Caitlin Gochnour, a candidate for the Ward 4 seat, says public safety and economic development must go hand-in-hand.

"The first won't succeed without the other."

A community volunteer and former Main Street manager in Panguitch, Gochnour, 44, is a native who returned to Ogden 10 years ago.

While the northern Utah city's emergence as an outdoor-recreation center is great, Gochnour believes the aerospace industry has potential as well.

Gochnour says she is an an independent consensus-builder who is focused on finding "sensible solutions to Ogden's vital issues."

Kent Petersen, also seeking the Ward 4 seat, sees crime as a top issue for the next council.

The retired former owner of Petersen Motor Co. in Riverdale, Petersen said Ogden must attract businesses so it will have the tax base to improve infrastructure and public safety.

"We need to do everything we can to build the central city back," said Petersen, 71.

Transit options must be explored so people riding FrontRunner commuter rail - it starts service next April between Salt Lake City and Pleasant View - will be able to reach other parts of the city, he said.

Sheila P. Aardema, who ran a preschool for 25 years and has long been a community volunteer, says she would bring a lifetime of negotiation skills to the table. She is a district manager for a skin and health care business and a candidate for the two-year at-large Council seat.

Aardema says she would work to learn what's best for Ogden - not just for certain individuals - and would work to make the city friendlier to existing and prospective businesses.

The 62-year-old would focus on revamping the old infrastructure. "We've got to make sure we're sound underneath."

Blain H. Johnson has handled real-estate deals, and says that experience would be valuable on the council. He's running for the two-year at-large seat.

Johnson believes Ogden has two primary challenges: to improve public safety and fix the infrastructure, particularly the water system

An advocate of more police on the streets, Johnson, 44, also wants to see better lighting in the neighborhoods.

A fan of the revitalization of downtown, Johnson says the city needs to pay attention, also, to the sewer and water needs.

"We've got to make sure we have the proper infrastructure," he says.

Royal Eccles, 50, president of a company that provides software, data processing and support for medical professionals.

A candidate for the council's at-large Seat C, Eccles sees continued economic development as key to both dispersing the tax burden over a wider base and providing money for public safety and infrastructure improvements.

Eccles said he would work to improve the "tone" of the council, so it is more welcoming to prospective businesses.

He promises he would solicit business for donations to improve the city's recreational opportunities.

Amy Wicks, the only incumbent in the three races, is seeking re-election to her at-large Seat C, which has a four-year term.

Vice chairwoman of the council the past two years, Wicks says she believes in gathering facts so decisions are not based on emotion.

"I am an independent thinker," says Wicks, 33, who is the information and research specialist at the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Though Wicks often is at odds with Mayor Matthew Godfrey, she says she is not a "knee-jerk" opponent and has supported many of his initiatives. For instance, she says, she fully backed this year's bigger budget for more police officers.

A catalyst behind the council's current study of infrastructure needs and costs, she believes public safety is a top priority of residents. ""People have a right to feel safe in their neighborhoods."

kmoulton@sltrib.com