An eruption by the city's police officers and firefighters has raised the temperature in what was a low-key, grass-roots political cakewalk.
Now, all eight candidates seekingWest Valley City Council slots have taken up the public safety trump - but all are also scrupulously avoiding mentioning a tax hike to pay for increased staffing. "Any time you hook a candidate's name to the term of increased taxes, he's dead," incumbent Carroll Elford said.Before the primary election, only one council candidate, Joyce Jones, identified police and fire protection as a major city issue.
In meetings and media stories two week ago, police and fire employees complained that West Valley's public safety departments are dangerously understaffed to provide protection to the city's 100,000 residents. They threatened action, ranging from a "blue flu"' sickout to a public awareness campaign, before settling on throwing volunteer hours and money to support the campaigns of two council incumbents, Elford and Janice Fisher.
The group also offered to help Jones' campaign, but she said she turned down the offer because she wants to be an independent candidate, without owing any political favors, even if they're only in her mind.
Elford said he's not worried about perceptions that the public safety endorsement might sway his council vote. He claims his eight years with the Honorary Colonels Association earned support and has helped him to understand the complaints. "I'm a pretty independent guy. I am sympathetic to many of the problems of the police and firefighters. In no way, shape or form are they buying a vote."
Fisher, too, said the endorsement hasn't bought her vote. "What they know about me is I'll work hard for everyone. I'm not selling out. My values are the same."
While Fisher agrees that the public-safety issue has surfaced with high visibility, she thinks economic development should be ranked the No. 1 campaign issue. "I believe that we can buy more firemen and policemen through good economic development, and it is not necessary to raise taxes."
Mayor Brent F. Anderson is running unopposed after two opponents withdrew from the race.
The council races star four incumbents - Elford and Fisher, along with Gearld Wright and Duane Moss - who lead the way in name recognition. Challenging Fisher for the District 4 seat is Elaine C. Powell, while Susan G. Greathouse is taking on Moss for the District 2 seat. Jones is trying to unseat Wright for the four-year, at-large seat. Margaret Peterson is Elford's opponent.