Farmington mayorDavid Connors

Age: 53

Career: Attorney with practice in Salt Lake City.

Political experience: Farmington City Council eight years; mayor four years.

Fun fact: He's a “roadie” for his singer-songwriter wife, Cori Connors.

Scott Harbertson

Age: 48

Career: Co-owns THB Inc., a wholesale fastener business in North Salt Lake.

Political experience: None.

Fun fact: Loves to metal detect, especially in old homesteads or towns.

Where they stand on issues:

Can Farmington remain a bedroom community and still provide good city services?

Connors: No.

Harbertson: Not without adding some commercial development.

Is the city giving up too much to commercial developers?

Connors: No, because we're trying very hard not to give up the things that are important to Farmington.

Harbertson: No.

Do you see the area around the commuter rail station area becoming the new downtown?

Connors: No.

Harbertson: It's very possible. I don't think it would ever be called the downtown.

Should the city raise property taxes to improve fire protection?

Connors: Yes, if we can't do it any other way, no if we can.

Harbertson: Not immediately. It could be an option down the road depending on residential growth vs. commercial development.

Farmington, say both candidates for mayor, is at a crossroads - figuratively and literally.

The Davis County seat always has treasured its niche as a charming small town big on history, homes and government jobs.

It also has one of the more coveted intersections for commerce along the Wasatch Front. The area where U.S. 89 and Interstate 15 meet soon will be joined by the Legacy Highway and a station for north-south commuter rail, making Farmington one hot property for retail development.

The challenge for the next mayor, say both candidates, is to provide the leadership that retains Farmington's character while allowing long-needed commercial development.

The question is: Who is best prepared to provide that leadership?

Incumbent David Connors says his eight years on the City Council and four as mayor have given him the skills now demanded of the city's chief executive.

“We're at a critical stage in the development of our city,” Connors says. "We need all the skills we can bring to bear.”

Challenger Scott Harbertson - the top vote-getter in this month's primary - says that, in his 20 years in business, he has learned budgeting and negotiating skills that prepare him to lead the city of 14,000 residents.

Harbertson says he was recruited to run by residents who think the city needs a mayor with business acumen.

“Right now, with what's happening in our town, there needs to be a fresh approach,” Harbertson says. “We may be growing just a little too fast and we're not ready to handle it as a town.”

On some key issues, the two candidates for the part-time mayoral post agree.

If the city does not expand its tax base with commercial development, it will have to raise property taxes to continue providing first-rate services, both say.

Two areas of the city are slated for the bulk of commercial development: One is the farmland north of the Shepherd Lane intersection and Smith's Food & Drug Center, between U.S. 89 and Main Street; the other is the area west of I-15 where the commuter rail station will go.

The Old Farm development proposed for land north of Smith's is an example of how the city can use its planning tools to limit the scope of commercial development, Connors says. The developer at first wanted much more intense development. Now, Farmington is considering approval of small shops and restaurants and perhaps a midsize store to go along the frontage road with residential development behind.

“All of us would prefer that it stay open space, but the city doesn't own it," Connors says. "The city can't afford to buy it.”

In the area being called station park, commercial development can be more intense because it does not butt up against a neighborhood, Connors and Harbertson agree.

Still, movie theaters, restaurants, shops and offices will need to be transit-oriented and designed to fit with Farmington's ambiance, Connors says. “Traditional strip malls are never going to make it here.”

“My concern is that it's done right,” Harbertson says. “I don't want developers to run over the top of the city to get what they want. . . . You don't want to offend them but want to negotiate so it's a win-win for both.”

Neither candidate believes Farmington's traditional downtown will suffer from the west-side commercial development, because it never has been a commercial center.

“The heart and soul of Farmington will always be the traditional downtown area,” Connors says. “If we're careful about it, we can avoid destroying what we love about old-town Farmington.”

Harbertson says Farmington is poised to have what many cities lack: a vibrant - albeit small - downtown along with a thriving commercial center.

“Old Farmington will remain charming. I'm not worried about it.”