At least 1 new face on council

There will be at least one new face on the Salt Lake City Council in January — and possibly two others.

Salt Lake City voters living in District 6 will decide Tuesday who will replace Dave Buhler as their council representative: small-business owner JT Martin or attorney Roger McConkie.

In Districts 2 and 4, voters will determine whether to grant incumbents Van Turner and Nancy Saxton each a third term on the council or shake things up by voting west-side activist J. Michael Clara or University of Utah political science professor Luke Garrott into office.

• District 2 (Glendale, Popular Grove)

The race in District 2 is a repeat of the 2003 election in which Turner collected 57 per-cent of the vote to Clara's 43 percent.

Clara again is running on a platform of change, saying it's time to put an end to the "slum formation of the west side."

"The largest issue facing District 2 is the inequity in which City Hall dispenses city services and resources on the west side," he said. "I intend to help the administration and fellow council members understand that the west side is an integral part of the city and not an appendage to it."

Clara said police need more resources to address gang activity and violence on the west side, and he doesn't believe Turner has done enough on the council to advocate for west-side needs.

"If voters in District 2 want business as usual for the west side, they should vote for the incumbent," he said. "If they want change and someone who will advocate and give voice to the community, they should vote for me."

Clara, 40, is a transit planner for the Utah Transit Authority.

Turner said he believes District 2 residents have been happy with the job he's done the past eight years on the City Council.

"I think voters know what I can get done," he said.

Turner said he wants to return the council for a third term to "continue on with the good programs we've been working on over the years."

More housing and job opportunities are needed on the west side, he said, to make it a more walkable community. Turner also said he wants to be part of the master planning process for the city's northwest quadrant.

"I like to listen to people, get all the information I can, then step back, take it down to City Hall and do the right thing for our community," he said.

Turner, 60, owns Firehouse Floral & Gifts and the Hook & Ladder restaurant.

• District 4 (Downtown, People's Freeway, Central City)

Representing District 4 on the City Council has become Saxton's full-time job.

"I have had flexible time over the past eight years to devote to the important responsibilities of my elected office," she said.