Layton councilman to run for mayor

LAYTON — Stephen G. Handy, two-term Layton city councilman, officially announced his candidacy for mayor Monday.

Longtime mayor Jerry Stevenson announced in June he would not seek re-election. Handy has lived in Layton the past 27 years and is president of Stephen G. Handy Marketing Communications.

"I've got the skill-set that Layton needs in terms of building bridges and alliances," Handy said in an interview Monday.

Top issues he'll focus on in the campaign: maintaining connections with Hill Air Force Base, mobility and transportation, and economic development.

During his six years on the City Council, Handy has worked on topics such as the Legacy Parkway and UTOPIA.

Layton's next mayor, he said in a press release, needs to "lead the charge to provide attractive zoning and infrastructure around the base and a favorable business climate that will attract more top-level businesses.

"I see the next 10 years as a time when Layton will accelerate even more as a regional economic leader and this campaign will be about who can provide the best leadership, build dynamic relationships with Hill Air Force Base, surrounding communities and state agencies as well as articulate Layton's leadership role," he said.