WELCOME
Want to Stay in Touch:
Register or Login
Messages from Joel Cook
Joel Cook is a candidate for the Farmington City Council. He publishes a weekly message. On this page you can see all of his messages. If you would like to contact Joel please do so here: Contact Joel. You can also see his candidacy profile here: Joel Cook Candidacy Profile.
Down the Home Stretch for the Election
Posted October 25th, 2007 by Joel Cook
Last night was Meet the Candidates Night at Farmington City Hall. The event was a good opportunity to hear where the other candidates stand on many different issues. I gained new respect for some and shook my head at others.
I was grateful for the opportunity to share my qualifications and accomplishments; while voicing my concerns and vision for Farmington. The one thing I would pass on is we need to be diligent in communicating with our friends and neighbors in regard to city politics. This is especially true in regard to rezoning, development, and transportation. It can’t just be one or two citizens voicing their concerns even after this election is over.
I am tired of current and past officials defending themselves by saying, “I didn’t know that was happening.” I have had current officials tell me now they never wanted Legacy North to gut West Farmington; but in the same breath they said they couldn’t say until they had all of the facts and information. Well, which is it? We still don’t have all the facts and information, but it was denied. Never wanted it or you waited until your seat was in jeopardy to deny it? I don’t have an ax to grind or a personal angst against anyone; but I sure struggle with people who jump on the band wagon only when the team is winning.
It would be so refreshing to have elected officials that will speak plainly, tell you where they stand and at least admit to what has or has not been done. You can’t please all of the people all of the time; but I would just ask that we elect people with the courage to take a stand. Just give it to me straight is all I ask.
Please remember to vote November 6th and get your friends and neighbors out, also. It is hard to imagine all of the changes this city will confront over the next 4 years.
For those who have supported me, passed on my name to a friend and family and whoever has been putting my signs back up before I get back to do it, I thank you!
I was grateful for the opportunity to share my qualifications and accomplishments; while voicing my concerns and vision for Farmington. The one thing I would pass on is we need to be diligent in communicating with our friends and neighbors in regard to city politics. This is especially true in regard to rezoning, development, and transportation. It can’t just be one or two citizens voicing their concerns even after this election is over.
I am tired of current and past officials defending themselves by saying, “I didn’t know that was happening.” I have had current officials tell me now they never wanted Legacy North to gut West Farmington; but in the same breath they said they couldn’t say until they had all of the facts and information. Well, which is it? We still don’t have all the facts and information, but it was denied. Never wanted it or you waited until your seat was in jeopardy to deny it? I don’t have an ax to grind or a personal angst against anyone; but I sure struggle with people who jump on the band wagon only when the team is winning.
It would be so refreshing to have elected officials that will speak plainly, tell you where they stand and at least admit to what has or has not been done. You can’t please all of the people all of the time; but I would just ask that we elect people with the courage to take a stand. Just give it to me straight is all I ask.
Please remember to vote November 6th and get your friends and neighbors out, also. It is hard to imagine all of the changes this city will confront over the next 4 years.
For those who have supported me, passed on my name to a friend and family and whoever has been putting my signs back up before I get back to do it, I thank you!
What’s Your Sign?
Posted August 29th, 2007 by Joel Cook
I hope by now you have seen my signs dotted across Farmington. I don’t have the most signs, but if you take a second look at my signs you will see a picture of a family in the middle, a tree on the right and a person on horseback to the left.
These symbols are the three things I want people to remember about me. My friends and family are the most important things in my life. I want to help develop a business base that can be counted on to provide funding for the police and to help our firefighters have the equipment and facilities they need to keep us safe and secure.
The tree on the right is a reminder of why we chose to move back to Farmington. As a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and supporter of other conservation groups such as the National Arbor Day Foundation, I am looking for ways to beautify our city, conserve the wildlife corridors we have and keep the shaded sidewalks and jogging trails.
The last symbol I chose was the person on horseback. To me, this is more than fighting to keep the fairgrounds, my horses, and our rural setting. It symbolizes a movement to control our own destiny. There are too many outsiders that want to continue to make Farmington the doorstep of Northern Utah’s daily commute, a place that is conveniently passed through each day with little consideration for those who live here.
I encourage you to share your thoughts and concerns with your neighbors. My signs have my name just like everyone else, but I want you to vote and depend on more than just a name. I expect more from Farmington’s governing body than the equivalent of drawing a name out of a hat.
These symbols are the three things I want people to remember about me. My friends and family are the most important things in my life. I want to help develop a business base that can be counted on to provide funding for the police and to help our firefighters have the equipment and facilities they need to keep us safe and secure.
The tree on the right is a reminder of why we chose to move back to Farmington. As a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and supporter of other conservation groups such as the National Arbor Day Foundation, I am looking for ways to beautify our city, conserve the wildlife corridors we have and keep the shaded sidewalks and jogging trails.
The last symbol I chose was the person on horseback. To me, this is more than fighting to keep the fairgrounds, my horses, and our rural setting. It symbolizes a movement to control our own destiny. There are too many outsiders that want to continue to make Farmington the doorstep of Northern Utah’s daily commute, a place that is conveniently passed through each day with little consideration for those who live here.
I encourage you to share your thoughts and concerns with your neighbors. My signs have my name just like everyone else, but I want you to vote and depend on more than just a name. I expect more from Farmington’s governing body than the equivalent of drawing a name out of a hat.
Hope
Posted August 1st, 2007 by Joel Cook
This is the second of Joel Cook's weekly messages. His other messages can be found here. Joel Cook is a candidate for Farmington City Council. You can contact Joel here.
My dad used to say, “Hope is a poor man’s treasure.” Now I don’t know if he meant financially, physically, emotionally or what; but I sure hope the next three people selected to the city council will be emotionally solid, financially astute and politically able.
Farmington needs to network and draw from the influence outside of our city. We need to acknowledge and work with Farmington’s financial strengths and weaknesses. Lastly, I hope the next three elected city officials will think of “Farmington First.” If it doesn’t make sense, say “No.” If they are there to make friends and negotiate by saying, “Okay, whatever you want.” I feel they should go do something else that doesn’t affect the 15,000 citizens of Farmington. I know some say, “Oh that is easier said than done.” However, I do hope you will remember a few things about me.
I don’t want to be on the city council to feel important, to be well known in the city or use it as a stepping stone on to the next political office. I don’t want your money, your car, your job or anything else you have. I just hope to bring my education, experience, abilities and values to help Farmington move forward as the county seat and not as the doormat of Northern Utah’s daily commute.
“Hope”
My dad used to say, “Hope is a poor man’s treasure.” Now I don’t know if he meant financially, physically, emotionally or what; but I sure hope the next three people selected to the city council will be emotionally solid, financially astute and politically able.
Farmington needs to network and draw from the influence outside of our city. We need to acknowledge and work with Farmington’s financial strengths and weaknesses. Lastly, I hope the next three elected city officials will think of “Farmington First.” If it doesn’t make sense, say “No.” If they are there to make friends and negotiate by saying, “Okay, whatever you want.” I feel they should go do something else that doesn’t affect the 15,000 citizens of Farmington. I know some say, “Oh that is easier said than done.” However, I do hope you will remember a few things about me.
I don’t want to be on the city council to feel important, to be well known in the city or use it as a stepping stone on to the next political office. I don’t want your money, your car, your job or anything else you have. I just hope to bring my education, experience, abilities and values to help Farmington move forward as the county seat and not as the doormat of Northern Utah’s daily commute.
“The Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth”
Posted July 20th, 2007 by Joel CookThis is the first of Joel Cook's weekly messages. His other messages can be found here. Joel Cook is a candidate for Farmington City Council. You can contact Joel here.
Now that you know my platform is “FARMINGTON FIRST” in protecting the value of our homes, the safety of our children and maintaining that sense of home in our community, let’s delve a little deeper into Farmington’s future.
At the age of 30, I was lucky enough to have been promoted to a Vice President of a Fortune 500 company. With a staff of around 30 in three different business units, we would review about $6.5 billion a year in commercial lending. When that type of money is being considered, we focused on finding the whole truth and nothing but the truth. There were many factors, such as financial statements, forecasts, equipment, guarantors, projections, build-outs, work in progress and of course the salesman’s commission. It seemed that every party had an angle, which is just fine if they are open and honest about it. With all of the facts out on the table, we found that our decisions were timelier and most importantly had better outcomes.
Now, just stop and consider a few of the decisions being put forth in our community today, such as the park in Farmington Ranches, the Potter Place or the North Connection Bypass on the Legacy. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just get the whole truth? Wouldn’t it be refreshing to hear from a council member, a city employee, the developer or UDOT that “Yes, we are scared of the Sierra Club,” or “Yes, we do have the money for the park, but other things are more important,” or “Of course we could build on larger lots like it is zoned, but we want a 20% return on our capital not 15% and we are certain Farmington City employees and officials will give in.”
Just one more thing, the scariest factor of all in Farmington right now is the all too prevalent, “I don’t know.” If you are lucky enough to get a return phone call or reply to your email from the City, don’t be surprised if the outcome is, “I don’t know.” Or if they do know; don’t be surprised if it changes in two weeks because they really didn’t know. That sounds harsh, but from my own experiences and those of my neighbors it is accurate. However, I must say that Mayor Harbertson has been better to disseminate what he knows and to share his feelings. For that, I am appreciative.
I really do appreciate the time and effort of so many that make our community better; but unless all of the parties come to the table with their books open, our decisions will take too long, cost more money and there will always be hard feelings. After all, maybe your children can bring their children to the Farmington Ranches Park and play when it is done. I understand that process started over two years ago? Come on, let’s go with “FARMINGTON FIRST.”