Michael McOmber for Saratoga Springs City Council

Harvest Festival Success

2009-10-29T09:21:00.000-07:00

I first want to thank the Civic Events Committee for putting on such a top notch event. There were so many fun booths and it was great to see so many residents of Saratoga Springs and neighboring cities come out to enjoy it.

You may have noticed that there were a lot of candidates there trying to get the word out. Well, I was one as well. Jim Miller, Mia Love and I were planning on doing different food/treat give aways at the event, but the Civic Events Committee asked us not to, because they were trying to do fundraising for next year's SPLASH! We then offered to combine our resources and donate the food to the city and conduct a Scone and Hot Chocolate Booth as a fundraiser for the Civic Events Committee. We were able to raise $100 dollars from donations in about two hours for them. It also made it that much more fun.

Our Civic Events Committee works really hard to help bring our long and narrow community together and I commend them on all they do. I am glad we were able to give just a little back last Saturday.

Michael

Saratoga Shores PTA Fundraiser/Silent Auction

2009-10-14T08:27:00.000-07:00

On Monday, the PTA at Saratoga Shores Elementary put on a great party. It was great to see the community come together to play games, dance, and bid on great items in the fundraiser auction.

My wife had a lot of fun bidding on various items around the room. There were so many great things to choose from. She was out bid on a few things she really wanted, but won an item as well.

I had a lot of fun dancing with my kids and their friends outside. Many of you know I was on the Ballroom Dance Team at BYU and dancing is one of my passions. The kids were a little shocked when I started doing the Hoedown Throwdown Line Dance from the Hannah Montana Movie that came out this year. I learned the dance so I could teach the youth at Stake Youth Conference a few months ago.

It was great talking and mingling with the parents of our youth and listening to what your concerns and issues are for our city. I will work very hard and put in the time necessary to serve you and all the citizens of Saratoga Springs when I become your next City Council Representative.

Thank you,

Michael

McKenna Can 5K Charity Run

2009-10-10T13:08:00.000-07:00

This morning Mia Love, Jim Miller and myself had the honor to process the registrations for the 5K charity run for McKenna Davies. The turnout was absolutely amazing. I did a rough count right before the run and got to almost 500 people. It was an amazing show of support and I am sure that McKenna and her family were overwhelmed by everyone's generosity.

McKenna has leukemia for the second time, but her father and those around her know that she will beat this disease. Their strength is absolutely amazing to watch!

In these tough economic times we all wish we could do more to help. There is one new way to help McKenna by purchasing things you already do through her website at http://www.mckennacan.com/ . McKenna now has affiliate links on her site that will allow you to purchase items from vendors such as Amazon, Travelocity, and Itunes. McKenna will recieve the entire commission on each sale that originates from her website. Shop for Christmas, Buy Gift Certificates, or Plan a trip. Keep checking back as more affiliates will be added.

Thank you McKenna for being an example of strength and for allowing our community to come together to support you during these tough times.

Michael

Mia Love for Mayor

2009-10-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

I know that most of you reading this are aware that I openly endorsed Mia Love for Mayor a couple days before the primary. Before I made my decision I met with and discussed the ideas of both Mia and Jeff Francom. I chose Mia, because I believe she is the perfect candidate for our city at this crucial time in our history. We also agree with each other on the plans we both have to deal with many of the core issues facing our city today and in the future.

I have had the opportunity to talk with and listen to Mia discuss her ideas for our city and am constantly impressed with her knowledge and experience. She is going to be able to do so much more for our city as our next mayor.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me.

Thank you,

Michael

Rumors Hurt Our City

2009-09-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

This entry is to all the citizens of Saratoga Springs. If you hear any statement or comments about a candidate that appears to be too adventageous to the other candidates you should not just accept it at face value. You should immediately reach out to the candidate and have them confirm or disprove the comments being said. You then must decide who is telling you the truth. We must not allow false comments to help individuals get elected, what does that say about their character. We are trusting them to represent our best interests?

Put yourself in the shoes of candidates. We have all put ourselves out there and are at risk of being defamed. There is a commom complaint about politians that good people are hard to find, I believe it is because good people are hesitant to be part of the negative atmosphere.

Thank you for helping all of us keep the campaigning in Saratoga Springs positive and honest.

Michael McOmber

Primary Elections

2009-09-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

This Tuesday is Primary Election Day. Please take the time to vote and make a choice on who you would like to see as your next Mayor and City Council Member.

I hope that I have earned your vote. I have spent many hours at many of your homes discussing your individual and city issues. If I have not secured your vote, please contact me to discuss in greater detail what you want in your next City Council Member and if I can answer those questions to your satisfaction great and if I am not your candidate that is ok. I do not claim to be the perfect fit for every citizen. I just feel I am someone who is open to other people's ideas and not stuck in my ways that nothing can change my opinion. I believe that many minds are truly greater than one. That sounds cliche, but not everyone actually acts that way.

Thank you,

Michael McOmber

Chickens

2009-09-13T21:56:00.000-07:00

Chicken ownership on smaller lots is a very hot topic in our city right now. In short, some homeowners on 1/4 acre lots are looking to be able to have chickens for personal egg and meat consumption. Some neighbors surrounding these homes are not excited about having farm animals and their waste draining into their lots, etc.

I think that a possible solution to this issue is to leave it up to the individual neighborhoods to decide. In short, the city should grant limited use permits to individuals who want chickens based on the following criteria:
1. If all the neighbors within 200 feet of the proposed chicken owners agree that they can have chickens then they should have chickens.
2. We will also want to determine the appropriate limit/number, as we do not want chicken farms for income within our residential neighborhoods.

In this debate we are discussing for personal consumption only.

I think this is a great compromise and keeps everyone's rights protected. Of course this is just one idea and I would be more than open to hearing other compromises if they take both sides into consideration.

Michael McOmber

NSA Neighborhood Boost

2009-09-10T07:36:00.000-07:00

Many of you in Saratoga Springs are not aware that the NSA is planning on opening a 1 Million sq ft facility with thousands of high paying intelligence personell at Camp Williams. These individuals are high ranking professionals in the security areana and as a result they will be looking for nice homes in a beautiful community. Saratoga Springs is the natural solution for both those needs.

As your next City Council member I will work with my colleagues and the Mayor to market our city more effectively to these new neighbors and to potential residents throughout the state and those looking to relocate here. It is important to communicate to potential home buyers what we have here and why their addition to our community will be an asset to them and us.

Families will be moving to Saratoga Springs, UT whether we market or not. Through marketing we can attract residents who are excited about what we have here and will contribute to making our city truly the "Envy" of Utah.

Thank you,

Michael McOmber

City Appeal

2009-08-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

I believe that Saratoga Springs is a wonderful place to live. Our view of the lake and mountains are unprecidented in Utah County. The thing is people and businesses don't know it. They only see us as the community way on the other side of the lake. As your next city council representative I will work with developers, real estate agencies, and other companies that want to do business in our city and help them understand that we are a true destination and have unlimited potential. The key is we need to work WITH others and as a result we can help our city thrive and recover quickly from this down economy.

Thank you,

Michael

Signs are Moving

2009-08-26T15:54:00.000-07:00

The city has decided now to not allow any signs on city land. This means I need to reach out to all of you for your support. Please call me at 801-331-8543 and ask for a sign to put in your yard. It is important to get my name out there and it is also important for people to see who is supporting my candidacy.

Thank you,

Michael McOmber

This is a Group Effort

2009-08-25T07:27:00.000-07:00

In running for City Council it is not my intention to impose my will and ideas onto the citizens of Saratoga Springs, UT. It is my goal and desire to be a representative of all your voices. The only way this can happen is if I hear from each of you the issues that are concerning you about our city. Also, please let me know what ideas you have to correct or reverse your concerns. Socrates once said, "As for me, all I know is that I know nothing." We need to combine our creative minds together and truly make our city great.

Thank you,

Michael

Michael McOmber's Background

2009-08-23T16:38:00.000-07:00

From now until November 3rd I will be posting a few times a week information about myself and stances I have on various issues. Please send me emails or call me with issues you would like me to comment on.

Today I am going to focus on my background.

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and a Masters Degree in Business with an emphasis in Marketing. I believe that this combination makes me an outstanding candidate for city council. I understand politics and what it takes to get things done in government, and I have the business sense to help Saratoga Springs have balanced budgets and be more effective in the use of our funds. In short, we need to make sure we get the greatest impact for our dollar.

On a less formal side of education, I believe I have a great understanding of people and what they want. My business background is in the Customer Experience Industry. I am the Customer Experience Director for Siemens IT Solutions and Services for North America. In this role I do work for home (which makes me even more concerned about our city, because I not only live here, I work here!). In my role I am responsible for retaining and winning over our customers. As your City Council Representative part of my responsibility is to retain and attract businesses and home owners to our great city. This is done through effective marketing of our city and working hard to make Saratoga Springs appealing and the envy of Utah.

Look for more to come...

Michael McOmber

The Signs are Up!

2009-08-21T07:17:00.000-07:00

You have probably noticed I have put out my signs for city council this week. I held off as long as I could, as I know it is not everyone's favorite time of the year when signs pop up everywhere. I wish there was a better way to get my name out their and recognized. In short, I truly want to be one of your next two City Council representatives and you need to know who I am.

Thank you for your support and as always please contact me with any questions or ideas you have for our great city.

Michael McOmber

The Campaigning has Started

2009-08-15T08:11:00.000-07:00

Well, it is official. I have started campaigning. My beautiful wife Breanna and our two kids Kenniday and Sterling went out going door to door last night talking about issues with you the citizens of Saratoga Springs. We also were making sure to get as many people registered to vote as today Saturday, August 15th is the final day to get registered for the Primary Elections on September 15th.

I also ordered my banners and signs yesterday (ouch those are pretty expensive). I will be putting them around town on Wednesday. If you would be interested in having one in your yard, please contact me via email at michaelmcomber@yahoo.com.

I am getting very excited about the campaign and am not sleeping very well as I keep thinking about becoming your city council representative and what I plan on doing to make this great city the "Envy of Utah". I can't wait to represent all of you for the next four years.

Thank you,

Michael McOmber

Welcome!

2009-08-04T18:32:00.000-07:00

I am running for City Council in the beautiful city of Saratoga Springs. I will be posting comments and positions that I have on various topics concerning our great city. Please comment and ask questions and I will be sure to answer them as quickly as possible.

Thank you and I hope you feel confident in voting for me to represent you as your City Councilor.

Michael McOmber