ONLY 1 OF THE UTAH COUNTY GOVERNMENT RACES IS REALLY A RACE ANDERSON, SANDBERG BATTLE FOR 2-YEAR SEAT

While Commissioner Brent Morris eases into a second term, two newcomers to the political arena are battling for votes next week for the chance to succeed Utah County Commissioner Gary Anderson.

Anderson, who has served two terms, will be replaced by either Republican Sid Sandberg, Provo, or Democrat Glen Hawkins, Benjamin.Central to this fall's campaign for the two-year commission seat is what county Democrats are calling the local GOP's unwillingness to honor a gentlemen's agreement that is supposed to geographically balance representation on the commission.

According to the agreement, the seat up for grabs this fall should be filled by a candidate from the south part of the county. While Democrats have said the GOP should honor the agreement, Republican leaders have responded that having qualified people in office is more important than always complying with the agreement.

Last month, nine former commissioners from both political parties came out in support of the agreement. In a written statement, the commissioners said better county representation results from adherence to what they called "the long, successful history of the gentlemen's agreement."

But the agreement hasn't always been honored, and the GOP commission hopeful says competency should be the issue, not geography.

Sid Sandberg said county commissioners represent the whole county, not just one-third of its area.

"Can a commissioner purport to represent one section of the county and uphold his oath of office? I don't think so," said Sandberg, an attorney involved with commercial finance.

"It is unfair and un-American for 15 percent of the population to claim 33 percent of the representation. I don't believe that the citizens of this county will tolerate politics as usual. They are fed up with the back-room political bargains that produced the Timp Mental Health scandal.

"The one message that is very important for the citizens of Utah County is that county government is large enough to require competent, experienced people to manage it."

Sandberg said his experience managing millions of dollars in assets for Exxon Co. and working as a strategic planner and analyst for the Singer Co. gave him valuable oversight experience that would be useful as a commissioner. Politically, he has served as a GOP voting district committeeman and chairman and as a state and county delegate.

As a Provo native, Sandberg said, he understands the importance of local economic growth and will work to strengthen existing agriculture, business and industry, while working to attract clean industry to the county.