From Deseret News archives:
Fresh faces may fill Santaquin City Hall
Sole incumbent has been on City Council for just 12 weeks
Filip Askerlund is the lone incumbent running for city office, and he's only been a member of the Santaquin City Council for 12 weeks.
Askerlund, who has served as chairman of the city's Planning and Zoning Commission, was appointed to the City Council on Aug. 20 to replace Dennis Brandon, who was named mayor July 6 a month after LaDue Scovill stepped down.
Brandon, who was serving on the City Council when appointed, will complete Scovill's term but opted not to seek re-election. That allowed mayoral candidates James E. DeGraffenried and Marie Durney to avoid a primary and advance to the general election.
In addition to Askerlund, candidates for the two four-year seats on the council are former Santaquin City Councilman Arthur L. Adcock, James F. Linford and David R. Stemmons.
Askerlund, 52, has been a Santaquin resident for the past 9 1/2 years, during which time the city has grown from about 2,300 residents to an estimated 5,800 in 2004.
If the city builds out all of the land that has been annexed in, another 20,000 to 22,000 residents could call Santaquin home by 2030, he said.
"This is in a city that still doesn't have a very good commercial tax base," said Askerlund, who collected 171 votes in the primary election to finish third behind Adcock, who received 253, and Linford, who earned 190. "We need some businesses that are going to bring in some substantial tax revenues."
Adcock agreed, saying finding ways to manage growth is the No. 1 issue facing Santaquin.
"Santaquin is undergoing a lot of growth, and I'd like to be part of trying to manage that growth and encourage economic development in town," he said.
Adcock, 58, said he also would like to see Santaquin develop a true city recreation department.
"City Hall is used as (a recreation department), but there just isn't very much for (youths) to do," he said. "They are involved in baseball and soccer, but I'd like to expend it."
Linford, 60, is a two-year resident of Santaquin with no previous political experience. But as a retired accountant, Linford said he believes he can help Santaquin with its fiscal responsibilities.
"It's such a fast-growing community right now that there are some real challenges out there, and I believe I can help them with that," he said.
Linford said his main concerns are the city's approval of new housing developments and its low commercial growth.
Comments
- FrontRunner train smashes into car 9:15 p.m.
- Dick Harmon: BCS fight heating 9:11 p.m.
- The number: 57% 9:10 p.m.
- U.S. details terrorist recruiting 9:10 p.m.
- RSL's Russell left exposed 9:10 p.m.
- Chaplin home to be pilgrimage site 9:09 p.m.
- Jazz players react to RSL title 9:09 p.m.
- Police chief convicted of felonies 9:08 p.m.
- Hasan may use insanity defense 9:08 p.m.
- S.C. guv accused of 37 ethics charges 9:08 p.m.
- Real Champions
- Bronco, Kyle rubber match
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
- BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded
- Plenty on line for rivalry game
- Time for big matchups in WAC, MWC
- BCS at-large bids up for grabs
- Hall, Johnson matchup key
- Is talking about religion taboo?
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
214 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
212 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
194 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU records with win
132 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
131 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
130 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99
Associated Press Personal Finance Writer Candice Choi offers gift-giving...
funny how homosexuals have no problem telling you exactly where they stand on...
RE: Common Sense Calling "Ward house" is not the same as "ward." You can...
No, the biggest difference between the 2004 Utah team and the 1984 Utah team...
"They're worried about traffic and crowds, and there are plenty of both...
Jorgensen and Lamb get reprimanded for telling the truth? yet a soccer girl...
1984 was also the year that "The Love Boat" was the number 1 show on...
Obviously these kids have never been out of the state of Utah. Big boy...
C'mon Cowboys!
One can discern easily the opinions of those who comment about a temple....
25 years from now when major college football has a playoff, BYU will still...


You can be the first to comment on this story.