• Jeff Haaga, 50, CEO of a local mattress company, called transportation, debt, leadership, and taxes and fees the city's biggest issues. Haaga has been active in city politics for several years, chairing a committee to alter the city's sign ordinance in 2002. He is currently a leading proponent of changing the city's form of government from a strong city manager form to a strong mayor form. He managed the campaigns of current councilmen Mike Kellermeyer and Kim Rolfe in 2003 and has been a delegate to the Salt Lake County Republican Party. He wrote that the city has been dragging its feet on widening 9000 South to U-111 and promised to be a leader in pushing for completion of the Mountain View Corridor. He decried the city's debt, saying it has doubled in the last four years, and promised to "make responsible decisions on the expenditures of city revenue." He also criticized West Jordan's property tax rate and said he opposes the proposed rain tax that would charge homeowners $36 a year for storm water collection. "I will unite the City Council and lead by example," he wrote, "study all the issues that come to vote, direct debate and discussion, conduct meetings in an orderly manner where all are respected."

• David B. Newton, 56, a retired businessman and member of the City Council from 1998-2000, has served on several city committees, including the arts council, general plan committee, budget committees and sugar factory restoration committee. "Re- cent decisions such as a vote to spend over $344,000 to update landscaping at City Hall while telling neighbors in a nearby street that there was no money now for sidewalks for the children to walk to school indicate poor prioritizing," he wrote. He said the city's growth must be managed by working with businesses and developers "as partners in our future." He called for open, transparent government and wrote, "As a retired businessman, I have the time available to give my business talents to the city to effectively guide us to greater productivity without adding the burden of higher fees and taxes."

• Brian D. Pitts, 49, owner of a satellite television business in the Caribbean and a council member from 1994-2002, wrote that the city's biggest issues are related to growth. "Such growth has put a strain on our roadways, our water system, our police and fire departments, as well as all other city services," he wrote. "Precious hours are wasted as we sit in traffic." He also wrote that areas of the city have problems with low water pressure, and "crime and drug trafficking continue to make us insecure in our neighborhoods." Growth, he wrote, must be managed "in a way that does not unduly inconvenience existing residents, nor overtax our infrastructure and our ability to provide needed services." He wrote that the city needs to "reach out a helping hand" to businesses, calling them the "economic lifeblood of our community" that prevents more property tax increases.

• Candidate Richard E. Jackman did not respond to the Deseret Morning News' questionnaire and could not be reached for comment.

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E-mail: dsmeath@desnews.com