Janneke House for Salt Lake City Council — A Democrat with a Passion for Urban Planning and Equality for All

Coming soon, Janneke will post here, her observations during the campaign as they relate to being a young democrat Mormon running against her former Stake President.

There has been a great deal of discussion on this subject from LDS and gentiles alike during and since the campaign.

As I said in a early post, its not yet a conversation one hears at church during social time, but it will, and must thanks to George Bush's decision to make his domestic and foreign policy about Christian values, and as Christians, Mormons are clearly intimately aware of the contradictions in the "teachings", and the unfortunate "collateral" cost of innocent Iraqi lives, torture, and the budget slashing of programs that help the poor.

Jim Knowlton began Beehive Donky as the name suggests, as a place to have the conversation.

Looking back on the inspired outpouring of support for a courageous, young, progressive, LDS, urban planner named Janneke House, one can only look back and gulp. The following attempt to acknowledge and thank all who showed up will invariably fall short as an attempt to include all of those deserving of mention.

First and foremost, thank you to Lisa Allcott who put in as much time, if not more than I did as campaign manager. Her experience, expertise and advice were not only invaluable, but the greatest expression of selfless commitment I have ever seen in any capacity at any level for any cause. Her tireless effort will forever stand out in my mind as the highest standard of commitment and performance in my experience.

I urge everyone to join me in inviting her to assume whatever role she chooses in the larger effort to provide leadership to the progressive movement in Utah.

And of Jan Lovett who risked job and marriage for no other reason than a deep commitment to changing the face of politics in Utah today, her contribution of spirit, energy, and infectious passion reflect the leadership qualities that have galvanized our little and growing movement, and will propel her into some elected office soon. Jan and Tom move closer!

I think we a are one more race away from demonstrating that no progressive candidate in this valley can be successful without the silent giant –Southwest Carpenters led by Dan O’Shea. The members of the Carpenters Union are the singular vanguard in the fight for living wages, and fairness for the workingman in Utah. Their contribution of feet on the ground made possible what is otherwise impossible in such a short campaign. Their contribution of volunteers, resources, and direction cannot be overstated, particularly in light of their participation in other races.

I want to say thank you to all the volunteers, supporters, and friends! It was a very close election, we had strong numbers, and we should feel confident about the campaign. Thank you for your hard work, your enthusiasm and passion. Maybe for the first time, people are putting together the connections between knowledge and principles to understand how a city is run. I cannot really think of this as a loss when I think of all the friends I made and hard working people I met. This is only the beginning. I hope to see many of you in the future.

-Janneke

On Janneke’s opponent’s website, regarding Pioneer Park, he states:

“Eric's opponent (Janneke House) cannot claim to know what major renovations are favored by a majority of Salt Lake's citizens since no polling information exists that defines such "major renovations."

Oops! Every two years, the city administration retains The Dan Jones Company to do a survey of city residents. The most recent survey polled citizens on specific proposed renovations to Pioneer Park among numerous other city issues. The results of that poll were provided by the administration to the city council and reported in the newspaper.

To say that no polling information exists, is a factual error.

We appreciate our opponent's response to the comparison piece in which are described stark fundamental differences between the candidates.

I'd like to post my thoughts concerning Eric’s comments on the following issues:

Domestic Benefits and The War on Iraq: "Where is his MORAL courage?"

Our elected officials will have to address and face issues that affect our community, city, state, and nation. They should be leaders who will formulate policy based on word and promises and a compassionate understanding of their constituenency. And if in hindsight, those policies are not implemented, perhaps because of a changed opinion or otherwise, my hope is to have leaders who have the moral courage to explain the decision behind the change.

We need leaders who understand that at times it takes moral courage to publicly speak out on basic human rights such as domestic partner benefits or hate crimes. To do so is often “difficult” or otherwise unpopular. But it is the morally right thing to do. Why not help and cover those that can be today while attentively working toward covering the “broader group” along the way?

Listening to Eric's comments about how hard the city council worked to pass a resolution condemening Bush planned invasion of Iraq, it is hard not to balk at the difference between what Eric says, and what really happened. The unending stream of consitutents who spoke out at multiple successive meetings, pleading with the city council to ask Bush to wait, and let the UN inspectors finish their job, were met with virtual silence.

We now know, the people who spoke out were right. When will our politicans address their complicity in the ugly mistakes for which we, and the people of Iraq are suffering today?

Download Rocky's Letter (PDF)

Dear Friend,

Janneke House will make an enormous, positive difference for District 3 and our entire city as a Citycouncil Person.

The re-election of Eric Jergensen will mean just more of the same -- delay, obstruction, and ineffectiveness.

When you are deciding for whom you will vote, ask yourself:
* After four years of Eric's representation on the City Council, why are monster homes and out-of-scale garages still undermining the historical integrity of District 3 neighborhoods?
* Why is Pioneer Park the same as it was four years ago?
* Why is the RDA, which Eric has chaired for the past two years, a slumlord at the Regis Hotel and surrounding properties, rather than helping to transform that area into an urban mixed-use project? And why has the RDA failed to implement its own affordable housing policies?

The choice on Tuesday is between two dramatically different people.

One stark difference was demonstrated at a recent debate at The University of Utah's Hinckley Insitute Candidate Forum.

This clip is edited for your convenience. We will post the entire unedited 55 minute debate on Monday. Please check back then.

Watch Video

After saying a "member of the city council is never gonna have to vote or otherwise on president Bush's war in Iraq," Eric explains that the council looked very hard a resolution against the war the war in Iraq.

Fast connection

From the earliest age, my parents raised me with the value of community service and involvement. My mother, Ann House, has spent her life supporting the non-profit organizations in our city. My father, Fred House, was a well-loved correctional officer who was killed in the line of duty. The Fred F. House Training Academy in Bluffdale was named in recognition of his service. Along with my grandparents, Carlos and Wanda Whiting, I want to follow in their footsteps and share the personal satisfaction of being in service to my community.

As a native Utahn and over 10 year resident of our capital hill neighborhood, I am committed to protecting our residential neighborhoods -- neighborhoods with a distinguished legacy of character and beauty.