"There's Something Rotten In Denmark" Salt Lake County Community Preservation Act

 

 

It ain't Denmark but it still stinks!  The famous quote from the Shakespeare's Hamlet, I think, depicts this situation.

 

"Hamlet Act 1, scene 4, 87–91

This is one time when the popular misquotation—"Something's rotten in Denmark"—is a real improvement on the original. But you ought to be careful around purists, who will also remember that the minor character Marcellus, and not Hamlet, is the one who coins the phrase. There's a reason he says "state of Denmark" rather than just Denmark: the fish is rotting from the head down—all is not well at the top of the political hierarchy."

Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, (former Senator 2009-2013),  through prodding the Utah Legislature, constructed a bill forcing Salt Lake County residents to decide once and for all if they will remain independent.  Salt Lake County Residents will participate in a, "Mail In Ballot Only" election, November 2015 in which County Islands and Townships will have to choose whether to join an adjacent city or remain an entity of Salt Lake County.  Governor Gary Herbert signed the 236 page bill (SB-199) which passed the Senate (25-5-1) and the House (68-6-1) into action March 30, 2015.  Salt Lake County's first notice to the public was for June 3 and the 30th was the second public notice, of which I received none.  These hearings where to discuss boundaries only, and it has been on the "bullet train" to it's destination ever since!  They waited until September to approach the residents with their "sales pitch".  No public comment was allowed at our meeting at Eastmont Middle School in Sandy.  Hand-written questions only!  Can anyone say "Delphi"?  We have the Utah Legislature to thank once more for "saving us from ourselves" as all government is afraid of "organic government" percolating from the bottom up!  They are, metaphorically, "putting a gun to the heads" of county residents to commit to annexing while putting ourselves out of their misery of thinking we have an ability to come up with a plan of our own.  Before this bill was passed residents could come together and petition the county for annexation into a neighboring city, now they are forcing the remaining islands to decide once and for all this November.  And In my case, cramming to do research from the late date of September 18th!  This effects our personal property rights and should not be taken lightly, but the county is banking on it!  There are many reasons I see for them coming up with this scheme, some of which I'll mention here.

 

 

Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams leads the way on bike path.

 

 

As you may or may not know, Mayor Ben McAdams serves on several Un-elected Boards and Councils of Governments (COG), including Envision Utah (Board of Directors) and Wasatch Front Regional Council, Smart Growth America, Transportation For America among others.  He clearly endorses and advocates for United Nations Agenda 21 Sustainable Development Smart Growth policies.  For example-  He's been seen sporting a bike helmet in a photo op where he reveals the county put up $700,000 in grants to ensure bikers safety on county roads, (that's money raised from motorists mind you).  I think it's his agenda to get the county, including cities and townships, locked up to deliver them as prisoners to the global governance goal of control of every one and every thing!  He, and his cronies, have to cement this plan through planning and zoning, which was required language in the bill.  I have seen him giddy as a school girl "skip" to the podium as he opened the meeting for Wasatch Choice 2040 in which he praises Andrew Gruber and the regional plan.  "Celebrate the end of the beginning", you say?  Maybe a subliminal meaning there?

 

Where the CPA is concerned, I do feel that the islands are expendable as far as the plan goes.  The county could care less about them, with the exception of Willow Creek.  Willow Creek residents, from what I heard in the public hearings on boundaries, has been courted by Sandy City for many years trying to get the high income area to annex into Sandy.  The county, I feel, initiated the "divide and conquer" technique in order to force residents to choose between Sandy and recently incorporated Cottonwood Heights.  Township?  Nope, that's out!  It's rumored that both cities are in need of property tax revenue, and Willow Creek would provide that.  Single family private property owners are the bread and butter that keep cities humming, although a member of our panel made it sound like we are mooching off Kennecott and Snowbird!  "Might I remind you, the residents built the towns."  At any rate, I think this is why the county did not include the islands in the middle of the map in any of the committees and discussions in hopes that we would get mad and join an adjoining city.  I'm irate mind you, but I don't want to be a part of a city that is "hook line and sinker", neck deep in the global agenda, and is waging war against private property rights and individual sovereignty (Sandy City).  They can't make the people comply with UN Agenda 21 (Re-branded 2030 Agenda or Plan 2030) if they aren't a part of these cities.  They have their operatives in the townships, islands are expendable.  At this point it's resist and fight to the death!

 

 

 

 

Now to the process.  The assistant mayor, who ran the meeting, (Kimberly Barnett), bragged about having over 100 individuals participate in the process, but when you consider there are 160,000 property owners effected that is less than one percent!  It's a pittance!  They should be ashamed not BRAGGING about it!  The mayor said, "they advertised for positions on the committee", yet I could only find this where he describes an effort to, "bring peace to a decades-old fight", the old Hegelian Dialectic at work.  And if you watch this, it's almost laughable they couldn't find anyone to participate in an episode of Trib Talk who wasn't "in house", and where no viewers submitted questions.  In short there was a limited few on the committee and no one represented my island, one being a Salt Lake Tribune Employee, makes you wonder about the rest of the appointments.  During this process the committee should have been communicating with the members they represented and I didn't hear one word about it.  Aimee Winder-Newton even admits to "rushing the process so they could control the message".  The first time I heard about it was when I received a postcard in the mail informing me I would be voting on the measure in November by mail in ballot, and that a community town hall would be held in a little over a week.  Needless to say, I was dumbfounded!  I scrambled to find out what in the heck was going on.  In my search I found that Zions Bank was awarded the contract to do the financial study.  I found the report online and several things puzzled me.  Why Zions Bank?  Why not private property rights groups or tax watch dogs?  Why did Zions not do a complete and comprehensive comparison?  Why did they "cherry pick" a handful of line items to feed the public?  I found it interesting that in their report each comparison found a cost benefit to annexing to a neighboring city of an average $115.00.  I did ask a very detailed question at our town hall about Zions Bank winning the bid, but was not given a honest answer.  I asked, "who competed for the contract and why was it awarded to Zions Bank"?  Kimberly Barnett, assistant mayor, basically said, Zions won!  We were informed at our town hall September 28, 2015 that we would receive a pamphlet in the mail before the election in order to provide us with the information to make an "informed decision".  I told Aimee Winder-Newton after the meeting, "I already printed mine off online"!  I did it as part of my research, and as far as I'm concerned it's not worth the paper it's printed on!  And-I've already received my ballot and not the pamphlet!  And that's the plan, to not give residents enough time to investigate and time to protest.  The town hall meeting I attended was a "let's control the agenda so these people don't get any ideas on their own", and "let's go through the motions so we can say we did...this is a 'done deal' these people are going to Sandy City" type attitude.  There was a table set up at the front of the auditorium with a podium.  Three mics on the table and one at the podium.  As far as I remember there were only two council members there, the mayor and assistant mayor, county attorney rep. someone from public works I think, two Zions Bank personnel and other staff members.  One woman was practically laying on the table she was so bored!  John Hiskey, council to Sandy City Mayor, was summoned from the audience to answer questions from the residents.  No other neighboring cities were represented. There was a "supposed" panel of our peers, (2) reviewing our questions before they were given to the assistant mayor for panel answers, but she was monitoring the whole process scrutinizing the hand written questions and instructing them as to what to do with them including altering them with pen or pencil.  Kimberly Barnett did not ask the questions as they were written, and when clarification was needed, she still did not invite us to address the panel members via microphone.  Ms. Barnett and Zions Bank presented power point presentations as "tokens" to the process in which Kimberly Barnett spoke to us like kindergartners and Zions bank tried to make their incomplete report look like they had spent more than an afternoon putting it together.  And if you've ever looked at your property tax statement, it wasn't even close in comparison.  I wonder how much we paid for that study?  This whole thing is a sham!  As was reported at the June 3rd Public Comment Session,

"I don't want to become part of the debt of Cottonwood Heights or Sandy," said Michelle Greer, one of many Willow Creek residents who expressed a desire to keep their community intact and remain part of the unincorporated county.

"Hands off, bozo," added Cindy Deckard. "I am adamantly opposed to the division of our neighborhood and annexation to either of these towns. We don't need to encourage building their mayors' kingdoms." ~ Salt Lake Tribune

Awe...music to my ears!

 

 

 

 

Although our Community Town Hall at Eastmont violated Utah Code I managed to pull out my phone on the fly to try to capture it for the public.  In order to publish it I created a video, which I will display below as soon as it is uploaded.  Leave it to the citizens to do what government won't, as it should be.  Town Halls are also supposed to be a time for the politicians to LISTEN to the citizens, but at this one all they wanted to do is have us ask questions, they did not want dialog!  I won't cover every little detail in this blog post, but I will post links for information that will help you catch a glimpse into their involving, or not involving the public, whatever the case may be.  If you want to listen to the public hearings on boundaries check this link (June 3 & 30 audio).  I also made a video of the comments I intended to make at the County Islands Community Preservation Town Hall, which the public was barred from speaking at, it also gives some insight into other topics I did not include in this post that I think are important to point out.  There is also an effort to petition the County Attorney Sim Gil to have a more comprehensive report done, another thing we'll pay double for for sloppy contract work.  Remember Syncrete?  In short, at this stage in the game, I want LESS government not MORE!  We do have a choice...a choice we are FORCED to make, but "I" for one, am voting to eliminate a level of government...the city level.  I like the idea of the citizens percolating their own ideas, not being spoon-fed by politicians even if, "it's a messy process our founders left us", quoting Mayor Ben McAdams.  That's the problem with psychopaths, they want to make decisions for others, always unaware of how their decisions effect them.  I hope the Islands will Stand With Me and Vote To Remain A Salt Lake County Island this November and help support private property rights and an independent citizenry.

 

Well, I hope I've "cleared the air".  When something stinks, pull out the air freshener.  Enjoy the links and the video!

 

 

 

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Links:

http://le.utah.gov/~2015/bills/static/SB0199.html
http://www.seanet.com/~barkonwd/school/DELPHI.HTM

http://envisionutah.org/about/board-of-directors

http://wfrc.org/committee/Current_Members_WFRC.pdf

http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/2014/04/08/salt-lake-county-mayor-ben-mcadams-on-the-challenges-and-opportunities-of-governing-a-rapidly-urbanizing-area/

http://t4america.org/about/advisory-board

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865635875/Mayors-take-a-ride-on-new-Riverton-bike-lanes.html?pg=all

http://www.americanfreedomalliance.org/microsite/global-governance/audio/The-Green-Movement-Agenda21-GlobalWarming-Alarmism-and-Global-Governance.mp3

https://youtu.be/neRp8AeS5xA

http://kuer.org/post/county-seeks-applicants-community-preservation-committee

https://youtu.be/ZPKxI4xkfl4

https://youtu.be/69wR9WAi0BU

http://www.slco.org/community-preservation/Citizen-Committee/

http://www.sltrib.com/news/2580020-155/info-limited-as-county-residents-asked

http://slco.org/uploadedFiles/depot/fMayor/community_preservation/Fiscal%20Evaluation_FullReport_9.11.15.pdf

http://www.sltrib.com/home/2586029-155/community-preservation-or-severation-salt-lake

http://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title52/Chapter4/52-4-S203.html

http://slco.org/council-agendas/CouncilDetail.aspx?id=2147485084&Year=2015

http://agenda21truth.blogspot.com/2015/09/salt-lake-county-community-preservation.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncrete

Securing Utah's Vote

Is Purple the New Red?

Although many throughout the nation see Utah as one of the most conservative states, thereby suggesting that Utahans "get out to vote", that may have been true, it is no longer.  In fact, Utah previously ranked number one in voter turn out, but statistics show, as of July 2014, we rank at the bottom, Minnesota ranking in the top spot now!

Like once Whole Milk, fortified with Vitamin D, we've been diluted to 1% or Skim by an influx of progressive liberals from back east and California among other places.  Many Conservative Utahans have become frustrated, and with political representatives like Orrin Hatch, once one of the most conservative legislators, has become a progressive liberal, currently earning only a "D" in conservative circles.

As we are only days away from a Primary Election, and memories linger of the last election in which many were stunned by a republican loss to secure the Presidency, it is important to dissect not only "get out the vote" strategy but, what methods should Utah use and how to "SECURE" those votes.

There has been a push nationally in the last 6 years to broaden the scope of methods in which we vote and relax the criterion of "who" should vote.  Utah is no different.  In fact, this year the Utah GOP and SLCoGOP are, for some reason, making a "big push" for Vote By Mail.  This is being telegraphed by others too, as evidenced in several newspaper articles, and championed by Salt Lake County's current County Clerk, Sherrie Swensen.  Swensen was even quoted by a local news paper as saying, "I know some people like to go to their neighborhood polling place on Election Day, so it will take some time for them to get over that."  Now, when Constitutional Conservatives, original Tea Party members like me (before the term was "coined", I HAD to resort to writing Washington when Bush 43 was President and Ted Kennedy was asked by him to write the Education Bill and Orrin Hatch Championed the Prescription Drug Bill.), hear a plan like this your instincts SCREAM "Voter Fraud!"  Swensen and other progressives don't limit themselves to vote by mail, but are also advocating for online voting, a version of vote by mail on steroids!  In a day and age where identity theft is prevalent, Edward Snowden is in exile as he tries to "blow the whistle" on governments diabolical effort to spy on , not only foreign entities but on every US Citizen as evidenced in the building of the biggest computer server ever built for the that purpose, that popped up overnight in Bluffdale Utah of all places, not to mention a group of Defense Department Officials like William Binney, who developed programs of code breaking.  And, let's not forget people like Catherine Englebrecht and Becky Garrettson ,two of many individuals and groups who sought to educate and advocate for voter turnout and securing the vote, were TARGETED by the IRS, a taxing authority for the US Government!  How does anyone in their right mind advocate for such voting methods as those that will put our liberty at risk?  Like progressives always do, they will "fly the banner of FREEDOM and trumpet their belief that the "right to vote" is to restricted and that the poor and infirm are inconvenienced or "disenfranchised" by our current methods and for the skeptics, "won't you enjoy voting online so you don't have to stand in one?"  All the while concocting their diabolical efforts to water down conservative beat back of the progressive agenda.  Don't get me wrong, RINO's are also keen on these methods, but they are only progressives in the end as documented in Utah's Count My Vote "debacle" last legislative session, a progressive effort by prominent Utahan's and their money in an effort to rise to power locally and nationally.

In the push for VBM (vote by mail) in particular, many proponents advocate touting "increase voter participation", looking past the FACTS that it only increased voter participation initially.  As Utah's Governor's Office assembled a committee to research if the governor's office should champion an effort with the Utah legislature sponsoring a bill.  The facts indicate the voter participation spiked only the first year of VBM do to advertising and advocacy efforts by States and Municipalities that this was the method that would be used, in some cases exclusively!  Every election after that the participation rate declined.  Although there is some evidence that VBM is somewhat effective in municipal elections exclusively, it still begs the question, "how secure it it?"  The governor's committee of experts surveys indicate that 83% -87% of Utah's prefer choice in voting methods currently offered such as, early voting, vote by mail/absentee voting with the standard precinct polling method.  These numbers should not be taken lightly!  I think you'll find the VBM report to the Governors Interim Committee (VBM info. starts at the 7:54 min. mark),very enlightening as the facts are laid out, along with some concerns about how to SECURE the vote and the inherent cost that will inevitable follow, while advocates progress toward broadening the methods for casting a ballot.  In the audio you'll hear Wanda Amann, challenger to current county clerk Sherrie Swensen present some questions to the governor's committee.  I have personally talked to Amann about SLCoGOP's deliberate push for VBM this primary election and my concern for the opportunity this presents for voter fraud, and she indicated to me she had the same concerns.  Since our initial conversation she has had a chance to personally experience the ballot process in the county clerks office and has witnessed several processes that "set off the alarms."  Amann said there are problems like ballot security, backlog of clearing the voter rolls, (this may be someone who is no longer residing in our state or county but more importantly deceased individuals that could be removed promptly, as any government agency may have access to death records through a current data base).  She also has serious concerns about ID and signature verification, among others.  Amann has assured me she is committed to SECURING THE VOTE for Utah and in Salt Lake County in particular.  I think we need a change.  As the last few years have shown a significant downturn in Utah voter participation.  I have also received mailings from Swenson's office advocating, (but it feels like a shove), towards VBM.  I've been concerned about this for many years, and now, I have an opportunity to stop it!

As I take to the polls this election cycle, I reserve my right to complain, and that I'll do in my wrap up.  I'm not an advocate for many and multiple methods to vote, outside of what we are currently doing.  I advocate to SECURE the Vote!  I am in favor of Voter ID Laws.  I think people should visit their precinct to cast their ballot whenever possible, and when it's not, we have options of VBM/Absentee Ballot, although that vote could be more secure.  In an age of illegals up the wazoo and people voting multiple times and votes being cast by the dead, circumstances demand it!  And anyone who wants to secure our Republic should insist on it too!  Although I still have concerns about the manufacturer's and programmers of the voting machines, it rivals the "hanging chad", both can be used to steal an election.  It is surprising to me that as so many others like me fight to secure our election process there are many who advocate to the extreme opposite!  Our own US Citizens telling us that ANYONE who resides in our country should have a say in our political process, no questions (or ID) asked!  Yet- every other country, and their are a lot of them, do not allow foreigners these same opportunities in their country.  Just look at Mexico law for starters!  I'm no body's puppet!  And no matter what UT GOP or SLCoGOP says, I stand as a barrier between their efforts to increase the opportunity for voter fraud in our elections, and I'll fight the establishment like Englebrecht, Garrettson, Binney and others are doing to educate others on the potential for voter fraud, and how to combat it!  If we want to remain FREE, we MUST do it!  Our posterity demand it!

Where Voter Registration Matters!

Watch The Video

In conclusion.  All said and done, I don't like the idea of this "top down" effort by Utah's Governor, Committee and Legislature in making law concerning our election process.  The citizenry must cast their vote if it wants to change it's voting process.  Any changes MUST be taken directly to the people!  Not like the Count My Vote conspiracy.  The Ruling Class Elite's took that out of the public hands touting "compromise", like playing mediator between the Hatfield's and McCoy's!  We have a republic, if we can keep it!

Count My Vote SB54.  The Constitution Party action in Law Suit over Count My Vote/SB54.

Keep My Vote takes up the fight against SB54/Count My Vote to the 10th Circuit Court Of Appeals for Supreme Court Hearing.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Hacking Democracy

Watch This Electronic Voting Experiment.  Click to Watch.

To see other voter fraud videos click here.

 

Every Utahan needs to read this one before they go to the polls this election cycle Mitt Romney Rigging Elections.

 

The People are taking action in America's courts, watch this video.

Click the Photo to Watch the Video.

 

Click this Photo to Watch the Video.

 

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