Election preview: Newcomers, comebacks and big bucks

Comeback bids, fresh faces, a police headquarters and school money highlight Tuesday's election in which voters across Utah will go to the polls, mostly to elect mayors and city council members.

Turnout is expected to be meager in this off-year election, which does not feature any statewide races, congressional contests or a president at the top of the ballot to balloon crowds. And two of Utah's biggest cities -- Salt Lake City and Ogden -- won't be electing mayors this time around.

Still, there's plenty of local intrigue. At least three former mayors -- from Lehi to Park City to South Salt Lake -- are fighting for their old offices. Three of Utah's four biggest cities will elect newcomers as mayors. And four City Council seats are up for grabs in the capital, though one is unopposed.

Salt Lake City voters also will determine the fate of a proposed $125 million public-safety headquarters through a bond known as Proposition 1.

 

Cops, council in capital

In 2007, voters rejected a $175 million public-safety headquarters by less than 300 votes. Now, Salt Lake City residents get a chance at a pared-down, $125 million version that features the police-fire headquarters and an emergency-operations center. Mayor Ralph Becker was blasted this summer over an idea to locate the cops on Library Square. The plan now calls for the buildings to be built across the street from there.

If voters approve the bond,

property taxes would go up by $75 a year on a $260,000 home.

On the City Council front, District 3 voters will decide between Avenues residents Phil Carroll and Stan Penfold. The two have sparred over neighborhood bars and Becker's anti-discrimination ordinance. The victor replaces outgoing Councilman Eric Jergensen.

In Sugar House, incumbent Soren Simonsen is locked in a fight with newcomer Lisa Ramsey Adams, who has nearly doubled Simonsen's bankroll for the District 7 seat.

On the city's west side, District 1 features a rematch of four years ago between 12-year council fixture Carlton Christensen and a feisty Leslie Reynolds-Benns.

Jill Remington Love is unopposed for re-election to her District 5 post.

 

The comeback kids

Former mayors in three cities are dreaming of sequels to their past starring roles.

Brad Olch, who left office in 2002, hopes to unseat two-term Park City Mayor Dana Williams.

Wes Losser, who lost to outgoing South Salt Lake Mayor Bob Gray four years ago, aims to beat Gray's handpicked successor, Assistant Mayor Cherie Wood, to take back the reins.

And, in Lehi, former Mayor Kenneth Greenwood and Bert Wilson ousted Mayor Howard Johnson in September's primary and are now vying for the post.

 

New blood in big cities

Three of Utah's most-populous cities are electing fresh faces, thanks to retiring mayors.

Councilman Mike Winder appears poised to take over in West Valley City after routing his primary foes, including fellow finalist Kevin Fayles.

Businessman John Curtis or state Rep. Steve Clark will be Provo's next mayor.

In West Jordan, City Councilwoman Melissa Johnson and businesswoman Irene Casper are vying for the top job.

 

Four more years -- again

Some longtime Salt Lake Valley mayors are shooting for even more time in office.

Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan, who sweated out a tight race four years ago against a political unknown, is chasing a fifth term against Dave Perry.

Midvale's JoAnn Seghini, challenged by Lynn Fuelling, and Murray's Dan Snarr, who faces Councilwoman Krista Dunn, are chasing fourth terms as mayor.

Farther south, challenger Ed Baca is all that stands between St. George Mayor Daniel McArthur and a fifth term.

 

High stakes in Stockton

Who knew politics in this tiny Tooele County town could generate statewide interest?

Mayor Dan Rydalch, who suspended one of his police officers allegedly for giving the mayor's son a ticket, suddenly is under the spotlight in his re-election bid against Councilman Mark Whitney.

 

Out with the old and the new

In Bluffdale, residents tossed both their existing mayor and the former mayor attempting a comeback during September's primary. Mayor Claudia Anderson, stripped of her administrative powers two years after taking office, received the fewest votes and was bounced. Ex-Mayor Wayne Mortimer didn't fare much better. In their place, Derk Timothy and Kim Fuller square off in Tuesday's finale.

 

South valley showdowns

Lynn Crane is the only mayor Herriman ever has known. He's also the city manager. Now, the 71-year-old is facing a fight from Josh Mills, who argues the mushrooming suburb needs a new voice.

In Draper, two-term Mayor Darrell Smith is up against longtime Councilman Bill Colbert, who has been critical of Smith for supporting a recent tax hike.

In South Jordan, two-term Mayor Kent Money takes on Aaron Osmond, son of the eldest brother in Utah's famous singing family.

 

Davis and Weber counties

It's a rumble at city halls across Davis and Weber counties. Several mayors face challenges from sitting council members. Kaysville Mayor Neka Roundy squares off against Councilman Steve Hiatt. In West Bountiful, Councilman Ken Romney could cancel a second term for James Behunin.

In Bountiful, Mayor Joe Johnson is seeking a third term against a foe who frequents government meetings: ethics activist Jeffrey Novak.

Farther north, in Weber County, Farr West Mayor Jimmie Papageorge is defending his post from Councilwoman Ava Painter. In Roy, Mayor Joe Ritchie and Councilman Dave Tafoya are competing to lead their city.

In Ogden, four council seats, including two citywide posts, are being contested. In the at-large Seat A race, Susan E. "Susie" Van Hooser is running against Mark B. Hains. Van Hooser ran unsuccessfully against Mayor Matthew Godfrey two years ago. In the at-large Seat B race, David Phipps was disqualified after not meeting a deadline for financial disclosure. His opponent, Bart E. Blair, now most likely will win that race.

 

Utah County contests

For the first time in 12 years, Provo Mayor Lewis Billings is not on the ballot. Instead, newcomers John Curtis and Steve Clark face off in a race mired in allegations of bribery against Clark.

In Provo Council District 5, incumbent Cindy Richards squares off against Sterling Beck, although county GOP boss Taylor Oldroyd's anti-Richards push has become an issue in Republican circles.

In Saratoga Springs, Mia Love could become Utah's first black woman mayor if she defeats Jeff Francom. (George Garwood, believed to be the state's first black mayor, didn't seek re-election in South Ogden).

Genola will weigh in on a zoning referendum. And Lehi and Payson feature write-in challenges.

In Lehi, ex-Mayor Ken Greenwood is making a comeback, while current Mayor Howard Johnson is waging a write-in campaign to hold on to his seat after losing in the primary. However, both may have ground to make up. Bert Wilson snagged the most votes in that primary.

In Payson, incumbent Mayor Burtis Bills faces a write-in challenge from Rick Moore in a rematch of the 2005 showdown.

 

Schools seeking better buildings

Three Utah school districts will ask voters to borrow money to upgrade and build schools.

Granite is seeking $256 million (without a tax hike) to air-condition 51 schools, rebuild Granger and Olympus high schools, along with Hartvigsen, Oakwood and Woodstock elementary schools and to build a grade school in West Valley City and elementary and junior high schools on the district's northwest side.

Davis School District wants $250 million. The money, which also would not require a tax boost, would pay for a new junior high in west Kaysville, three new elementary schools (west Layton, West Point and a third to be determined based on growth) and a school for medically fragile students. It also would help rebuild Wasatch Elementary, finish 18 classrooms at South Weber Elementary and add 12 classrooms at Millcreek Junior High, 10 at Woods Cross High and six at Layton High.

If the bond fails, the average homeowner would get a tax break of $156 in nine years.

Duchesne School District is asking for $49 million to replace Altamont and Union high schools, build a new elementary in Roosevelt and refurbish grade schools. The bond would cost taxpayers an average of $168 a year, maybe more if home values fall as some have predicted.

djensen@sltrib.com

rwinters@sltrib.com

Tribune reporters Kirsten Stewart, Donald W. Meyers, Christopher Smart and María Villaseñor contributed to this report.