CEDAR CITY — Managing the unprecedented growth facing this "Festival City" is a top election concern for five Cedar City Council candidates facing each other in an Oct. 4 primary.

Voters will choose four candidates to run for two four-year council positions Nov. 8.

"We should value the heritage of Cedar City while accommodating future growth," said Raymond Green, a business consultant who hopes to be re-elected to the council. "It is important that we embrace a strategy that balances developers' planning with the needs to preserve the scale and character of Cedar City. Developers should be encouraged through reward and incentives to provide open space and other amenities that add value to Cedar City."

Joe Burgess, a contractor, said that affordable housing should be a priority for city officials. In 2004, the city approved more than 400 building permits, with just more than 140 of those awarded to duplex or multifamily housing units.

"The city is growing rapidly, and we need to make sure our infrastructure can keep pace. We need to keep the atmosphere of our community such that those that visit here will want to return again and again to enjoy our beautiful scenery and many festivals," Burgess said. "The City Council needs to continually be working on bringing new jobs to the area. Especially those that are higher-paying and clean."

Cedar City is host to more than 6,000 Southern Utah University students and to tens of thousands of tourists who visit nearby national parks and the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespearean Festival. More than 33,000 people live here year-round, and many more are contemplating calling Cedar City home, the candidates said.

"We need to make sure that we continue with quality development and that our infrastructure is in place to handle it," said candidate Jolene Webster Goff, a CPA assistant and chair of the Cedar City planning commission. "It is important that we protect the corridors specified in our current roads master plan and that we review and update it as development occurs. We need to verify our water resources now for the future development of our water system, which is certain to be needed if development continues at its present rate."

Clay Barth, a retired vice president of sales for Lynn Wilson Food Products and former school board member in a California district, said the city's growth requires smart management skills.

"I advocate responsible growth management. I believe that with my extensive and successful background in business I can assist in overseeing that objective," said Barth. "The citizens of Cedar City need to have someone that will listen to their issues and concerns with no personal or business agenda that may override or conflict with the city's best interests."

A newcomer to politics, Nina R. Barnes, said she understands the needs of her community and wants families to succeed. She would like to see more recreational opportunities for those living in Cedar City.

"Lifestyle, planning and growth are some of the issues we are facing. Cedar City is growing at a pace never experienced before," said Barnes, who is self-employed. "We need to be proactive as a community as we manage our infrastructure, roads, water, housing and wages. These are important issues that must be addressed now rather than suffer the consequences."

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