Jean Arbuckle

At many of our meetings, people wonder why we all don’t have Dixie REA for our electricity in Washington City?  Dixie serves a specific area, south of the river.   They also serve certain areas in St. George City.  I don’t think they serve all of St. George either. 

HISTORY:  Many years ago, Washington City did not have their own power system.  We were served by Utah Power, and paying extremely high prices.  We formed our own power company and had a 10 year contract with Idaho Power.   When that contract ended, it was when power rates were sky high, especially in the west.  (remember California’s power trouble?)  No city will be able to have a 10 year contract again.  Even 5 years is hard to get.  We do pretty well, though.

DIXIE REA:  Some candidates say we should approach REA and have them buy us out.  The system doesn’t work that way.  If our citizens decide they want to sell our power system (must go to a vote of the people), then the sale must go out to bid, and we must sell to the highest bidder.   Who that would be, we don’t know.  Remember, ALL power companies can bid.  Once the buy, they can charge whatever they want to our citizens.  This is what I have tried to avoid for us.  I live above the river and pay the higher rates.  I  don’t want to pay even higher rates. 

I think a citizens committee to look into any and all possibilities to reduce our rates is a great idea.   I encourage this and will suggest it at our next council meeting.

When candidates make promises, be sure to question them.  Most are just stirring up your emotions and they don’t understand, or don’t even care,  all that has been done to help our citizens.  Too many lies and false promises are being told to our good citizens. 

I  have never lied and will always give you the straight truth.  Please vote September 15 for Jean Arbuckle.

I have now been to 4 “Meet the Candidates” events.  I love meeting with the citizens.  I am so impressed with your questions and concerns.  I have  4 “projects”  I am currently working on because of these meetings.  I just wish citizens would contact me sooner and not later!  There is no need to sit and stew over a problem and become frustrated.  Just call me if you are unable to get satisfaction or closure through regular channels.  The  “system” works best like this:

1)  Whatever the area of concern, contact that department first.  (example:  water-public works, power-electrical, streets-public works, weeds/trashy yard- code enforcement, etc.)

2)  If there is no satisfaction, ask to speak to a supervisor or department head.  You may have to leave a message, however, you        should receive  a call back within 24 hours.  Discuss the concern with the department head.

3)  If there is no satisfaction with the department head, then the city manager is the next in line to help.  Roger Carter is our city manager.

4)  If Mr. Carter is unable to explain why or why not your concern can or cannot be resolved to your satisfaction, then please call or e-mail me at jarbuckle@washingtoncity.org or arby@bajabb.com  You may also contact me at home at 652-3555. 

I believe it is unfair to our city staff for me to jump into any concern before they have had a chance to resolve the problem at their own level.  After all, that is their job!  I will always ask you, who you have spoken to at the city and what their answers were.  We need to keep the lines of communication open and in order.  Many times problems can be resolved if a supervisor or department head gets involved.  We need to give everyone a chance to help.

Please keep in mind, answers need investigation and study.  I always tell citizens, it will take at least a week for me to get back to them.  I do, however, ALWAYS, get back and follow through.   Sadly, not every concern can be resolved with the answer desired.  If that is the case, I will always let you know why that is the case.  If that reason is not rational, then I’ll look into the reason for the specific ordinance or law and see what can be done to assist our citizens.

You will always have a listening ear with me, and please remember to vote September 15th for Jean Arbuckle.  

Who is qualified to serve as a city council person?   Is it someone with many university degrees?  Perhaps someone with a silver tongue and great mastery of the English language.   I agree both of these are wonderful  to strive to attain or accomplish.  But what qualities do you want in your public servants?   My criteria is pretty straight forward:  

1) I want someone who loves our city and would never do or say anything to degrade, defame or hurt it or its citizens in any way. 

2) We need people who do not look  to increase taxes.  Who work with a city budget as they do their own budget.  (providing they can manage their own money)

3) You want someone who cares about all the citizens, and will not be side tracked by a few, but very vocal citizens.  Citizens who want  a vote for their own personal interests, no matter the cost to all.

4) We need people who will be fair to all.  People who are willing to attend all their meetings, not just the convenient ones. 

5)  We need people who love the history of Washington City and want to keep our celebrations, traditions and small town feel.

I have left out a ton of other qualifications, I know.  No one whats to read a blog that rambles, so I have mentioned 5 criteria, I know from experience, are extremely important in your city officials. 

So, to answer the question, who is qualified?   These are my thoughts and my personal standards.  I have lived up to them from the very first day I took office, and will continue to do so, as long as I am privileged to serve as your city councilwoman.

As I drive around our city, I’m impressed with the beauty of our area and how sweet our town is. When we moved here 14 years ago, we were very small. Now we have tripled in size. However, because of good planning and hard work, we have maintained our small town feel, traditions and celebrations.

I am happy to have been a part of this progress. No matter what some people may say, our city is well run and moving forward. We are a small town with an excellent financial rating. No easy claim in this economy, where too many cities are in the red. We keep building roads and ALWAYS listen to our citizens.

That’s why we have a beautiful community center. Our citizens let us know they wanted one and wanted us to continue to add parks and trails. Our public safety department is one of the best. Our fire fighters and police officers do an excellent job and are always striving to improve their service to you.

So, you see, out city isn’t broken. In fact it is in good condition. I want to continue to serve and keep our progress steady.

Keep the progress and keep Jean Arbuckle on your city council.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Smoke and mirrors is a metaphor for a deceptive, fraudulent or insubstantial explanation or description. The source of the name is based on magicians’ illusions, where magicians make objects appear or disappear by extending or retracting mirrors amid a confusing burst of smoke.

More generally, “smoke and mirrors” may refer to any sort of presentation by which the audience is intended to be deceived, such as an attempt to fool a prospective client into thinking that one has capabilities necessary to deliver a product in question.

I think we may have some “smoke and mirror” business going on in our city elections.  Thursday’s letter to the editor talks about the 3 combined candidates promising full time paramedics for Washington City.  Many of our fire fighters are already trained in basic first aide and some of our police officers have similar training too.   We have public safety personnel have more advanced training in EMT and paramedics.  I am very proud of our Public Safety department and the great work our fire fighters do to save lives.  I support them 100%

However, this is my concern:  the 3 combined candidates have failed to mention where the money would come from to pay for this service.  Ops, minor item.  This would mean full time, salaried employees and then, tacking on their benefits.  Not a drop in the bucket.  I know times are hard and jobs are scarce, however, promising volunteer fire fighters a full time job at the tax payer’s expense is serving a special interest at the expense of all.   Smoke and mirrors.

I abhor the political practice of  “smoke and mirrors.”   You will get straight talk and facts from Jean Arbuckle.  I am not afraid to stand alone on my convictions and to work hard for the best solution for ALL citizens. 

I am paying for my campaign myself.  No donations or contributions.  That leaves me unattached from any special interest group.  No matter their good intention.

I love this city and want to preserve its historic feel.  Let’s make sure Washington City continues to feel like home.
Jean Arbuckle

As I drove around the city today, I noticed many campaign signs.  I also noticed signs with groups of names listed together on one sign.  When candidates band together, it’s either from fear or because they have a common agenda.   I have chosen not to align myself with any other person or committee.  Why not?  There are alliances all around.  I do not feel it is in the best interest of our citizens to form an alliance with anyone or any committee.

I never want to compromise my position or my ability to make impartial and fair decisions.  I am concerned with those running who have “agendas” or are “one issue” candidates.   I have always been my own person, with the citizens foremost in my thinking and voting.  I own my own home.  No other property in Washington County.  I am retired.  So I have no allegiance to any business or company.

My husband and I live on a pension and social security.  Therefore I understand how taxes, the economy and special interests can affect the average citizen.   Personal/hidden agendas along with group alliances do not allow for impartiality and free thinking.   I will continue to be your candidate and stand on my own.

-Jean Arbuckle, Washington City Council

The campaign begins!  And it begins with a letter to the editor from Ron Truman talking about “we the people” and how the people are being ignored by the current Washington City Council.  I can only speak  for myself.  However, we as a council survey the residents from time to time.  What the residents wanted most was a community center. 

Washington City now has the largest aquatic center in the state of Utah.  We are putting in and upgrading our culinary water system. 

And roads, yes, since I have been in office, we built the Industrial Road, the Land Fill Road, widened Washington Fields Road, Washington Damn Road, built the #10 interchange, built the #13 interchange and Washington Parkway.  We are preparing to extend Buena Vista Blvd. to #13 interchange on the north side, we will soon begin the widening of 300, along with the bridge, and we are preparing for the widening of Telegraph.  We have done this, without dipping into your wallets for more money. 

Perhaps Mr. Truman needs to check his facts.  Oh, by the way, he failed to mention he is running for office.  He just said he is speaking for “we the people.”  I don’t think so.  It seems he is campaigning for himself.  

My husband and I have been married for almost 45 years. We have 2 children and 4 grandchildren. We have lived in Washington City for 14 years. We moved here after I retired from Los Angeles Unified School District. I worked in special education for 5 years and then as an office manager for 13 years. I worked at a middle school with an enrollment of 2,300 students and handled the payroll for 150 employees. Some of my responsibilities included:    correspondence, budget, hiring/dismissing and evaluations of all clerical personnel, attendance records for all personnel, supplies and secretary to the principal.

After moving to Washington City, I became a member of the Planning Commission in 1997. I served on that Commission for 5 years, and as Chair for 2 years. I was elected to the City Council in November of 2001 and took office in January of 2002. I have also served on various other committees: Replacement Airport Task Committee, Milepost 13 Planning and Design, liaison to the Chamber of Commerce, Washington County Economic Development Council for affordable housing, Water District meetings and many homeowner meetings.

I enjoy travel, golf, working in my yard and reading a good book.

Councilwoman Jean Arbuckle
111 North 100 East
Washington City, UT 84780
jarbuckle@washingtoncity.org