By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
Following the biweekly meeting of the Carbon County Commission, Commissioner Jared Haddock joined the KOAL newsroom to discuss the designation of Carbon County as a ‘Bolder Way Forward County’, industry arriving in the area and finding civility in politics.
Speaking first on the ‘Bolder Way Forward’ designation, Haddock shared,” I have a couple of daughters myself, and I also wanted to help take the lead as Utah was the first state to allow women to vote. I don’t think a lot of people know that, and I think that’s wonderful. However, there are still many areas for improvement. The one thing about the resolution I just wanted to hit out that we wanted to mention was that we recognize that when women and girls have access to health, safety, freedom, education, equal representation and fair employment, all Utahns, including men and boys and families, thrive.”
Haddock also discussed the ongoing ‘Take Pride in Price’ campaign, which recently extended into an ongoing promotion. “What message does it send to somebody from outside the area who comes in and all they see is the garbage and the weeds that are growing out of control? We become a little blind to it and don’t recognize it as much. But just because we might be blind to it, doesn’t mean it isn’t something that we should improve … Some people made personal donations to help incentivize other people to improve their properties. And of course, this isn’t just for Price City, it’s hopefully for other parts of the county, but Price City has taken the lead on implementing this.”
The Commissioner continued on the topic of civic pride, discussing how to approach problems with local leaders,” When you talk to somebody on a personal level, and you speak calmly – yes, you can be firm – but you just speak in a way that you would want to be spoken to. Like I said, I don’t know of anyone who was inspired by someone who insulted … It’s unhelpful. If we really want to solve a problem, we first have to understand what that problem is.”
Haddock added,” We welcome every person that has ever come into the office, and we’re not always there because we’re out working; but most of the time, within 24 hours of any appointment, one of us will always be there, and we haven’t turned anybody away. It doesn’t matter what their concern is or what their issue is; we’re happy to do it. However, we also hope to be a leader in this area and help teach people how to approach a problem with someone who can actually solve it. There’s a saying that goes’ You can say the right thing, but in the wrong tone and make it the wrong thing.'”
Switching gears, Haddock discussed the constant pursuit of industry within the county, starting with the expansion of Intermountain Electronics: “They’re investing in local, and they’re using a lot of the local businesses wherever they can to help in their growth.”
He continued, speaking on the overall goal of the developments coming to Carbon.” The key is not to overwhelm our economic development. We don’t want to be like up north or anything like that, the excessive growth that they have there. My goal, and our hope, is to replace the jobs that have been lost. And if we can do that, we can help lower the taxes and that for all the citizens because they help distribute that cost further.”
Closing our conversation, Haddock shared,” We’re trying to bring back people who adopt a highway, where they come and clean up a certain part of the highway or the road that has a lot of garbage. Let us know and we’ll even pay for the signs to have your name on them. You can reach out to the mayor or myself and let us know if you’re interested in doing that or if your company or organization would like to sponsor that, because we think this will help long-term to help take care of some of these problem areas.”