William Brett Vance said encouragement from friends and neighbors was just one reason he decided to file candidacy for Seat A on the Wasatch County Council.
Vance, a Republican, said it’s time to bring conservative values back to the County Council. His “strong, America-first” values and nearly 31-year military career as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and test pilot, Vance said, speaks for itself.
“I’m running because it is clear to me that, at every level of government, we are seeing Republican candidates elected to office who often vote like they are from the opposition,” Vance said. “We have a very clear set of values in this part, and the voters elect us because they trust we will vote on their issues the way we said we would.”
According to him, he is a reliable vote when it comes to a conservative approach to Wasatch County’s “significant challenges.” For Vance, those challenges include growth without “proper management.” As a Hideout resident, Vance said he has seen growth and construction increase.
“My greatest concern is attempting to manage growth and protect the environment without following a well-conceived plan that takes into account the infrastructure needed for the doubling of our population that we expect in the next 30 years,” Vance said.
That goal is in line with Vance’s interest in the Wasatch County general plan update. Preparing for growth is critical when accounting for infrastructure, he said. Vance is also following how growth will impact the Heber Valley Airport.
“Wasatch County needs to be a useful and supportive partner in this effort,” Vance said about airport development.
Vance said poor growth planning can be exacerbated by “open-borders” policies.
“Many cities in the (United States) during the last four years have attempted to incorporate large additions to their populations with very poor results,” Vance said, adding that having a “steady hand” on growth is crucial.
Budgeting is something he has been pleased to see Wasatch County do well. Detailed plans, a wide variety of available funds and well-prioritized spending, he said, are all key features in the county’s “award-winning” process.
“And in the effort to ensure an America-first approach to everything we do on the County Council, I’d like to see even more engagement with the voters via greater use of media technology and public briefings,” Vance said. “Sounds like the commander in me surfacing, right?”
Vance said it’s important to know that he believes everything done in government at all levels in the country needs to consider American citizens before all else.
“We are learning now about huge fraud, waste and abused numbers and widespread corruption that are really hampering our ability to spend wisely,” Vance said. “America is the most generous country on the planet. Imagine what we’ll be able to do for both ourselves and others when we get this under control.”
Vance is one of three candidates who filed to run for at-large Seat A. The others are Republicans Rachel Kahler, Steve Farrell and Democrat Patrick Saucier. The position is for a four-year term. A primary election will be held on June 23 after nominees are chosen at their respective party conventions.