Election 2009: Dolan war chest exceeds $110,000

SANDY — Four-term Mayor Tom Dolan has raised more than $110,000 to defend his seat against Constitution Party challenger Dave Perry, according to recently released campaign finance disclosures.

Donors to the campaign include Wasatch Properties Management developer Dell Loy Hansen, ousted Utah House Speaker Greg Curtis, Larry Miller and the local Chamber of Commerce.

In contrast, Perry has raised only $2,340, and almost half of that was his own money. The self-described penny-pincher has campaigned by door-knocking, holding neighborhood meetings and parking a Winnebago shrink-wrapped with campaign signs in various locations around the city. His campaign has focused on praising the city's past but saying it needs a new direction for the future.

"My contention is when (Dolan) was elected 16 years ago, he was the little engine that could, and Sandy was having some problems and whatnot," Perry said. "What he's done is turn Sandy into the Sandy Express. The problem now is we can't keep doing that because of the economic situation."

Dolan explained the size of his war chest by saying he needs to "get the message out" about his campaign.

The many businesses that have contributed to his campaign, including those located out of state, are showing support for the direction Sandy has gone, Dolan said.

The mayor pointed out that he didn't win by a large margin in the 2005 mayoral race.

"You just have to communicate with your constituency," he said. "It costs money to run a campaign, and it's always been that way."

Dolan's re-election campaign has focused on the city's success with economic development. The mayor also touts his record of building new parks, protecting open space and balancing the city budget.

The only other race being fought in Sandy this election season is between incumbent at-large Councilman Stephen P. Smith and 45-year-old challenger David Kingsbury, corporate Director for Idex Corp.

Like Perry, Kingsbury said he believes Sandy has been run well but needs new perspective for a challenging future. He's against the spending of federal grant money for street beautification but in favor of preserving open space.

Smith, a 49-year-old private accountant, said he believes his budgetary expertise and four years' experience in city government make him the best candidate for the job. He wants to see the land around Rio Tinto Stadium and the proposed light-rail station developed carefully.

Council members Scott Cowdell and Bryant Anderson are running unopposed for re-election.

Full candidate biographies and campaign finance disclosures are available at sandy.utah.gov.

e-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com