But Utah Board of Education chairman Kim Burningham, a former legislator and schoolteacher, finds the education platforms curious. While he says there are movements in a few cities such as Los Angeles to have mayors take over the education system, nothing of the sort has been proposed in Utah.

"It's a popular issue with the public — to be concerned about education," Burningham said. "Do (mayoral candidates) have a major role to play? I think it's all indirect ... which suggests to you our campaigns are what they are: A bunch of talk to get people to vote for you with little rational basis."

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E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com; jtcook@desnews.com

Candidates' Web sites: www.ralphbecker.com; www.daveformayor.org; www.keithformayor.com; www.votejennywilson.com.