Jeannie Simmonds

What makes you stand out from other candidates and why should people vote for you?

I believe that experience counts, and if you have been engaged and you’ve been involved. And I was on Planning Commission before I became a member of the city council. And I think all of those things have added to my encyclopedia of knowledge. And I know the questions to ask, and I think it’s important when you elect someone that you elect someone that knows the city and wants to make the city better and is willing to work hard to make that happen. 

Why should students care about who is on city council?

Some of the regulations that are put forward by the city council and the city directly affect students. Residency requirements, in terms of how many people can be in a particular residence — let me think of some other things. The bus, for example, directly affects students. Although the CVTD is run separately from the city, we have a great deal of influence over what happens on CVTD with respect to the students. Parking on the streets, there are all kinds of regulations that directly affect students as well as residents, and we want you to spend your time here being a part of our community. And in order to be a part of the community, it’s nice to know what’s going on. 

What advice do you have for college students?

I would ask students to relish in what you have surrounding you. The mountains, the parks, the trails, are all so important to the life that you can have here. We have access to tremendous recreation, and you’re at a world-class university. And I hope that you enjoy every minute that you’re here. 

What will you do for students as a member of the city council?

I would like to encourage students to become more involved, to be more a part of what we do every day. And that way, we as a city council can better address the issues that are brought before us, and we are more aware of the concerns that the students have with respect to what’s going on in the city. What I would like to do is be able to engage more often with them. I worked on campus for 37 years, and so it’s kind of hard for me now because I retired, and I miss that interaction that you have on a day-to-day basis because I think students bring a vibrancy to a community that is unparalleled anywhere else. 

What is one of the most important political topics students should be engaged with?

I think probably the political topic that is the most important revolves around affordability and housing accessibility. I think we’ve had many years now — it ebbs and flows. I remember a time when it wasn’t as difficult to find a place to live as it is now. And I think that is a critical component that students can be engaged in, and I want them to feel like Logan City cares enough that they should be able to have safe and affordable housing, and that’s one thing that we have to all work together to achieve.  

What is your favorite restaurant in Logan?

If I’m having dinner, I would have to say the Indian restaurant right close to campus is one of my favorites. And if I’m having breakfast, it will be at Westside Coffee. 

What is your favorite Halloween costume you’ve ever dressed up as?

Probably my favorite would be when I tried to dress up as a country-western singer.