The people of Provo deserve an honest
government that works FOR their best interests, and not its own.
Our City is at an inflection point. Difficult decisions regarding our future have to be made and that requires prudent as well as honest leadership.
My goal is to ensure Provo is a place where our children want to stay and raise their families… a place where our children can stay and raise their families. I grew up in Provo, I’m raising my children in Provo, and I hope they are able to raise their families here as well.
I am strongly opposed to any increase in public debt. We need to focus our energy on extricating ourselves from the financial burdens already being shouldered by our community and developing a more autonomous and self-reliant municipality. Ultimately this means enduring protracted periods of austerity with municipal funds. It also means expanding our economic base as well as finding and developing new sources of revenue.
In my opinion, the wisest course of action for Provo is as follows:
I believe the city of Provo should do everything possible to make the iProvo network a self-sustaining program. Irrespective of whether or not building the network was a good idea, we are well beyond the point of no return and there are still a number of opportunities to be had from this project. Adding fees to the utility bills of Provo City residents to bail out the network should only be a temporary solution. I understand that it is necessary to meet our financial obligations while keeping a balanced budget, but I want the need for this fee to be removed as soon as possible. With well-planned prudent decisions and steadfast resolve, I believe we can make iProvo a viable as well as profitable asset for our community. Provo city needs to decisively take back ownership of iProvo and contract a private firm to manage the network. Some initial steps to increase revenue from the network should include: 1) Requiring all departments of Provo City and Utah County governments to pay for thier usage of the network. 2) Allowing more qualified providers to have access and provide services through the network. 3) Simultaneously lowering the cost of subscription and increasing the speed of internet service. A massive marketing campaign to increase subscribers will also be needed. To show my personal commitment to the idea, I will be changing my household internet service to the iProvo network in the near future and I encourage others to do the same.
Provo is a college town and I want it to stay that way. I want our students to be treated better. I want our community to serve their needs better. I want them to have a better experience while studying here in Provo. I plan on actively representing their interests on City Council. A big part of this effort will entail facilitating development in response to the needs of our student population. It also involves helping homeowners rent out portions of their home to students. I am staunchly opposed to the plans outlined in Vision 2030 that advocate pushing the student population to other parts of Utah Valley. Students at BYU and UVU should have no problem finding a place to live in Provo. Finally, keeping property taxes as low as possible will also help keep the price of student rentals as affordable as possible. Go Cougars!
Development is crucial to the well-being and future of our community. Our future is in an increasingly urban one, and we should embrace it. Increasing commerce corridors in particular will augment and improve Provo’s viability. Planning initiatives such as the new Center Street interchange and a third interchange should, in time, help generate a significant increase in City revenue without raising taxes. Couple this with zoning changes to allow and encourage businesses to relocate to these corridors and a tremendous amount of revenue will be generated for the community. This will obviously assist in meeting our needs to provide essential services while maintaining a well balanced budget.
Am I the only one that thinks Historic Downtown Provo should look historic? I am bothered by hypermodern buildings being constructed next to signs welcoming us to what is supposed to be a historic Downtown.
To be clear, I support the development… I just don’t care for the choice of architechture. I advocate the creation of requirements for the architecture and appearance of new buildings constructed in Downtown Provo. Buildings in this area should should exude quality craftsmanship and character while conforming to the appearance and style of the buildings built in downtown Provo around the turn of the previous century. Normally I am very much against increased zoning requirements, but I make an exception for what should be a more historic looking Historic Downtown. I believe the city should create an architectural review committee to ensure development downtown conforms to the most iconic and cherished buildings we have throughout the district. These measures would drastically increase the appeal and prestige of this area and attract more consumers and businesses alike.
The City’s handling of issues surrounding trash collection and sanitation are also troubling. I support recycling and have had a blue can from the time we first bought our home in Provo. Despite my belief in recycling, I opposed the Opt-out program. I have been extremely dismayed by the Council’s recent efforts to prevent any usage of private sanitation companies in Provo. This initiative is monopolistic and extremely unfair to residents. If elected, I will strongly oppose these efforts to encroach on citizens and private enterprise.
Property Rights
- The right an individual has to own real property is guaranteed by the Constitutions of both the United States and the State of Utah.
Taxation
– A tax is not a voluntary payment or donation, but a forced contribution.
Development
– Growth is crucial to creating and supporting a healthy and desirable community. Viable neighborhoods require the economic opportunities to sustain them.
Downtown Provo
– Architectural and commercial initiatives should maintain continuity with historic buildings to preserve the richness of this priceless heritage.
Yancee M. Hardy is an Iraq War Veteran and Provo Native. Hardy graduated from Timpview High School in 2000 and has spent 10 years serving in the Armed Forces. Hardy is a candidate for Provo City Council seeking to fill the City Wide District II seat.
Provo City residents may be familiar with Yancee Hardy’s parents, Ken and Stephanie Hardy, who owned Golden Rule Realty a small Real Estate Brokerage located in Provo.
An Eagle Scout, Hardy served in the Active Duty Marine Corps after graduating High School. Hardy spent most of his five years in the Marine Corps as an Embassy Guard in South America and the Middle East. He was also stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
After his enlistment in the Marine Corps, Yancee Hardy attended Georgetown University. Academically he concentrated on Economics, Political Philosophy, and American Political Systems.
Yancee Hardy is currently a member of the Utah Army National Guard and has recently returned from a yearlong deployment to Iraq with a Military Intelligence Battalion where he served as an assistant Team Leader and Iraqi Arabic Linguist. In all, Hardy has spent nearly 8 years of his life abroad, most while in uniform.
This is Hardy’s first campaign for elected office and his primary focus will be raising awareness about issues affecting Provo residents and advocating prudent solutions. He has strong beliefs about local politics and the effect they have on both families and individuals. Hardy is particularly concerned with Provo City Council’s history of tax increases and interference with homeowner property rights.
Voters should know that Hardy is a staunch social and fiscal Conservative and a stalwart advocate of States’ rights and decentralized government. Dedicated to a campaign focusing on issues pertaining to the community, Hardy is looking forward to a race characterized by respectful dialogue and civility.
Hardy lives in Central Provo (Maeser Neighborhood) with his brilliant and gorgeous wife Kimberly Anne and two sons Adryan Kyncade and Carstyn Tyndale. Yancee and Kimberly are expecting a third child this coming spring.
Questions or comments? Please feel free to ask.
See who else is supporting Yancee!
- Dr. Richard & Melany Wilkins (BYU Law School)
- Utah Valley Home Builders Association
- Utah County Board of Realtors
- Ephraim Hatch
- Bob & Tawnee Walker
If you would like to contribute to the campaign,
checks can made out to:
HARDY PAC
466 South 600 East
Provo, UT 84606