BLUFFDALE — As this small town on the Salt Lake Valley's far south end grapples with a countywide growth spurt, several candidates in the city's upcoming primary election have used the same word to describe the situation: Bluffdale, they say, is at a "crossroads."

The city has a largely rural history and continues to be marked by tracts of open space, houses on large lots and a less-urban feel than many of its neighbors. But as the county's west side grows, and as talk of relocating the nearby prison in Draper could open the area to more development, the question of how Bluffdale will look in the future is dominating the race that, on Oct. 4, will winnow the field of four mayoral candidates to two and five City Council candidates to four, who will then face off Nov. 8 for two at-large council seats.

Candidates were asked to respond to a questionnaire sent by the Deseret Morning News. Summaries of their responses follow:

Mayor

• Incumbent Wayne Moss Mortimer, 61, faces three challengers as he ends his first four-year term as mayor. The retired Deseret Industries manager listed four major issues facing the city: its rural image, fiscal responsibility, open space and leadership. "People choose to live in Bluffdale because of our unique country lifestyle," he wrote. "My highest priority as mayor is working every day to ensure this lifestyle is not compromised." He said Bluffdale has the lowest tax rate in the county. He also said he is committed to retaining open space and touted his experience, leadership and management skills.

• Claudia Anderson, 58, a business owner who has served on the planning and zoning commission and the City Council, said she is running because of a "lack of leadership, management and planning" in the current administration. She accused city leaders of "allowing developers to shape our city instead of the citizens" and decried "inadequate police and fire protection." She wrote that residents tell her "they are tired of not being heard and taken seriously, they are frustrated with the city's process, they want consistency in enforcing laws, they feel they are being left out of community planning and major decisions and they want friendly, honest city officials."

• City Councilwoman Laurie Ann Maxfield, 39, said growth "with no or little commercial tax base" and "strong leadership" are Bluffdale's two major issues. The homemaker and small business partner is in her fourth year as a council member and wants to be mayor to build Bluffdale "in a way consistent with the goals and objectives set forth by our leaders, both past and present." She said the city must work with developers to "educate them to understand what it is we want our city to become."