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Richard Piatt ReportingPolitical news typically dries up in the summer sun, but several city elections are starting to cultivate some political heat on their own. A few were timed to coincide with today's filing deadline for candidates.
Even as the future of how people will cast their ballots is changing, several Utah cities could change at the ballot box this year. For example, at the candidate filing deadline, West Jordan's incumbent mayor Bryan Holladay has four challengers. In Provo, incumbent Lewis Billings is facing three others. One, Dave Bailey, took a run at the mayor four years ago.
Sandy is one of two cities in Salt Lake County where the race for mayor is already a political fight. Incumbent Tom Dolan is going for a fourth term in office, but his, and the city council's, support of a Wal-Mart complex on this site off 9400 South has some ready for a change.
"The whole thing with the park versus the Wal-Mart, I think I'd hold him accountable for that. That was one of his biggest goof-ups."
In fact, one of the challengers, Gary Forbush, is part of a group who successfully sought an injunction that is delaying the project from going forward.
In Murray, incumbent Dan Snarr is facing two opponents with political experience. Ex-Legislator Chad Bennion and current county council member David Wilde each criticize Snarr for the way Murray has grown. The new IHC Hospital is a major business development, but there is concern over police protection and infrastructure needs that aren't keeping up in several Murray neighborhoods.
"There's not a lot of cops out there and I think there are some things that need to be taken care of. I've had things stolen out of my car like three times."
In every city election in the state the basics will also apply. People want their taxes low and their services high. Everything else just adds to the political intrigue of the season.
