SOUTH SALT LAKE — Two high-profile women here intend to compete for the mayoral post being left open by one-term Mayor Bob Gray, the city's former police chief.

Stacey D. Liddiard, president of the local Chamber of Commerce, held a press conference Wednesday afternoon to kick off her campaign.

She said she would continue promoting a positive business relationship with government and would "bring our city up to a city of the first class" if elected.

The chamber leader of nearly five years also would promote training to end feuding on the City Council and would promote home ownership within the city, she said.

Liddiard's personal financial history includes multiple tax liens against her and her husband, David; multiple debt-collection lawsuits; and a bankruptcy from 20 years ago.

As a middle-class parent of four, financial troubles "just happen," Liddiard said in an interview. "You go through struggles," she said.

Liddiard's children had medical issues growing up, she said, and recent debt-collection lawsuits stem from a long-term legal dispute with a dentist.

"These things shape who we are, and it makes us stronger," she said.

Liddiard committed to using her past to create a better future and pointed to her record as chamber president as an example of her financial savvy.

Cherie Wood, Gray's assistant mayor, also will campaign for the city's top post in upcoming months.

A lifelong South Salt Lake resident and a city employee for 17 years, Wood said her goals, if elected, would include a continuation of the good landlord program. She also would push for more community-oriented policing and would support projects such as Chinatown and Market Station, she said.

"Over the last three-and-a-half years, we've implemented so many effective projects and programs, and I would just like to see them continue," Wood said. "It's been exciting to realize the benefits of these programs, because they're responsible for the 14 percent decrease in crime over the last year."

Other residents of South Salt Lake are considering entering the mayoral race but have not yet committed. The filing deadline is July 15.

Other seats up for election this year are those of council members Casey Fitts, John Weaver and appointee Boyd Marshall, who filled the seat of Councilwoman Rhea Goddard when she died early this year. Of those, only Marshall has committed to a 2009 campaign.

E-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com