Taylorsville mayoral candidates make their case

• Janice Rasmussen, 71, former mayor of Taylorsville, said she would be best for the shortened term because she already has strong working relationships with members of the Utah Legislature. “I will be getting back in touch with them, and we can pick up where we left off,” she said. Rasmussen, who didn't run for a third term, said people's requests for her to return to office are proof that she knows what she's doing. “I've dealt with all the daily aspects of the job,” she said.

• Jerry W. Rechtenbach, 60, a three-term city councilman, maintains that his recent experience puts him in a unique position to help Taylorsville. “I'm concerned about the continuity of leadership in the city,” he said. “I feel that I'm most tuned in to what's going on and most qualified to handle it,” he said.

• Joseph Taggart, 31, a tax attorney, said he doesn't feel an aggressive agenda is necessary because of the short remaining time on the term. Taggart also said he believes the city is doing well. “I'm very passionate about Taylorsville city," he said. "I've lived here almost all my life. I think it's on a great course. I just think the council needs a mayor to help them stay the course.”

• Doyle Unsworth, 36, a union boilermaker, said he believes some of Taylorsville's business regulations need to be updated. “(If elected), I'd like to evaluate some of the old policies that were passed. Are they the best? Maybe they were then, but not so much any more. … We're already taxed enough as it is,”  he said.

• Wendi Wengel, 29, a merchant service provider, said the City Council needs to adopt a culture of cooperation if it wants to see more businesses in the area. “There are some cities that just nit-pick small business. We can't do that,” she said. “I just felt like there's a lot to be done — attracting businesses, renovating the place.”

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Twitter: @benlockhart89