What qualifies you to represent your district?

1. As the former chair of the Rose Park Community Council, I have a track record of delivering results that have helped to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods. As a former transportation planner for Salt Lake City, I know why a keen eye on our budget matters. 

Identify two key issues that you are concerned about. As a city council member, what specific actions will you take to address those issues?

Air quality- I've got three main strategies to improve our air quality. First, reducing our emissions by investing in more multimodal options like transit, biking, and walking. Second, we need to aggressively pursue carbon sequestration by using city-owned land and public right of ways to plant more trees and vegetation. Carbon sequestration is pivotal in pulling our carbon legacy out of our atmosphere and improving our climate. Third, we must continue to invest in reliable particulate data as air quality dynamics change. Western wildfires, summer ozone, and a shrinking Great Salt Lake are all adding different particulates to our air shed and we must make sure our communities have access to accurate information.

Growth- Our most recent census data showed the incredible growth of our state - and the youngest population in the country. While this is an incredible opportunity for expanding our tax base, we must keep our eye on how this growth impacts our local communities, natural resources, and quality of life. It is critical that any updated zoning or land-use policy is matched with transportation policy and investments that aim to reduce emissions, make our public right of ways safer, and build long term resiliency and sustainability. As we grow, our public safety needs to evolve and meet the values and principles of our communities. I’ll ensure our public safety departments are equipped to meet the evolving needs of today and the future.

What is your background, and what motivated you to run?

As a former non-profit professional and city planner, and the current deputy director of an interlocal government agency, my background has prepared me to make decisions that are both inclusive and decisive. My time as chair of Rose Park Community Council has been the most rewarding and is what motivated me to run. Working shoulder to shoulder with my neighbors on community-initiated and -led projects is what inspires me to be our district's representative.

Identify an example where you had to make a choice between doing what was right and what was popular/politically expedient.

600 North has long been a dangerous corridor for our residents. In fact, there have been several deaths from auto-pedestrian collisions. For many years, our neighbors asked the city for safety improvements with no action. It was time for our community to organize and act. We applied for funding through the city’s CIP process and were denied funding for the project. We could have easily folded up and accepted that decision. The time was ripe to act. I encouraged our community to organize, not accept the initial decision, and continue to pursue funding for the project. We created a robust, public awareness and action campaign called “Slow Down 6th North Campaign” to fund the project we were initially denied. We developed a website outlining our project, how to engage with city council members, and a petition for residents to sign in support of the project. We gathered over 600 signatures, dozens of emails sent to city council members, and we showed up to comment at a city council meeting. That project was funded and has been an example of how we can organize as a community to ensure city investments in our Westside communities. 

If you are elected, how will you engage with your constituents to know their needs/concerns? 

During my time as Rose Park Community Council chair, it was important to me to try and reach more neighbors who couldn’t make a monthly meeting on a Wednesday night. So, we led several different activities to engage with more neighbors. This includes neighborhood clean-ups, beautification projects, workshops, surveys, speed networking etc. I've got a track record of doing outside-the-box engagement to increase community participation. As a councilmember I’m committed to doing the same. I’ll certainly use traditional methods of engagement through emails, phone calls, texts, and traditional meetings. I’ll also continue to knock on doors throughout the year as I find that one-on-one connection method the most meaningful. Diverse constituent feedback and differing perspectives makes for a better decision-making process.

What qualifies you to represent your district?

Aside from my 50 years living on the Westside, what makes me most qualified is my experience fighting for and empowering our neighborhoods, and my relationships within our community. That history matters and it’s why I’ve earned the support of our Westside elected officials and community leaders. 

Identify two key issues that you are concerned about. As a city council member, what specific actions will you take to address those issues?

Among the many issues facing the Westside and our city, we need a broader vision that understands how our social and economic challenges are connected so we can truly address their causes and find real solutions. Community empowerment and equity should drive our policies on affordable housing, homelessness, development, and public safety. 

On homelessness, we must approach the issue from a human level, redefine how we measure capacity, and innovate better solutions because everyone knows what we have now is not working. We must make our resource centers more robust, increase the number of beds available for individuals and families, improve coordination among service providers, and develop further outreach and wrap-around services to deal with those individuals who refuse to enter shelters due to trauma, mental health, or addiction. 

Our housing policies must provide options across all incomes. We cannot concentrate all the city’s low-income housing on the Westside. Our city must develop and incentivize inclusionary housing projects to offer affordable, mixed-income housing, giving people their neighborhood of choice and developing a viable consumer base to foster, attract and support businesses on the Westside. Through home ownership and economic growth, we can empower our community and make a more equitable city.

As our city grows, we must also focus on public safety and sustainability. As our city grows larger, our transportation and infrastructure priorities serve as real measures of equity. Our Westside neighborhoods deserve equitable infrastructure, which includes our roads, bridges, power grid, Internet access, sewer system, sidewalks, curbs and gutters. Our Westside neighborhoods deserve a transportation system that is affordable, accessible and convenient. Our Westside neighborhoods deserve safe streets for everyone who uses our roads and sidewalks.

These key issues of community empowerment and equity are where I’ll focus my efforts as your next council member.

What is your background, and what motivated you to run?

I’ve lived on the Westside my whole life. My childhood included evictions and homelessness, but I learned the value of community through YouthWorks and have been fighting for the Westside ever since. I’ve heard many longtime Westsiders reflect on what we’ve lost, and many newer Westsiders want to see those same things return. We need a council member with a history rooted in the Westside, who has a real record getting things done, and who can offer an inspiring vision for our Westside. With support from our community leaders, I decided to run because Westside neighborhoods and families deserve more. 

Identify an example where you had to make a choice between doing what was right and what was popular/politically expedient.

In Utah, I often find myself advancing social causes that are unpopular in this state. Launching the Poor People’s Campaign to fight against poverty, Marching for Women’s Rights, co-founding Racially Just Utah to fight against the school-to-prison pipeline, protesting for Marriage Equality – most of my community-based advocacy work has been against the grain here in Utah. Much of it is before movements have gained their momentum, like my hosting radio conversations on sexual assault or lifting trans voices on KRCL. These examples show a strong moral compass, and my record shows I will always do the right thing for our Westside neighborhoods and community. 

If you are elected, how will you engage with your constituents to know their needs/concerns?

Much of my advocacy and community work has been centered on the Westside and has always been intentionally based within our community. The nature of this work is driven by the needs and concerns of our Westside community. The development of the Glendale Library is an instructive example of how to envision and develop a project on the Westside: you reach out to people where they are and engage them in meaningful conversations. I was part of those conversations and know that community needs and concerns informed the building we now enjoy. 

The process of community engagement involves understanding our community and having relationships rooted in our Westside neighborhoods. Communication has to be more than the occasional email or notice on your water bill. We need a council member that reaches out to neighbors and cares about what they say. If elected, I will press the city for better outreach and engagement systems in our city, I will always reach out to neighbors directly, so I stay true to our community, and ensure that Westside vacancies on city boards and commissions are filled. Community engagement will be a major focus for me because I believe representation matters and community engagement is how we all have a seat at the table. 

What qualifies you to represent your district?

I’ve spent 18 years working to improve my community. My approach to almost every issue is to find realistic short term steps toward achieving a long term goal. What work can we begin today to more efficiently and effectively improve our lives and our community a little bit each day?

Identify two key issues that you are concerned about. As a city council member, what specific actions will you take to address those issues? [maximum of 150 words each or 300 words total]

Issue 1: Public Safety

Our community has many concerns regarding public safety. As an immediate step, after less than 6 weeks in office and with the help of my colleagues on the City Council, we approved a wage increase in the annual budget that successfully ensured our public safety employees are the best paid anywhere in the state. We also allocated funding to achieve my goal of establishing a new alternate response model that will be presented soon. This model could consider being staffed with social workers and EMT’s to be able to better address noncriminal issues like homelessness and mental health concerns. This can relieve strain on our first responders to quickly improve response times across our city. \

Issue 2 Public Lands and Greenspace

My approach has continued in my efforts to maintain, increase, and improve our public greenspaces. As the Chair of the PNUT Board, I worked alongside many others to create the new Three Creeks Confluence Park. I also fought hard with Poplar Grove Community Council to refurbish the Fisher Mansion back to glory, starting with the renovation of the Carriage House that will commence next year, and continuing with funding proposed in a new bond to finally make the main building safe and functional. I am now working toward creating a public/private partnership between SLC, nonprofits, and businesses to use available resources to keep our Jordan River Parkway Trail cleaner and safer for all our residents, without costing any additional money. 

What is your background, and what motivated you to run?

Just as I answered the call to serve in the Air Force during Operation Desert Storm, I was one of 17 people from our community that answered the call to apply to fill this seat when it was vacated in April. After a rigorous selection process, I was appointed by a unanimous vote based on my 18 year track record of consistent work to improve this community. I am here to ask you to vote for me, Dennis Faris for SLC District 2 City Council, to continue that work in the years to come. 

Identify an example where you had to make a choice between doing what was right and what was popular/politically expedient.

The difference between doing what is right and what is popular with the community is a balancing act that all representatives must do from time to time. The two main considerations I take into any decision I have to make as the representative of District 2 are resident feedback and expert advice. While those two may not always align, I commit to making myself accessible to every one of my constituents so I can explain the decisions I make as your Councilmember.

If you are elected, how will you engage with your constituents to know their needs/concerns?

As I have always done, my phone number (801-699-1381) and email () are very publicly available to anyone who needs to connect with me.

Please feel free to reach out at any time to help me better understand what you are experiencing. As both the former chair and vice-chair of the Poplar Grove Community Council and regular attendant of the Glendale and Fairpark Community Council meetings, I will continue to be consistently present and look forward to hearing concerns, questions and recommendations from my friends, neighbors, and constituents.

What qualifies you to represent your district?

I was born at LDS Hospital, raised in Bountiful, have owned my Rose Park home since 1993, married in SL temple to my wife Brenda for 23 years, and my ancestors were here since the 1850s. BS Geology, University of Utah. Republican Legislative District 23 Chair for 12+ years.

Identify two key issues that you are concerned about. As a city council member, what specific actions will you take to address those issues?

1. I will do everything in my power to protect our environment. Our water supply, especially City Creek, must be protected from potential threats from pollution, overuse, and appropriation by entities other than Salt Lake City. I am also concerned about our air quality and threats from erosion, water pollution, as well as over building in potential earthquake and flood zones, especially in the proposed inland port and other areas west of Redwood Road.
2. We must also "back the blue" and defend our law enforcement officers so that they can return home safely to their families at the end of their shifts, secure in the knowledge that they have the backing of our civic leaders and of our community as a whole. Laws and ordinances should be kept as few as possible and easy to understand by the average citizen.

What is your background, and what motivated you to run

My family has been in Utah politics for many generations. I am a trained geologist. I understand the ground beneath us, the rocks around us, and the planet around us. I also fly with the Commemorative Air Force and understand airports, which is a large part of our district, as well as hotels, which I have worked in previously. I've also worked at the Salt Palace Convention Center for eight years and as a custodian at the LDS Church Office building. I've run my own business and understand how frustrating government regulations can be. I want freedom for everyone.

Identify an example where you had to make a choice between doing what was right and what was popular/politically expedient.

In May of 2020, a very large crowd of angry protestors, some of whom were vandalizing property, were attempting to breach the Utah State Capitol and provoke law enforcement officers. About 50 Utah Highway patrolman were able to guard only the south staircase. I saw what was happening and truly felt that if the protesters were allowed to continue it could be the end of democracy and the People's house here in Utah. I recruited five other civilians and we stood with the UHP for two hours while every insult in the book was shouted at us. We stood there attempting to calm the protestors down until curfew was called and 300 national guard troops arrived. They stood guard for about two weeks until average civilians and tourists could safely walk across the capitol grounds and onto the sacred stairsteps once again.

If you are elected, how will you engage with your constituents to know their needs/concerns?

My cell phone number is (801)295-5762. I will attend all city council meetings and continue the tradition of allowing citizens two minutes to speak. I would also like to establish a small SLC District 1 field office near 700 North and Redwood Road where residents could pay fines, apply for business licenses, pay city bills etc. without having to travel to downtown to the City and County building or other less convenient locations.

West View Media seeks a part time Executive Director. This unique opportunity will allow the right individual to create a position for themselves, and additional professional staff, with an established and well respected organization with extraordinary potential for growth and impact.  

West View Media is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) community news organization that offers an authentic look into Salt Lake City’s west side through stories written primarily by community members. Currently published quarterly, The West View is mailed free of charge to over 22,000 homes and businesses throughout the Fairpark, Glendale, Rose Park, Westpointe, Jordan Meadows and Poplar Grove neighborhoods. West View Media also produces events, discussions and partnerships related to its community mission. 

The West View has enthusiastic community support and a long history and is looking to expand their presence through a professional, paid staff. Currently, one volunteer acts as Managing Editor, overseeing the production of The West View newspaper, with a staff of writers, photographers, and other volunteers. 

The primary function of the West View Media Executive Director is to oversee the management of the organization. They will:

• Manage all aspects of West View Media’s external affairs including fundraising, resource development, communications and marketing, and community partnerships.  

• Manage all aspects of West View Media internal affairs: operational management of finances to meet all budgeted goals for contributed (and earned) income. 

• The ED will act as primary liaison to the board, providing reports as necessary to ensure the health and vitality of the organization. 

• The ED will work in partnership with the Managing Editor, board, staff, and volunteers to maintain and promote the excellence of West View Media. 

The Executive Director position has been funded for six months with a $1000/per month stipend. Depending on organizational and fundraising development, this Executive Director position could transition to a regular paid position in the future. 

Submit resume and letter of application to

Full Job Description

Management and Operations

• Manage and supervise staff by building a collaborative administrative team to execute West View Media's mission while providing strong, supportive and consistent leadership.

• Oversee fiduciary management of organization by overseeing development of the annual budget and any special project or capital budgets, reviewing all financial and managerial reports, statements and other documents (contracts, agreements, leases, etc.)

• Ensure the financial stability of West View Media by using strong financial and accounting controls, identifying and driving appropriate revenue strategies and responsibly managing West View Media budget.

• Manage staff and oversee event management.

Resource Development

• Oversee all fundraising activities including assistance in cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors.

• Work with the fundraising committee to identify, apply and manage grant applications and other fundraising opportunities 

• Oversee ad sales and ad sales staff or volunteers, including sales, invoicing and other management.

• Work with committees, volunteers, board members and other parties to identify sources of revenue for the organization.

• Build, maintain and nurture relationships with donors and vendors.

Community Relations

• Establish and maintain strong relationships within the business, civic, and nonprofit communities that promote the work of the West View Media and the community.

• Advocate for West View Media, the journalism community, and the economic impact of the organization with local, state and federal offices as necessary.

• Manage email marketing and assist with social media content. 

Board Relations

• Act as the liaison to the board of directors, executive and fundraising committees of West View Media and provide reports, statements and other documents as needed to help the board exercise their legal duties to govern West View Media .

• Oversee engagement of trustees in fundraising, marketing, public relations, community relations and advocacy efforts.

Other Functions

• Manage business activities including but not limited to: selection, hiring, development, evaluation and coaching of administrative staff.

• Collaborate with staff and volunteers to create and nurture the culture of West View Media.

• Act as primary spokesperson for West View Media. 

• Other functions as directed by the board.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Has leadership and management experience in a nonprofit organization.

• Values community journalism, civic engagement and advocacy for diverse communities. 

• Exhibits strong writing skills and some knowledge of community journalism. 

• Has experience in fundraising, management, operations and board relations.

• Has demonstrated ability to foster and nurture relationships with donors, business leaders, nonprofit professionals, community and civic leaders, and other stakeholders.

• Has demonstrated knowledge of operations, financial reporting, budgets, and nonprofit finance.

• Has understanding of board governance and organizational management.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Submit resume and letter of application to

Located on the Jordan River trail in Fairpark, the Og-Woi People’s Orchard and Garden is a community collective experiment into whether food can be free, according to the organizers. The word “og-woi” is the Shoshone word for river, chosen because the project is located near the Jordan River on land that was stolen from the Ute and Shoshone tribes. Fruit trees, berry bushes, flowers, as well as garden beds of veggies are being planted and cared for by volunteers. In addition to providing nourishment to the body, these “guerilla gardeners” are also nourishing the environment and the community by modeling resiliency and caring. You can learn more at the Og-Woi Facebook group.  Photos courtesy of the Og-Woi Collective

Assistant Editor

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West View Media is a non-prot news organization that informs, educates and inspires readers through publications that focus on the diverse communities in west Salt Lake City. We oer an authentic look into an area of Salt Lake City that has traditionally been undervalued and misrepresented by mainstream media and local government entities. We strive to do this not only with professional staff, but also by empowering people who live and work in west Salt Lake City to tell their own stories, in their own voice.

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AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support West View Media. Each time you shop and place an order on AmazonSmile a portion of your purchase will be donated back to us, at no cost to you. Once you use the link and login once you are all set up!  Be sure to use smile.amazon.com when you shop!

You can sign up here.

Smith’s Inspiring Donations

You can support us when you shop at Smith's by joining Smith's Inspiring Donations Program. Whenever you shop at Smith's and use your rewards card, you can make a donation to us with no extra charge to yourself. Here are the instructions to register your card for Inspiring Donations:

1. Visit Smith's Community Rewards page
2. Select Sign In or Create an Account
3. Select Community – Smith's Inspiring Donations
4. Select Enroll Now button
5. Choose charity number UA471 (West View Media)