2007 election questionnaire — Nancy Saxton

Now what's the question? I'm asked to choose just one issue. We must have a mass-transit system that works for all Salt Lake City residents. If we are going to reduce emissions to clean up our air quality, we must get out of our cars. Fifty percent of the air pollution is caused from cars' exhaust. A reliable mass-transit system must be available for all Salt Lake City residents. The Utah Transit Authority seems to be systematically reducing bus service in Salt Lake City. With this last bus route redesign, nearly 25 percent of our bus lines were eliminated. I was successful in getting five of the lines reinstated and an additional $1.5 million in funding reinstated for the downtown bus service area. This year during the budget discussion, I proposed funding a local bus circulator for the east downtown area. The City Council assured me that they would take another serious look at funding a local bus service this next budget year. I will continue to encourage bus ridership along with the fixed rail (TRAX) option of mass transit in Salt Lake City.

• Salt Lake voters will decide whether to approve bonding for up to $192 million to pay for the new public safety facilities. Do you support this bond, and why or why not?

I have come to understand and believe that the public safety building, which is home for the police and fire operations, is grossly substandard in its general structure and operations. Its inability to function as a command center during catastrophic events puts the public at further risk of harm and injury during such an episode. The limitations of the existing building frustrate and even hamper the day-to-day service to the citizens of Salt Lake City. I believe that a new facility is required to meet the ever-increasing safety needs of our citizens and those who work and visit Salt Lake daily.

Less than two years ago, during initial discussions to the City Council by the administration, the cost estimates were $98 million. Waiting does not appear to be a good strategy for the public safety building and additional fire stations. I have been assured by the administration and the police and fire chiefs the needs are immediate. A property-tax bond is generally used for large (or in this case, gigantic) public building projects. It allows for low interest on the loan as it is repaid. If the public votes "no" to use property tax as a method of repayment of the loan to build the public safety buildings, then general fund dollars will need to be used as the collateral and the repayment method. If the City Council is forced to fund the public safety building out of the general fund, then it will be difficult to fund and meet our ongoing budget obligations.

I do support the passing of this bond.

• Plans for the LDS Church's City Creek Center development call for a skybridge across Main Street to connect shopping areas on the second level of the outdoor mall. The City Council amended the city's master plan to allow for such projects to be considered. What is your opinion of skybridges in general and specifically for the City Creek project? If elected, will you support the skybridge being built?

I am not a fan of the skybridge. I do see that due to the natural grade change on Main Street between South Temple and 100 South, a two-story design for retail becomes inevitable for the City Creek project. Ground level and fluid movement needs to be provided for shoppers' convenience and shop owners' success. There are two different ground levels on these blocks. The developers maintain that the skybridge will also allow for 6 acres of outdoor open space to be included in their design.