North Salt Lake candidates vying to replace mayor

NORTH SALT LAKE — Two candidates are running for mayor of North Salt Lake: Councilwoman Lisa Watts Baskin and Woodside Homes chief financial officer Leonard Arave.

Arave, 54, served on the city's Planning Commission for six years and currently is a member of the city's parks and trails committee.

If elected, Arave said, he would focus on maintaining fiscal responsibility and supporting economic development, while working with the Utah Department of Transportation to improve the city's access to I-15, I-215 and Legacy Parkway.

Baskin, 50, is an attorney and homemaker who is finishing up her first term on the City Council. She says she will continue working hard for the city to be fiscally conservative and to assist the victims of the Springhill landslide area.

Baskin also wants to make sure the new city hall comes in on time and on budget, and she'd like the city to establish a curbside recycling program.

North Salt Lake Mayor Shanna Schaefermeyer opted not to run for re-election this year in order to pursue a church-service opportunity.

Four candidates are in the running for two open seats on the North Salt Lake City Council.

Incumbent Matt Hardy, 33, is a pharmaceutical sales manager finishing his first term on the council. Hardy wants to help oversee completion of the new city hall, establish a curbside recycling program, continue with road improvements and improve communication to residents about city issues.

Stewart Harman, 35, is an attorney and is running for office for the first time. Harman helped organize a neighborhood watch program in the Foxboro neighborhood and wants to continue making North Salt Lake a safe place to live. He also supports a curbside recycling program.

Matt Jensen, 34, is a chemical engineer promising to work for city unity, economic development, industrial relations, parks and trails, and long-term water needs.

Hayward Oblad, 57, is a chemical engineer and investor and member of the Planning Commission. Oblad wants to make sure the city is fiscally conservative and that taxpayers don't become overburdened with too many city projects.

More information about the candidates is available at www.nslcity.org.

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