Opinion: The Impact of Local Elections on Community Life and Our Democratic Republic

As we all know, we are coming to the end of an election cycle. I have chosen to be involved in this local city election for several reasons. If you have not yet voted you still have the opportunity to do so and I strongly encourage you to exercise this great freedom that we enjoy living in a free country. During the the past few weeks of this election cycle I have had the opportunity to repeat the Pledge of Allegiance in various public gatherings several times which has has caused me to ponder some of the words of the Pledge a little more than usual.

The one particular word that has been in my mind is “republic”.  The United States of America is a republic and not a pure democracy. To me this means that we elect individuals to represent us in each of the various levels of government and by doing so we agree to accept and obey the laws that they pass. 

In our local elections we also elect them to oversee the various programs and essential services that we expect the government to provide for us in turn for the taxes that we pay.  In city government this includes things such as public safety (the police, fire, and ambulance services), water systems, sewer system, roads, garbage, and other services.  In the past it was also decided that as a city, we would like additional items and services such as recreation programs, a recreation center, parks and trails, library, arts programs and other items.  In our case I personally believe that the city has done a great job of providing these various services and programs.  Although neither me nor my family use, or have used all of these services, many other citizens have used them and for me that is great. All of these things work together to provide us what is called a “quality of life” program for the residents of this city.

It has been said many times that elections have consequences, and they do.  No matter what the results of next week’s city elections are, I am asking and encouraging all of those running to respect and accept the results and the will of the citizens of American Fork who used their freedom and exercised the right to vote. I am also asking the same respect and acceptance for the decisions made by current and past city council members.

Kevin J. Barnes