Revitalization of downtown Salt Lake City is very important to me. Development is the most visible example of revitalization but is not the only component. We need to continue to support public transportation, work to create a more walkable city by connecting walkways and bike paths from downtown to Liberty Park and to the Jordan River. We need to support the theatres and the arts and learning by strengthening Salt Lake City's connections with the University of Utah. As a city councilman, I will support and work to promote all revitalization efforts, not just newer and bigger developments.

• A Dan Jones & Associates survey commissioned by Salt Lake City showed that 78 percent of city residents say Pioneer Park should be renovated to become a more welcoming place. How do you propose to accomplish that?

Pioneer Park is not the problem; it is only a symptom of the problem. The problem is that we have failed to focus enough attention on the needs of the people who frequent Pioneer Park. The safety of Pioneer Park will not change simply by bulldozing the park and creating a new space. Efforts have already been made to change the atmosphere by adding new playground equipment, park benches and picnic tables. The solution is more complicated. My experience as a board member of the Valley Mental Health Foundation helped me to understand the need to find temporary housing for the homeless and the mentally ill while they are in treatment and transition.

As a city councilman, I will work to increase support for changing the city's budget priorities to better address affordable housing, municipal drug courts, temporary shelters, and to strengthen the city's relationships with nonprofit organizations already providing services, like Crossroads Urban Center, St. Vincent DePaul, Valley Mental Health and the LDS Church.

• Why should voters choose you over your opponent to represent District 6 on the Salt Lake City Council?

On the surface, there does not seem to be a lot of difference between JT and me on issues facing District 6. The contrasts between us are profound.

I am an avid supporter of District 6's public schools. Growing up in District 6, I attended Bonneville Elementary, Clayton Junior High and East High. My children attend Beacon Heights, Hillside Middle and Highland High. I know that our public schools are doing a great job helping our children learn and develop academic and social skills which will help them become responsible citizens in our community. My support of our public schools is apparent, because I am the only candidate in District 6 whose children attend public school.

We also have a fundamental disagreement about what a member of the City Council does. As a city councilman, I understand that I will represent District 6 but will make decisions affecting the entire city, including issues involving crime, poverty, transportation and the revitalization of downtown. I work across the street from the City and County Building. Does my working downtown make me any less able to effectively represent District 6? Absolutely not. If anything, this experience will make me more effective in representing District 6 while making decisions on behalf of Salt Lake City, because my experience will not be geographically narrow.

I am running for the Salt Lake City Council to represent you and your neighbors in District 6. I will provide you with honest public service. I have no axe to grind, no lobbyist, corporate interests or developers I am beholden to, just my genuine interest in restoring civility to public service and Salt Lake City. I would appreciate your support and your vote on Tuesday, Nov. 6.