October City Council Message

This month the responsibility of producing the City Council message fell to me and I wondered what I could say in 350 words or less that would have some meaning. Below is what i came up with and was subsequently published in the West Valley Journal:

West Valley Pride & Perseverance
A message from Councilmember Corey Rushton

On the last page and in the last lines of his personal history, my ninety-four year old Great Grandfather Rushton stated, “I pray that [West Valley] people will always be proud and accept the heritage of this great place on Earth.” I remember these words often as I am in various circles fulfilling City Council duties and am inevitably asked to designate a phrase that best describes what West Valley City is all about. When this conversation arises I find myself habitually talking about the great amount of pride that we have as a community and as individuals. This in turn leads into tales about great accomplishments throughout neighborhoods and businesses regarding perseverance through triumphs and tragedies. This “Can-Do Spirit” is the driving force behind the great progress that we have witnessed as a City and is found on many different levels.
I have observed numerous residents, far from their own property, cleaning up garbage and removing graffiti. I have listened to new shop owners at Valley Fair Mall recount the ups and downs of their business and how happy they are to be serving the people of West Valley. I have worked shoulder to shoulder with city staff and other elected officials in finding new ways to save money and in fighting to bring better transportation and redevelopment opportunities to the City. I express my thanks and gratitude to everyone who has the desire and who also put forth the effort to improve our West Valley City, especially those who endure life’s various setbacks.
I challenge all to develop and apply their “Can-Do Spirit” in new ways within their families and community. Imagine the potential of West Valley City in which this pride and perseverance was used to continually foster clean and beautiful neighborhoods, safe streets, and a bustling economy. Sometime prior to the birth of this great nation George Washington noted that, “Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.” The ways that you demonstrate this essence in your West Valley community will translate into the continuing City pride that we all hope and pray for.