Social and political partisan issues are much more problematic when it comes to County services and public school programs and policies. At the City level, the more local bricks and mortar issues of transportation, garbage collection, housing and business ordiances are much more bread and butter needs than the County's social programs and a School District's curriculum policy that could entail religion, sex education, history and social studies involving sensitive areas of politics and moral events that occurred in the past. The notion of government closer to home that responds well to Republicans isn't an issue here at the City level, its is almost the lowest level of government possible. The use of local city taxes have been traditional over many decades, except for perhaps the extent of city funds to be used for extensive social service programs under park and recreation programs. The race of City mayor hopefully will be an exciting and informative one as the City attempts to address the future development of the northwest community and continue to examine the nature of its housing stock and business development that continues to age and require either rehabilitation or complete demolition and replacement. A future vision of the state Capitol is likely one of the biggest campaign issues facing the candidates as well as the look of downtown and the role the LDS church will play (something that both political parties may have something to say).

Buhler's experience and record must be the determining factor in electing a competent and experienced Mayor to lead the city and resolve the problematic issues facing it. Buhler, Buhler Buhler is the man...Forget the politics and let's get the work done...

I don't think anybody needs to remind the voters which candidate is a Republican and which is a Democrat. Now that we have that out of the way, I would like to know your vision for the city.

This is a great opportunity to change the tone of city government from the rancor of the last 8 years. I think both candidates are committed to doing that.

Now if we can just keep Rocky from interjecting his less than helpful rhetoric this may be a great election campaign.

Its Buhler! And From talking to alot of my friends who voted for Rocky, they too are voting for Buhler.....it will be fun to watch!

The race is a non-partisan race. I think it would be sad, possibly unethical, and a lack of integrity on Becker's part, to use the Democratic Party IN ANY WAY. I like both candidates for different reasons. This race should be about issues and capability. Leave the political parties out of this, please. Buhler has made comment of his intent NOT to use the Republican Party. I would like to hear Becker publicly say the same.

I'll vote for Becker.

I think we have enough Republicans already ruining things at all levels of govenment.

Competition is never a good thing. One Party Rule, One Party State--Now and Forever. VOTE REPUBLICAN!

Given the present state of the Republican party, I see why Dave would not use them.

All the talk of demarcates dumping money into the non-partisan mayoral election and The Deseret News all but predicting that Becker will be the next mayor simply because he is a democrat is simply a sad reminder that we have forgotten even our most resent history. A mayor that has dragged Salt Lake through the mud and �rocks� associated with his agenda and we reelected him simply because he was a democrat. The idea, that we could again get a mayor who will be elected only because he is a democrat is disturbing. What about the records of the two candidates? I�m not taking about abortion rights or the war in Iraq or any other nation wide issues. What is their vision for the future of Salt Lake and what have they done about it? What have they done to stand up for the people of Salt Lake against their party? Are they for the old, warn out, and frankly boring partisan politics that has been stuffed down our throat for years? What about their leadership style? What do they the candidates bring to our fair city? From his service in the state senate to his first run at the mayor�s office to his city council position he has held for 8 years Dave Buhler has always been strongly supported the independent voters of the city. Hopefully the independent voters will respond to the candidate that has been their champion for over 20 years. He has the right vision for the future of SLC. I implorer Salt Lakers, especially those how are open minded and educated on the issues, and have the ability to vote for a man not a political party affiliations to vote for the best man. I�m not voting democrat or republican I�m voting for Dave Buhler.

I'm just happy that embarrassment "Rocky" will no longer be mayor.

Uh, wayne, Rocky wasn't reelected simply because he was a Democrat. Did you forget that his opponent was a Democrat too?

It's nice how you insinuate that "independent" voters that vote Democrat must not be open-minded or educated on the issues. As far as I'm concerned, your entire post is a bunch of whining from a poor loser.

Salt Lake Politics - best entertainment this side of the Rockies for us out-of-staters!

Looks like Wayne had a private education, because somebody wasn't checking his year end grammar competency scores.

Wayne is clearly a product of a public Utah education!!!