Sandy candidates focus on growth, safety

SANDY — Sandy City Council and mayoral candidates want voters to know there's more to this south valley suburb than just an old gravel pit.

The three mayoral candidates — incumbent Tom Dolan, Gary T. Forbush and Drake Meyer — and eight City Council candidates tout a variety of problems and possible improvements to the city.

Other than the gravel pit — the subject of a referendum on Nov. 8 that will determine the zoning and thus the possibility of big-box development on 107 acres at 9400 South and 1000 East — candidates are concerned about infrastructure and public safety. Many cite Sandy's growth as the cause for needing better infrastructure and public safety.

Generally, candidates are concerned about economic development — both separate from and related to the gravel pit. Most recognize the relationship between commercial development's accompanying tax revenue and high levels of city services.

In the Oct. 4 primary election, voters will choose two of the three mayoral candidates to advance to the Nov. 8 general election. City Council District Three voters will choose two of the three candidates for the general election, and voters citywide will select two of the five at-large City Council candidates to advance.

Candidates responded to questionnaires from the Deseret Morning News; summaries of their responses follow.

Mayor:

• Tom Dolan, 61, is seeking his fourth term as Sandy mayor. Dolan wants to follow Sandy's master plan for economic development because "the increased sales tax from these new businesses pays for the current high level of services for Sandy citizens," he said. Among the services he wants to strengthen are public safety and open space development. "We must continue to add parks, open space and multi-use trails," he said. "The issue here is funding and the combined will of the staff and City Council to make this a priority."

• Gary T. Forbush, 44, was a leader in pushing the gravel pit referendum to a vote, and he said that as a result, his campaign for mayor "is about listening to the people when major growth issues directly affect our quality of life." Forbush wants to establish citizen committees for feedback and said he will initiate a program to bring businesses to Sandy. "We must focus more resources to bring more business into Sandy to complement the existing retail and restaurants we enjoy," he said.