“Michael Clara is by far and away the best choice for Salt Lake City School Board. While working with Michael on several community issues, I have noted his keen intellect, deep respect for differing opinions, and a willingness to fight tenaciously for policies that protect Salt Lake City’s westside neighborhoods and schools. Michael has proven to be the right formula for moving the westside agenda forward. He has demonstrated a deep dedication to fair and balanced public safety policies while giving social equity issues due process. Michael has proven he has the right combination of vision, integrity and know-how for the job and School Board District 2 deserves no less an attentive public servant.”

We have known Michael for the last decade and over that time period have worked closely with him on several community projects. Michael’s transit planning background, steady demeanor and extensive experience in a variety of Salt Lake City public policy matters over the past 10 years he’s lived here is exactly the experience we need in order to restore balance to the westside.

From social justice issues to education to neighborhood improvements and planning, his broad swath of public service provides him the much-needed context to serve our diverse population at this critical time as we grapple with westside public safety issues and educational deficiencies. Michael’s intellect is matched by his creativity when faced with difficult problems. His forthrightness in addressing the critical issues and his integrity as an inclusive mediator of differing interests demonstrates over and over again, his commitment to the entire community.

We are honored to present the name of Michael Clara for your consideration as you cast your vote for a School Board representative. Michael is always working to make our community a better place to live.

Recently, we had two different neighbors lose a child through tragic circumstances. One child was killed in an auto-pedestrian accident. The other family lost a child who was a victim of a shooting. Neither of these families had the means to pay the funeral expenses. It was Michael Clara who organized the neighborhood and raised the needed funds to help both of these families bury their children with dignity. It didn’t matter to Michael that neither of these families were members his own faith, he saw a neighbor in need and went to work.

Another neighbor lost their son while he was serving an LDS Mission. Michael organized a local Boy Scout troop and they erected a flag pole with a large plague in honor of this missionary. When yet another family in our community lost their son in the Iraq war, it was Michael Clara who spearheaded the effort to rename 300 S. in honor of the Marine Adam Galvez, who grew up on the westside.

Michael has demonstrated over and over again, that we are to love and care for our neighbors regardless of their religion, skin color or political affiliation.

Michael Clara has earned our vote because he brings honor to our community. You should honor him with your vote on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

I am endorsing Michael Clara for Salt Lake City School Board because of his long standing history of advocating for his Westside community. Over the years I have seen Michael successfully lobby legislators on issues important to his neighborhood and the Salt Lake community. He is the only candidate for Salt Lake City School Board that has garnered the respect of elected officials from both major political parties. Michael is the kind of bridge builder the Westside desperately needs to promote businesses and the wellbeing of west side students. I urge you to vote for the only candidate that has proven that he can and will deliver what others only have promised.