Candidate questionnaire — Soren Simonsen

Question 1: Mayor Rocky Anderson has said the city needs to increase it's police force by 90 officers by 2010. In order to do that he will need the City Council to allocate the funding needed for these new officers. Adding that many more officers will be wildly expensive for the city and may require tax increases. As a council member will you support adding so many more officers to the force? Would you support tax increases for more police officers?

Answer: Having a strong police force is important to the safety and security of salt lake city residents. I support increasing the size of the force with trained and dedicated officers over a period of time that does not unnecessarily strain the city's fiscal health. I support continued efforts for improved traffic safety projects and community policing efforts that help decrease the security and enforcement requirements through greater prevention efforts. I also am interested in continuing exploration of a consolidated public safety and emergency services plan for the valley that may allow us to work with other cities and agencies in delivering these services more effectively and efficiently.

Question 2: Downtown remains a concern for many residents. Do you feel the city is doing the right things to help revitalize downtown? What would you do as a council member to help downtown?

Answer: Misguided planning and economic development practices over many decades have driven out residents and local merchants that are the life blood of any vibrant business district. We need to better address design qualities in the downtown area to support a pedestrian environment. We must do more to incubate, invigorate and retain local merchants and small businesses. We must eliminate policies that unnecessarily drive up land values and effectively eliminate expanded affordable housing opportunities. We must not look at the downtown as a series of isolated development projects, but as a connected urban fabric. All players must be involved and engaged in a collaborative process that is open, inclusive and considerate of the broad range of downtown issues.

Question 3: One big issue that could soon become an issue in District 7 has been people tearing down traditional homes and replacing them with monster homes. Some say new, bigger homes are needed to attract families to the city and maintain property values. Others feel these large homes are ugly and aren't compatible with the city's traditional neighborhoods. What's your opinion? How should city government handle this issue?