Name: Doug Stephens
Age: 63
Occupation: Retired-Business for 40 years
Family: Married- Wife Saundra, 4 girls (married) 4 1/2 grandchildren (2 girls and 2 boys.)
Hobbies: All sports, gardening, oil painting, Weber State fan, member of the Wildcat Club, fishing, camping, musicals and plays, movies-classical.
1. Name some of the qualifications you possess that makes you the best choice to represent your city?
-Ogden City Council the last 4 years.
-Graduated with a BS degree in Business management from Weber State University.
-Crossroads of the West committee.
-Weber/Morgan Board of Health.
-Ogden Pioneer Day's Parade Director for the past 5 years.
-Graduated from Ben Lomond High School.
-Life-long resident of Ogden City.
2. What political ideals and philosophies guide your decision-making process?
In any decision-making process, I evaluate how the issues comply with the community plan, the zoning for the area, and will it benefit the City of Ogden and the citizens that live here. It is important to know how the issue will be enforced, or how it will improve on what we have in the city, and how it affects the citizens. I need to know how the issues will also effect the way we do business. Each decision needs to evaluate how the issue will be funded, where the funds come from and can the City afford it. It is important to consider how each issue impacts the present and future growth of the city. What is the investment by the city and what is the return on that investment? The most important decision- process will be if the issues benefit the city and the citizens of Ogden.
3. What is the most important issue facing your city?
There are several issues that are facing the city of Ogden.
-Continue with the economic growth by addressing and supporting the east side of Washington Blvd, completing the Junction, support of the Historical 25th Street and the development of small business and new businesses coming to Ogden.
-Protection of the environment of the trails, and the east bench.
-Finding a solution and answers to the Mt. Ogden Golf course.
-Working with the administration to develop a transportation policy that will benefit us now and in the future.
-Create a program to address the gang and criminal environment, and to work with the education community to provide a better educated citizen.
4. Name some qualities that you possess that make you a good team worker and able to bring consensus among city leaders.
I have worked for 40 years with the public and know how to work with individuals. I have always been a team player. To achieve the continued growth and positive feelings of Ogden we need to work together to find some common ground. The communication skills of understanding, listening, and trust is necessary for a team player. I can work effectively with other council members, administration and the citizens of Ogden. I am an independent thinker and try to find common grounds on all issues. I will work for the citizens of Ogden.
5. What do you think will be some major issues your city will face a generation from now?
Many of the issues that we are dealing with today will be facing a generation from now. What we do today can reduce some of those issues. Some of those issues are (1) the east side of Washington Blvd, (2) Transportation policy, (3) The River Project, (4) Water and Sewer, (5) Protecting the east bench and open spaces, (6) Development of the business environment to increase the city revenue, (7) Crime and Gang activity and (8) Youth recreational programs.
Related link: This article is a topic of discussion at Weber County Forum.
Comments