OPINION - February 12, 2023
In the book “Leaders and Managers” by Hugh Nibley, he states, “the rise of management always marks the decline of culture. If the management does not go for Bach, very well, there will be no Bach in the meeting; … if the management’s taste in art is what will sell—trite, insipid, folksy kitsch—that is what we will get; … if management must reflect the corporate image in tasteless, trendy new buildings, down come the fine old pioneer monuments.”
It made me think about my time on the planning commission. At one meeting a developer said something along the lines of, “The city told us they want apartments here.” After thinking about it, I realized city management was constantly pushing for and encouraging a specific type of development.
Tremonton is becoming a reflection of city management.
Those who attended the pseudo “Town Hall” about the River’s Edge development got a first-hand experience with city management. City management didn’t allow citizens ask questions to the school district officials and wouldn’t answer questions into the microphone so that multiple people could hear what they were saying, even though they knew that was the only way people watching remotely would get any answers.
Other things city management has supported recently include increased water rates, a secondary water system, and using American Rescue Plan money to fund water projects for the city. All of these cost current residents of Tremonton more in basic living expenses. Each one also drops the cost for developers.
City management wants the current residents to pay more so that the developers can pay less.
In 2020, a survey was given to Tremonton residents. The number one reason people chose for why they live in Tremonton is because it’s a small town. The survey also showed a set of pictures and asked people to rate them. The most disliked picture was of a new townhome development.
City management received these results in August of 2020, but continues to push what residents don’t like at the expense of the small town feel we do like.
Fortunately, 3 of 5 the seats on city council are up for election this year. Hopefully we can find candidates that will stand up for Tremonton residents. Let’s do what we can to turn Tremonton into a reflection of the people who live here, instead of a reflection of city management.
Brad Janssen
Tremonton Resident
