Responses from Neil Hansen, candidate for Mayor
First of all I would put together a master plan that would reflect the direction that the city should be going. I would bring in all the business community and city staff to make a plan that would benefit all the citizens of Ogden.
2. The UTA and the Wasatch Front Regional Council have proposed a streetcar or bus rapid transit system for Ogden, which would connect downtown with WSU and McKay-Dee Hospital via Harrison Blvd. The present administration favors instead a gondola line over a similar route. The administration has also proposed streetcar routes in other parts of Ogden and neighboring cities. What are your views on these competing proposals?
I feel that the feasible mode of mass transit is that of the street car. With this option, we can expand it to other areas of the county, as well as expand to other areas of the city, as the population grows and the needs become greater.
3. If elected, would you favor or oppose the sale of any city-owned open space along the benches for private development? Please explain.
No, I would not sell city-owned property to a private developer. Open space along the bench is pristine. With the city being land locked, once any open space is sold, we can never get that back.
4. Should you be elected, do you plan to recommend changes in the way Ogden deals with waste, recyclables, water conservation, and/or protecting our aquifers and watershed areas? If so, what changes will you recommend, and why?
Having worked for 18 years in the public works department for the city, gives me the experience to deal with waste, recyclables, and water issues. We get our water from the wells up at Froerer point in Huntsville, as well as from Wheeler Creek, and we need to protect this watershed and whatever development others may want to have happen in these areas. I will try to make sure that the citizens are protected first and foremost. Should we need an ordinance in place to protect this, I will propose that ordinance.
5. The current administration supports rewriting Ogden's Sensitive Area Overlay Zone ordinance in such a way as to eliminate the current ban on construction on land sloped at 30 percent or more, and to increase the density of development that is permitted on other steeply sloped lands. What are your views on these proposed changes?
The plan to eliminate the current ban on this construction is not a good idea when it comes to providing health, safety and welfare of the citizen and the taxpayer. The city would be at risk with issues such as earthquakes, mud slides, public services, and the land conservation system.
6. Ogden's urban and foothill trails are a valuable recreational asset for residents and an important factor in drawing visitors and businesses to Ogden. If elected, what changes (if any) would you propose to the city's trail system?
If changes are to be made, open dialog should occur with all interested parties, especially before decisions are made. I feel more money should be used to promote what we have in our trails network, instead of promoting other areas of the county.
7. Do you favor designating a portion of the National Forest lands above Ogden as federally protected wilderness? Why or why not?
Yes, I do think that part of the national forest lands should be protected wilderness. This land is a natural habitat for wildlife in this area. It really doesn't make sense to do anything with this land but to allow for wildlife enjoyment.
8. The current administration has recently reduced the city's energy and carbon footprint by buying renewable energy credits and hybrid vehicles and by initiating the Fresh Air Fridays program. Do you support these programs? Would you favor expanding them? Why or why not?
I think what the current administration has started to engage in regarding energy is a good thing, but I would really like to enhance it with more renewable energy. We can also do more in water conservation and power consumption, and lead the way to doing our part to reduce global warming. I would welcome your input and ideas as well.
9. What other environmental issues would you address if elected?
It would be nice to look at ways of implementing a renewable energy program in the city. The amount of energy the city uses could help save the taxpayer money in this endeavor.