During any campaign period it becomes easy to focus on negative elements in an attempt to bring light to what a candidate will do to enact change. I think these discussions are needed and necessary to keep forward momentum. However, if we allow the negatives to take over, we do more detriment than good. In that vain, I would like to take some time today to simply talk about the good (aka, the things I love about Kaysville).
1. Kaysville has a rich heritage that, through the course of progress, is still being held to and remembered. In 2014 the city description was changed from “City of Distinction” to “Utah’s Hometown”. I love the imagery that is brought forth through this description. A few definitions:
- Home: “place of domestic affections”
- Domestic: “relating to the family”
- Affections: “emotional realm of love”
- Town: “a thickly populated area, usually smaller than a city and larger than a village, having fixed boundaries and certain local powers of government.”
From the simple phrase, “Utah’s Hometown” we get an image of a family centered community that fosters a loving environment through minimizing growth and utilizing government to promote these mentalities. I truly see these focuses in our town.
2. Tying into that vision, we have a city rich with tradition. From the annual Daddy Daughter dance to all the 4th of July festivities and onto the lighting of Main Street during Christmas, we have kept an institutional focus on city events building our hometown feel.
3. Our schools are top notch. Through my husbands profession we often participate in recruitment dinners. As doctors with families look at the prospect of moving to Utah, it is widely known and communicated that Kaysville is a good location to settle if an exceptional education system is a priority.
4. We are a community that watches out for one another. A couple months back the city council had a discussion about windstorm response. A key component to the discussion was assessing how much community involvement would be feasible and where the city would provide assistance. I loved listening to the discussion and knowing that the entire burden would not fall back to a function of government.
5. Even though the compensation is small and the burden can be large, we have never had a shortage of people willing to jump in to help through city council, planning commission, power commission or event volunteerism. We live in a place of engagement that allows for government to function more efficiently, at a lower cost to the citizens.
6. Those who are paid to work for the city are some of the most hard working and dedicated people I have ever met. Their jobs are not easy, the hours can be long, the criticism can be rough but they show up each day with a determination to excel at the tasks with which we have endowed them.
7. Kaysville remains a desirable place to live. Many may have received notice that their property values are increasing this year. While some may balk at the increased taxes that this brings, it also becomes a positive sign that the investments we have made and continue to make into our community are paying dividends.
I feel very lucky to have landed in a place that still values a sense of community, the importance of families and seeking to grow in a way that supports these foundations.