Crystal Hill is a candidate for a seat on the Rexburg City Council. Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 2.

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a wife to my best friend, Jake and a mother to 6 children (4 mine, 2 bonus). I hail from Sunny St. George Utah; born and raised. I am a perpetual learner—I become enamored by new and exciting facts and enjoy diving deep into their understanding.

I am passionate about people, above all other things. One of my most cherished attributes about myself is my love for people—all people. We may not have the same beliefs, same ideals, same goals or lifestyles but I will love fiercely—those especially who are kind, genuine and compassionate.

2. How long have you lived in Rexburg and what brought you here?

I moved up here when I married my love 9 years ago. Jake is a local, and with our new family dynamic, it made the most sense to raise our family here. I was resistant to the weather and my perception of lack of recreation here, however, over the years, I have found my peace and joy in winter activities as well as enjoying every ounce of sun.

3. Why are you running for City Council?

My drive for running in this year’s election is a very personal reason. Our family was devastatingly impacted by individual choices in certain departments within our city municipality. While we have learned to forgive and move on, and have since managed the situation as best as could be expected, we are still picking up the shattered pieces. I have seen where steps have been taken within the city and the momentum to move forward is already in place. I want to ensure that the momentum maintains, and that gaps and cracks are filled. It will be my mission to ensure that those in office, leadership positions, and public employees are given proper training and tools as well as support to assist them to further their skill sets while holding them accountable and to a standard that is appropriate within their capacity to aid them in following proper procedure and policy.

4. What makes you a good candidate?

My Passion, Drive, honesty and integrity.

I am confident that I have the indispensable tools, drive and passion to do what is in the best interest of our community. I am kind, understanding and compassionate, yet bold and immovable when necessary. I have the ability to open the doors of possibility to many outcomes from a single decision, and can weigh the potential, risks, consequences and factors, as well as to see the good that come from it. I am dedicated to my duty to my community, whether or not I am elected on as a council member.

5. What are your beliefs on managing the city’s growth?

This is a tough question to answer honestly. It would be much easier to answer if I understood fully what the ongoings inside our municipality were. I would love to understand and to know more from the city government’s perspective and to get a pulse on all of the factors before weighing in any thoughts or insight.

6. What are the most important issues that you think affect the lives of Rexburg citizens?

Our community is so wonderfully unique. What sets us apart from most areas is our love and kindness for one another. We could definitely use a fan to that flame after these few difficult years.
I would like to see our city being run with more discipline, pride and efficiency. I would love to see leaders holding their employees to certain standards and practices.
I have been privy to hear many stories of locals, as individuals as well as business owners, feeling disconnected or irrelevant when they present an issue or an idea to departments or to council. I have heard many say that they don’t “have the right last name” or that they don’t know the right people to pull the strings, meaning that they feel that it is all about who you know, rather than fairness and justice across the board. Policy and procedure are in place for these very concerns, and I would love to see them followed much more consistently. Mutual understanding and respect is key to a cohesive society.
Growth is probably our most noticeable concern. I would like to learn more about all aspects of this.

7. What do you want to achieve during your time on the City Council?

I would love to see integrity and ethics across the board. It would be an honor to witness all who work for or with our local government to strive to do their best and to take pride in knowing that they are making a positive difference in their position. A sense of unity would be my ultimate goal. It would give me great satisfaction to move forward in an effort to help bridge the gaps and cracks to uphold policy and procedure. However, ultimately, I would delight in the coming together for the common good and the goal of working collectively and creating solidarity.

8. In what areas do you believe Rexburg can or should improve, and how would you go about encouraging those improvements?

Government:

Integrity
Ethics
Transparency
Accountability

(Answers above)

Citizens:

Kindness
Unity

I would enjoy nothing more than to make a substantial effort to bring our great citizens together, whether it be by helping put together events, or projects that have the capacity to unite us.

I truly do believe that we have a great community and local government. It could use some tweaks and upgrades here or there, but overall we are surrounded by wonderful people doing their best, especially given these interesting and unsettling times.

9. What do you love about Rexburg?

The PEOPLE. That’s what I always tell everyone when they ask why I stay. I came to fall in love with this welcoming community; There is a sacredness to our little town that I would love the opportunity to preserve and grow. Rexburg is made up of some of the most amazing people that I have ever had the good fortune to know. The connections to this town and the relationships that I have had the privilege to establish are some of my most cherished triumphs.

10. Any closing thoughts?

I really do care about the people here. I want to do my part in making and keeping our community wonderful. I feel that we all have a duty to assist in that direction in some way or another. I would be humbled to be elected to help lead in that direction.