Biggest issue in American Fork race? Water supply
Police salaries, city's struggling finances among other battles
"As I knock on doors, the No. 1 capital-improvement issue we have in this city is water," city council candidate Terry Fox said. "We've done a lot in this city, and I think we've lost sight of essential services. If we don't provide a drink of water for our children and grandchildren, we failed."
Incumbent councilman Jimmie Cates said the city is considering one of three options to improve the city's long-term water supply: drilling more wells, building a treatment plant or installing a pressurized secondary system to meet the increased demand.
"It is one of the most important issues we have," Cates said.
But at a pair of meet-the-candidates nights held at the American Fork Senior Citizens' Center in recent weeks, candidates used the opportunity to address a range of issues.
Fox said elected officials need to establish a strong road map, one that involves elected officials making plans, department heads executing those plans with the city council's support, and city attorneys upholding those plans.
"If we keep communicating in the same way, we're going to keep going in circles and stubbing our toes," he said.
Both mayoral candidates used a night devoted entirely to them to lay forth those plans.
For Shirl LeBaron, that means a focus on improving essential city services, like the underpaid police department, which he said would need about $600,000 to bring it up to competitive wages.
"If people don't feel safe, we've failed as a city," he said.
For Heber Thompson, it means improving the city's struggling finances (the city has $37 million in outstanding bonds, and its credit rating has slightly slipped in recent years) by an aggressive, pro-business stance.
"We'd like to earn a reputation as a business-friendly community," he said. "Many have told me that we don't come across that way."
Dale Gunther, also running for city council, said city plans need to do a better job of addressing two city projects that are losing money the recreation center and the broadband network.
"Philosophically, I don't think government ought to get involved in business, but since we're in there, we need to do everything we can to make it work," Gunther said.
Gunther cited his years of experience as a banker, saying in issuing loans he has learned how businesses work, and said his financial expertise, combined with better marketing, could turn those two projects around.
Council candidate Marc J. Ellison said city plans should work with existing community members to maximize city efficiency. That includes working with local charities and churches to prepare for an emergency, and finding businesses to endow local arts, he explained.
Comments
- Attempted murder case refiled 1:58 a.m.
- Sports on the air 1:38 a.m.
- This weekend on TV 1:38 a.m.
- Birthdays for Saturday, July 11 1:38 a.m.
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza 1:37 a.m.
- S.L. man spots stolen car — his 1:23 a.m.
- Girl critical after run-in with train 1:23 a.m.
- Probe of death treated as slaying 1:22 a.m.
- Taylorsville man arrested in robbery 1:21 a.m.
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love' 1:20 a.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- Teacher faces new sex charges
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- S.L. man spots stolen car — his
- Utahns among Texans' investors
- LDS seminary principal arrested
160 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
136 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
99 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
94 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74 - Letters: Single-payer system best
72 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
I love Millsap, and the Jazz will find a way to move Boozer and match for...
i think its childish to assume that somebody would actually want to get...
Millsap and Boozer need to stay in Utah. Millsap is Boozers backup while he...
Childish and immature? Its always easier being ignorant and presuming things...
can you use words like testimony and church leadership to critisize a...
Bro P really helped me through a tough time in my life when I had him in...
These are only allegations at present, but I hope when he goes to trial, the...
My thoughts are with the Pratt family right now. Michael I hope you are...
It is interesting that everyone who seems to be a member comments on how nice...
You presume, simply because they were gay, that they were trying to "stir...


You can be the first to comment on this story.