Allan sees the city as a smooth-running machine, with high public-approval ratings. Sorensen sees the city as a one-sided aristocracy that has split the bedroom community into north and south factions.
Allan says residents want to keep the rural, open feel of the city and don't want to see development on the city's east bench. Sorensen says residents would love to develop the bench, increase the population and start attracting more businesses.
Voters will decide Nov. 8 whose view is right in their eyes.
"The folks in the southeast part of town, the millionaires - they have an agenda," says Sorensen, adding that the mayor and several City Council members live there. "The people north of Maple Street - 70 percent [of the 6,130-resident city] - they feel like they've just been shut out of city politics."
At least one group of residents from the north part of town, the Mapleton Coalition, has voiced its disapproval with the elected officials.
Allan says the coalition is the divisive force in the city, not the administration. For his part, he believes there is no north-south division at all.
"It was hatched up by the coalition," Allan says. "They couldn't get people to agree with them on their character assassination of the council and mayor, so they decided to change their tack with a north-south issue."
The incumbent says he will continue to stress keeping a frugal and balanced budget - Mapleton's was $2.5 million last year - and work to attract more business to the city.
Allan says the administration's thrift has allowed financing of the new community center, set to open December or January, without raising taxes.
Sorensen, meanwhile, sees the administration building as unwise use of the city's scarce resources.
If elected, Sorensen says he would focus on bringing in business to increase the tax base and lower property taxes, utility rates and impact fees - most of which rank as the highest in the county.
He also plans to set up a committee of 20 to 25 residents to meet monthly with elected officials to address growing concerns.
"We need to start thinking a little differently in this city," Sorensen says. "We're going to try to make some changes - if I'm fortunate enough to get elected."
thollingshead@sltrib.com
Dean Allan
(incumbent)
* Age: Withheld
* Political experience: Mayor 2002-present, eight years on Springville City Council
* Occupation: Educator for 33 years; math teacher, school counselor, principal, secondary director of education for Nebo School District
* Education: Master's in math, physics and chemistry, University of Utah; master's in educational psychology, Brigham Young University
* Fun fact: Avid interest in flying and has a private pilot's license; served in Air Force in Korean War
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Stan Sorensen
* Age: 63
* Political experience: None
lOccupation: Real-estate broker; mortgage-loan officer; retired university teacher
* Education: Master's in public administration, BYU; bachelor's in political science, BYU
* Fun fact: Used to host a radio talk show for BYU sports called CougarTalk; called BYU sports games as well
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Where they stand
What should the city do with the zoning that prevents development on bench?
* Sorensen: "It should go on the ballot. What's the matter with the folks having some input here? They might decide to leave it just the way it was."
* Allan: "I wholeheartedly support the continued protection of our mountainside against obtrusive development."
Is there a division in the city, north and south? Can it be mended?
* Sorensen: "Absolutely. Mend it by forming a citizens committee with representation from all parts of the city."
* Allan: "In my opinion, there's no division. We're too small to have a north-south division."
City Council
(two at-large seats)
* Jim Lundberg
* Jay Taylor
* Ann Tolley
* Brian Wall
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City Council
(two at-large seats)
