PRIMARY ELECTION DAY TOMORROW

This Tuesday, June 22, is Election Day for the Republican Primary Election. If Republicans will win the upcoming county commissioner and sheriff races in the November election, then those races will be determined this Tuesday.

It is important that we all vote this election. Think carefully about who you will vote for. Many residents have felt let down by their local leaders over the past several years of controversy. Consider which candidate will have our best interests at heart and will represent us as we need and deserve, versus who may have their own agenda to benefit themselves and their own circle of associates, whoever that may be.

For Richfield-area residents, instead of voting at SVC this year, voting will take place at the Sevier County Fairgrounds, located at 410 East 200 South, in Richfield. ID is required to vote. Visit
http://elections.utah.gov for more information, including the location of your local polls.

The ballot will contain the following races:

- US Senate (Vote for One)

BRIDGEWATER, TIM REPUBLICAN
LEE, MIKE REPUBLICAN

- Commissioner A (Vote for One)

MASON, GARY REPUBLICAN
STRAW, SARA REPUBLICAN

- Commissioner B (Vote for One)

OGDEN, GARTH “TOOTER” REPUBLICAN
POULSON, KIMBALL D REPUBLICAN

- Sheriff (Vote for One)

CURTIS, NATHAN J. REPUBLICAN
RIPPSTEIN, G. KIRT REPUBLICAN

We at Ideal Living have talked with dozens of people about this election. According to the many people we have spoken with, the races size up as follows:

- Bridgewater, a businessman, appears to lead locally over Lee, a lawyer.

- In the Commissioner A race, Gary Mason says that the job of commissioner is a full-time job that often takes more than forty hours per week to complete even the basic duties, given the need for
frequent overnight travel to Salt Lake for various meetings and training. Further, he says that he has found the position to be more difficult than it may appear. That said, he is running on his record and experience.

Sara Straw, a retired grandmother who has been involved in local issues for many years, will seek to correct the lack of honest leadership we have had in the past. For an example, she cites the
on-going controversy of the proposed coal-fired power plant which she opposes alongside most local residents, particularly women. For example, since Proposition 1 passed easily years ago, it effectively prevents the construction of any coal power plants in the county; yet NEVCO remains defiant and eager to build one — with some local governmental support. She says she is a careful researcher who will devote herself to serving us in the position full-time.

- Garth “Tooter” Ogden is also semi-retired, and he has commited to serve full time for the local citizens as county commissioner in the Commissioner B race. Ogden is a hard worker, and has successful experience as a respected businessman — having owned, managed, and manufactured food products for the Ideal Dairy for many years. He also has decades of agricultural experience, with his own dairy cattle, alfalfa farming, and so forth. Further, he has many years of community service, as well as serving as captain (and other positions) in the Richfield Fire Department and for many other organizations, including handling statewide legislative issues for farming groups. He wouldn’t say this himself, yet Tooter is widely liked and respected throughout the area, and is often seen as an informal leader on local issues. Ogden wants to have more dialogue with local citizens about our concerns and priorities for local issues. He is concerned about economic growth, and says we should support local businesses first and foremost, and then seek outside investment. In his campaign, Tooter has said that he wants to be a voice for the people, and has made himself available to talk with local folks about their concerns throughout the campaign, widely publicizing his cell phone number, 979-6310.

Kimball Poulson is said to be “acquisitons director” for Jorgensens, and currently has a part-time job with Richfield City, and is a college student in Provo. He said, “I don’t feel like it’s necessary that I have to quit a job or do anything else” to serve as county commissioner, saying to some that he did not feel it was a full-time position, while reportedly saying to others that it would appear as though he was serving full-time. He has said the county commissioner job boils downs to handling financial matters, which he is eager to do. He said that in terms of economic development, he first and foremost would move the NEVCO power plant proposals forward.

- The sheriff’s race appears to be close and, while the candidates have run a civil race, in the minds of people we have spoken to the race appears to focus on contentious issues regarding the former sheriff’s election — after which the sheriff demoted or fired those who opposed him. Law suits were filed on behalf of the harmed employees, and eventually a modest settlement was agreed to. Both
Nate Curtis and Kirt Rippstein believe that greater communication with the public and within the sheriff’s office would be beneficial for everyone. Rippstein has spoken of his years of administrative
experience, and Curtis has cited his public communication responsibilities in the department. You can learn more about their specific positions at www.nathancurtisforsheriff.com and
www.rippsteinforsheriff.com.