OPEN LETTER TO THE VOTERS

Dear voters,

This municipal election, you will be asked to decide between several candidates for Provo City Council, both in a city-wide race, and in a district race. How you vote will determine what happens to Provo in the future.

The basis of a representative democracy is that an elected official is accountable to the voters for what he has, or has not done, while in office. If you are satisfied with the job he has done, you should re-elect the incumbent. If you are not satisfied, you should elect someone else. It is how the system is supposed to work. The voice of the people is heard best at election time.

Two of the incumbents are claiming that they are “pro-neighborhood,” that their ideas, policies, and subsequent votes are what Provo needs to preserve the “quality of life” that we all appreciate. I have been paying close attention to City Council for 10 years, I have studied the issues and the measures which the Council has taken to protect Provo, and I disagree with the claims made by Steve Turley and Midge Johnson. Those claims are NOT consistent with their voting records. I believe their records more accurately represent the “pro-business” mentality, that “government should step aside and let the free market determine things” (to quote Mr. Turley.)

I had a similar attitude in 1997 when I began attending City Council meetings. As I watched, I wondered why it was necessary for government to get so involved with all of the decisions that the Council was making. The longer I hung around, the more I learned: about the facts of what is occurring in our city, about the comparison with other cities that are experiencing the same problems Provo is facing, and about the evidence that unless government intervenes, cities are irrevocably gone. I changed my mind, based on evidence.

That evidence is irrefutable, not a guess or an opinion. Unless the City Council intervenes, much of what we love about our city will be lost. The “government should step aside” approach will abandon Provo to the people who want, above all else, to make a profit. In my opinion, that is the way Mr. Turley has voted every time, and how Mrs. Johnson has voted too often.

This election season, you will receive many colorful, and expensive, brochures from the candidates. You will pass many bright, and expensive, signs. On them, you will read some claims about what those candidates have accomplished and what they espouse. Read carefully. Ask, “what has this candidate actually done?” Research their voting records. I have made those voting records available at votemelanie.com

Please examine the records before you vote. If you agree with them, you should vote for them. If however, you see the same discrepancy that I see, that their claims do not match their records, I hope (in the case of the District #3 race), that you will consider voting for me. I have written several articles below and have been completely honest and forthcoming about my ideas and opinions. I make no claims that are not true. I present the facts. You can leave your ideas and comments on any article. If you follow the rules about posts (see above), i will post them, even if they are negative towards me.

Thank you for staying involved in the process.

DAMAGE CONTROL --THE RUMOR MILL

Dear voters,
Let’s correct some misrepresentations that have been made about me:

1. I am not a Democrat. Like 40% of the voters in Provo, I am Unaffiliated, staunchly so. I don’t like partisan politics.

2. I am not a developer. Several years ago, I subdivided the family horse pasture and sold 10 large lots for single-family homes, just what the neighborhood needed. I passed up chances to build high density housing on the land. All city approvals were complete before I ever ran for office. I made very little money. I will not develop property again.

3. I am not a landlord. I own no rental properties. I did not own any in the Provost neighborhood when, as neighborhood chair, I applied for a rezone. My purpose was to call the question about whether or not to allow accessory apartments. The neighborhood voted “no.” End of story.

4. I am not the “hand-picked candidate” of any member of the Council or the Administration. I sometimes agree with Cindy Richards, and I sometimes agree with George Stewart. I occasionally agree with Lewis Billings, and once I even agreed with Steve Turley. I am completely my own person, and have my own opinions which I readily express.

5. I am running just to...(whatever) . No one else can determine what I am thinking, what I want, or what I am trying to do. I have no hidden agenda. Everything I think, feel, or believe is stated in the articles below. I have not "adjusted" my opinions in order to make myself look better,(a practice called "image management.") What you see is exactly what you get. I think I would be a good Councilmember. I want to serve. I’m trying to do some good. Anyone who says differently is speculating.

6. I have no delusions about myself. I know what I’m good at and what I’m bad at. I do not make claims that have no basis in reality.

These are the rumors I’ve heard. There may be others. Please GET THE FACTS! Read the articles below, which are an accurate representation of my ideas, my opinions, and my positions.

If you agree with me, vote for me. If not, don’t. That’s democracy. But please do not accept rumors as truth. Please call or write if you have further questions.

WHAT I REALLY THINK ABOUT STEVE TURLEY

I always say exactly what I think. If what I think will do damage, I try to keep my mouth shut. But when the I see the possibility of even greater damage, I have to speak up. This election season there is the possibility that Steve Turley could be re-elected to Provo City Council. I believe that is a greater danger than hurting some feelings.

Steve Turley has said and done some things with which I completely disagree.

Many other people have seen and heard the same things I have, and they speculate about WHY he has done them. In our justice system, we are allowed to testify about what we have seen and heard, not about what we suspect or imagine, and NEVER about what we speculate another person's motives are. That is an unjust judgement.

I do not know why Steve has said and done some of the things he has, but he has done them. I can testify about them because I have seen him do them with my own eyes, and heard him say them with my own ears. I will not speculate about WHY he has said and done them.

But because of what I have witnessed, it is my opinion that Steve Turley should never be elected to ANY public office, ANYWHERE, EVER AGAIN.

I realize that I may be committing political suicide to say so, publicly. I am willing to do so, in the hopes that the people of Provo will pay attention!

But you may not believe me. So ask someone you trust. Ask another Council member. Ask a neighborhood chair who has worked with him. Ask a staff member who has seen him work. Ask a member of the Administration who has dealt with him:

"SHOULD STEVE TURLEY BE RE-ELECTED?"

My answer is "NO."

AN ENDORSEMENT OF COY PORTER

I received the following e-mail which I post here in the hopes that a few more people may read it.

Dear Citizens of Provo:

For a number of years, we have known and worked closely with both candidates for Provo's City-wide Council Seat. When it comes to politics, they are very different in their principles, behaviors, and ambitions . Let us tell you why we are voting for Coy Porter, and urge you to do the same.

--Coy has unflinching integrity. He wants to serve because he loves our city and knows he can make a difference. He has no extra motive that could become a conflict of interest or a stepping-stone to further any political ambitions.

--Coy knows the challenges of our neighborhoods and will continue to strengthen them. Coy is careful in his thinking and behavior. He will not minimize, politicize or sabotage the sacrifices made by those who care deeply about their neighborhoods.

--Coy works well with others in building consensus rather than polarizing. He will take a stand on important issues with a mature appreciation for the strengths of others. An effective Council needs people who can cooperate to get results.

--Coy cares about the quality of your life – not about protecting some political ideology or enhancing someone's ability to exploit Provo for gain.

--Coy is a respected veteran of public service. His professional experience as a fireman and Fire Chief has given him a broad and wise perspective toward City issues and City budgets. He solves problems without seeking the political spotlight.

--Coy is an independent thinker; he listens to the facts and will make solid decisions for the well being of our citizens. He is not influenced by well-funded special interest groups.

--Coy speaks the truth. He doesn't just 'say what you want to hear' , or massage the facts to make himself look better. He won't draw premature conclusions or sensationalize an issue out of proportion.

--Coy is a man of character and kindness, he is experienced and effective.His lifetime of service and consistent behavior demonstrates that.

--Coy is worthy of the public trust . He will serve you well.

Provo needs Coy Porter

A. LeGrand Richards (Buddy) Cindy Richards