Share Your voice

by Kathy Bence

“Sunset in Toquerville” by Lori Cole

Applying the 1st amendment in Toquerville

We are still free to share our opinions with government leaders. Local cities are where our voices will most likely be heard, especially during public comments or hearings in city council and planning commission meetings.

Besides informing city officials, publicly sharing our concerns enables others to be informed and perhaps influenced. The YouTube views for these meetings range from 40 to more than 200. So while you may think you’re speaking to a near-empty room, you’re not. You can also send a letter to be read in a public hearing.

Our city leaders’ emails are available on the city council and planning commission pages on Toquerville.org. Sending an email can be helpful and personal. The downside is that other residents won’t hear your point of view, be informed, or be influenced.

Don’t forget, the Toquerville Sentinel accepts opinions on local matters. That’s another place to share your opinions and be heard by others.

Try to make a change if it matters to you

Recently, an application was submitted from a developer applying for a zone change from R-1-20 to R-1-12. In other words, from a 20,000 square foot lot to a 12,000 square foot lot. This request was denied at the last council meeting.

No comments were allowed on this matter during the May 1 City Council meeting. However, the Mayor said they had watched the April 10 Planning Commission public hearing. At that meeting, many residents spoke. The YouTube recording of that business item begins here.

Prior to that meeting, Lori Cole sent an email to the Mayor and each of the council members. While her comments weren’t heard by other residents prior to the vote, it serves as a reminder that we still have a voice even if it’s not in public. Your opinion may be different than Lori’s. Whatever your opinion is, the point is that it can be shared.

A letter to the Mayor and City Council members

RE: rezoning application, Tax ID: #T-91-A-1-A-2.

Dear Council Member,

I'm writing to advise you of my concerns over the impending vote of the City Council regarding Mr. Troy Wall's application for rezoning. 

Toquerville residents, including myself, have stated over and over verbally and/or on the survey that we do not want these zone changes, nor do we approve of developers and others using "bait and switch" tactics to make money.  People who live in this town and purchased property in those residential areas around Mr. Troy Wall's property purchased their properties under (at the very least) the current zoning regulations. It is not fair to them nor is it fair to any of the rest of us here in Toquerville to have a re-zoning switch pulled on us. 

I do not want to see the same community destruction that I fled six years ago happen here in beautiful Toquerville. Many cities and towns are managing to say no to developers to maintain the beauty and character of their communities and the goodwill of the citizens. I know we can too.  

Thank you for all that you do city council members, and for using your voice to represent those of us who overwhelmingly do not want this kind of destruction of our way of life. Yes, we know exactly what approving these kinds of requests will do to our community. Many of us have already seen it happen in other communities.

The council hasn't voted yet, and I am hoping and praying that when they do, they will make the right decision. That decision will benefit the citizens of this town over the dreams of developers. Please vote NO on the rezoning application. Also, I hope they will vote no every single time that this application is resubmitted for that same property.

I extend thanks to the City Council. We appreciate the job you're trying to do for the city and its residents. 

Sincerely,
Lori Cole