Tom Huynh elected West Valley City Council member

Tom Huynh, a refugee from Vietnam, has begun a four-year term on the council representing District 1. Huynh, who has lived in the United States for more than 20 years, has made West Valley City his home since 2005.

Huynh said he chose to live in West Valley because the area has been so welcoming. He said he decided to run for elected office in order to give something back to the community.

“This is very much my home now,” he said. “People in West Valley City are so kind. I wanted to serve and make a contribution.”

Huynh, 44, was just 19 years old when he left Vietnam and settled in a refugee camp in the Philippines. In 1988, he immigrated to the United States and studied English as a college student.

Huynh counts among his accomplishments a mission in Washington D.C. for the L.D.S church, and time spent between 2002 and 2006 working locally to represent the Vietnamese community.

Huynh works as a commercial real estate agent. He lives with his wife of three years and their two sons, an infant and an older 8-year-old child.

Huynh said during his term of office as a West Valley City Council member he will work to represent the constituents in his district, many of whom are elderly, while keeping in mind the best interests of the whole city.

“I would love to represent the city as a whole,” Huynh said.

District 1 is located within West Valley City between borders set at approximately 3100 South on the north side, 2800 West along the east, westward to 3200 West and south to 3600 South.

Huynh pointed out that the area is a unique mix of commercial development and retirement housing for residents over the age of 55.

He said that through going door-to-door to speak with residents of his district during his election campaign he learned the impact of high tax rates on elderly residents living on a fixed budget.

“We need to do something about that,” Huynh said.

In addition, Huynh said he will work to keep city assessed tax rates low.

Huynh will fill the vacancy left on the council after Carolyn Brooks decided not to run for re-election last year.