Growth in Bluffdale dominates election

• Nancy Lord, 46, a former certified public accountant and current homemaker and small-business owner, wrote, "Over the next four years, our city will either retain its rural environment or adopt the planning and zoning methods, and hence the look and feel, of its neighboring cities." She said city leaders must "understand their right and obligation to adhere to the city's master plan (and) study the laws themselves rather than defer to the city attorney and staff." She said the city must also work to keep property taxes low. "Our primary duties are to provide for public safety, roads, sanitation and basic infrastructure, after which we can budget for providing parks, recreation and other improvements." Lord is a current member of the Utah Republican National Committee and has been involved with the state and county GOP since 1996.

• Insurance agent Bill Maxwell, 49, wrote, "Bluffdale is facing unprecedented growth. How this growth is managed will determine if Bluffdale will remain a rural community made up of mainly 1-acre home sites that cater to horsemen and animal lovers, or if it will become like its neighbors . . . and fill in with high-density housing." He said he doesn't believe the current mayor and "four of the five council members" share his belief that Bluffdale is "a special place, a place that is unique for its rural nature." Maxwell has been on the Planning and Zoning Commission since May 2005.

• John C. Roberts Jr., 51, owns a plumbing company and is the city's assistant fire chief. He is also a former planning and zoning commissioner. Roberts wrote that he wants to see the city's park finished "so that every year, two weeks before Town Days, we don't have to hurry and clean up. We need a place for the youth to play baseball and soccer instead of having to go to Riverton." He wants the city to seek out a commercial tax base and said new sidewalks are needed to keep children safe. He said the city also needs more focus on public safety, including more frequent patrols by law enforcement.

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