Bluff Town Council Candidate: Wes Shook

Wes Shook
My name is Wes Shook, and I running for a seat on the Town Council. I truly believe that the citizen’s of Bluff are at a crossroads again just as we were when we voted to incorporate as a Town. We voted to take control of our destiny and away from the County. We are now facing the fact that SITLA & a private party want to disconnect 9500 acres from the Town, if this happens, we lose control over planning. SITLA & the County see only dollar signs in the use of the land. Look at the conflict in Spanish Valley between the residents and SITLA & County. Uncontrolled development, which brings us to “DON’T MOAB BLUFF”. We could see a motel row just as it is in Moab or during development well drilling to tap into our Water Basin.
I support responsible and controllable growth. We need to ensure the Town has the infrastructure to support growth. I support the formation of a Bluff Water Department and dissolve the County appointed BWWSSD. We need to look at solid waste management since the county closed the Transfer Station. I support the Town’s funding of the BLUFF VFD and emergency services. We need to look at Code Enforcement of our town’s laws, Dark Sky, Planning & Zoning, and issues that arise. Maintenance of town facilities is another issue, Stormwater drainages, culvert cleaning, street sign repair, the misc., items that come up. I am worried that this area could become a second home community and short-term rentals with people out of the area without our same attitudes and values. Rember don’t Californiacate Oregon.
I started working for the USFS at 18 worked & managed Engines, Helicopters, Battalion Chief, Division Chief thru out the West. I also spent 2 years in VISTA in SLC. I studied History & Political Science at BYU and the U of U. I have taught wildfire management and was an instructor in Aviation Safety Courses. I managed a Regional Training Center on Vandenberg AFB for over 10 years and was selected to National Interagency Incident Management Teams, which required supervising airtankers and helicopters. I served on the Bluff Service Area District and was the Chairperson for a time.
I leave you with words from Ed Abbey “Society is like a stew. If you don’t keep it stirred up, you get a lot scum on top”. I would like to work with other council members; however, I will not give up my guiding principles of Transparency, Honesty, & Listening to residents of Bluff.
You may talk to me at wshook@charter.net or 435-672-2317.