Category Archives: Politics

West Side Spotlight: State Representative Sandra Hollins

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Representative Sandra Hollins, D-District 23

Fairpark Gazette:  Thank you so much for sitting down to visit with The Gazette!   What would you like to tell the residents of Fairpark?

Rep. Sandra Hollins:  First, thank you for having me!  Well, let’s start by talking about voting.  I just want west side residents to know that this is a very important election and I want them to come out and vote because their vote equates to their voice.  I saw it in the mayor’s election and I want to make sure they show up for this election as well.   I was so proud during our caucus night.  I was very proud to see the lines and the amount of people who came out for caucus night, and so I want make sure those same people come out to vote.  I want to make sure that those who aren’t registered to vote get registered and that their voices are heard.  We could really turn this state people!  There are so many democrats and if you count all the democrats who think their voices don’t matter, and they get together, you find it DOES matter.  When I’m out campaigning, I hear of so many people who say, “I don’t vote because I don’t think it will make a difference, and it does make a difference.  It makes a HUGE difference!” One of my concerns is the number of young people who have no interest in voting, but I noticed in the last caucus night the number of young people who are excited about this presidential race and who are out and interested in politics, which gets me very excited about politics.  I met a number of young people who have never voted before who said this was their first time participating in the political process. I met a young man who was a refugee and he got his citizenship last year.  That this was his first time to vote.  And not only did he register to vote, but he became a delegate! He came and sat by me and we talked and talked. He had a lot questions about the process and what needs to be done, and who’s running…  He was just so curious.  He just jumped in with both feet!  I loved that.

FG: We just made it through the legislative session.  We didn’t have a lot of wins, but one of the things we were happy about was the Fairpark Bill coming out.

Visit Representative Hollins Legislative website here.

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West Side Spotlight: Andrew Johnston, District 2 Councilman

Andrew_Johnston_D2-e1452108440430On January 4th, Andrew Johnston, formerly the Chair of the Poplar Grove Community Council (our neighbors to the south) took an oath of office to join the Salt Lake City Council to represent Fairpark in District 2.  We sat down with Andrew to pick his brain about the upcoming legislative session, transportation, homelessness, and other issues particularly important to the west side.  Born and raised in Utah, Andrew says, “I love my neighborhood. That’s why I’ve been involved in the Poplar Grove Community Council and now Salt Lake City Council to make Salt Lake a better place for me to live, for family, for my neighbors, for everybody.  I’m proud of the west side and anyone who takes up the challenge to make this a better place.   I mean, it’s a great place to live!  For all the folks who are new to the area, or folks who are thinking about getting involved but haven’t yet, there are lots of ways you can participate.   Come on out, and get involved.   There are lots of opportunities for things you might really enjoy, and if you look for it, you can find some cool things you can do to help make the west side a great place to live.” Continue reading