A record 22 percent of the city's registered voters turned out for Tuesday's primary election, trimming one candidate from the mayoral race and three from the council contest.
James Warr polled 357 votes to narrowly edge Jan Wells, an incumbent councilwoman who has opted for the mayor's post and who will be the challenger in November. Wells received 348 votes according to complete but unofficial tallies released by the city recorder. Lloyd D. Bright, with 238 votes, was eliminated. Incumbent Dale Gardiner didn't seek re-election.In the council race where two four-year seats are up for election, Raquel Ohmie garnered 512 votes, outdistancing her nearest competitor by 196. In second place was Richard Huffman with 316 votes. The other two candidates reaching the November ballot are Brent Richards with 273 votes and David Goldhardt with 194 votes.
Eliminated were Randall N. Parker, 173 votes; Lewis Shaw, 146 votes; and Patricia Murphy, 127 votes.
Warr said he was surprised to finish first in the balloting and believes the November election will also be close.
"It'll be an uphill battle, but I think we can win," Warr said. Warr said he does not see a need to raise taxes to meet the city's fiscal challenges. "I think the (current) council has spent money on non-priority items and that the current revenues are sufficient to provide essential services."
Wells, the only incumbent elected official on the November ballot, said she thinks taxation will be the big issue in the campaign. She said she plans to continue efforts to get citizen comment on tax proposals and to vote in the manner that appears to have majority support among citizens.
"I think we (the council and mayor) have to tell citizens what services will cost and then let them decide what they want," Wells said.
Ohmie credited her runaway victory to her longtime involvement in community affairs. "I'm a lifetime resident of Riverton, I care a lot about the city, and I try to be positive," Ohmie said.
But, Ohmie said, she is taking nothing for granted and plans to be back on the campaign trail early. Like Wells and Warr, she sees taxes as the major issue and says she supports finding compromises acceptable to residents.
Huffman said his support comes from those in the city opposed to dramatic change. He said he favors taking a moderate approach and would like the city to seek long-term solutions rather than use quick-fix alternatives to meet city needs.
Richards said his showing reflects dissatisfaction among city residents he believes are upset with the current council. "I think people believe the city is in a mess and were outraged by the proposed tax increase."
Richards also believes money has been misspent and that needed services have been neglected.
Goldhardt said he may propose the city look at changing its form of government if he is elected. He said he would rather the city have a full-time mayor rather than a city manager and that council seats be set up by district to ensure all areas of the city receive fair representation. He too opposes added taxes, saying he would prefer efforts concentrate on bringing in new business and development to bolster the tax base.