason, and I love the community, love what it offers and just want to be of service to the people of this town.
Tara Dunn
What qualifications do you think a person should have to be a council member?
Considering that the position is one of representation of the citizens, I think that, although a vast number of life and work experiences may be helpful, there is no greater qualification than quantifiable citizen support.
What makes you uniquely qualified over the other candidates?
I feel that my greatest qualification and the thing that sets me apart from the other candidates is that I was able to garner 5,608 votes for this same position. I think it speaks volumes of my work and life experience, my knowledge and understanding of the issues and my views resonating with the population that I was able to get the endorsement of so many citizens by way of votes in November.
Do you think placing third in the council race last year should be considered in the council’s decision on the appointment?
Absolutely. I think that the people have spoken and they deserve to have their voices heard and not be dismissed. Every single person now applying for this seat had the opportunity to run for city council last year, they had the opportunity to put the work and the time in and to go through that process.
Do you think they will choose you?
I’m hopeful that they will, in an effort to diversify the council and honor the voices of the voters.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I would like to thank the community for their continuous enthusiasm and support for my campaign and efforts to gain a seat on the council.
