Comments on: Endorsement – Carlton Christensen, Salt Lake City Council – District 1 http://blueinredzion.com/2009/09/endorsement-%e2%80%93-carlton-christensen-salt-lake-city-council-%e2%80%93-district-1/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=endorsement-%25e2%2580%2593-carlton-christensen-salt-lake-city-council-%25e2%2580%2593-district-1 Poorly Spelled, Properly Thought Out. Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:31:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Blue in Red Zion » Blog Archive » Endorsements! http://blueinredzion.com/2009/09/endorsement-%e2%80%93-carlton-christensen-salt-lake-city-council-%e2%80%93-district-1/comment-page-1/#comment-523 Blue in Red Zion » Blog Archive » Endorsements! Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:09:07 +0000 http://blueinredzion.com/?p=711#comment-523 [...] As I have stated before, Carlton is the only choice in my mind for Salt Lake’s west side. Not only does he bring experience to the table, but he has the sorely lacking ability to reach across party lines to get the job done. Furthermore, Carlton’s opponent did a fine job offending me when she stated that LDS candidates fair far better in elections because they have “built-in get out the vote mechanism(s).” Statements like that show that Carlton’s opponent is out of touch with the district. [...] [...] As I have stated before, Carlton is the only choice in my mind for Salt Lake’s west side. Not only does he bring experience to the table, but he has the sorely lacking ability to reach across party lines to get the job done. Furthermore, Carlton’s opponent did a fine job offending me when she stated that LDS candidates fair far better in elections because they have “built-in get out the vote mechanism(s).” Statements like that show that Carlton’s opponent is out of touch with the district. [...]

]]> By: No Mo' Carlton http://blueinredzion.com/2009/09/endorsement-%e2%80%93-carlton-christensen-salt-lake-city-council-%e2%80%93-district-1/comment-page-1/#comment-510 No Mo' Carlton Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:03:52 +0000 http://blueinredzion.com/?p=711#comment-510 While I certainly am impressed with Carlton's ability to be nice in a progressive community, and garner endorsements of elected officials whose best interest lies in endorsing their city council member, I certainly do not agree that Carlton has worked hard for this District. The Airport TRAX line happened in spite of Carlton, because UTA and the Salt Lake Chamber are making it happen. What the city does control is the zoning and the development of the North Temple Gateway corridor, and Carlton has not been a strong advocate for these. It has taken other members of the city council to press for the planning and design of the corridor -- while Carlton has been asleep at the wheel. Not to mention he was the only member of the city council to vote against the city non-discrimination ordinance, and one of two who voted against funding for the two proposed west side libraries, in Glendale and Marmalade. I guess, since he has a library in his district, he forgets that other west side neighborhoods need them, too, and have been promised them for 20 years. He voted for the zoning that killed Sugar House. He voted against a state tax credit petition to promote recycling industries in the city, and against a zoning amendment to clean up industrial zoned properties in his own district. He even recently voted against adding bike racks--yes, bike racks for all the kids that ride their bikes to scout and youth activities--to an LDS Stake Center, which was requested by the community, but not on the plans submitted by the LDS church. How does this represent passion OR effectiveness for District 1 and the city. Leslie Benns may have her flaws, but she is more passionate and more in tune. And yes, the LDS influence is there. Only 25% of the district may be LDS, but they do turn out to vote. They don't say over the pulpit who to vote for, but I guarantee they tell you to get out and vote. And when the only person you know is the guy you go to church with, guess who gets the votes. Look at the primary election in the avenues. Phil Carroll, who is LDS and the least progressive in what may be the most progressive district of the city, also came out on top. As did his predecessor, Eric Jergensen, who was a stake president and a Republican. While I certainly am impressed with Carlton’s ability to be nice in a progressive community, and garner endorsements of elected officials whose best interest lies in endorsing their city council member, I certainly do not agree that Carlton has worked hard for this District.

The Airport TRAX line happened in spite of Carlton, because UTA and the Salt Lake Chamber are making it happen. What the city does control is the zoning and the development of the North Temple Gateway corridor, and Carlton has not been a strong advocate for these. It has taken other members of the city council to press for the planning and design of the corridor — while Carlton has been asleep at the wheel.

Not to mention he was the only member of the city council to vote against the city non-discrimination ordinance, and one of two who voted against funding for the two proposed west side libraries, in Glendale and Marmalade. I guess, since he has a library in his district, he forgets that other west side neighborhoods need them, too, and have been promised them for 20 years.

He voted for the zoning that killed Sugar House. He voted against a state tax credit petition to promote recycling industries in the city, and against a zoning amendment to clean up industrial zoned properties in his own district. He even recently voted against adding bike racks–yes, bike racks for all the kids that ride their bikes to scout and youth activities–to an LDS Stake Center, which was requested by the community, but not on the plans submitted by the LDS church.

How does this represent passion OR effectiveness for District 1 and the city.

Leslie Benns may have her flaws, but she is more passionate and more in tune. And yes, the LDS influence is there. Only 25% of the district may be LDS, but they do turn out to vote. They don’t say over the pulpit who to vote for, but I guarantee they tell you to get out and vote. And when the only person you know is the guy you go to church with, guess who gets the votes. Look at the primary election in the avenues. Phil Carroll, who is LDS and the least progressive in what may be the most progressive district of the city, also came out on top. As did his predecessor, Eric Jergensen, who was a stake president and a Republican.

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