Before the July Fourth parade, Snarr, a professional landscaper, sprayed weeds in a 20-block stretch along State Street, a task that took him about four hours.

"It was fun," says the two-term incumbent. "You don't have to sit behind a desk to make things happen in your community."

A former Green Beret - 69 jumps with only three trips to the hospital, he grins - Snarr has unrestrained enthusiasm for the community where his ancestors settled in the 1860s.

"My number one job as mayor is to sell Murray," Snarr says. "It's a wonderful place to raise a family, do business, feel safe and secure."

Snarr speaks proudly of the city's independence. Murray boasts its own school district, library, recreation center and power company.

"We're so in-house it's almost scary," he says, "but we can respond immediately when we need to."

During Snarr's tenure, Intermountain Health Care bought 43 acres near 5300 S. State, an area once dominated by Murray's landmark smokestacks. IHC is building a new regional hospital, high-level trauma unit and research campus, expected to open in 2007 and employ 4,000 workers.

"Mayor Snarr is out at the first light of day," former City Councilman Dick Stauffer says. "He knows everyone associated with the hospital development, and he goes over and hangs out with them."

Snarr sees a direct connection between healthy businesses and thriving neighborhoods.

"To have a strong community and strong neighborhoods takes money - 63 percent of our budget comes right from our businesses." he says.

Snarr hopes to transform Murray's Fireclay area - 97 acres between 4200 South and 4500 South from State Street west to the Union Pacific rail lines - into a transit-oriented mixed-use development.

"Over 63 acres have already been purchased or are under contract," Snarr says. "It's exciting. We need to strive to get the best and highest use of our commercial-land resources. They give back to our community in a significant way."

Snarr's latest campaign finance form shows broad support from Murray's business community. Since mid-May, almost $37,000 has rolled his way.

"I didn't ask for a lot of it. I was overwhelmed," Snarr says. "People have caught the vision of what Murray can become, and they want it to continue."

On his office walls at City Hall hang two items that speak volumes about Snarr.

One is a portrait - drawn in chalk by 19-year-old Eric Warburton - of Snarr astride his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

"That's my psychiatrist," he says of his bike. "I love the outdoors. I love the feeling of freedom I experience on my cycle."

The other art piece - a tattered, faded denim jacket neatly framed under glass - kept Snarr warm for 22 years while he ran several businesses.

"My wife threw it away five times," Snarr says. "Finally, my partner kidnapped the jacket and framed it so I wouldn't wear it anymore. I was depressed for three weeks when I couldn't find it."

Now it reminds Snarr that everyone has intrinsic value and something to give.

As proud as Snarr is of the city's commercial developments, he becomes just as animated about recent upgrades to the rose garden in Murray Park, a cooperative effort between him and Stauffer. While the garden once required 60 hours a month to maintain, it now can be kept in a tenth that time - and its beauty embraces people as they enter the park, Snarr says.

Murray resident Richard Howe, a retired Utah Supreme Court justice, hopes Snarr will be in charge for four more years.

"Dan's not afraid to get his hands dirty. He drives around in an old pickup truck and takes great interest in everything that's going on," Howe says. "He's not a big spender, has good judgment and has proven himself to be an effective leader. I feel comfortable in giving him another term."

cmckitrick@sltrib.com

Daniel Snarr

* Age: 56

* Political experience: Two terms as Murray's mayor.

* Work experience: Ran several service-oriented businesses with his cousin.

* Education: Bachelor's degree in organizational communications, University of Utah.

* Fun fact: Avid river runner, he also loves to run backhoes and excavating equipment.

Snarr on the issues

*Under what scenario would you raise taxes? If we reached a point where our infrastructure, particularly our roads, were in such dire need of being enhanced to protect the safety of our residents and those who drive through our city. That and public safety, those are essential services that have to be met.

*Under what scenario would you seize private property for public use? For the purpose of providing public infrastructure - roads, sewer and water lines and that's about it.