Candidate Questionnaire: Salt Lake City Council District 7
Sweet Streets reached out to each candidate running for the five seats up for election during this year’s municipal election. Candidates were asked to keep answers to no more than 250 characters. Their answers appear in alphabetical order by last name. As a 501(c)3 affiliated group, Sweet Streets cannot endorse candidates. Look up your City Council district here.
In terms of funding city priorities, what is your philosophy?
Ben Raskin:
“Research first, spend second. Capital improvement projects should be long-term investments into the city. Short-term spending should go to established organizations that best know how to use additional funds. Try not to be impulsive.”
Rainer Huck:
“The plight of the homeless should be the highest priority.”
If someone came to you with a proposal to build a new piece of public infrastructure in our city, how would you evaluate whether or not that project was worth implementing?
Ben Raskin:
“Talk to the neighbors, then talk to the experts. Public infrastructure should be embraced by the community and not forced down their necks. Once we have consensus, let's empower the experts to do some good. Partnerships are key.”
Rainer Huck:
“Any project must evaluated on the basis of how it will improve the lives of the working people of Salt Lake City.”
If you could change one thing in our zoning code, what would it be and why?
Ben Raskin:
[No response].
Rainer Huck:
“I would stop allowing the massive apartment complexes that are destroying our neighorhoods.”
Do you think our downtown is healthy and successful? Please explain.
Ben Raskin:
“No. I think we need to address the homeless issues throughout downtown, encourage and streamline business licensing for small businesses, and support a walkable community from the Rio Grande to Gallivan Plaza.”
Rainer Huck:
“it seems ok. It is successful to the extent it provides the goods and services that people want.”
If elected, what will you do to address Salt Lake City's air quality?
Ben Raskin:
“I'm a bike to work kind of guy but that doesn't work for all people. Folks throughout the city need a car and that doesn't bode well for our air quality. New construction would have impact fees directly paying for UTA passes.”
Rainer Huck:
“Adopt autonomous electric vehicles to replace the current commuter traffic as soon as possible. This will also solve the parking problem.”
If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?
Ben Raskin:
“Explore building a recreation center in Sugar House with an outdoor pool, basketball courts, pickleball courts, workout facilities, and community resource center.”
Rainer Huck:
“I would use it to streamline the bureaucracy to make it more user friendly.”
If elected, how will you work with your colleagues on the City Council to ensure that municipal investment is fairly distributed throughout the entire City?
Ben Raskin:
“I'm good at fractions. 1/7 of municipal investments should go to each district. I'd use common sense to see what we can do to have equitable distribution of funds and be open to share monies with other districts. Essentially, I'd be cool.”
Rainer Huck:
“municipal investment must be based on need. Fair is hard to define and lends itself to waste.”
https://voteraskin.com/
https://www.electamyfowler.com/
