Election season is upon us. Part of our mission at The Provo Tribune is to help Provo citizens to become active, informed voters who are anxiously engaged in building their community. To further this mission, we’re highlighting every candidate running for Provo City Council this year. These features do not constitute an endorsement, and are done as a public service for the community.
Who is Nathan Smith Jones?
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Nathan Smith Jones is a Doctor of Media, Education, and Epistemology (from University of Northern Colorado). He has taught for 20 years in schools in and around Provo, Utah.
A student of politics and history, he is running for Provo City Council in the City-Wide II primary election. He’s seeking public office because he believes that he can help Provo grow in healthy ways for all parties involved.
“I never had the honor of serving in the military,” he says. “But I want to serve my country by serving my community.”
Election season is upon us. Part of our mission at The Provo Tribune is to help Provo citizens to become active, informed voters who are anxiously engaged in building their community. To further this mission, we’re highlighting every candidate running for Provo City Council this year. These features do not constitute an endorsement, and are done as a public service for the community.
Who is Gary Garrett?
Gary Garrett is running for the Provo City Council Citywide Seat. He and his wife, Jana, chose to raise their five children in Provo because of they appreciated the quality of life the city provides.
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Garrett is an experienced business and civic leader, having worked and served in downtown Provo for over 30 years. This experience, combined with studies pursuant to his master’s degree in public administration, has helped him understand and bridge important relationships between private enterprise and government.
Through his work with the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Provo Downtown Alliance, and his participation on at least a dozen civic and community service boards, he has working knowledge of what helps Provo business thrive.
“With my previous Provo City Council experience,” says Garrett. “I have a proven track record for bringing people together and getting things done, such as helping facilitate the timely resolution of disputes between government, business, and neighborhoods.”
For example, he co-chaired a citizen’s committee to help bring Provo residents the Provo Rec Center, which provides Provo citizens with nationally recognized recreation and fitness facilities.
“I will be honored to help Provo navigate its exciting future,” says Garret.
Election season is upon us. Part of our mission at The Provo Tribune is to help Provo citizens to become active, informed voters who are anxiously engaged in building their community. To further this mission, we’re highlighting every candidate running for Provo City Council this year. These features do not constitute an endorsement, and are done as a public service for the community.
Who is Joseph Penrose?
Joseph Penrose is a 27-year-old entrepreneur running for Provo City Council in the City Wide II Primary Election. He wants to help build a prosperous and beneficial community for all of Provo’s residents. Joseph is originally from the suburbs of Chicago, but has made Provo his home with his spouse Gabi.
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Joseph is an avid hiker and loves the beautiful mountains and nature surrounding Provo. While at Utah Valley University, Joseph studied Aviation and Political Science. He has worked in construction since the age of 16 and has climbed the corporate ladder within the industry.
Not only does he know what it takes to build a house, he also knows how to build communities in healthy ways that don’t harm the current community or its ideals in the process. He promises to have unwavering dedication to his clear vision of a prosperous and compassionate Provo.
“Together we can create a city where opportunity and quality of life thrive for all,” says Joseph. His goal is to bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions to the table. He promises to be an advocate for citizens, and work tirelessly to build a bright future for every individual and family in Provo.
Election season is upon us. Part of our mission at The Provo Tribune is to help Provo citizens to become active, informed voters who are anxiously engaged in building their community. To further this mission, we’re highlighting every candidate running for Provo City Council this year. These features do not constitute an endorsement, and are done as a public service for the community.
Who is Stan Jensen?
Stan Jensen has been married to his wife Melanie for thirty years. Together, they’re raising their children Rachel, Ryan, Sabrina, and Athena and serve their neighbors and community.
Stan’s recent service includes serving as Chair of Provo District 1 Neighborhood Executive Board, which oversees neighborhood input on zoning changes, land use, community matching grants, and other key issues for about 1/5th of Provo. He completed the Provo Citizens’ Police Academy program to better understand and support our local police. He also completed the “Provology” course, which is a study of the branches and operation of Provo’s government.
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Stan’s focus is to protect and improve what makes Provo a great place for raising families and building a strong community. He wants to do this through helping Provo’s government focus on its core responsibilities. He believes these are public safety, neighborhood, parks, and infrastructure. He wants to avoid pushing political agendas, avoid contention, and avoid distractions.
Stopping the rapid growth of government spending, debt, and taxes is another main focus for Stan. He believes that effective governance requires listening to and serving the values and priorities of the people and neighborhoods of Provo, rather than telling citizens how to think and what to do.
Stan is passionate about serving his community, his country, and preserving, protecting, and improving on “the many blessings and freedoms for us and for future generations.”
Election season is upon us. Part of our mission at The Provo Tribune is to help Provo citizens to become active, informed voters who are anxiously engaged in building their community. To further this mission, we’re highlighting every candidate running for Provo City Council this year. These features do not constitute an endorsement, and are done as a public service for the community.
Who is Craig Christensen?
Craig Christensen has lived in Provo for over three decades. He has seen Provo grow over the course of 30 years, and he strongly believes that he understands Provo’s needs.
Before starting a family, Craig attended Brigham Young University and received a bachelor’s degree in English. Soon after, he earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. After attending Harvard, Craig and his wife Susan decided to settle in Provo to raise a family.
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Craig has since started four businesses, creating hundreds of local jobs. He understands the challenges faced by local business owners and has firsthand experience in fostering economic growth and job creation.
With more expansive growth coming to Provo, Craig believes that changes should be made within reasonable parameters to preserve the city’s unique charm, history, natural surroundings, and residents’ interests.
As a firm believer in the principles of stewardship, Craig has successfully led efforts to save Utah Lake and Bridal Veil Falls from being developed. This has allowed him to gain valuable experience advocating for his neighbors and his community.
If elected, Craig will focus on common sense growth, a business-friendly environment, and the preservation of open spaces that make Provo home.
A 24-year-old Brigham Young University student has announced his candidacy for Provo City Council’s City-Wide seat. His name is Tanner Bennett. Running what he calls a “$0 campaign,” his strategy involves taking no donations and instead encouraging people to give back to the community.
Bennett’s campaign centers around what he calls the “silent 50%.” This group consists of individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who historically have low turnout in local elections and make up roughly half of Provo’s population and tax base.
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Bennett runs his $0 campaign primarily on social media (@bennett_for_provo). His efforts have already led to thousands of dollars in material and monetary donations to organizations like Food and Care Coalition and Community Action Services and Food Bank.
We asked why he decided to use this approach instead of traditional campaign funding approaches. “I believe it is a politician’s job to serve, educate, and uplift their community,” Bennett says. “I think it’s ridiculous to take thousands of dollars to run when there is so much that could be done with that money to meet others’ needs.”
Balancing his studies with a role as a global sales executive at a multimillion-dollar firm, Bennett brings a blend of youthful vigor and corporate leadership experience to his campaign. He also directs an International NGO fostering US-China relations. This has given him extensive experience in leading and directing non-profits, plus a unique understanding of government, nonprofit, and corporate spheres.
Bennett is running as an independent moderate, focusing on solutions instead of partisan politics. Bennett’s presence on social media has emphasized critical issues from both sides of the aisle while focusing on issues important to the “silent 50%.” These include housing, tenant rights, the well-being of vulnerable renters, and the inclusion of marginalized groups like the LGBTQ+ community. Bennett has made plans to do this all while working to balance resources, opposing higher taxes, and acting as a “careful steward of the citizens’ hard-earned tax dollars.”
“No one understands the value of a dollar better than a full-time student who refuses to take on debt,” says Bennett.
All individuals over 18 years old who have lived in Provo for 30 days or more are eligible to vote without needing a Utah driver’s license. Register to vote for Provo’s primary election today at vote.utah.gov. Provo’s primary election will be held from August 22 to September 5th, 2023.
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