By Kylee Boyter
kboyter@cherryroad.com
On Wed., May 29, incumbent Ralph Brown and Brad Duffin presented their ideas, opinions, and philosophies in regards to the upcoming commissioner election.
Brown introduced himself as running for his 3rd term as County Commissioner, a Sevier County native where he met his high school sweetheart, and home to him and his five children as well as 13 grandchildren.
“It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve Sevier County. I sit on a lot of committee’s, including the CIS and I have worked closely with our governor’s office,” Brown said.
Duffin introduced himself by stating he’s lived here for 42 years, served on Search and Rescue, and has a deep love for this area.
“If you would have asked me if I’d run for office 20 years ago, I’d say ‘no’, but I saw a need for change,” Duffin said. “My three priorities brought to my attention by community members are taxes, jobs, and housing.”
Regarding this position, what is your greatest strength and weakness?
“My greatest strength is I work hard and I won’t quit,” Duffin said. “What I fear most is not accomplishing everything I want to do.”
Brown said, “my strengths have been proven, every mayor in our county is endorsing me. My biggest weakness is patience. I am a contractor, and am used to getting things done and sometimes the grant process takes a while.”
How do you plan to include residents in the decision making process?
Both candidates emphasized the importance of listening to the needs of our residents.
“We do that with public hearings, I am on the radio every first Monday and try to be as transparent as possible,” Brown said.
“Everybody’s opinions are important,” Duffin said. “I have got to be able to hear what people are here to say, we’re not here to govern, we’re here to support our residents.”
How do you propose to lower property taxes?
Duffin wants to create a tax reserve to lessen the burden on residents when taxes increase.
“I want to lower and put some money back to the people, but if the money isn’t there so we have to bring industry in and build a tax reserve. The assessor told me a tax reserve would have softened this last tax increase.”
“This is a really technical question. The clerk auditor sets the tax rate, and the rate is designed to capture the same dollar amount as years prior. To raise taxes we would have to go through ‘truth in taxation’.”
Brown explained he has yet to vote for a tax increase and only is involved in approving the tax rate.
“Building a reserve is a very tough thing when we are capturing the same amount each year,” Brown said.
Who do you endorse or support for governor?
Duffin has not committed fully to either Republican candidate.
Brown stated he is in support of Governor Cox for reelection.
“I have known Governor Cox since I have been commissioner. He has helped with the hospital, housing, and he has done so much for rural Utah.”
We hear about affordable housing. When you refer to affordable housing do you mean high-density housing? How can we avoid these types of developments and keep Sevier rural?
Both candidates are strongly against high-density housing, and are in support of affordable, family homes.
Brown explained he is apart of the committee for the Brooklyn Special Service District.
“We currently have nine lots that have been gained from not paying back taxes. We are working to combine two lots together, and Six County is working with us to build five self-help houses. We are taking up Brooklyn road and the Elsinore Addition to designate this special service district.”
Duffin said, “When I started I was talking about affordable housing, but now have changed it to affordable homes, we have enough of high-density.”
Duffin was unsure of what the county’s responsibility would be involved in the Elsinore Addition development.
“I am not sure this is the best place to do it and for the County to be involved in real estate.”
What experience in your profession and life have prepared you for this position?
“I have worked as a building contractor, served on the Central Water Works for 18 years, worked on Zoning and Planning for eight years, been a volunteer on the ambulance for six years, and been involved in callings for my church,” Brown said.
“I think everything I have done has prepared me for this,” Duffin said. “Working in the coal mine for 25 years, real estate, volunteer with Search and Rescue, and serving on the baseball committee. I am a lot more sensitive to things now. I don’t care where people are from, they are important.”
How do you get more jobs in our area?
“The beef plant is really good jobs,” Brown said.
Brown explained that Malcolm Nash, county economic developer, gets weekly emails from business scoping us out.
“We also work with Snow College to build a strong workforce,” Brown said.
“I was told by a very good source that all county’s with the exception of Piute, that we are the least aggressive,” Duffin said. “We have to be more aggressive in going out and finding businesses that fit our needs.”
