A lot of people overlook the importance of local politics and how it can make an impact on your daily life. County commissioners over see local jurisdiction and administrative programs for the county. They have a direct impact on zoning laws, whether or not AI data centers should be built in your county, property taxes, funding for county libraries, what books are considered acceptable or banned, helped approve the 287(g) agreement with ICE, the list goes on and on.

2. What unique qualities, attributes, skills, and experiences do you possess that make you the best candidate in this race?

I am a working class citizen. We see too many realtors and land developers involved in local politics. I have never owned or rented out property, land, or business space. I spend much of my time working with and for the most marginalized in our community and am able to hear their struggles.  Every Sunday I volunteer at Weber Fridge, a local food and pantry, where I make oatmeal and help keep those who are food insecure a place to seek refuge, and a warm, nutritious homemade meals. I have also volunteered with a number of local grassroots political activism, namely Indivisible Ogden, BEAR, 5501, and Weber DEMNUTS.

I am also neurodivergent which I feel like it helps give me an ability to see problems as challenges, challenges that I can see from a different perspective that others cannot. I will look into things that I think need improving and hyperfixate on it until I feel sufficient the problem is addressed.

3. Please explain your priorities if elected, as well as why you believe you are uniquely capable of achieving those priorities.

One of the biggest hot button issues as I see it is AI datacenters. In 2023 the zoning laws were revisited and did allow data centers under manufacturing and technology zoning laws. I would love to look into and revisit the zoning laws to prevent data centers from being built in Weber County.

Another big issue is the 287(g) agreement with ICE, and how immigrants are being handled within the legal system. I do know that Sheriff Arbon does not participate in the warrant system that we usually hear about in other areas of the nation but I will still continue to demand transparency from the Sheriff’s Department in how they handle immigrants detained by ICE.

A third big issue is the cost of housing and rent. The average house in Weber County is $440,00 USD while rent averages out at $1,300 USD per month, all the while property taxes continue to rise and rents are always on a trend upward. We also have the problem that private citizens property subsidize corporate land tax breaks and is done so purposefully because they lack the sales data to give corporate land a fair property tax.

My goal to help combat this complex issue is to perform an audit to get a better idea of what your home is actually worth and look into corporate lands sales data and make sure that they are paying their fair share into the tax system and not have to have private land owned by the working class share the majority of the tax burden.

4. Please describe how you view the importance of compromise in politics and provide an example from your own experiences that highlights your perspective.

I feel like ICE is a great example of that because my original plan was to put pressure on the Sheriff’s department to undo their 287(g) agreement with ICE.  And after meeting personally with Sheriff Arbon the issue is a lot more complex than simply becoming a County Commissioner and forcing the Sheriff Department to undo their agreement. So it is my compromise to my constituents as well as immigrants who are detained, and the federal government to ensure transparency as well ethical treatment of those who are detained my ICE.

5. How will you balance the views of the vocal public, your political party, and your own understanding and knowledge as an elected representative?

I would love to hear back from the public by ensuring County Commission meetings are easily accessible. That is a huge problem to me with how the current commission meetings are on Tuesday’s at 10:00 AM and the 3 minutes you are given to speak has to be on the agenda at hand. I will work with the County Commissioners to move the Commission meetings to a more acceptable time period for those who can’t make it as well as ensure that the 3 minute time limit is open for any discussion, not just what we have planned for the agenda at that specific time.

I would also love to send out surveys to the public before making controversial decisions, such as data centers, property taxes, programs open at the county level etc.

6. What is the best way for readers to contact you and/or get more information about your platform?

You can reach out to me personally on Facebook, just look up my name “Alvin Thurgood”. It’s an open and public profile so anyone can see, share, comment or send messages to me. My website is electalvinthurgood.com and my campaign email is alvin4weber@gmail.com