Dear Murray Friends,
For the last month
or so, my husband and I have been walking every street in District 2. We have
gone out twice a day, 6 days a week, afternoon and evening and talked with some
really wonderful people. We’ve also met
quite a few people who are troubled, lost or frustrated by the things happening
in their lives or in their neighborhood. Sometimes they just need someone to
guide them toward what to do next to fix their problem. Sometimes their problem
is bigger and will require coordinated efforts of Murray City
departments to fix.
For example, we’ve
met a woman who has had renters living a few houses away. The renters left
behind a huge mess that is attracting rats to her neighborhood. She tried
calling Murray City
but was referred to Salt
Lake County
who got rid of the rats temporarily, but now they’re back.
We’ve met a man
whose trees on the park strip have destroyed part of his curb and gutter. I was
able to contact the department head involved and he was able to give us date to
have the trees and curb and gutter taken care of.
Another street has
had the whole length of sidewalk damaged by tree roots, lifting the concrete up
all along the street. The home owners are worried about being sued if someone
trips and is hurt.
We’ve met an 82
year old man who has lost his wife and his daughter. He is now trying to take
care of his grand-daughter and great grand-daughter along with his own health
problems. He was distraught at receiving
a letter from the city about cutting his weeds and facing the possibility of an
$1800 fine and 5 months in jail. With a
phone call to our City Attorney, the case was closed and he was told that one of
the free Murray
dumpsters could be available for him to take care of his yard. He was so grateful that this weight was
lifted off his shoulders.
There have been
many more cases like these, but it taught me that while the Murray City Council
is working on projects like the new City Hall, redeveloping downtown and
preserving historic buildings that we must always keep one eye out for those Murray citizens who are
struggling. Whether you elect me or not,
I would like to challenge the Council members to be easily reachable by the citizens
in their districts and to go out and visit them and get to know the people they serve.
There are many in this city who just need a
little guidance, a helpful phone call to solve their problem or just someone to
listen to like Burt who has just had to put his wife in a memory care facility. He can’t visit her because of the Covid
safety measures and he worries about her remembering him.
These are our
neighbors. These people ARE Murray.
They need our help. That is why I’m
running. That is why I’ve listed my personal email and phone number on my
website. I want to hear from our neighbors with needs that I can help. We can
be better toward our friends and neighbors. They’re not just nameless
“citizens.”
Thank you all for teaching me,
Pam Cotter
