Eagle Mountain Playing D.C. Lobbyist Game?

"Twenty-seven Utah counties, cities, towns and state colleges hired lobbyists in 2010, including seven cities in both Salt Lake and Utah counties. Along with the larger Salt Lake, Provo, Orem, and West Valley, the list included smaller towns of Clearfield, Eagle Mountain, Lehi, Herriman, Highland and Santaquin."-SLTrib

Met Sen. Madsen R-Eagle Mtn. Yesterday

Had an opportunity to lobby up at the Utah state capitol for and behalf of March of Dimes.

While I was up there I paid a visit to Utah State Senate Chief Deputy, Ric Cantrell.

Cantrell introduced me to Sen. Mark Madsen R-Eagle Mountain.

Sounds like a nice guy, but I didn't realize that Sen. Madsen's claim to fame came from being an attorney for Eagle Mountain properties.

Is there anyone in local Eagle Mountain politics that don't have one-degree separation from John Walden?

Just a thought....

Eagle Mtn. Sen. Mark Madsen disagrees with proposed State Guest-worker Program

"HCR1, sponsored by Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, asks the federal government to let Utah use Social Security and Medicaid withholdings to pay for the cost of the worker program.

Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Eagle Mountain, was part of the committee, but disagreed with the measure.

"This resolution doesn't do anything to address concerns for FICA and Medicare withholdings," he said, "and the cost foreign workers would place on the system."" -SL Trib

"Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Eagle Mountain, said even though he served on the conference committee, he couldn't support the resolution. "I wish I could," Madsen said. "I believe messages are being sent in this bill and it needs to be exactly right." -Des News

The bill passed the Utah state Senate on Friday.

Eagle Mtn. Rep. Senator Madsen wants inventory of state owned art

"From paintings to sculptures, a state lawmaker says Utah needs a better accounting of its state-owned art so that valuables won't be tossed out or given away.

Eagle Mountain Republican Sen. Mark Madsen's Senate Bill 10 would create an online database of all state-owned treasures held at universities, museums, courthouses and other locations.

Madsen says database project would cost about $33,000 upfront and a projected $25,000 annually thereafter.

The bill has cleared the Utah Senate but is on hold in the House because of its cost." -KSL.com

Former Eagle Mtn. City Council Person tells the rest of the story

In the Sunday edition of the Daily Herald, former Eagle Mountain City Council Person, Linn Strouse tried to justify the check she took from John Walden.

Click on the headline of this post if you care to read the story.

There are so many people telling a different story that I'm to the point I want anyone associated with this time in Eagle Mountain politics out of office.

That includes Eagle Mountain's beloved Rep. Mark Madsen.

No gifts for our elected officials

"Strouse, however, said the money was not a loan, but a charitable contribution to her and her family. The money was meant to help remodel her home while her late husband was suffering from cancer.

"For people to misconstrue a charitable contribution in such a way is despicable," she said (Linn Strouse)." -Daily Herald

I feel bad that Strouse lost her husband to cancer, but once again, this is why our elected officials can't and should not except gifts, no matter what the gift is.

How can you, as an elected official, feel comfortable excepting gifts, especially from land developers.

Also, don't sit there and try to tell your voters that it doesn't persuade you in the political process.

Eagle Mountain could help its image even more by implementing a gift ban.

Eagle Mtn. Scandal Free in 2008

The Daily Herald has picked up on councilman David Lifferth's blog post that Eagle Mountain has gone scandal free in 2008.

We all know that Eagle Mountain hasn't had the best reputation from a government standpoint, but why are we celebrating something that is expected from our government officials.

It's like someone that wants to be rewarded for being a good parent. If you have kids you should be a good parent. It's your responsibility.

The same goes for politicians. You've been elected and entrusted by the people that voted for you.

Do your job and quit looking for praise because that's what you get paid to do and that's what we elected you for.

Fmr Eagle Mountain Mayoral Candidate Heads To Prison

Richard Culbertson! Remember him? Probably because you voted for him in the last Eagle Mountain Mayoral Primary.

Culbertson was sentenced to four concurrent terms of one to 15 years in prison for mortgage fraud.

His wife will also spend 60 days in jail for her role.

Why this man thought he could run for mayor and not get busted for this is beyond me.

Thanks goodness this guy didn't win the election or he would have had to resign already.

Let' s continue to keep frauds like this as far away from Eagle Mountain politics as possible.

Hearing For Linn Strouse Delayed Again

Enough with these politicians being able to accept gifts.

I'm for a total and complete gift ban. I don't care if these politicians are reporting it as required by law.

The only reason people like John Walden are giving gifts to our elected officials is so that he can have his way when he needs a favor from the city council.

And shame on all politicians who accept these gifts. You should be ashamed of yourselves as elected officials who should be representing the people who voted for you.

Slow Economy Could Put Hamper On EM Recycling Program

Eagle Mountain City's website has a poll asking whether residents would be willing to pay up to $7 a month for a curbside recycling program.

According to the Daily Herald, "As of Tuesday morning, 264 people had responded to the survey, with 64 percent saying they supported recycling."

But it appears that EM City Councilman Ryan Ireland has some reservations about such a program with the slumping economy.

The Daily Herald article goes on to say, "Councilman Ryan Ireland cautioned that if the economy continues to stagnate, "$7 a month could be milk instead of recycling. It could become a luxury instead of a necessity.""

Look if $7 a month is determining whether you buy a gallon of milk or not, than your budget was broken long before rising food and oil prices.

I agree with Mayor Jackson for once, give up the second garbage can, which you're being billed for and the $7 a month will be less than you're paying for the extra can.

Utah County Sheriffs To Return

The whole thought of Eagle Mountain getting it's own police department anytime soon. Yeah, it ain't happening.

The Utah County Sheriffs Department and Commission have come to an agreement on a new hourly rate to have sheriffs patrolling the streets of Eagle Mountain.

According to the Provo Daily Herald that amount will be $54 an hour. That's up 10 percent from last year.

Eagle Mountain Joins Utah Lake Commission

Don't expect Eagle Mountain to have any say on decisions made by the group. Eagle Mountain has been adopted as a non-voting member.

For the rest of the story click here

Eagle Mountain Planning and Building Department

Utah chapters of the National Association of Industrial & Office Properties and the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors have released a report card for Utah County building and planning departments.

Eagle Mountain got a C+

For the rest of the story click here

Eagle Mountain Caucus Testimonial

Here was one Eagle Mountain resident's view of how his caucus went.

For the complete story click here

Constitution Party Caucus

The Constitution Party of Utah County will be holding their caucuses today at 7 p.m. at the Watson home, 8257 Fort Hill Rd., Eagle Mountain

Utah County Political Caucuses

Tomorrow is the big day for County Political Caucuses.

Find out where you need to go.

Republican Party locations click here

Democratic Party locations click here