Envision Utah's Fayles joins race for West Valley mayor

WEST VALLEY CITY — Envision Utah spokesman Kevin Fayles has thrown his hat in the ring for the 2009 mayoral race.

The 45-year-old public relations specialist is up against City Council member Mike Winder. Longtime Mayor Dennis Nordfelt announced early this year that he will be stepping down from the city's top post and has not yet endorsed a candidate to replace him.

Fayles told the Deseret News that his experiences living in several states and working with numerous government agencies make him qualified to fill the mayoral position. He added that Winder has been on the council only two years.

"I just feel like I have more real world experience," he said.

Fayles has worked with Envision Utah since 2001, moving from fundraising specialist to spokesman. Recently, he's also taken on human resources responsibilities for the nonprofit regional planning organization.

Fayles is running his campaign on the platform "Positioning West Valley City for the Future." He wants to increase programs for senior citizens, bring high-paying jobs to town and create a balanced transportation infrastructure, he said.

But Fayles was quick to point out that he has a lot to learn. For example, Fayles said he needs to learn more about West Valley's part in UTOPIA, the Utah Telecommunications Open Infrastructure Agency.

Fayles also lacks specifics about West Valley's involvement with the Grizzlies hockey team, he said, but cited concerns about government becoming involved in the private sector.

"You need to look forward," he said. "You need to think about the decisions you make today and their impact on the next generation."

Overall, Fayles said he wants to continue the path set out by the Nordfelt administration in terms of nonpartisanship, ethics and programs.

He wants to revitalize old neighborhoods and continue the trend of reduced crime rates, he said. He would do so by pushing gang prevention programs in schools and possibly using police substations to respond more quickly to problems.

"I think we all want the same things -- safety, time with family, the ability to enjoy the outdoors through trails," he said. "We need to find common ground … It just makes common sense."

For information, visit Fayles' campaign site at KevinFayles.com. Information on Winder's campaign can be found at mwinder.com.

Winder will hold a public fundraiser Wednesday. Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert will speak.

Both local candidates have a presence on social networking sites.

The filing deadline for mayoral and city council campaigns is July 15. For information, visit wvc-ut.gov.

E-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com