Utah County hopefuls file for seats

PROVO — Eight wasn't enough, and neither is 12.

For Jerry Grover, 16 years on the Utah County Commission sounds about right.

Grover is seeking a fourth term as county commissioner. The Orem resident is one of three Republican candidates to file for the seat before Friday's deadline.

"I just felt like the county has been pretty well managed," said Grover, who was elected to the county commission in 1994."I'm obviously not going to stay here forever, but I thought one more term might be appropriate."

Challenging Grover for the Republican nomination is Gary J. Anderson, a Springville native who served on the county commission from 1983 to 1988, and Provo's Howard Stone.

Most of the races for Utah County government will be decided at the county Republican convention on April 29 or the June 27 primary. Joseph Brierley is the lone Democrat seeking election to a county office.

Brierley, Spanish Fork, is running for the Utah County Commission seat currently occupied by Steve White, a Republican from Provo. White faces intraparty challenges from Bill Ellis, Orem, and Shirrel Robinson Young, Thistle. David J. Gardner, Springville, also is running for the seat, but his party affiliation is unknown. The Utah County elections office failed to catch the error before the filing deadline and has given Gardner until Monday to make that decision.

There's a three-way race in the Republican nomination for Utah County attorney: Incumbent Kay Bryson, Orem, is being challenged by deputy Utah County attorneys Jeff Buhman, Orem, and Curtis L. Larson, American Fork.

Cary McConnell and Bryan E. Thompson, both Republicans from Spanish Fork, are seeking the office of county clerk/auditor being vacated by Kim Jackson, a Republican from Orem.

Jackson opted not to seek re-election and instead to run for county treasurer, a post being vacated at the end of the year by the retiring Melvin R. Hudman. Fellow Republican Robert C. Kirk, Orem, also has filed for the county office.

Assessor Kris Poulson, Recorder Randy Covington and Sheriff James O. Tracy are running unopposed.

---

E-mail: jpage@desnews.com