Election 2009: Municipal races turn ugly in Herriman

HERRIMAN — Elections in this small South Valley city have turned ugly.

Less than two weeks before Election Day, Herriman residents received an anonymous mailer titled "Drugged Driving IS Drunk Driving," featuring the DUI citation of City Council candidate Mick Shannon.

Shannon is one of four candidates vying for two at-large spots on the City Council. He received the citation in 2008 and disclosed that on his campaign site weeks ago.

"There's been the same people serving the city for a long time now, so it's difficult for people to want new blood," said Shannon, 60, founder of the Children's Miracle Network.

After a back surgery last summer, Shannon explains that he took half of a surgeon-prescribed Ambien to help him fall asleep. He then left to pick up his son from work.

Barely a mile away from his home, Shannon began driving erratically and pulled over. He called his wife — and another driver called the police. He was issued a citation, although no alcohol was involved. The charge was amended to reckless driving with a $1,000 fine.

Then there's the issue of nepotism, one that has come under scrutiny this election season. Questions over the number of family members working at Herriman resulted in the city posting a list of all employees and their relatives in City Hall.

Still, candidates challenging incumbents attest that list is not complete, pointing to sons and daughters of managers that work in the city.

Of issue for all the candidates, though, is economic development. The rapidly growing city has less than a half-dozen major retailers.

Mayor Lynn Crane, 71, a lifelong Herriman resident and the only mayor since the city's incorporation in 1999, points to the increase in parks (one to 34) and the trail system as some of his accomplishments.

Mayor Crane is also currently employed as Herriman's city manager with a $96,000-a-year salary.

He said "there's clearly a lack of municipal experience" among candidates compared with his 10 years' experience.

Michelle Facer Baguley, 51, is seeking a third term on the City Council. Baguley said she's focused on "an informed, engaged and involved vote" and has a goal of 70 percent voter turnout.

Incumbent councilman Jerry Walker, 47, a rocket scientist with ATK Launch Systems, is also seeking a third term. Walker points to the city's successes in that time — a budget in the black, major retail development and a new library and recreation center.

Shannon, along with council candidate Craig Tischner and mayoral candidate Josh Mills, want to oust Herriman's incumbents who have all been in since the city's incorporation. They plan to reduce taxes, reverse the 30 percent council pay hike and remove the mayor's second city manager job.

Tischner, 30, works for the county sheriff's office, and Mills, 34, is vice president of W.C. Mills Insurance Inc.

Mills, a legislative district chairman, wants to "push out information from City Hall." Instead of publishing an agenda, Mills said he would remove the legalese and let residents know what issues affect them.

e-mail: astowell@desnews.com