Hot topics challenge 3 mayors

Only a few of the mayors in Davis and Salt Lake counties are full-timers, but nearly all of them know that the political calling can consume a life.

Nonetheless, dozens of mayoral incumbents and new candidates this fall will vie for the privilege of sitting through hundreds of hours of city council meetings, pancake breakfasts and phone calls from irate constituents for the next four years.

Constituents have a lot to be concerned about in these Davis and Salt Lake County cities.

Population growth and its accompanying development are a hot topic for nearly every city and town. Established residents often love the rural character of a smaller city but crave the amenities — such as good roads and plentiful shopping — that come with higher population densities. How a mayor controls or promotes growth can be a deciding factor on how long he or she remains in office.

The farther away people move from their city jobs, too, the more traffic they must tolerate. South Salt Lake Valley residents flood I-15 and surface roads every day and resort to checking the radio traffic reports to avoid snarls that delay their commutes. In north Davis County, residents often face up to an hour commute each way to reach Salt Lake City; they are eager for alternatives that are years away — light rail, commuter rail and the Legacy Parkway.

Between Friday and Aug. 15, political hopefuls have to declare their candidacy with their city recorder's office. Some cities charge a nominal fee for the filing. Also, every city (except Cottonwood Heights) has at least two city council seats open.

The mayors featured here are contending with challenges on growth, development, transportation and a host of other issues facing Utah's suburbs. Resilience is at the top of the list of the numerous qualifications they and their challengers must hold.

North Salt Lake

With his John Wayne voice, striking white hair and "tell it as it is" manner, North Salt Lake Mayor Kay Briggs more than stands out in a crowd.

His charisma, supporters say, is a good trait for a small-town mayor, but Briggs' blunt manner of speaking may hurt him come fall. No one can officially declare candidacy until Friday, but several people have expressed interest in ousting the 62-year-old mayor.

The reason: A battle with Salt Lake City over 80 acres of open space. The land is owned by North Salt Lake but is within Salt Lake City's boundaries.