GARY SHUMWAY for Summit County Council

1. You agree that our existing two-party system does not give us the choice in candidates that we need for healthy debates and informed decision making. The Republicans and Democrats have made a mess of our country, our economy, the gov skool system, etc. It is long past time to give the people a real choice in candidates. One that will not rubber stamp the Republican or Democrat agenda. With the approval rating of congress at 10 percent and that of President Bush at 28 percent, we must have third-party leadership. As a member and the Summit County Chair of the Constitution Party, I bring a needed new perspective to county government. See http://www.cputah.org/html/platform.html to view the national Constitution Party platform. A good portion of the national party's platform is not germaine to county governance but the belief in the individual, private enterprise, energy independence, being stewards of the environment, strong families, low taxation levels, personal liberty, small and open government, and the individual involved in politics most certainly is.

2. You want your Council member to listen to you and not have conflicting personal agendas. I am not a real estate developer, large property owner, or attorney with connections to the County. My wife and I own a condo in Jeremy Ranch. We have no land holdings in Summit County nor do we have business dealings with Summit County. I will listen to the citizens of the County, without having a personal agenda. I am a team player who will listen to Summit County residents and call it as I see it.

3. You support growth limited by available resources and you desire to maintain Summit County’s unique composition. Most residents of Summit County support resonable growth. Growth which does not deletariously affect our standard of living and the mountain lifestyle that we all enjoy. But growth must not get ahead of the County's abilty to provide the services we expect and pay for and growth must not over burden our natural resources. I am for balanced growth and to the extent possible, the right of the individual to do what they wish with their land.

4. You want your Council member to work towards optimizing the size of government, to be responsive to citizens needs, yet cost effective. Volunteer boards and public and Internet forums (see #6 below) are excellent ways to hear from the citizens. I have been very impressed with the professionalism of the volunteer boards we have in the County. They perform a vital function and volunteers save the County over $500,000 a year. This is your County, get involved!

5. You want your Council member to champion government openness. I believe the Council should hold public meetings in the evening when more individuals are available. From my own experience, leaving work at 1:30 to attend a 2:00 to 4:00 Commissioner's meeting is difficult to do. Holding Council meetings at 6:00 to 8:00 PM would enable more individuals to get involved in government, thus increasing government openness. Further, I will maintain a good working relationship with the Park Record and other media. I will fairly and honestly discuss all that I can with the media. I will also use the 'Tell Shumway' forum (see #6 below) to keep the public informed.

6. You want a council member who listens and will communicate with you. No form letters! Gary will maintain a web site seeking your comments. You will not get form letters from me in response to your thoughtful opinions or inquiries. I have created the 'Tell Shumway' forum at http://www.tellshumway.com to enable you to express your opinions on whatever county related subjects you wish. I will have polls to futher garner your opinion and I respond via this public forum to your opinions or inquiries.

You want Shumway on your Council!