West Valley City voter guide 2023

City Council candidates

At Large

Don Christensen

Occupation: Retired educator.

If elected, what would you do to provide more affordable housing options to your residents? Would you support higher-density housing?

West Valley has more affordable housing than other Wasatch Front cities. I would work to maintain the current supply of affordable housing. And, yes, I do support higher-density housing in the right locations.

What is your city’s responsibility in addressing homelessness, and what would you do within the boundaries of your community to help unhoused Utahns?

My city’s responsibility for homelessness is to work with the unhoused population, as they allow, to get them into programs that will assist them.

Besides affordable housing or homelessness, what is the biggest challenge your city faces, and how would you address it?

Currently, the biggest challenge we face is to replace our retiring city manager. I would address this by working with the council in the interview and recruitment process.

What is a fun or unique fact about yourself?

For many years, our family has raced stock cars on the oval track in West Valley.

Sophia Hawes-Tingey

Occupation: Principal software engineer.

If elected, what would you do to provide more affordable housing options to your residents? Would you support higher-density housing?

A big factor in the affordability of housing is the housing shortage that we have now. We need sensible growth that responds to our natural population growth with lowered impact and shock to the surrounding community. I propose that we allow accessory dwelling units and remove the barriers to creating duplexes and more tighter housing opportunities as long as they adhere to international building standards. We also need to look at the housing plan and ensure that enough homes are set aside for subsidized housing to meet the needs of the lower-income residents. High-density housing and any plans for buildings over four stories need to be conditioned on both the planning and zoning commission and the City Council confirming that the development adds community value.

What is your city’s responsibility in addressing homelessness, and what would you do within the boundaries of your community to help unhoused Utahns?

Every city has a responsibility to address homelessness within the city. For people who are homeless because they need assistance to get back on their feet, West Valley City needs to be open to working with residential complexes to provide set-aside transitional housing through the housing voucher system while people get back on their feet and be open to hosting resource centers within the city. For those struggling with social anxiety, the city should be open to tiny-home communities for that purpose.

Besides affordable housing or homelessness, what is the biggest challenge your city faces, and how would you address it?

The biggest crisis we all face is the degradation of the quality of our environment. Being able to live sustainably is key. Shifting from fossil-based fuels to renewable resources for energy consumption is a huge start, so I will support any measures that help with that, including joining the community renewable energy pact so every resident will automatically be using renewable energy. The public transit system needs to be more accessible, and large-scale development needs to be mixed, including opportunities to live within walking distance of work. Finally, we need to not only protect our trees, but we also need to plant new ones to help keep our streets shaded and to pull the carbon out of the air and back into the soil.

What is a fun or unique fact about yourself?

I’m a poet. I published some of my poetry in a memoir and other pieces I have performed on stage.

District 1

Tom Huynh

No response.

Marni Lefevre

Occupation: Chemist, former high school biology teacher.

If elected, what would you do to provide more affordable housing options to your residents? Would you support higher-density housing?

Every current and future resident deserves to stay in West Valley City. To make that a reality, we must address the issue of housing affordability. I will actively work to develop and implement initiatives that increase the availability of affordable housing stock and options for individuals and families of diverse income levels. Additionally, we must prioritize not only one-bedroom or individual housing options but also single-family housing options. Prioritizing individuals and families of all sizes is critical for our community, economy and future.

I will collaborate with stakeholders, including developers and housing agencies at the city, county and state levels, to create sustainable solutions that ensure housing remains within reach for all residents.

What is your city’s responsibility in addressing homelessness, and what would you do within the boundaries of your community to help unhoused Utahns?

As a city, a community, and as individuals with shared humanity, we all share a responsibility to help and support everyone in our community. We owe it to our community and our future to implement programs and services to prevent homelessness and to support our unsheltered community members.

If elected to the City Council, I will prioritize increasing access to essential services such as child care, mental health resources and social assistance programs, ensuring that no resident is left behind and that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. I will also work to promote accessibility to already existing support programs and help community members access them.

Finally, I look forward to coordinating with other municipalities, Salt Lake County and our state legislators to ensure we are not squandering resources, momentum or creative ideas.

Besides affordable housing or homelessness, what is the biggest challenge your city faces, and how would you address it?

It’s no secret that West Valley is not immune from the rapid growth we are experiencing in Utah. And we know that growth is going to be one of the biggest challenges for our city’s future. Although growth is ultimately a positive change for our local economy, small businesses and community, we have to be thoughtful and intentional about how we are planning for this growth.

I am committed to promoting smart growth and sustainable development practices in West Valley City. If elected, I will advocate for responsible land use, promote energy-efficient building standards, and support initiatives that reduce waste, conserve water resources, and protect the natural environment for future generations. Creating such an environment for our residents will lead to a healthier community where all individuals can thrive.

What is a fun or unique fact about yourself?

I recently became a falconer, and I’m honored to have trained and earned the trust of a red-tailed hawk.

District 3

Heidi Roggenbuck

Occupation: Criminal justice.

If elected, what would you do to provide more affordable housing options to your residents? Would you support higher-density housing?

It’s important to be creative in the expansion of affordable housing and consider all reasonable ideas. The population continues to grow and the need will only increase.

One option may be to offer tax breaks to property owners willing to designate a certain percentage of housing to lower-income individuals and families. Another is to require a minimum percentage of all new multidwelling housing be set aside for lower-income residents. Because money is limited, the less desirable idea of high-density housing should still be considered, with the possibility of smaller units spread around the city.

What is your city’s responsibility in addressing homelessness, and what would you do within the boundaries of your community to help unhoused Utahns?

I believe a city must be responsive to the needs of the community and, with the increase in homelessness, ignoring the problem serves no one. This is a complicated issue but one that will most likely continue to grow unless we invest in more affordable housing options along with mental health and substance abuse treatment.

I support the “housing first” model to reduce homelessness, which focuses on getting an individual into housing for stability before addressing the other issues involved, which may be related to mental health issues, addiction or unemployment.

Besides affordable housing or homelessness, what is the biggest challenge your city faces, and how would you address it?

I’m concerned about the increase in crime and the city’s ability to respond to it. Because I work in the field of criminal justice, I’m aware of the negative effects this has on the community and the fear that residents must live with. As someone who has experienced a property crime that was not investigated, I also understand the frustration. I would like to see more police presence in all areas of the city to reduce the violent crimes such as assaults, as well as other crimes, such as the nightly street racing we all hear.

What is a fun or unique fact about yourself?

I have volunteered at various animal shelters for years and fostered over 50 kittens.

Will Whetstone

Occupation: Finance professional.

If elected, what would you do to provide more affordable housing options to your residents? Would you support higher-density housing?

Affordable housing is an important and critical issue in many communities. Access to affordable housing affects people’s overall quality of life, economic stability and well-being. However, government alone cannot solve this complex issue. To effectively address this issue, we need to promote public/private partnerships and work together to create sustainable solutions. I have spent the majority of my career facilitating partnerships that leverage private-sector funding with public assistance to create thousands of affordable housing units. Addressing affordable housing is essential to ensure that individuals and families can find suitable and affordable places to live, contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable society. Using smart-growth principles, I would support higher-density housing in areas of the city where it makes sense, and the infrastructure and service capacity can support the population.

What is your city’s responsibility in addressing homelessness, and what would you do within the boundaries of your community to help unhoused Utahns?

A city’s responsibility in addressing homelessness typically includes providing access to support services, promoting affordable housing solutions, collaborating with local organizations, and implementing outreach programs to help those experiencing homelessness access resources and assistance. The aim is to address the root causes of homelessness and create sustainable solutions to support vulnerable individuals and families. Homelessness is a complex issue that cities cannot solve alone. Cities can emphasize personal responsibility and promote market-driven solutions while advocating self-reliance. Government should also focus on reducing regulatory burdens and foster a business-friendly environment to encourage economic growth and job opportunities for all residents. The issue of homelessness should be dealt with in a compassionate but responsible manner.

Besides affordable housing or homelessness, what is the biggest challenge your city faces, and how would you address it?

One of the biggest challenges facing West Valley City is the perception that it’s a dangerous place to visit or live. Historically, West Valley City has had challenges with public safety and crime rates, however, recent statistics indicate the city has one of lowest crime rates in the state. Changing this perception would require a comprehensive approach. The city should provide accurate and transparent crime data to the public. Working with local media to share positive stories and successful initiatives will highlight the efforts being made to address public safety. It’s also important to foster open communication among residents, law enforcement and city officials. Improving public infrastructure, including well-lit streets and Neighborhood Watch programs will also improve awareness. It’s important to recognize that changing perceptions takes time, and a collective effort from various stakeholders is required to bring about positive change and create a safer environment for the city’s residents.

What is a fun or unique fact about yourself?

I am a collector of vinyl records and wristwatches. I take a cross-state motorcycle trip annually. I have completed a marathon.