Wednesday, August 21, 2013

THANK YOU!

I just wanted to post a quick thank you to everyone who supported me. We survived the Primary and now on to the General Election in November.

Here is a link to the Primary results:
http://electionmap.provo.org/

Breeding:  16% (666 votes)
Frandsen: 24% (1014)
Sewell: 31% (1340)
Wright: 19% (793)
Lines" 11% (465)

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Vote!

              
                    

                  2013 Provo City Polling Locations



Precincts
Polling Location

PR18, PR35
Amelia Earhart

PR08, PR 09, PR33
BYU Conference Center

PR15, PR42
Canyon Crest Elementary

PR26, PR30, PR37
Centennial Middle School

PR 21, PR22
Dixon Middle School

PR16, PR41
Edgemont Elementary

PR34
Provo City Recreation Center

PR17, PR44
Franklin Elementary

PR27, PR31
Freedom Academy

PR23
Independence High School

PR19, PR20, PR24
Lakeview Elementary

PR28, PR29, PR32
Larry H. Miller Dodge

PR14, PR43
Provo City Center

PR07, PR10
Provo City Library

PR12
Provo Peaks Elementary (Farrer)

PR05, PR45
Provost Elementary

PR02, PR03
Spring Creek Elementary

PR 38, PR39, PR40
Timpview High School

PR04, PR06
UC Historic Courthouse (Rotunda)

PR01
Utah County Health & Justice Bldg

PR11, PR36
Wasatch Elementary

PR13, PR25
Westridge Elementary

Friday, August 2, 2013

Parking In Provo

This morning I received an email from a couple who live just south east of campus.  They expressed some frustration at the parking situation and the lack of enforcement.  I thought I'd share my response here:



(William),
Thank you for taking the time to contact me.  You know, in the past I think Provo has done a lot of studies for this or that but never taken action.  And so I wonder if they are really worth the time and money if nothing is ever going to be done.  However, I do believe there is one study I would push for immediately upon being elected.  And that is a city-wide comprehensive parking study(!).
When I served on the planning commission the one absolute issue I could always count on being raised by the neighborhood chairs when a new development came before us was parking.  I remember as a new member of the Commission turning to the city staff and saying surely we've done a study or we have some data regarding parking.  What does the data actually say? What are the facts?  And the staffer turned to me and shrugged his shoulders and said they've never done one.  I was shocked. As much time, inconvenience, hassle, you name it and any other number of problems parking has caused - Provo for whatever reason has never seriously taken on this issue and resolved it.
I believe parking is a problem with a solution.
I don't have all the answers.  And that's why I would like to start with the facts (a study).  I do understand to a good degree how we got here - family housing originally being proposed then whether a developer doing a last minute switch, or over time through zoning changes, lack of enforcement, whatever it may be parking has come to the point where a property owner can no longer expect to be able to park in front of their own home.
I spoke to a neighborhood chair just last night about this and he had some good ideas that I think are worth considering - removing the park strips in some areas and putting in diagonal parking, incorporating a parking permit for public streets that would allow you enough spots for your property frontage - visitor parking would then go to corner lots, where those owners would only get half of their street frontage (they could get the front or side of their property but not both). 
To your point on enforcement. As John Adams said - we are a nation of laws.  I'm generally a small government minded person but when a law is passed I believe we are obligated to follow it.  If we don't agree with it then we should work through the proper process to have it changed, but once passed as a community we need to obey and honor the law.  The problem with enforcement now is that it is spotty.  Enforcement seems to only happen when a complaint is made.  And I believe the penalties are often too lax so the violator can simply pay the fine, thumb their nose at the city, and business goes on as usual without any real change.  So we need consistent and fair enforcement but with incentives (appropriate penalties) for property owners to comply with the law.

Those are just a couple of ideas. I am certainly concerned and sympathetic to your situation.  I believe a good idea can come from anywhere if we are open-minded enough.  I would welcome any additional thoughts or ideas you have on this issue - as well as your reaction to some of the ideas I've suggested here.
Thanks again for taking the time to reach out.  I really appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts with you and your wife.
Sincerely,

Ryan

Friday, June 28, 2013

UTA Buys More CNG Buses

I thought this was an interesting article:

 
A nice step in the right direction.  Slightly higher costs initially for the CNG buses ($450k compared to $400k), but CNG buses are cheaper to operate and run cleaner.  
 
It would be interesting to explore the idea of converting a portion of Provo City's vehicle fleet to CNG.

Friday, June 14, 2013

BYU Daily Universe on the Provo Races


I've bolded the best part (wink) below...

Candidates in place for upcoming Provoelections

By Andrew Williamson on June 12, 2013.


PROVO — Friday marked the end of the candidacy filing period for Provo’s municipal elections in November.  Mayor John Curtis and council member Sterling Beck are running for reelection, while open seats are being contested in the District 2 and city-wide seat races.
 
According to Provo City Recorder Janene Weiss, voter turnout is always a struggle during odd-numbered-year elections.  Usually only 12 to 18 percent of Provo residents show up to vote.  But Weiss is optimistic for this year’s election because of multiple highly contested races.

Mayor Curtis is running on a platform of business development and public safety and plans to tout the momentum Provo has gained over the last four years, including successful projects with UTA Frontrunner, Google Fiber, Provo’s Recreation Center, Nu Skin’s building expansions, and the construction of the LDS Temple downtown.

“I’m looking forward to this opportunity to go out in the community and tell them about what we’ve done for the last four years,” Curtis said. “We’re in an unprecedented era of prosperity and growth in Provo.  Our residents are experiencing a great quality of life that’s being recognized nationally.”

But one of Curtis’ opponents, Timothy Spencer, doesn’t look so favorably on the last four years.
“I think the current administration needs to pay more attention to the common citizen,” Spencer said. “The mayor is overpaid and the middle class is excessively burdened by taxes.”

Spencer has pledged to not increase taxes in any way and to privatize some of the city’s commercial ventures that are currently footed by taxes.  Spencer is also concerned about pollution in Provo and wants the city to use more electric cars.

Howard Stone and Jason Christensen are also running in the mayoral race, but did not return repeated interview requests from The Universe.

City Council’s City-wide District 1 seat is an open race after current council member Laura Cabanilla announced her intention to not run for reelection.

“I was looking forward to a crowded field – the more crowded, the better,” said John Breeding, a candidate for the opening. “Typically, everyone running will win their own neighborhood, but you really need an issue to win the whole city.”

Breeding’s issue is city zoning and property rights. Breeding feels that the city government has been unfair and bureaucratic  with residents who plan to remodel their home or rent out to a second tenant, and has personally run into noncompliance problems with the government.

“We have too many laws and not enough freedom,” Breeding said. “My base is the people who have had the city’s boot on their throat.”

Ryan Frandsen is another candidate for the city-wide seat.  He is being endorsed by Cabanilla.

“There’s a lot of interest in this race – only time will tell,” Frandsen said. “But I’m trying to convey that broader vision for Provo that is positive.”

Frandsen is focusing on three issues: making Provo the economic hub of Utah County, creating more family-oriented activities available, and fostering more predictability with city planning.

Randy Wright, Leo Lines, and David Sewell are also running for the seat, but were unavailable for comment despite repeated interview requests by The Universe.

Incumbent Sterling Beck is running for reelection of the District 5 seat of city council.

“It’s a question of whether Provo has done good things in the past four years,” Beck said. “We’ve been able to work with the mayor and give a good value to the citizens of Provo. The real issue moving forward is how we’re going to manage Provo’s growth. That can be a challenge, particularly with transportation issues.”
Beck is running against Jed Platt, Rae McAdams, Stephen Hemingway, Stephen Hales, Kathryn Allen, and Lee Adair.

In the District 2 seat, Kim Santiago is running unopposed. The seat is being vacated by Rick Healey, who is unable to run for reelection due to the 2010 Census redrawing of district boundaries that places him outside of the district he represents.

Municipal elections will be held November 5. Primary elections will be held August 13 for each race involving more than two candidates.

PROVO — Friday marked the end of the candidacy filing period for Provo’s municipal elections in November.  Mayor John Curtis and council member Sterling Beck are running for reelection, while open seats are being contested in the District 2 and city-wide seat races. - See more at: http://universe.byu.edu/2013/06/12/candidates-in-place-for-upcoming-provo-elections/#sthash.1OVowA5l.wzCPeQEK.dpuf

Candidates in place for upcoming Provo elections

By on June 12, 2013.

- See more at: http://universe.byu.edu/2013/06/12/candidates-in-place-for-upcoming-provo-elections/#sthash.1OVowA5l.wzCPeQEK.dpuf

Candidates in place for upcoming Provo elections

By on June 12, 2013.

PROVO — Friday marked the end of the candidacy filing period for Provo’s municipal elections in November.  Mayor John Curtis and council member Sterling Beck are running for reelection, while open seats are being contested in the District 2 and city-wide seat races.
According to Provo City Recorder Janene Weiss, voter turnout is always a struggle during odd-numbered-year elections.  Usually only 12 to 18 percent of Provo residents show up to vote.  But Weiss is optimistic for this year’s election because of multiple highly contested races.
ElectionDay_19 by Array.
A local resident shows off her civic participation. Provo officials are hoping for a higher turnout than usual this year. Odd-numbered year municipal elections typically only draw 12 to 18 percent of the city’s population. (Photo by Sarah Hill)
Mayor Curtis is running on a platform of business development and public safety and plans to tout the momentum Provo has gained over the last four years, including successful projects with UTA Frontrunner, Google Fiber, Provo’s Recreation Center, Nu Skin’s building expansions, and the construction of the LDS Temple downtown.
“I’m looking forward to this opportunity to go out in the community and tell them about what we’ve done for the last four years,” Curtis said. “We’re in an unprecedented era of prosperity and growth in Provo.  Our residents are experiencing a great quality of life that’s being recognized nationally.”
But one of Curtis’ opponents, Timothy Spencer, doesn’t look so favorably on the last four years.
“I think the current administration needs to pay more attention to the common citizen,” Spencer said. “The mayor is overpaid and the middle class is excessively burdened by taxes.”
Spencer has pledged to not increase taxes in any way and to privatize some of the city’s commercial ventures that are currently footed by taxes.  Spencer is also concerned about pollution in Provo and wants the city to use more electric cars.
Howard Stone and Jason Christensen are also running in the mayoral race, but did not return repeated interview requests from The Universe.
City Council’s City-wide District 1 seat is an open race after current council member Laura Cabanilla announced her intention to not run for reelection.
“I was looking forward to a crowded field – the more crowded, the better,” said John Breeding, a candidate for the opening. “Typically, everyone running will win their own neighborhood, but you really need an issue to win the whole city.”
Breeding’s issue is city zoning and property rights. Breeding feels that the city government has been unfair and bureaucratic  with residents who plan to remodel their home or rent out to a second tenant, and has personally run into noncompliance problems with the government.
“We have too many laws and not enough freedom,” Breeding said. “My base is the people who have had the city’s boot on their throat.”
Ryan Frandsen is another candidate for the city-wide seat.  He is being endorsed by Cabanilla.
“There’s a lot of interest in this race – only time will tell,” Frandsen said. “But I’m trying to convey that broader vision for Provo that is positive.”
Frandsen is focusing on three issues: making Provo the economic hub of Utah County, creating more family-oriented activities available, and fostering more predictability with city planning.
Randy Wright, Leo Lines, and David Sewell are also running for the seat, but were unavailable for comment despite repeated interview requests by The Universe.
Incumbent Sterling Beck is running for reelection of the District 5 seat of city council.
“It’s a question of whether Provo has done good things in the past four years,” Beck said. “We’ve been able to work with the mayor and give a good value to the citizens of Provo. The real issue moving forward is how we’re going to manage Provo’s growth. That can be a challenge, particularly with transportation issues.”
Beck is running against Jed Platt, Rae McAdams, Stephen Hemingway, Stephen Hales, Kathryn Allen, and Lee Adair.
In the District 2 seat, Kim Santiago is running unopposed. The seat is being vacated by Rick Healey, who is unable to run for reelection due to the 2010 Census redrawing of district boundaries that places him outside of the district he represents.
Municipal elections will be held November 5. Primary elections will be held August 13 for each race involving more than two candidates.
- See more at: http://universe.byu.edu/2013/06/12/candidates-in-place-for-upcoming-provo-elections/#sthash.1OVowA5l.wzCPeQEK.dpuf
 
 

Candidates in place for upcoming Provo elections

By on June 12, 2013.

PROVO — Friday marked the end of the candidacy filing period for Provo’s municipal elections in November.  Mayor John Curtis and council member Sterling Beck are running for reelection, while open seats are being contested in the District 2 and city-wide seat races.
According to Provo City Recorder Janene Weiss, voter turnout is always a struggle during odd-numbered-year elections.  Usually only 12 to 18 percent of Provo residents show up to vote.  But Weiss is optimistic for this year’s election because of multiple highly contested races.
ElectionDay_19 by Array.
A local resident shows off her civic participation. Provo officials are hoping for a higher turnout than usual this year. Odd-numbered year municipal elections typically only draw 12 to 18 percent of the city’s population. (Photo by Sarah Hill)
Mayor Curtis is running on a platform of business development and public safety and plans to tout the momentum Provo has gained over the last four years, including successful projects with UTA Frontrunner, Google Fiber, Provo’s Recreation Center, Nu Skin’s building expansions, and the construction of the LDS Temple downtown.
“I’m looking forward to this opportunity to go out in the community and tell them about what we’ve done for the last four years,” Curtis said. “We’re in an unprecedented era of prosperity and growth in Provo.  Our residents are experiencing a great quality of life that’s being recognized nationally.”
But one of Curtis’ opponents, Timothy Spencer, doesn’t look so favorably on the last four years.
“I think the current administration needs to pay more attention to the common citizen,” Spencer said. “The mayor is overpaid and the middle class is excessively burdened by taxes.”
Spencer has pledged to not increase taxes in any way and to privatize some of the city’s commercial ventures that are currently footed by taxes.  Spencer is also concerned about pollution in Provo and wants the city to use more electric cars.
Howard Stone and Jason Christensen are also running in the mayoral race, but did not return repeated interview requests from The Universe.
City Council’s City-wide District 1 seat is an open race after current council member Laura Cabanilla announced her intention to not run for reelection.
“I was looking forward to a crowded field – the more crowded, the better,” said John Breeding, a candidate for the opening. “Typically, everyone running will win their own neighborhood, but you really need an issue to win the whole city.”
Breeding’s issue is city zoning and property rights. Breeding feels that the city government has been unfair and bureaucratic  with residents who plan to remodel their home or rent out to a second tenant, and has personally run into noncompliance problems with the government.
“We have too many laws and not enough freedom,” Breeding said. “My base is the people who have had the city’s boot on their throat.”
Ryan Frandsen is another candidate for the city-wide seat.  He is being endorsed by Cabanilla.
“There’s a lot of interest in this race – only time will tell,” Frandsen said. “But I’m trying to convey that broader vision for Provo that is positive.”
Frandsen is focusing on three issues: making Provo the economic hub of Utah County, creating more family-oriented activities available, and fostering more predictability with city planning.
Randy Wright, Leo Lines, and David Sewell are also running for the seat, but were unavailable for comment despite repeated interview requests by The Universe.
Incumbent Sterling Beck is running for reelection of the District 5 seat of city council.
“It’s a question of whether Provo has done good things in the past four years,” Beck said. “We’ve been able to work with the mayor and give a good value to the citizens of Provo. The real issue moving forward is how we’re going to manage Provo’s growth. That can be a challenge, particularly with transportation issues.”
Beck is running against Jed Platt, Rae McAdams, Stephen Hemingway, Stephen Hales, Kathryn Allen, and Lee Adair.
In the District 2 seat, Kim Santiago is running unopposed. The seat is being vacated by Rick Healey, who is unable to run for reelection due to the 2010 Census redrawing of district boundaries that places him outside of the district he represents.
Municipal elections will be held November 5. Primary elections will be held August 13 for each race involving more than two candidates.
- See more at: http://universe.byu.edu/2013/06/12/candidates-in-place-for-upcoming-provo-elections/#sthash.1OVowA5l.wzCPeQEK.dpuf

Candidates in place for upcoming Provo elections

By on June 12, 2013.

PROVO — Friday marked the end of the candidacy filing period for Provo’s municipal elections in November.  Mayor John Curtis and council member Sterling Beck are running for reelection, while open seats are being contested in the District 2 and city-wide seat races.
According to Provo City Recorder Janene Weiss, voter turnout is always a struggle during odd-numbered-year elections.  Usually only 12 to 18 percent of Provo residents show up to vote.  But Weiss is optimistic for this year’s election because of multiple highly contested races.
ElectionDay_19 by Array.
A local resident shows off her civic participation. Provo officials are hoping for a higher turnout than usual this year. Odd-numbered year municipal elections typically only draw 12 to 18 percent of the city’s population. (Photo by Sarah Hill)
Mayor Curtis is running on a platform of business development and public safety and plans to tout the momentum Provo has gained over the last four years, including successful projects with UTA Frontrunner, Google Fiber, Provo’s Recreation Center, Nu Skin’s building expansions, and the construction of the LDS Temple downtown.
“I’m looking forward to this opportunity to go out in the community and tell them about what we’ve done for the last four years,” Curtis said. “We’re in an unprecedented era of prosperity and growth in Provo.  Our residents are experiencing a great quality of life that’s being recognized nationally.”
But one of Curtis’ opponents, Timothy Spencer, doesn’t look so favorably on the last four years.
“I think the current administration needs to pay more attention to the common citizen,” Spencer said. “The mayor is overpaid and the middle class is excessively burdened by taxes.”
Spencer has pledged to not increase taxes in any way and to privatize some of the city’s commercial ventures that are currently footed by taxes.  Spencer is also concerned about pollution in Provo and wants the city to use more electric cars.
Howard Stone and Jason Christensen are also running in the mayoral race, but did not return repeated interview requests from The Universe.
City Council’s City-wide District 1 seat is an open race after current council member Laura Cabanilla announced her intention to not run for reelection.
“I was looking forward to a crowded field – the more crowded, the better,” said John Breeding, a candidate for the opening. “Typically, everyone running will win their own neighborhood, but you really need an issue to win the whole city.”
Breeding’s issue is city zoning and property rights. Breeding feels that the city government has been unfair and bureaucratic  with residents who plan to remodel their home or rent out to a second tenant, and has personally run into noncompliance problems with the government.
“We have too many laws and not enough freedom,” Breeding said. “My base is the people who have had the city’s boot on their throat.”
Ryan Frandsen is another candidate for the city-wide seat.  He is being endorsed by Cabanilla.
“There’s a lot of interest in this race – only time will tell,” Frandsen said. “But I’m trying to convey that broader vision for Provo that is positive.”
Frandsen is focusing on three issues: making Provo the economic hub of Utah County, creating more family-oriented activities available, and fostering more predictability with city planning.
Randy Wright, Leo Lines, and David Sewell are also running for the seat, but were unavailable for comment despite repeated interview requests by The Universe.
Incumbent Sterling Beck is running for reelection of the District 5 seat of city council.
“It’s a question of whether Provo has done good things in the past four years,” Beck said. “We’ve been able to work with the mayor and give a good value to the citizens of Provo. The real issue moving forward is how we’re going to manage Provo’s growth. That can be a challenge, particularly with transportation issues.”
Beck is running against Jed Platt, Rae McAdams, Stephen Hemingway, Stephen Hales, Kathryn Allen, and Lee Adair.
In the District 2 seat, Kim Santiago is running unopposed. The seat is being vacated by Rick Healey, who is unable to run for reelection due to the 2010 Census redrawing of district boundaries that places him outside of the district he represents.
Municipal elections will be held November 5. Primary elections will be held August 13 for each race involving more than two candidates.
- See more at: http://universe.byu.edu/2013/06/12/candidates-in-place-for-upcoming-provo-elections/#sthash.1OVowA5l.wzCPeQEK.dpuf

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Campaign Article from the BYU Daily Universe

I thought this was a good write up about the campaign - back from when I first announced.

http://universe.byu.edu/2013/05/10/1provos-election-season-commences/

Provo’s election season commences

By on May 10, 2013.


Ryan Frandsen, in an early move toward municipal elections in November, announced May 2 he will run for Provo City Council’s city-wide seat.

The filing period for November’s election doesn’t begin until June 3, but Frandsen hopes an early start will discourage some of his competitors from running.

Provo councilwoman Laura Cabanilla, who holds the seat, decided not to run for re-election.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time on the council,” Cabanilla said.  “I wanted to focus my time in office to improving downtown Provo.”

In her four years in office, Cabanilla has seen downtown Provo come alive with construction of a new LDS temple, corporate expansion of Nu Skin and the extension of UTA’s FrontRunner line.

“Wonderful things are now happening and there’s lots of synergy,” Cabanilla said.  “I wondered if I needed to stay, but I eventually felt that my talents could be used elsewhere.”

Cabanilla, who is considering a run for county commissioner, is endorsing Frandsen in his run to take her seat.
CouncilSeats
Council seats held by Sterling Beck (second from left), Laura Cabanilla (center), and Rick Healey (second from right) are up for election in the fall. (Photo courtesy Provo City)

Two more city council seats are up for grabs in November: District 2 (northeast Provo) and District 5 (central Provo). Sterling Beck, the council member representing District 5, plans to run for re-election, but has not yet made any formal announcement.

“I certainly hope (someone runs against me),” Beck said. “Serving on City Council has been a phenomenal experience.”

Beck, a recent BYU graduate, ran for City Council when he was still a student, motivated by his expertise in fiber technology. That expertise has paid off with the recent announcement of Google Fiber taking over iProvo, the plagued city network that sunk $40 million in taxes in its construction and lost an additional $10 million over its 12 years of service.

“I wouldn’t take all of the credit for (Google Fiber),” Beck said. “We had some pretty tough decisions to make about a year and a half ago with iProvo and I’m glad that things worked out so well.”
Rick Healey, the council member from District 2, is also up for re-election, but he could not be contacted for comment despite several calls from The Universe.

Frandsen, 37, who is from South Jordan, is running a platform centered on businesses, neighborhoods and families.

Ryan Frandsen will run for Provo City Council in November.
Ryan Frandsen will run for Provo City Council in November. (Photo courtesy Frandsen campaign)

“I’m invested in Provo for the long haul,” Frandsen said. “I really feel like I can improve the business environment in Provo and create a vision that no one else is doing right now.”

Among his goals, Frandsen wants to take advantage of Google Fiber’s resources by creating a Provo cottage network of home-based start-up companies. He also wants to build a children’s museum in downtown Provo.

“We’ve really lost a lot of business to Lehi in the past five years and I want Provo to reclaim its title as the center of Utah County,” Frandsen said.

Frandsen is a veteran of political campaigns. He managed Gary Winterton’s and Gary Garrett’s campaigns for City Council, and also worked with Cabanilla in her successful City Council bid.

“I plan to contribute to his campaign,” said Gary Garrett, the other city council member who serves in a city-wide district. “Ryan is an outstanding citizen that is prepared to serve. I have a lot of respect and confidence in him.”

Garrett, although supportive of Frandsen, has not yet officially endorsed him as he waits for the political race to become a little clearer.

“I’ve heard of four different people who are considering running,” Garrett said.

Monday, June 3, 2013

Bus Rapid Transit & Neighborhood Survey

Below is an email I sent out to a few campaign supporters a week or so ago regarding the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Route currently proposed to run along 9th east.   The following are a few of my thoughts on the issue and a short survey about issues in your neighborhood.  I invite you to take the survey and let me know what's great about your neighborhood and what could be improved.

-Ryan

Dear Neighbor,

Last week I attended a neighborhood meeting held at Wasatch Elementary School regarding the proposed BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) route.  I was impressed with the neighborhood organizers and the attendance numbers. 

The presentation was primarily lead by a representative from the Mountainlands Association of Governments.  I thought the overall information was useful but I felt the presentation lacked details regarding how the proposed route along 9th East would benefit those surrounding neighborhoods. I'm still learning about this issue but at this point I could not support the 9th East route as proposed.

I am supportive of the BRT project in general.  I believe in order for our city to grow and handle that growth we need a reliable public transportation system.  I hope that as the Mountainland planners, UTA, UDOT, BYU, and the City evaluate this project that they take into consideration the effects on our traditional neighborhoods. 

In these types of situations, my approach as your next City Councilor would be to bring all the stakeholders together to facilitate communication, negotiation, compromise where needed, and ensure the process is fair and transparent to all involved.  I am not naïve. I know not everyone will leave the table satisfied.  And I’m not sure that’s always possible.  Yet still, I will work to ensure everyone’s voice is heard and those who should and need to be at the table will have a seat.

I would appreciate your feedback on the issues most important to you and your neighbors.  Please click on the link below to complete a short 5 question survey regarding your neighborhood issues.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XNRHC6Y
  As always, if I can help answer any questions regarding my positions on the issues please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,

Ryan Frandsen
Candidate - Provo City Council, City-Wide

Monday, May 13, 2013

A Letter to Our Neighborhood Chairs

May 6, 2013

Dear Neighbor,

As some of you may already know, I announced last week my intention to run for the Provo City Council – City-Wide seat. Laura Cabanilla has decided to not seek re-election and I am honored to have her endorsement and support.

I am running because I believe I can “Add Value” to our great city.  I am focusing on three primary areas where I feel I can best add value – to our businesses, our neighborhoods, and our families.

This letter is directed specifically to those who are and have recently participated in Provo’s Neighborhood Chair program.  You know as well as any in our community how important our neighborhoods are to our quality of life here in Provo.  As I said in my press release I really believe that Provo is only as strong as its neighborhoods. 

In my own Rivergrove Neighborhood my wife and I saw the potential harmful impacts that an ill conceived development or project can have on a neighborhood.  Freedom Academy which is a K-8 Charter school (which my two sons attend) was considering expanding to a high-school.  We supported the school’s choice to expand but felt given the increased traffic on our already stressed neighborhood infrastructure the expansion would literally ruin our neighborhood.  After years of being told they would consider other sites we were shocked to find that due to unexpected circumstances the Freedom School Board was now only considering the current site (does this situation sound familiar to any of you?).

With a very motivated Neighborhood Chair and a number of concerned neighbors (many with students attending Freedom Academy) we rallied to persuade the Board to reconsider.  We worked through email, blogs, flyers, and other methods to communicate our concerns.  We also contacted our city and state officials.  In the end, the Board decided to consider an alternate location more appropriate for the student numbers and traffic.  As a neighborhood, we were delighted to see the school break ground on that alternate location not far from their current building earlier this year.

As a former member of the Provo City Planning Commission I saw similar stories play out over and over as neighborhoods felt threatened by poorly designed projects.  As your next City Council Member I will be a strong advocate for protecting our traditional neighborhoods.  I will work to ensure proper communication between developers and neighbors is taking place and that proper protocols are in place and being followed so both neighbors and developers can expect a consistent and fair process.

Let me be clear that I am certainly pro-property rights.  I encourage property owners and developers to maximize their property value.  However, projects cannot be completed in a vacuum and all stakeholders need to be respected.  I believe a balance can be struck.

I look forward to visiting with you in the coming months along the campaign trail.  I would be delighted to visit with you personally or together with your neighbors sometime.

Please feel free to contact me at 801.960.4934 or Frandsen.ryan@gmail.com.  My website includes information on other issues I am concerned about at www.RyanFrandsen.com.  You can also follow the campaign on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RyanFrandsenForProvoCityCouncil

Sincerely,

Ryan

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Ryan for City-Council - It's Official!

So things are official.  I've already been talking to folks throughout the city for the last several weeks and today I sent out a formal press release (see below).  I'm excited to get the campaign started!


Ryan Frandsen to seek open Provo City Council City-Wide I Seat

Local businessman and
former Planning Commissioner seeks to replace Laura Cabanilla


PROVO, Utah –Ryan Frandsen today announced his intention to seek the Provo City Council City-Wide I Seat.  Frandsen seeks to fill the seat of outgoing City Council Member Laura Cabanilla. Ms. Cabanilla will not seek a second term and has endorsed Mr. Frandsen.

“There are so many exciting things happening in Provo. I believe I can add value and help direct our current momentum” Frandsen said.  “Provo was recently ranked by Forbes magazine as the third best place to live in the entire nation. Our cost of living, housing affordability, low crime rates and education opportunities are phenomenal. The projected growth rate for businesses in our city over the next 18 months is 2.5%. Where else are you going to find that in today’s national landscape? Those great things did not just happen. It has taken leadership and planning to get us here and it is going to take directed vision to keep us here.”

“I understand Provo’s strengths and can see where we need to be headed and what we need to do to build on the great foundation we have. I want to represent the citizens of Provo as those growth decisions are made.”

Adding Value to our Businesses
“Our regulatory environment needs to be consistent, clear, and reasonable,” Frandsen said.  “I will be active in promoting a vibrant business environment where start-ups can thrive and new businesses will want to come. An even higher priority is fighting for our existing and often neglected local business heroes.”   

Adding Value to our Neighborhoods
“As a City Council Member I will also be a strong advocate for protecting our traditional neighborhoods,” Frandsen said.  He continued; “A city is only as strong as its neighborhoods.  As a former Planning Commissioner, I’ve personally seen threats to my own neighborhood as well as others in our city. I will be active in preserving that which makes Provo such a great place – our neighborhoods.”  


Adding Value to our Families
“Our unique mix of retirees, (we were recently listed as ‘the best city for successful aging’) University students and traditional families create the core foundation that makes Provo what it is. My highest priority will be protecting the individuality of those diverse demographics while maintaining the family values we all share. Our community needs to be safe and family friendly. I will work to keep our crime rates low, provide wholesome recreational opportunities and keep cost of living and doing business family friendly.” Frandsen said. 

Ryan and his wife Amy have four children.  He is currently the Director of Small Business Funding for Prosper, Inc. and has served on Provo’s Planning Commission. Ryan is a BYU graduate and received an MBA from the University of New Mexico. You can learn more about Ryan and his vision for Provo at www.RyanFrandsen.com

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

The Bletchley Circle

My wife and I love to watch Masterpiece Classic on Sunday nights.  From Downton to Wallander, we love a good mystery and an old fashion soap opera.  Recently, after Masterpiece, PBS has started airing a new series called The Bletchley Circle.  We've been hooked.

The story is about a group of four women who were genius code crackers for the British during World War II.  Following the War all espionage service members were forced to sign The Official Secrets Act.  In the show (and actual history) these women were not allowed to tell others, even their husbands, what type of work they did during the war.  In many respects they returned to normal everyday lives. As one of the girls begins to recognize potential patterns (like codes) in a local serial killing spree she rallies her former colleagues to solve the case.  It's been fun to watch.

What I can't help but think about is how many "Bletchley Girls" we have right here in Provo.  How many talented, smart, and completely capable women who are at home happy raising their families but together compose a huge untapped pool of talent.

Enter Google Fiber.

I really hope that one of the results of Google Fiber is that stay-at-home mothers can find ways to continue to develop their interests and talents.  That more mothers who need to or choose to work can do so more easily from home - and that fathers too can have more flexibility to tele-commute and spend more time at home with their families.

Time will tell what impact Google Fiber will have on Provo and our homes and families.  But I would love to see the next big thing come from a stay-at-home mom with a great idea and who now has the tools to see it come to fruition.