So it's nice to have a job that allows flexibility to adequately represent what your city needs.

Get ready to read

The lack of streetlights might have you down. Speeders are driving you nuts. There could be any one issue that drives someone to run for office to effect change.

But once elected, you are required to become an informed decision-maker on issues relating to land use, budgeting, personnel and public safety, to name a few.

"It's a bit like learning to snowboard in a day," Martin said. "You have to get up to speed really quick."

Martin said he feels like an expert on the concrete mix for city sidewalks, the tax ramifications of a 0.000043 tax rate, garbage collection and street issues, including knowing that the yellow lights on semaphores are incandescent lights while the green and red are LEDs.

"Unless someone likes to read, this is not the job for them," he said. "You better learn how to read fast."

Taking good and bad

As a representative of the people, you need to know that any issue can bring a barrage of complaints, insults and diatribes.

But if you let it, your skin can become a toughened hide against verbal abuse.

Garcia said the legality of his citizenship has been questioned by people opposed to immigration. He's been called names on the phone and in e-mails.

The insults bother him for a minute, Garcia said, but he's learned to let them go.

"If you take it to heart, you're not going to be the representative you need to be," he said.

Baskin heard an earful when she proposed a name change for her city from North Salt Lake to Orchard Hills.

And some Salt Lake City residents have told Martin they will quit shopping at his Emigration Market because of some of his votes.

But even with the insults, there's a great honor that comes from being elected by your neighbors.

It's a chance to serve, to do your part, which is how Baskin says her family was raised. Her brother, Randy Watts, is the mayor of Logan, and Baskin said she's contemplating a run for the mayor's office in North Salt Lake.

"I would encourage everybody to take a turn at the wheel," she said. "We only have a certain number of real, true productive years. We should utilize our gifts and talents when we are in the prime of our life and have the health to do it."

Martin agreed.

"Everyone's gotta do it," he said. "You meet some of the greatest people."

Candidate requirements

Be a United States citizen

Be a registered voter

Be at least 18 years old

Live in city you want to represent for 12 months before the election

E-MAIL: jdougherty@desnews.com

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