Shanna Schaefermeyer, appointed as mayor in October 2006 after Kay Briggs resigned, hopes voters will keep her on the job through 2009. She wants time to see some important projects through to completion.

Her challenger, City Councilman Lynn Ballard, believes a change in leadership is needed to restore checks and balances to city government.

"My top issue is the balance between the mayor, council and city manager," Ballard said.

At times, maintains Ballard, City Manager Collin Wood - in that slot since 1978 - has failed to provide the council with all the facts needed to make decisions. If elected, Ballard says he would address that issue.

"I wouldn't necessarily fire him," Ballard says. "But we need to have more control."

Instead of last-minute campaigning, Schaefermeyer is spending October out of the country - and out of reach - on a long-planned cruise with her husband.

Her absence should not be construed as apathy, says friend Laurel Robertson. "Shanna did several patio talks during the summer where she could meet one-on-one with residents and find out their needs," Robertson says. "She's very interested in the job, the people and the community."

In her absence, Schaerfermeyer detailed goals and accomplishments in a write-up she left with her son, Curt Schaefermeyer.

If elected, she hopes to build a new city complex that would house a county library branch. She also supports expanding west-side bus service and reconstructing the intersection of Orchard Drive and 1100 North.

In recent months, Schaefermeyer protested high property-tax valuations impacting her constituents. She also spoke out against the quarter-cent transit sales tax, believing it would do little to help North Salt Lake.

Like Schaefermeyer, Ballard also opposes the new transit tax, saying a similar levy occurred in the late 1990s and the city has yet to see any benefit.

Without a commuter-rail stop or off-ramp from the new Legacy Parkway, people will use North Salt Lake as a drive-through, whether or not the tax is passed, Ballard says. "We need to stand up and give some things to our people."

In a recent land settlement, North Salt Lake retained 13 buildable hillside acres and received $3.5 million in exchange for the transfer of 60 acres to Salt Lake City.

"This money is invested at this time awaiting master planning and other city project planning," wrote Schaefermeyer, who supports expanded parks and trails, as well as more retail development to bolster the city's tax base.

Ballard believes the money should be set aside for future projects, and the land should be used to best benefit the city.

"We haven't cast anything in stone yet. There are quite a few developers interested in that property," he said. "I would play it safe by first getting all the facts, then making a decision."

cmckitrick@sltrib.com