Getting to know the Candidates for City Council: Tim Metler

Tim Metler

Art City Fanatic: What do you love about Springville?

TM: I love the great sense of community in Springville. Although Springville has grown over the past decade, there is still a small town feeling of belonging. I enjoy attending the youth athletic, music, drama, and other programs at the schools. There are also many community events including Art City Days, the Folk Festival and Art Museum programs which offer opportunities for enrichment and mingling. Springville is also a great place to enjoy varied recreational opportunities of camping, fishing, walking, biking, golfing, cross country skiing, and sledding. My family enjoys the benefits of nature and recreation all in our own back yard.

ACF: What can you contribute to the Art City as a City Councilman?

TM: My three areas of concern are:

Fiscal Responsibility – I believe that well run communities must be fiscally responsible, particularly when it comes to bonding. I am a CPA and worked for several years as an auditor for cities, counties, and other government entities as well as other large corporations. This experience showed me the consequences of fiscal responsibility versus fiscal irresponsibility.

Economic Development – All developing communities must continue to expand their sales tax base. As a city we must continue to expand our sales tax base to provide ongoing revenue to Springville. This provides an opportunity to support local businesses and keep more of our tax dollars in town.

Community Development – As growth continues, we need to focus on wise community development of new housing and other public facilities. I have been involved in the Utah Valley Home Builders Association for many years. I understand how to plan a good community that balances the needs of the city and the citizens.

ACF: How do you feel about the proposed Springville Recreation Center?

TM: In November our citizens will vote for a recreation center. If they vote yes, they are voting for a property tax increase which will affect the average resident’s property taxes by approximately $12 per month. Additionally, a wrap tax of .1% will also be included (effect is $.10 per $100.00 spent in the community). This tax may represent a minimal investment to some families who are looking forward to using the facilities. It may seem a burden to others who do not feel that the facility will benefit them.

I personally feel that a new recreation center will be a great addition to the community in providing recreation and other health and fitness opportunities to all ages. The Orem rec center was built when I was a teenager. It provided my family a great place to spend time, especially during the winter months.

ACF: Where do you enjoy eating out in Springville?

TM: I have always enjoyed eating at Magleby’s. I love the bread, not to mention all the other great food. My kids love Hogi Yogi. I also enjoy the fact that there is such a variety of fast food and sit down restaurants.

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Best of luck, Tim!

Tomorrow is Voting Day, Springville!!!!!
You can read about some of the other
candidates here.
Vote! Vote!! Vote!!!

Getting to know the Candidates for City Council: Kent Johnson

Kent Johnson

Art City Fanatic: What do you love about Springville?

KJ: What’s not to love?! It’s peaceful; it’s safe; it’s clean; it’s diverse. People take pride in their property, and it shows in the curb appeal you see in most areas of town. It has an interesting mix of modern and historic. I love the broad local support of the fine arts, and I love its reputation and well-deserved nickname, “Art City”. We have an attractive downtown area that provides a fun and unique atmosphere. The city is family-friendly. Shopping is excellent and we’re not far from additional retail venues. There are many outdoor recreational opportunities to enjoy – fishing, hiking, biking, nearby hunting. You don’t have to look far or think long to conclude that Springville has so much to offer!

ACF: What can you contribute to the Art City as a City Councilman?

KJ: I recognize the need to continually “polish” the city’s image as an arts mecca, and will provide strong Council support for cultural activities and events. I can especially relate to and represent the hopes, aspirations, and concerns of a sizable and growing demographic in Springville – the younger voters and families. I bring a blend of Midwest work ethic to the position, as well as a fresh “outsider’s” perspective to solutions and issues. I was born in California and raised in three Midwest states (Minnesota, North and South Dakota), My 8-5 career work focuses on business development, on implementing good strategies that expand commercial opportunities and revenues, on enhancing people’s lives through education and self-improvement. I look forward to enhancing the Council’s work with a growth mindset. Springville needs to use its natural assets to continue building a stronger business base, as well as enabling existing businesses to flourish. I’m confident I can help the Council in these efforts.

ACF: How do you feel about the proposed Springville Recreation Center?

KJ: I'll be voting YES on the proposed Springville Rec Center. This step keeps us moving in the right direction and sends a positive message. It further establishes that Springville is a city devoted to its residents’ health and wellness. Providing cultural and physical services that meet the needs of a wide array of citizens -- our singles, families, and the “silver generation” -- is an important and worthwhile thing to do.

ACF: Where do you enjoy eating out in Springville?

KJ: Tough question! I have too many favorite Springville restaurants! I love the atmosphere at the Trolley and my friends and I have a weekly tradition of meeting at IHOP for a tasty meal. This is a great city for eating out, date nights, and fine dining!

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Good luck, Kent!

You can find more on Kent at his website:

kentforspringville.com

Primary voting is September 13th.
Here is a sample ballot from Springville's city website.
If you haven't registered to vote,
you can go here to do so.

or

Early voting is now open at the City Center
until September 9th.
Voting closes each day at 5pm and
closed during lunch (12-1).

Getting to know the Candidates for City Council: Karen Ellingson

Karen Ellingson

Art City Fanatic: What do you love about Springville?

KE: I love that Springville has grown but still has a small town feel. I enjoy the tree lined streets, proximity to mountains, and especially the friendly people and quiet neighborhoods. It’s great to live in a place where we can ride bikes and go for walks as a family along a trail or through neighborhoods. My kids and I love participating in programs at the Library and visiting the parks around the city. I like the character and historic value of the Trivani building and other great buildings on Main Street and hope we can do more to make Main Street a great place to shop, dine, and spend time with friends and family.

ACF: What can you contribute to the Art City as a City Councilwoman?

KE: I believe one of the most important aspects of being a member of the City Council is to be service oriented. Council members are elected to serve the people of Springville, as well as the City as an entity. I would strive to be responsive to the concerns of Springville residents and approach issues with an open mind while respecting the needs of both individuals and the community as a whole.

ACF: How do you feel about the proposed Springville Recreation Center?

KE: With the bond issue on the November ballot it is now up to the people of Springville to decide whether or not the Recreation Center will become a part of our city. If I am elected and the bond passes I will work to make our Recreation Center one which will be a benefit to our community with great services and opportunities while keeping usage fees as low as we can for residents.

ACF: Where do you enjoy eating out in Springville?

KE: My husband and I recently tried Joe Banditos and loved it! The food was great, and even though it was busy we didn’t have to wait too long for our orders. The chips and salsa were fantastic!

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Good luck, Karen!

Check out Karen's Facebook page.

Primary voting is September 13th.
Here is a sample ballot from Springville's city website.
If you haven't registered to vote,
you can go here to do so.

or

Early voting is now open at the City Center
until September 9th.
Voting closes each day at 5pm and
closed during lunch (12-1).

Stay tuned for more interviews!

Getting to know the Candidates for City Council: Jacob Carlson

Jacob Carlson
JacobJCarlson.com

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Art City Fanatic: What do you love about Springville?

JC: I love the people. I grew up in Springville and had amazing friends. It was a great place to grow up and now that I have a kid, I want my daughter (and future children) to be able to have the kind of friends that I had, and I know that can be found in Springville. The residents here are just good people.

I love the Location. I love that it isn't a huge city, yet I am able to enjoy some good businesses, services and recreation opportunities. I love the mountains and the recreation that they provide (snowboarding, motorbiking, hiking, and camping).

Springville is a great place to live and I honestly can't think of anywhere else I would rather be!

ACF: What can you contribute to the Art City as a city councilman?

JC: I can truly represent the residents of Springville. I don't have any special agendas other than to help Springville to continue to improve and be a place that I will always want to live. I am a young father and can relate to most of the residents. I have common sense and am conservative. I have education and experience in finances which will be very important over the next 4 years for Springville. I can offer a fresh perspective to the city council.

ACF: How do you feel about the proposed Springville Rec Center?

JC: I am going to vote YES for the Springville Rec Center. I think it is an important piece that has been missing in our community. There are a lot of benefits of having a Recreation Center in a city the size of Springville, and I believe those benefits outweigh the financial costs.

I actually own two homes in Springville so I will be paying more than twice the average estimated amount for the bond for the Rec Center. But even with the increased property taxes, increased sales tax, and the Rec Center membership fee, I am still wanting to have it here in Springville. Right now, to fulfill our recreation desires, my family goes to the Lindon Pool, we have Seven Peaks passes, and I work out at my parents home, in their little workout room. I am already paying a lot to do those things, and it is way less convenient and more time consuming than having a local Rec Center, and I will be able to use real work-out facilities. So for my family it makes sense. On top of that, for a community it makes sense. The youth need to have somewhere to spend their time. The Recreation Center will provide a place for them to spend time in a positive way.

It is really important that we help all the residents understand the costs and benefits of the Rec Center so that they can make an informed decision this coming election. More important than my own wants are what the majority of residents desire so I will respect the outcome of the vote.

ACF: Where do you enjoy eating out in Springville?

JC: My favorite place is the Mongolian Grill out by Walmart. Other places I enjoy are Magelby's, Art City Trolley, and Joe Banditos (their Chips and Salsa are amazing).

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Excellent!!!! Thanks so much
and best of luck!
You can get to know more about Jake
at his website.

Primary voting is September 13th.
Here is a sample ballot from Springville's city website.
If you haven't registered to vote,
you can go here to do so

or

Early voting is now open at the City Building, so you can vote between now and September 9th. Voting closes each day at 5 P.M., and they are also closed during lunch hour (12-1).


Look for more interviews
coming soon!