Here are the 3 questions posed by Councilman David Lifferth and my reply to each...

Question: What role did you have in an anonymous email that was sent by your wife that proclaimed "Citizens Coalition of Eagle Mountain lies to the community"?

Answer: I played no role in the email.  However, when my wife Daniela saw the information that was provided to me, she was very upset.  One of the things I love about her is that she is an individual with her own opinions, thoughts, and actions.  I would not presume to speak for her.  If anyone would like more information on the particulars; who, what, when, where and why, they can contact Dani directly via email at NahirC@gmail.com .

Question: Do you have any financial or ethical issues in your background that you have not disclosed that would impact whether or not someone would vote for you? 

Answer: No, I have no financial or ethical issues that would warrant a resident to not vote for me.  I'm extremely proud of my ability to manage my finances and the opportunity I've had to help and teach others to do the same.   I stand firm in my moral beliefs.

Question: What is your platform and what will you try to accomplish if elected?

Answer: I'm so very glad you asked this question.   Other than my accent, here is where I feel I differ the most from other candidates and possibly from politicians in general.   

Politically-savvy individuals believe in keeping things short and sweet.  I respectfully, although I admit possibly naively, disagree and as such this answer is anything but short.  I just don't believe a couple of sentences on 'my platform' would give anyone enough information about me to form a relevant opinion.   It is my hope that those who read this will come to know me better, how I think, and why I'm running for office.  Isn't that what we all should be finding out, even if it takes a little bit of our time?   I will not take it personal if you print it and make it your bathroom reading... "wink"... at least in my household it can be at times the only "quiet time".

Here is how I feel about platforms and promises… 

Getting back to the question at hand, I view the traditional political platform as here is what I say I can do for you and I’ll make sure it is what you want to hear so you can vote for me. 

I refuse to have this type of platform.  In my opinion platforms have become a tactic containing "HOT TOPICS" twisted to the candidates' advantage in an attempt to emotionally charge the vote.

All cities have issues and challenges to overcome.  Eagle Mountain isn't any different.  We are experiencing growing pains and as a young city this is understandable.   Some would lead you to believe Eagle Mountain is at the brink of destruction or has been "brought to its knees".  We do not need pessimistic, rearview minded individuals to be in positions where they are in charge of our city's future.

Whether a candidate can keep their promises or follow through with their platform is almost impossible to tell until you see them in action.   Some candidates promise more than can be delivered based on the limitations of the office itself.  For example, transportation in and out of the City is not a City Council fixable issue.  

We should review, understand and of course learn from our history to ensure we do not make the same mistakes but we must break the trend of living in our past.  Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.  We need to look for new energy, concepts and ideas and stop voting for the same entrenched old attitudes and promises. 

We know we need a solid infrastructure.  We know we need beautiful, maintained parks and open spaces.  We know we need children and teenage friendly public areas, structures, and facilities.  We know we need to attract businesses to our community.  These and other similar challenges are not platforms but plain and simple realities for those who are voted into office.  Don't be fooled by those who are taking advantage of current issues. 

We need regular folks who will be part of the solution instead of the problem.  Who love our city and have the sense not to drag it through the mud in thought, word and action while they promise to make it better.  We don't need promises; only individuals who will consistently represent the best interest of the community as they deal with the issues… any issue.

 

Here is what you and Eagle Mountain can expect from me as a City Council member. 

• You can count that my goal is to make Eagle Mountain the best city it can be.   We have a wonderful base of long term residents and a great influx of new residents who moved here because like me, they quickly fell in love with this city.  We need people in office who will unite our wonderfully diverse community and look out for the economic, social and agricultural interest of the city but keep the needs and rights of the individual in mind.   I will do that! 

 

• I will make it a priority to explain my votes on City Council matters.   You may not always agree with me but you will know why I voted a particular way and you can hold me 100% accountable for my actions, as you should of any public office representing the community. 

 

• There are times when due process above and beyond city level government can create delays that directly impact local projects, but we don't hear these types of explanations from politicians, although we should hear it more regularly from the city.   We have the right to prompt, accurate and current information regarding what has been done and what is in the works.  When this information is provided by the leadership of the city, it shows that we are far from being "brought to our knees" and we are actually on the right path.   In fact much of the infrastructure sensationalized by other candidates is already in the works or has been taken care off.  We simply need better communication between our city government and our community.

  

As an elected official I plan on actively providing facts and figures… good and bad to our community on our regular basis so we can have informed, fact base, positive discussions instead of rumors, assumptions, animosity and distrust.

Technology today offers many options for effective communication.   Podcasts would allow residents to view public meetings at their convenience and in the comfort of their own homes.  Our city website should become the community's reliable source of current, prompt and accurate information and the very important channel of communication between the residents and our local government.   Communication is key and it will be my number one, short term goal and focus.  Once we are all communicating better we can work together better and move forward.

 

• I do not have a "personal agenda" however I love this city and this community.   As a husband and father, I want security.  We need to ensure our emergency agencies have what they need to successfully perform their duties.   Considering that a large percentage of our population are children, we need to ensure they are safe, which includes protecting them from sexual predators living in our area. As a Real Estate Agent and an Eagle Mountain home owner, I want to do everything in my power to ensure that our properties maintain their value.  I want a self-sufficient, beautiful city that successfully finds the balance between a small town feel and big city benefits.   A place where we can work and play together.   

•  I have a strong backbone.  I'm open minded but not easily influenced.   I have made my intentions clear to those who have donated to my campaign; a donation does not a debt create as others are insinuating.   If someone has donated to my campaign and expects a personal favor or some skewed loyalty in return, it is a poor assumption or judgment on their end.  I have personally funded the larger portion of my campaign and if I owe any favors to anyone based on contributions it would be first and foremost to my own conscious, values and morals.

 

• I am very much pro-development but neither pro nor anti developer. Eagle Mountain is one of the largest cities in Utah, territory-wise.  It is in its growing stages.   To attract businesses we must continue to develop.  We must have land developers, builders, contractors, surveyors and other entities that have a place in the growth of any developing city.   Being willing and able to work with everyone equally, fairly and within the law, does not mean that a person is in the pocket of any one entity, group or persons as some would like us to believe.   On the contrary, my occupation as a Real Estate Agent benefits the city.  Knowing and understanding the industry, laws and regulations, terminology and the long term impact of any contract will ensure that everything we pass in the council has legal basis and it is for the benefit of the city and community.  

 

• I clearly understand the role and duty of an elected official and to further emphasize this, I want to share with you something of a private nature.   I am involved in a long standing issue with a local developer and based on this company's recent actions my wife and I are currently weighing our options, which as a last resource could include legal action.   I share this only as an example that my personal experiences and opinions are one thing and the responsibility of an elected official in representing the community and not him or herself is another.   They should remain distinctly separate when in opposition.  That is part of the oath that we take when sworn into office and I take that very seriously.

In closing… 

To make our City the best it can be, our community and government must work together as one.  I will work diligently as a member of the council, as a member of the city government and as a member of the community towards this end.  If given the opportunity I will serve honorably and with dedication during my four year term.

Voting gives us the unalienable right to question our candidates' actions and to hold them accountable once in office.  Vote for those of us whom you believe have respect for the office they are hoping to fill, understand their duty and responsibility to the city and community in that role and who will keep their focus forward bound. 

The bottom line is that if what I’m saying sounds rational and makes sense, then I’m a candidate you can support by voting for me on September 11th and again on November 6th.  

At your service, 

Edwin Camacho

Your 2007 Candidate

Eagle Mountain City Council

Candidate@Camacho2007.com