"Obviously I think he's a great person and I believe we're doing really well to maintain a good working relationship in our church and community," he said. But neither Nordfelt nor Leffler is letting friendliness stand in the way of each man's conviction that he is the best man for the job.

"I've lived here a lot longer (than Leffler) and have had a lot more experience," Nordfelt said. "I think my effectiveness and my record speaks for itself."

The first-term mayor, who served as West Valley's police chief before being elected mayor, said he has overseen a city government that has made great progress in economic development and in working regionally on big growth-driven issues like transportation.

"We've had significant economic development in the three years that I've been there," Nordfelt said.

But Leffler said the city can't be satisfied with the progress it has seen because much more needs to be done.

"While there has been some progress in different areas of the city and the city officials deserve credit for that, it doesn't go near as far as it needs to to push forward the results we need to go from good to great," he said. "Bottom line is I feel like the people who had the horse and buggy were probably happy when they had that, too, but when they got the car they were a lot more enamored with that."

Another goal is improved law enforcement for a city often plagued by the perception of being a center for violent crime. "My No. 1 effort is (that) I believe we should increase the police force by at least a third over the next few years," to promote the image we should have, Leffler said.

But Nordfelt said the city is on the right track, and he believes staying at the helm will keep it that way. "I know it sounds altruistic but I have believed all my life the most noble thing you can do in this life is serve your fellow man," he said. After leaving the police force, he decided his experience made him most qualified to serve in local government.So far, that experience has paid off. Nordfelt's history with the Utah Highway Patrol has earned him chairmanship of the Wasatch Front Regional Council, where he has been involved in planning the region's transportation.It all ties in with what he sees as the biggest issue facing West Valley and the rest of the county's west side: growth.

Both candidates plan to continue campaigning through the fall until November's elections. But when the votes have been counted and all is said and done, they plan to remain first and foremost neighbors — in a neighborhood that, they hope, won't be torn by political differences.

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E-mail: dsmeath@desnews.com