"Heading to the Finish Line" and "What Makes Us Different"

(Note: UtahPolicy.com has invited Mike Winder and Kevin Fayles, two candidates for mayor of West Valley City to share their campaign experiences this year. To read earlier posts and biographies of the two candidates, see the Campaign Journal page.)

Mike Winder: So here we are:  The final Campaign Journal entry before Election Day.  It's been a hectic past week, with getting additional signs out (or repairing those damaged by the wind), coordinating last minute efforts with volunteers, and reaching out to voters; but we're on the home stretch!  Here are a few of the activities of the past week:

I enjoyed mingling with students at the University of Utah as part of their "Impact Day" last Wednesday.  I thought that those who turned out for the event would only be poli sci majors, but was intrigued to hear of their diverse interests and majors as I talked with them-biology, psychology, chemistry, etc.  These young people are future leaders, and I was proud of those who took the time to learn more about local government.   

After a lunch meeting Thursday, I stopped in at City Hall to pick up some things and decided to vote early since there was no line.  While it is always more exciting to vote on Election Day itself, there is a convenience in voting early.  As a candidate there is also the peace of mind in knowing that you already have at least one vote in the bank! 

Thursday night we gathered with the West Valley City council candidates at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center for the final meet-the-candidate night.  Before the Primary Election there were 19 candidates on stage, but last Thursday's much smaller number of candidates gave us each an opportunity to delve more deeply into the issues.  My favorite part of those events is the one-on-one and small group discussions one has both before and after the formal Q&A session.  These are great opportunities to listen to people's concerns, answer their questions directly, and to enlist them in your cause.

Last week my opponent and I each spent an hour discussing our visions for the future of our city, our qualifications, and our background with the Salt Lake Tribune Editorial Board.  I was pleased to see their conclusion in Friday morning's paper, penned as a strong endorsement: "Mike Winder- Perfect fit for West Valley City mayor."  Now, if a majority of the voters agree with them Tuesday, we'll be in good shape!

Sunday's Deseret News blessed me (or jinxed me) with the headline, "Winder way out in front in W.V.'s mayoral race" in their coverage of the election.  If I had the choice between having momentum or not, I'd always take momentum; but I'm determined to ignore what the papers say and the primary election results and push hard to the end.  It would be foolish to drop the ball at the one yard line, and so I'll work hard until the polls close next Tuesday night. 

As I look at the spring blossoms in the photos of my campaign announcement event from April, I'm reminded of how long ago we began this campaign.  As the snow now flies, Election Day finally nears.  Campaigns are certainly more like marathons than 50-yard dashes, and it is exhilarating to be in the final few days.  I'd normally write more, but we've got a race to go win.  See ya across the finish line!

Kevin Fayles: In this last blog before the election, I want to talk about what I feel makes me better suited to serve as West Valley City's mayor. This is not a disparagement of Mike Winder, because on most issues we pretty much agree with each other. At last week's debate, for example, two candidates were asked if they'd allow a Gay Pride parade in West Valley. The first said, "No" and sat down. The other also declined. Mike leaned over to me and said, "The ironic thing is you and I would allow it." He's right-we do agree on that issue.  We understand that as mayor one is the mayor of all residents. (Yet while Equality Utah has endorsed him, Mr. Winder didn't list their endorsement in his October 15th Utah Policy Daily blog.) 

So what DOES make us different? And how might those differences impact our job as mayor?

Difference #1: Experience

I have not served on the city council for four years. On the other hand, I started to work before Mike was born. (I know work isn't everything, but some lessons are only learned through balancing family, work and service responsibilities, and I've juggled that for a lot longer than him.) I worked my way through college. Since being married, I've worked four part-time jobs to supplement my regular salary. (One doesn't get rich working at non-profits.) I've had to balance the demands of work, serious health needs of two of my children, and time-consuming church responsibilities. I tried to take advantage of additional opportunities to make a difference in my community, serving on the city's Board of Adjustment and Transportation Sub-committee, and on the boards of two other non-profit organizations, Best Buddies and Community Shares/Utah.

Difference #2: Understanding

I understand what many people in West Valley are going through, because I've been there. I know what it's like to struggle and wonder how you are going to pay hospital bills. I know the pain of seeing children make wrong decisions in life because there aren't enough programs out there to help them.

Difference #3: Envision Utah

Working for one of the nation's premier organizations for helping cities plan for their future has helped me understand the impact of today's political decisions, the need to understand the values and hopes of residents, and the power of community vision. It has given me the opportunity to work with city and state officials, community leaders, and average citizens to determine best practices and how to work together for a common goal. With eight years experience helping communities plan housing and jobs together, linked by a strong transportation system, I can help West Valley position itself for the future.  If elected, I will emphasize planning over politics.

Difference #4: I'm Not a Professional Politician:

I'm not one to sit back and think, "Hmm ... the mayor may retire soon; I'd better get my ducks in a row so I can hit my campaign running." I found out about Mayor Nordfelt's decision not to run when you did-by reading it in the paper. I have no desire to bounce from mayor to governor to presidential candidate. I feel that kind of ambition hobbles you when it comes to making hard decisions versus politically advantageous decisions. I can make tough decisions and not worry about the political fallout. 

John Florez recently wrote in the Deseret News, "We need leaders ... who will call upon the best within us... We need leaders who inspire us to pull up our sleeves to work together to solve the serious problems our nation faces... We need leaders who have the ability to have a vision of what needs to be done and rally us to achieve it." I am confident I can be that leader for West Valley City.