Feel free to opine by clicking the "comments" link below. Who has the first question? Note: We have not been able to contact (electronically) two candidates, so if you know them, please invite Alan Clapperton and Paul Newey to join in the debate by first checking their contact information and submitting a campaign letter if they wish.
First Comment/Question:
Minor Machman said...
Council person Stevenson, Please explain your opposition to accurate Town Council minutes, Town Survey, minutes of Council and Planning Commission Meetings being posted on the Town website, and audio recordings of Town Council meetings on the Town Website for starters. We need to understand your point of view on these. More questions later.
October 18, 2007 8:31 PM
Comment
new kid in town said...
Please don't take offense as we have only lived here for a couple of years and are not "of the faith," but it seems like most cities in Utah have primary elections while Huntsville has Nominating conventions.
Why can't all potential candidates be on the ballot of a primary election?
How do you know which party to "belong" to - "your town" or "my town"?
Why are 3 candidates running together?
We recently received a flyer for 3 candidates.
Thanks - we are still trying to decide who to choose.
October 20, 2007 9:29 AM
October 20, 2007 9:29 PM
Comment
Anonymous said...
We are new and confused too. Why are three running as if you vote for one you need to vote for the other two? Why the nominating conventions with two parties. What is one party versus another and if no difference why do they exist? Makes no sense to us? If one or more of the three candidates supported non public disclosure of what is generally considered public information then the other "party" with Ferre, Truett, and Johnson seems the much better choice to us at least. Too much seems already some State secret and we don't understand this. It shouldn't be...
October 20, 2007 7:40 PM
Comment
Whistler's Mother said...
Mr's Stevenson, Newey, & Clapperton all vote with the Mayor no matter what. Stevenson has ethics issues. No matter if it is best for the Town or not they always vote with the Mayor and the McKay's. If you want the McKay's to run Huntsville you should vote for them. If you want your ideas, opinions and thoughts represented you need to consider voting instead for Truett, Ferre, and Johnson. They are the three and trustworthy for you and for me. Granny
October 20, 2007 8:30 PM
Comment
new kid in town said...
Thanks - we are glad we are not the only ones confused by the "system." We did feel lied to when Mr. Stevenson convinced us to sign over our water votes. I forget his exact words, but he said someone was trying to take over the water system and we needed to group together to stop the takeover. He was very Persuasive.We later heard he had forged the Mayor's signature on a water form and also heard that in fact no one was trying to take over the water.We just listened to the Meet The Candidates meeting and he sounds so good. Not sure what to believe now.
October 21, 2007 3:04 PM
Comment
Minor Machman said...
For "New Kid", some people will say anything to be elected and they sound pretty good saying it too. A nice way to put it is disingenuous or ethically challenged. If you want to know the truth it is in the Town minutes. Both he and apparently one of his "running mates" actually did little of nothing while on the Town Board except take credit for what others actually did. Talk to ex mayor Wilson or others on the Town Council if you really want to know.
October 21, 2007 3:28 PM
Comment
Old Kid in town said...
I am deeply saddened by the extreme polarization of our town that has been exacerbated by a few and their shenanigans. Some of the shenanigans may appear innocent, but they are previously unheard of in conservative Huntsville.
During the elections two years ago, I received a call(along with probably everyone)from a Council person in support of a certain candidate for Mayor - he said, so and so is "the real deal." Please vote for him.
Then during the Water elections, we received a notice to support two candidates.
And now we receive a flyer supporting just 3 candidates for Council.It is frustrating, but this breeds the "us" vs. "them" problem so prevalent in what used to be quiet and friendly Huntsville.
To someone who moved in from out of state, this may appear totally the norm. But for conservative Huntsville where our neighbors have always been our friends, these separation tactics cause division and consternation.
Let's heal the wounds, not further divide.
October 22, 2007 10:58 AM
Comment
chris stevenson said...
I would like to respond to the various and especially erroneous comments made by some, but refuse to respond to anyone that does not have the courage to even put their name to what they have written. Maybe that is the way blogsites work?? I really don't know. I do like the telephone. I welcome anybody to pick up the phone and call me. I would love to answer any questions you might have.
Thanks,
Chris Stevenson
Comment
Anonymous said...
To new kid in town:
We also agree the current "party" system does not work. Our neighbor/friend wanted to be on the Council and would have been an excellent candidate. He went to both meetings to be nominated and it was obvious the meetings were stacked. Anyone who wants to serve, should be allowed to be on the ballot, not just the one who can rally the most supporters on that one night nominating meeting. If there are more candidates than positions, then there should be a primary election - this is America!
As far as anonymous posts, sadly we are all victims of circumstance. Living in a small town, we see many of the "shenagigan" perpetrators on Sunday afternoon. Voicing opposition has proven to be silent but deadly. The saddest part of all, is that some have even stopped coming to Church because they have been the recipient of the shenagigans.
October 23, 2007 10:11 AM
Comment
Minor Machman said...
Guess that's why I go to Salt Lake City to church. They don't know me there and I can worship God without all the small Town gossip and distractions. It is worth the trip every Sunday. And I pray for everyone in Town, especially those who are always trying to put something over on their neighbors like a few running for office again this time. They seem to need it most.
October 23, 2007 5:32 PM
Comment
Richard said...
I agree that anyone who wants to be on the ballot should be on the ballot. If necessary, a primary election should be held. I think the present system incites games and our system SHOULD be changed.
Several months ago, I actually spoke with the town clerk about the process for changing our current system, and she informed me it was too late to change for this election.
I think it is imperative we change the election process prior to the next election.
Richard Sorensen
October 27, 2007 1:10 AM
Comment
Minor Machman said...
Most folks would agree the present system is overdue for an overhaul I highly suspect. It is just that we don't know if it can be changed and how to do it. Sad that Stevenson and the mayor's opposition to a Town survey did not allow the breathing space/think time to enable a questions like this on the previous survey. The three months of useless babble and obstructionism could have been much better used to improve the range of questions asked. Without that negative influence on the Town Council there can be many needed improvements across the board.
October 27, 2007 9:46 AM
Comment
chris stevenson said...
D-
Thank you for identifying yourself. I am strenously for property tax reform. You should not assume otherwise just because I did not vote "yea" for a resolution that specifically sites you and identifies a specific type of solution for our tax problems. I applaud any citizen who is actively involved in changing a broken system. I have made my own phone calls and have met with various people (including Gage) regarding sound solutions. I will be voting for a revised Huntsville Town resolution on property tax reform that I believe is a more responsible wording coming from local government. That should be in our next town council meeting. That being said, thank you for rolling up your sleeves and calling attention to the whole matter of reforming the system.
I believe you or some other username made a comment about making information available to the public. I am 110% in favor of that. I am not in favor of increasing the expense, spending, labor and time of our dedicated town employees. Their time and lives are being overtaxed as it is. Our minutes on the town website is really a cool thing. However, there must be some really bored people out there if they decide an exciting evening is to go to the internet just to listen to 2 hours of town council dialogue. Does anyone really do that?
Regarding the town survey. Again you attempt to mislead and misrepresent. I fully supported the town survey as administered by Weber State. I personally went out along with Richard Sorensen and Jim Truett collecting surveys from various town's people. I pulled in more than 30 surveys. I think you are upset I did not endorse the survey you presented - the one by the D Bell Research Co. No thanks. I believe the survey Ron put together is one of the best things the town has done in a long time. I supported the survey.
It is interesting to note that you have managed through assumption, conjecture and who knows what else, to twist my true position on different issues.
For the record:
1) I am very strongly in support of proerty tax reform.
2) I believe the public must, and has the right, to full disclosure of our meetings and other information.
3) I supported and got involved with the correct approach to surveying the residents of Huntsville Town.
In the spirit of being honest and accurate, please feel free to pass my official position along to others with whom you may come in contact. Please stop misleading and misrepresetning. You are an honest man, aren't you?-
Chris Stevenson
October 27, 2007 11:06 PM
Comment
Minor Machman said...
"I really believe that those on the town council have enough neighbors and contacts to figure out what this town likes and wants. I recommend that as council members we get out to our citizens and start asking qualitatively what our residents would like to see, i.e., their feelings about use of town property. I think that would help me more than anything as far as my input into the development of such an ordinance. Not only do I think this would be a lot less labor-intensive and less expensive, but I think our information would be more reliable than people responding to some "quasi-official", maybe a little intimidating, written survey. One man's opinion.
Thanks,
Chris Stevenson
"Like the man said, "The truth is simply not in him."
October 28, 2007 8:43 AM
Comment
chris stevenson said...
There you go again. My quote you posted was regarding the D Bell Research Co. You know that and yet you are willing to mislead and misrepresent time and time again. Once a real survey plan was presented by Ron I fully supported it and helped all I could. That is the truth. You know full well that is the truth and yet you will not tell the truth. What is your agenda Mr. Bell? I think we might call you efforts in deception a case of being "ethically challenged". D, if you will tell the truth, maybe someday you will be promoted from a "minor machman" to a "major machman". Try it, you'll like it!
Chris Stevenson
October 28, 2007 9:03 AM
Comment
Minor Machman said...
If you talk to Councilman Gault he will admit that I spoke with the Deans of Weber State University (both the Business and Behavorial Science Colleges)and set up the survey ideas using the grauduate classes. I gave them all my materials. Knowing you would oppose it, I asked that my name not be used. Ron did what I asked him to do for the good of the Town. He has always acted for what is best for the Town. Unfortunately you on the other hand... We will let the people decide who is honest and who is not. Be careful Chris, as those audio recordings you also dismiss so easily, tell the truth about what you had to say on the other subjects as well. I don't have to do anything but let you speak for yourself - and in your own words and voice. Give it a rest for your own sake and for the sake of what is best for the Town.
October 28, 2007 9:19 AM
Comment
Richard said...
I have bit my tongue through much of these discussions, but am confused by some of the comments as well as the answers to a question I asked the candidates during the Meet the candidates night regarding "full disclosure" of our public meetings.
The question was, "How do you feel about having the Town council minutes and the audio recordings of town meetings posted on the Town web site, so everyone can hear if they weren't able to attend the meeting?"
Only one candidate (Newey) voiced opposition and I applaud his candor, even though I fundamentally disagree with his position.
The public record tells a different story, which may reveal why there has been so much opposition to posting the COMPLETE minutes and the audio.
Stay with me for a brief tour:
From the March 2, 2006 minutes, read page 7, "Discussion and/or action to have full and complete town council minutes on website:" http://www.huntsvilletown.com/Minutes2006/Mar2-2006-Full.pdf
You will see who voted against the proposal. Ultimately, the motion passed 3-2 with Stevenson and McKay voting Nay, and the full minutes are now posted, rather than just the brief summary of action items.
Next, read page 1 of the March 22, 2007 P & Z minutes http://www.huntsvilletown.com/MinutesPC2007/Mar22-07.pdf
Then listen to the audio of the same meeting - the discussion begins about 4:30 into the recording
http://www.huntsvilletown.com/CommissionAudio/RamFiles/Mar22-07-audio.ram
Incidentally, most municipalities post both and you can even listen to state meetings in real time on the state web site. Many even post video.
Why would we not want citizens to have full access with hopes of encouraging more participation?
Richard Sorensen
October 28, 2007 12:24 PM
Comment
chris stevenson said...
Richard, thank you for identifying yourself. Your comments are absurd. They do not even merit a response. I think all this quibbling about "he said this" or "you said that" is an embarassment to the town. I think people can see the smear campaign compiled by you and Mr. Bell. I don't think the misleading and the misrepresentation you are putting out there sits well with Huntsville residents. I have made my position more than clear. I don't expect you to believe it. I fully expect you and your puppeteer to twist and distort it to the hilt. As I speak with various residents in town I am very disappointed in your deceptive tactics and the inaccurate, misleading information you are promoting to others in the community. I believe this divisiveness will work against you in the long run.
Chris Stevenson
October 28, 2007 8:21 PM
Comment
Anonymous said...
A case in point that it is no wonder people choose to post anonymously.
October 28, 2007 11:06 PM
Comment
Anonymous said...
Yeah, it sure does sound like this Stevenson guy is a piece of work. He forged documents and lied about it, opposed what?... this survey thing and lied about it but got maneuvered into it anyway, disagreed with the right for people to read and hear everything going on and lied about that too. Now he wants to discredit and bad mouth a couple of guys who caught him red handed speaking with forked tonge. A real piece of work. He has a real future in politics! If I said who I was he'd probably say I did something awful to him too and I don't even know this jerk!
October 29, 2007 12:01 AM
Comment
chris stevenson said...
Anonymous,
I am sorry if you are offended in some way by my bluntness. I think a verbal conversation would better reflect my feelings and allow me to clarify my position on issues. Anyone can take someone's words and twist them or quote them out of context to mislead people. When they know they are trying to misrepresent the person's true point of view they do not have the best interest of the town in mind.
There have been many people in this town that have been the victims of these types of smear campaigns and vicious personal attacks. They have not defended themselves. They are very nice, town-loving people who have elected not to respond to the mean-spirited diatribes by certain people in our community that seem to have a hidden agenda. We have many good people in this town that will not run for office or even serve voluntarily becuase of fear of these unfortunate tactics. That is a crying shame.
I for one will not sit back and let rude people try to run rough-shod over me. I am being blunt again. I sincerely hope you understand my point of view. Call me. I would love to talk to a person and in plain English explain my positions on any topic. I am afraid we have lost some of that badly-needed civility that comes from a cordial conversation.
Chris Stevenson
October 29, 2007 7:30 AM
Comment
old kid in town said...
As I said Mr. Stevenson, "these separation tactics cause division and consternation.
Let's heal the wounds, not further divide."
October 29, 2007 1:04 PM
Comment
Whistler's mother said...
Seems to me this Counselman is crooked an hadn't ought to be calling decent people names. Then a turnin round an saying all this stuff lik he is so hi an mighty.I wood not vote for him. Granny
October 29, 2007 3:11 PM
Comment
chris stevenson said...
Old Kid,Thanks for your comments. I will readopt the slogan my mother use to teach me, "if you don't have anything nice to say, make sure you of all people, don't say it at all." Your advice to let wounds heal is good advice. I hope when I am an "Old Kid" I will also inherit a bit more wisdom to boot.
Chris Stevenson
October 29, 2007 4:22 PM
Comment
Anonymous said...
Councilman Stevenson’s opinion is that if the town does the survey that they take the results lightly. CouncilMember Gault will contact the professor again to get more details as far as time and cost.
Feb 07 A town survey was also suggested for consideration by the P & Z on some outstanding issues.The P & Z were opposed to conducting a town survey. CM Truett asked why they were opposed.CM Gault read from the letter, they felt that if the survey was not worded or conducted properly it could be bias. (hmmm...Newey and Clapperton opposed the survey and they did not know what the questions or procedure even was...
From Town Minutes...
"3) I supported and got involved with the correct approach to surveying the residents of Huntsville Town." (Stevenson) Or "if the Town does the survey I recommend we take the results lightly."? Interpreted to mean "recommend we don't really listen to what the public has to say."....
Flip flop...flim flam man...who needs this?
October 29, 2007 6:44 PM
Comment
new kid in town said...
Wow! A lot has been said since I last checked in. The "extreme polarization" is certainly apparent on this site. Why is our quaint town so polarized and what will it take to become unified?
It seems like some choose to name call rather than answer the question. A whole different tone than the meet the candidates night.
October 31, 2007 12:53 PM
Comment
Richard said...
Chris,
I was surprised to read your reply to my documented comments (well, maybe not that surprised)
1) I have no problem identifying myself
2) Did you even read my comments?
Your statement about me saying “he said this” or “she said that,” is an inappropriate slam, as I would call that gossip.
What I posted was DOCUMENTED proof (not gossip or hearsay) of your vote AGAINST the full version of the Town Council minutes being posted to the town web site. But now you state, “I believe the public must, and has the right, to full disclosure of our meetings and other information.”
Which is it? You can’t have it both ways.
You tell others you won’t answer their questions since they didn’t identify themselves, yet you tell me that my questions “don’t even merit a response.” Instead of answering the question, you retort with an attack.
As far as your accusations of “deceptive tactics and the inaccurate, misleading information you are promoting to others in the community,” since you did not provide details in either your post or the email you sent to me, I have to assume you are referring to the Property Tax resolution of support you also voted against.
A couple of weeks ago, a prominent resident asked to meet with me to discuss what I thought to be a great proposal to present to the County assessor for a short term fix to this years property tax situation. During our conversation, he mentioned that I must be working on the Property taxes as a directive of the town council. I humbly told him that up until a few days ago, we seemingly had received little, if any, support from the Town Council. I further stated that a resolution of support was passed, but two council members voted against the resolution.
Only when the issue has been brought up, have I told others of your apparent lack of support.
Surely you will say that you have “made phone calls,” but where were you during our Property Tax Assessment night. There have been plenty of opportunities for us to offer our residents REAL help.
Talk is cheap!
November 2, 2007 2:18 AM
Comment
D-Bell said...
From Town minutes: "The Mayor replied that the minutes for all of the public meetings are accessible. After going through the recent lawsuit against the town that ended up costing the town a lot of money he has reservations about doing this. He is concerned that making this information so easily obtained, it could magnify the public’s effort to create legal issues. Inaccuracies that are left out or included could cause legal problems. A lengthy discussion ensued about the pros and cons of posting minutes on the website. Council Member Sorensen mentioned that he has looked at other town’s websites and their minutes are on their websites. He spoke to David Church,(General Counsel for Utah League of Cities and Towns) who didn’t see a problem with this. Council Member Gault replied that after being so involved with the lawsuit, he is very caution now about saying anything off the top of his head because it is public record.
He would like to see more involvement with the town citizens, and maybe this would help. Gail asked the council to look at the minutes more closely now, making sure that the content is correct.
A vote was taken; Mayor McKay and Council Member Stevenson voted against the motion. Council Member’s Sorensen, Truett, and Gault voted for the motion. Motion does pass."
Stevenson:
"Twisted my words."
"Quote (me) out of context."
"Smear campaign" (against me)
"Vicious personal attacks" (against me)
"Hidden agendas" (against me)
"Rude people" (against me)
"Minority malcontents" (anyone disagreeing with Stevenson and the mayor)
"misrepresent and misinform" (about me)
Got any more accusations to make? With every post you prove your inadequacy and ineptness for public service Councilman Stevenson.
My agenda is to see that people know and understand what you represent, e.g. bold faced lies, name calling, polarization of our community, outrageous claims of doing something clearly others have done (taking false credit), and blatantly never thinking for yourself or in the best interests of the Town. Always, without exception voting with the mayor, on any and every issue from curbs on the Park to wasteful and poorly prioritized Town expenditures, to outright dishonesty toward us all with your forgery of public documents.
I had rather see others elected who are honest and have and will continue to act in the true best interests of our Town.
Clear enough?
D-Bell, aka minor machman
November 2, 2007 4:20 PM
Comment
Tim Hansen said...
And the Prophet of the lord said, "Silly, silly, silly."
The humans will bicker because of hardness. The negativity represented by the majority of bloggers on this sight is an embarrassment.
I haved worked part time for the town for the last 1+ years. I hate to take the air out of the accusation baloon but I must say that I have not noticed a tendency towards manipulation on the part of those leaders being attacked (ad nauseum) in this and other blog sites.
Propaganda works for a season. It's cruelty eventually shows itself.
Everybody jump back and kiss yourself.
Tim Hansen
November 3, 2007 7:44 PM
Comment
Anonymous said...
You bettcha Timmy. Go suck up and collect yo paycheck kiddo.
November 3, 2007 9:52 PM
