People often ask where I stand on annexation and growth. Some think I’m “pro-annexation” and my opponent is “anti-annexation.” I understand the perception, much of this campaign is about the growth pressures Coalville is facing, and when I am communicating the difference between our visions, it can certainly appear I am pro-annexation. The truth is more simple: I am pro-smart growth.
Annexation is not good or bad by itself. It’s a tool. Like any tool, it depends on how we use it. Some projects might bring big benefits to our city. Others might not. If elected, my job will be to look at each proposal without bias and without pre-judging, listen to the community, and decide if it helps Coalville families.
Here’s how I see it:
- Coalville is not staying the same. Change will come, whether we like it or not. We can either plan for it, or we can fall behind.
- Our city already has high costs. Coalville has some of the highest sewer and water fees in Utah, money out of our pockets every month, and we are locked into bonds until 2060. We need smart, strategic growth to help spread out those costs and bring relief to residents.
- We do not want to be a commuting city. In addition to potential housing projects, we need to be proactive to attract businesses to our city, especially those with good-paying jobs.
- Developers are not our enemies. If they bring us a project, I will treat them as potential partners. If we can find a way to make it a win-win and benefit the city, I’ll support it. If it doesn’t bring real value, I won’t.
- Accountability matters. If we make an agreement, I will hold developers to their promises.
Coalville deserves leadership that listens, plans ahead, and makes decisions from a position of strength—not fear. I will never support growth just for the sake of growth. But I will also never say “no” to everything just because change feels scary.
My promise is simple: I will listen. I will plan. I will fight for projects that help our community. And I will protect our future by making sure growth works for Coalville—not against it.