IDAHO FALLS – Mosy Moran, a 28-year-old Idaho Falls company owner, is one of seven candidates running for a position on the city council.
He is vying for the seat now held by Lisa Burtenshaw, who is running for mayor. Jordan Bardsley, Teresa Dominick, Brandon Lee, Stephanie Taylor-Thompson, Christopher Joseph Brunt, and Brad Whipple are all running for this seat.
Moran told EastIdahoNews.com that multiple people had encouraged him to run for office, which was his primary motive for entering the race.
Moran claims that in recent months, he has had his own war with the city, which he refers to as “the breakdown of communication” between the city and small businesses. This event, combined with “the city straying from its priorities,” was additional motivator.
“In January, I stood up before the city council to talk about an issue with my business,” Moran tells me. “I do have at least a small voice in the community and I’ve already shown that I have no problem standing up for what needs to be done.”
The problem he was referring to was a building where he had relocated his firm. Moran runs The Heart Event Center, a facility that offers DJ and equipment rental services to local bands. He was initially told the building was up to code, but the city later informed him it was not.
“Because the city did not have any documentation for the building, we were pushed around a little. Moran explains that it began with zoning and progressed to a change of use. “We ended up being shut down for about nine months because we weren’t given clear steps (on how to proceed).”
Moran says his efforts to raise the problem resulted in amendments to city code that provide clearer guidelines for business owners in similar situations.
His campaign focuses on government transparency, which includes communication between city leaders and the general public, as well as transportation.
Moran believes that small businesses should have access to advocates, much as the court system does for divorce, child custody, and a variety of other difficulties.
“I lean towards … making sure there are advocates who know how to communicate between the people and the city departments,” according to him.
He is also a major supporter of a complete public transit system with regular bus stops, rather than the city’s present on-demand ridesharing service.
“If we had regular bus stops with 15-20 minute intervals, we could alleviate a lot of transportation concerns for folks who don’t have a reliable vehicle.
“We could decrease the amount of parking downtown,” adds Moran. “It would be cheaper for everybody and it would (provide greater efficiency) in getting people where they need to go.”
Moran has resided in Idaho Falls since he was fourteen. He is originally from Sacramento, California.
Moran founded his company around eight years ago and enjoys calling Idaho Falls home.
Although he has never held public office, he has served on a number of committees. Among them is the committee that organizes the Juneteenth commemoration and community historical festival. He has also worked with the YMCA and served as a consultant on mental health committees.
Moran believes his expertise makes him uniquely equipped to serve on the city council.
“During the day, I look for methods to uplift the community. If we’re paying someone to be in public office, I believe a significant percentage of that time should be spent at local companies and gatherings, ensuring that we’re not simply elected and then forgotten,” he says. “We are elected to be a part of the community in a broader way and not just when election cycles come around.”
Additionally, Moran claims that his name defines his identity as a servant. In California, he was involved in a ministry that supplied resources to the homeless. At the time, his mentor referred to him as “a real man of service.” This resulted in the stage name MOS.
“Slowly, people started calling me Mosy,” he admits. “At heart, I am a servant. I will serve the public, whether or not I hold an office.”
If elected, Moran will become the city’s first black city council member, according to historical records from the Museum of Idaho.
Election Day is November 4.
