Farmington candidates focus on future development

FARMINGTON — This is a city almost untouched by commercial development. But in the next five years, projects are planned that will double the city's commercial spaces.

City officials have been strongly criticized for their role in planning for the development. It comes as little surprise then, with the mayor and two council members up for election, eight residents have declared candidacy for municipal office.

Development is a key issue for all the candidates.

On Oct. 4, they will face off in a primary. Two are challenging the incumbent mayor; six are challenging the incumbent council members. Based on the votes of residents, two mayoral candidates and four council candidates will be eligible to compete in the Nov. 8 general election.

A brief biography of each candidate is featured below. The first three candidates listed are running for mayor; the other eight are seeking a city council office.

• David M. Connors, 53, has served as Farmington mayor for one term. Before becoming mayor, he was a city councilman for eight years. Connors works as an attorney for a Salt Lake law firm. He attended both Yale University and Brigham Young University.

Connors says he and the Farmington City Council have carefully managed the city's growth. He says he has developed experience and relationships that are critical for helping Farmington through a time of change.

"I want to see this community continue to grow and develop as it should," he said. "We need to continue to promote development that's consistent with the history and traditions of the city."

• Scott C. Harbertson, 48, has no previous political experience. He has lived in Farmington for 25 years. He attended Brigham Young University and is co-owner of THB Inc., a wholesale distributor of fasteners.

Harbertson says several Farmington residents encouraged him to run. If elected, he wants to promote more community involvement. He feels residents should be given more notice of important city decisions.

"I have no political agenda," he said. "I have never been in the political arena before. What I bring is business knowledge. I want to run the city more in that vein (as a businessman) than probably the way it has been done in the past."

• Cory R. Ritz, 45, has served on the Farmington Planning Commission the past four years and served as chair for two. Ritz received a bachelor's degree from Western Oregon University. He works as a district sales manager for Forage Genetics.

Ritz says the leadership in Farmington is due for change. Residents haven't been listened to, he said. Future development is critical and must be planned carefully.