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"I have lived in Spanish Fork my entire life. This community is an incredible place to grow, get a great education, and then raise your own family. There are now 6 generations of my family who have been able to enjoy the many opportunities that are provided for all. Traditionally, local government was to provide the services that the individual citizens could not provide for themselves, such as water, power, wastewater treatment, roads, public safety, emergency services, snow removal, cemeteries, and so on.

Spanish Fork does an incredible job in providing those basic services to us, and in addition, over the years, because of many volunteer hours and donations, the city has been able to provide incredible parks, sporting fields, and walking trails, which add to the variety of opportunities we enjoy. Over all these years, the local government has made it a priority to gather and protect additional water rights and electric power capacity and plan for upgrades and replacement of our wastewater treatment facilities.

With the last boom of residential growth, we have been taken over by national building corporations who have gobbled hundreds of acres of land and increased zoning that would allow higher-density units in exponential numbers, narrower interior roadways, depleted our reserve of necessary utilities, and made traffic in any direction a nightmare.

These national companies don’t care about local economies, taxes, public safety, or transportation. To them, it’s all about profit margins. They come in, pillage the resources we have, and then they are off to the next venue where they can do the same with no thought of their actions. Over my lifetime, I have seen this take place here now three times. As a result, the city is now turning traditional residential neighborhood streets into across-town thoroughfares through school zones and narrow streets. 300 West, 400 East. 800 East and 1000 East

have all become clear zones to travel without regard for the residents there, and there are more on the planning table. The city officials also recently passed an inland port west of town of approximately 2400 acres that will be offered to national companies to transfer products in and out of our community, which will add immensely to the traffic issues we already have. These will all be heavy truck trailer units, and the employment wages offered to the community will be on the mid-to-low level.

Matt Barber also grew up in this community. He raised his family here, operated a successful insurance business, has previously served on the city council, and has given thousands of dollars and hours to building a strong, inviting place to live. I believe that Matt has the vision, financial expertise, and common sense to evaluate each and every situation and request that is made of city officials. Matt asks the hard but important questions that need to be addressed before committing public funds to a project or a cause. He knows from experience that every public dollar was hard earned by someone in our city and will ensure that those dollars are spent wisely on each individual’s behalf.

The Hallam families are proud to support Matt Barber for the Spanish Fork City Council, and we feel he will serve all citizens as one."

"Dear folks of Spanish Fork,

I've known Matt Barber my entire life. We've shared countless experiences, and I'm proud to call him a friend. Matt has been by my side through thick and thin, just like a true companion. 

Not only has Matt been a trusted friend, but he's also been my go-to for personal insurance needs. He's always been there to ensure that I'm well-protected and cared for.

When it comes to describing Matt, he's passionate and an incredibly patriotic individual. His dedication to our community and unwavering commitment to making Spanish Fork a better place is something I deeply admire.

I wholeheartedly believe that Matt Barber would make an exceptional candidate for the City Council. He's the kind of person who genuinely cares about the well-being of our city and its residents. With his dedication and passion, he'll work tirelessly to make our community even better.

I encourage you to support Matt Barber for City Council. Let's work together to bring positive change to Spanish Fork with a candidate who truly cares."

"Being the Rodeo Director for over 30 years, you appreciate the people that help along the way. Matt Barber is one of them. 

Matt always supported the rodeo, but what I appreciated was that he asked questions. He is always showing concern, watching the budget, and asking questions. 

That’s what we need today. A person who asks questions, listens to the people, and makes sure we are going in the right direction. Mr. Matt Barber is that person. "

“You know Tim and I have always loved you and Rochelle and I support you 100% and want you to win because you love Spanish Fork and have given back to the city since you were young. Good luck! “

"I am super excited that I get

to support Matt Barber and his campaign!

Check out his blog for more info about what he stands for! He knows how the city runs and is very aware that citizens want to be heard more. 

If you're in Spanish Fork, vote for

Matt Barber in November! (In fact, don't even vote for anyone else. (That's how I roll.) 

Spanish Fork will be "Better with Barber!""

"I've known Matt Barber for nearly two decades, and I can attest to his unwavering commitment to his clients and his community. Matt and the Barber Family, through Western States Insurance, have been our trusted insurance provider for our auto repair stations. They excel at offering valuable information and helping clients make informed decisions.    

Matt's approach to public service is rooted in the same principles. He's a dedicated and engaged community member who listens to residents, focuses on their needs, and strives to make decisions that benefit the community as a whole. What sets Matt apart is his inquisitiveness. He's unafraid to ask questions that others might overlook and thoroughly evaluates all possibilities and consequences before making decisions.  

Matt Barber is the kind of leader Spanish Fork needs as we navigate the changes coming to South Utah County. He has the experience, integrity, and curiosity to represent our community effectively. I love that he is curious and will ask questions that no one else is willing to ask.  I believe that Matt Barber can represent the interests of the Spanish Fork community as we embrace the inevitable change that is coming to South Utah County.  I wholeheartedly endorse Matt Barber for the Spanish Fork City Council."

“Matt Barber is just the kind of official we need as city councilmen. Citizens are first with Matt."

"Citizens came to city council meetings where topics were discussed that they wanted to contribute to. They were not allowed to speak. They were not invited to speak. Their only option was body language. Matt Barber (a City Councilman at the time) suggested that the public be given the first minutes of every council meeting and allowed to voice their questions, comments, or concerns. Many city employees and most elected officials opposed this. “It will lengthen the meetings,” “It will open up contention,” and “They don’t really understand” were among the objections. I agreed with Matt. “Public Comments” was added to every City Council meeting agenda. Not surprisingly, it has continued for 18 years. Their value is evident. Citizens should have their voices heard, and city employees and elected officials need to listen to those they serve.”

"I have known Matt Barber for over 34 years.  Matt loves the city of Spanish Fork. He loves being an active part of the community and is proud to live and work in Spanish Fork. 

I have always known Matt to be hard-working, honest and dependable. Matt has and will put the best interest of the residences of Spanish Fork first."  

"We tell everyone we talk politics with that we need Matt on the City Council!"

"Elections are dumb.
Elections don’t matter.
Everything will be fine.
*If any of this were true, politicians and political interest groups would not pour money into getting their candidates elected (Yes! Even here in little old Spanish Fork).

Ballots have been delivered and you have a choice to fill it out or throw it away.  You have the choice to vote for the status quo or add a small amount of personal representation to our city council. 

I’ve reviewed every ordinance change made by the current council this year. There are a lot.  They ALL had unanimous support from the current council.  It concerns me that we have almost 50k residents, 5 representatives and 1 point of view.  

You can vote for the current machine’s package deal or you can vote for someone that will ask hard and maybe embarrassing questions before making decisions that will cost you money and change the way our city grows.

We are lucky that all of our current candidates are nice people.  Any one of them alone makes a fine council person, but as a group some of them create an echo chamber. 

We’d be even luckier if the voters were to reach for just a little more than “nice” and vote for those that will put a few checks on the trend of unanimous support for each initiative our local government pursues. 

I’m supporting Mattforsfcouncil (Matt Barber) and Mike Clayson for city council.  After speaking with them I feel that they support my values and have a drive to represent the citizens voices.  
I feel that a little outside focus with some business savy would only help our council to represent the citizens."