Since the initial filing deadline early this year, multiple concerns have arisen concerning the relationship between the County Executive and the County Council. I'm running to restore trust, transparency, and cooperation to our County Government, and provide strong, fiscally conservative leadership for the future.
With every challenge comes new opportunity. It’s time to move forward with unity, civility, and a return to trust. It’s my hope that the citizens of Cache County will use this election to restore integrity to the office of County Executive, and point us toward a more cooperative and productive future.
What can you expect if you write me in as your new County Executive? Expect transparency and honesty. Expect cooperation and openness. Most of my time will be spent in Cache County, dealing with local issues. I’ll attend meetings. I’ll submit a balanced budget. I’ll be accessible, not only to the County Council, County officials, and County employees, but to the public as well.
I’ll prioritize the issues that matter most to county residents. I’ll manage growth with a determination to preserve our cherished agricultural heritage and lifestyle. Public safety will be a top priority. Roads will be properly maintained. I’ll work to keep Cache County water in Cache County, and ensure we have the Infrastructure in place to support any proposed development.
I’ll work with our 19 distinct cities to find better solutions to shared needs like garbage collection, county-wide EMS, libraries, mental health facilities and treatment, county-wide trails and recreation. and many others. I’ll work with the County Council to update zoning ordinances to allow for more flexibility in protecting open space while honoring property owner’s rights to self-determination.
I’ll work to reduce, not increase, the size of County Government. I’ll work within the community to find solutions to community needs such as homelessness, refugees, poverty and addiction (to name a few) through non-profit organizations and private investment. I’ll protect County tax funds, and work to reduce the tax burden on valley residents wherever possible. We do not need a new government program to solve each new problem, but to work within the framework that already exists.
Perhaps the greatest benefit I’ll bring to the office of County Executive is the ability and desire to listen. I have no agenda other than understanding the will of the people I serve and then carrying it out to the best of my ability. Call me. Stop by and visit. My time is your time. I am answerable to you.
Marc Ensign
I will bring no personal agenda to the office of County Executive other than to execute my duties and responsibilities as commissioned, work hand-in hand with the County Council and County Departments, and represent the will of Cache County residents and voters.
The County Executive must work with the legislative body of the County in an environment of cooperation and mutual respect. The Executive does not make decisions for the council, but works in harmony with them. He does not function independently of, or withhold information from the Council.
During the year, large financial commitments have been negotiated without County Council knowledge or approval, along with the re-direction of funds from one account to another without approval. I will restore sound financial guidelines and requirements to secure County tax dollars.
Indiscriminate spending, without County Council knowledge or approval is a breach of taxpayer's trust. I will ensure that this never happens again. We will live within our means, and all expenses will be budgeted and authorized.
I will work with our 35 County departments to submit a balanced operating budget within the appropriate time-frame each year.
In addition to the County Council, there are a number of other elected County Officials. Trust can be restored by working directly with them, while allowing them the autonomy necessary to operate in the most efficient and effective way possible.
The recent failure to implement both County-wide garbage collection and ambulance services have forced many of our cities to turn to higher-cost solutions. While respecting the sovereignty of each city, I will work to foster cooperation, and address mutual needs and concerns.
I will be in my office daily, and available to discuss local issues with local residents, spending as little time away from the County as possible.
Effectively managing Cache County requires more than just good ideas and intentions. It requires the ability to work with our elected officials who hold the authority and pursestrings to make good things happen.
For over a year now, we have been in a stalemate of conflict, resulting in the loss of valuable time, effort, and taxpayer's money. As the Chairwoman of the County Council said recently, “I feel like we’re at a standstill right now, we aren’t moving forward. We’re just jumping up and down in one place and nothing is getting solved.”
Write in Marc Ensign for Cache County Executive to restore trust, transparency, and cooperation to our County Government and provide strong, fiscally conservative leadership for the future.
Barbara Tidwell, Cache County Council
Karl Ward, Cache County Council
David Erickson, Cache County Council
Paul Borup, Cache County Council
Gina Worthen, Cache County Council
Lynn and Susan Lemon, Former Cache County Executive
Jill Zollinger, Former Cache County Clerk
Darrel Gibbons, Former Cache County Council
Karen and Scott Jeppesen, Former Cache County Treasurer
Kate Anderson, Conservative Community Journalist
Kimber Hall, Hall Oil Company
Layne Beck, Former Cache County Council
Michael Hall, Former Richmond City Mayor
Larry Johnson, Paradise City Mayor
Please write "Marc Ensign" on the "Write-in" line of the ballot for "County Executive/Surveyor" and fill in the oval to the left. Thank you!
My roots lay deep in 5 generations of Cache County soil. Dad was born in a little home on Logan’s 1st east in 1928. Great Grandpa was one of our county’s first dentists and owned a dairy farm and poultry business. My Great, Great Grandfather, Martin Luther Ensign, built the first house in Cache Valley in 1855 on the old church farm, just south of Logan.
My wife Heidi and I moved back to the valley over 21 years ago when I opened Ensign Toyota Honda on North Main Street in Logan. We built our home in Paradise where we’ve raised 7 children and are grandparents to 11.
Heidi and I are committed to the values of family, faith, and serving others. We love our country and are fierce defenders of the Constitution and its protections of free speech, personal property ownership, and the sanctity of human life. We love people and our greatest satisfaction comes from seeing others succeed. We believe in kindness, patience, courage, and tolerance for all walks of life.
I attended Brigham Young University in Provo where I majored in business. During my career, I’ve built and managed several successful businesses in both Utah and Cache counties. In addition, I've served on many business, industry, community and non-profit boards, both state-wide and internationally. I’ve worked with Utah communities to bolster economic development and create jobs. I’ve managed multi-million dollar budgets, both for my own businesses and for private community organizations.
After selling my Toyota and Honda dealership a few years ago, I purchased Jack's Wood-Fired Oven on Logan's Main Street, where I enjoy visiting with employees, customers, and eating great pizza!
I have also been busy with ecclesiastical responsibilities all of my adult life. As a young man, I served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Scotland and Ireland. I served in the Logan Temple for 5 years, and then with young, single adults at Utah State University for the past 6 years.
We love this valley and are committed to doing all we can to serve it and you, now, and long into a bright, and prosperous future!
I will reply to all messages. Feel free to reach-out by telephone, text, or email.
Donations are needed and appreciated. Checks can be mailed to:
Marc Ensign Campaign: Box 463, Paradise, UT 84328
or Venmo: @Marc-Ensign