Three incumbents are on the ballot in South Jordan, including Mayor Theron B. Hutchings, who is unopposed for re-election.
Economic development and well-managed growth appear to be the key issues in this city of 12,000 that sports the highest per capita income in Salt Lake County. It also has one of the highest property tax rates in the county, but because of so many large families that still translates into the lowest per capita tax expenditure in the state.
Council, 2-year term
Incumbent Bruce R. Hough is being challenged for the two-year council seat by Maury A. Modine. Hough was appointed to the seat in March to fill a vacancy created by a resignation.
Bruce R. Hough, 35, a communications business executive, has headed the city's economic development for the past 11/2 years and believes expanding the city's tax base is critical for South Jordan's future. He said other challenges include protecting the city's quality of life, seeking an acceptable mix of rural and urban land uses and implementing the city's new economic-development master plan.
"I think the city has a good master plan for the major areas, and that hasn't happened overnight," Hough said. "Now it's time to implement that plan, and I think those who helped form the plan should help implement it."
Maury A. Modine, 33, an industrial pipe fitter, said he is generally pleased with the city's master plan and the efforts that went into its development. He said, however, there is too little emphasis on protecting open areas and revitalizing agricultural land uses in South Jordan.
Modine said the city needs to promote conservation issues and to encourage continued agricultural production. He said there are a number of conservation-oriented cash crops that can be grown and the city should look at promoting those activities as part of the economic-development emphasis.
"Politics should be an area of ideas, where things are talked about," Modine said. "I want to work for the `little' guy."
Council, 4-year terms
In the four-year council race, two seats are available. Incumbent Robert Mascaro is seeking to retain his seat but faces challenges from Earl H. Behrmann, Craig L. Finlayson, David A. Jenkins, Kenneth Keown and LaMar Mabey.
Earl H. Behrmann, 53, a school principal, said he believes it is time for a change. He said the current council has not been fully responsive to citizen desires and has failed to adequately inform residents on major issues.
While he said government has not been necessarily bad, he questions whether there have been valid efforts to communicate with the public. He said his 96 percent attendance over four years while serving on the Planning Commission shows his commitment to serving the city.
"I think we need to have all views represented on the council, and I believe I have the experience to do the job," Behrmann said. "People need to decide whether they have been involved and whether their needs have been met."
Craig L. Finlayson, 47, a special representative for Utah Power & Light Co., said he believes more citizen involvement is needed and he will strive to promote that idea. He said his job duties have allowed him to work closely with the city in designing electrical service facilities.
Finlayson said the city needs to look critically at the choices it faces and consider long-range impacts. He said the city needs to make the best choice, not necessarily the most expedient choice.
"I want to try to represent the people and to keep them informed," Finlayson said. "I want to develop ways for the council to get citizen comment."
David A. Jenkins, 37, a civil engineer, has served four years on the Planning Commission. He said he believes the city's best asset is its people. He said the council needs to improve relations and good will with residents.
Jenkins also said he believes it is time for change and many issues remain to be addressed. He said the city needs to develop strong priorities for its capital improvements and to keep residents informed of prog-ress on those items.
"It is a critical time for the city, and we need to work together to have the citizens involved," Jenkins said.
Kenneth Keown, 42, a salesman, said he favors a good economic plan but is also concerned about protecting the city's rural and urban mix. He said the city should focus on protecting the rural atmosphere of the city while providing urban improvements such as sidewalks to promote safety.
A Planning Commission member, Keown said he thinks the city has done a good job with its master planning and care should be given to its implementation. He said council members need to keep an open mind and realize that priorities can change.
"We need to take the attitude that we can do things and that they don't necessarily have to take more money," Keown said. "We need people who can listen."
LaMar Mabey, 40, a personal property appraiser and former councilman, said council members must realize that decisions made now will have lasting effects as the city moves into the '90s. He said city government has done a good job of looking after resident needs and interests.
Mabey said there is a need to improve the city's tax base but emphasis must go into the proper areas, where impacts would be beneficial to residents.
"We need to elect a council that can work together, that can become unified and pull together," Mabey said. "We need to look toward the future; the next four years are critical."
Robert Mascaro, 46, a private investments manager, said he believes the various citizen advisory committees formed over the past few years has heightened resident involvement to the highest level in the city's history. He said the committees have given residents a direct voice in helping to mold master plans for sidewalks, parks and economic development.
Mascaro also praised the city's ambitious capital improvement program, noting the city is spending $1 million annually despite having a very limited tax base. He said economic development efforts are just beginning to pay dividends for city residents.
"I think the progress made by the present council needs to continue," Mascaro said. "My first term was spent solving problems and tying loose ends together, the second term involved good planning efforts, the third term will be spent making those plans work."
Ted Sandstrom has withdrawn from the four-year council race.
Mayor
Theron B. Hutchings, 78, a retired soil specialist, also praised recent city progress. He said the city has benefited from excellent team work between the council and city staff.
He said he foresees a tremendous opportunity to see good things happen in the near future.