Candidate touts community pride

Magna's historic Main Street was once vibrant and busy. But on Saturday, few people walked down the street, past rows of vacant shops.

The street was quiet, although it is just 15 minutes from Salt Lake City and a July Fourth parade had just finished. The biggest crowd, about 10 people, gathered outside the Magna Senior Citizen Center in support of county mayoral candidate Peter Corroon.

"This area has been ignored by the county," Corroon said. "We have a beautiful Main Street, beautiful historic buildings and nobody has put a shovel in the ground."

Corroon was chosen by the Utah Democratic Party in March to run against Mayor Nancy Workman. Involved with law and real estate, Corroon is a cousin to former presidential candidate Howard Dean.

Corroon chided Workman for ignoring communities in unincorporated cities in the county like Magna.

"Today, there was a big parade in Magna, but no fireworks or a fair because of funding," he said. "Here's a community that needs to have that sense of community."

Greg Schulz, Magna Township planning commissioner and former member of the area council, said less than a third of Main Street is occupied. He also said current money from the county budget will go to studies on Main Street rather than building on the street.

"This is money that could have been spent quickly," Schulz said. "They could have done half of this street, putting up light poles and fixing sidewalks."

Corroon specifically mentioned the former bowling alley across the street from the senior center, which has been closed for 20 years.

"It's a gem of a building that could be a gem again, it just could take help from the county," Corroon said. "Local businesses are serving the community and giving back to the community. Big-box stores aren't doing that. Our philosophy should be local businesses first."

Senior citizens in electric wheelchairs rode on the street rather than the sidewalk because of damage to the sidewalks.

Corroon walked around in the senior center during its rummage sale, introducing himself to residents. Mark J. Bassett, director of Community Outreach for Corroon's campaign, said he hopes people will look at Corroon's plans for the county.

Bassett said the campaign is mostly a grass-roots effort. For more information, visit www.VoteCorroon.com.

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