Both political parties in Pleasant Grove say the key issue is economic development.
The People's Party says the Citizens Party ignored economic development until the issue was brought up during this year's primaries. They say it is time to start spending a little less money on new buildings and more money attracting businesses to town. Pleasant Grove has constructed a new library, fire and ambulance station and a new water storage facility.The Citizens Party says the improvements made in the city during the past few years will help attract new business to Pleasant Grove.
The Citizens Party has two incumbent candidates, with David A. Holdaway seeking another term as mayor and Keith Christeson hoping to be re-elected as city councilman. Daniel B. Fugal is also running for city councilman on the Citizens Party ticket.
The People's Party mayoral candidate, David L. Gaines, is hoping to unseat Holdaway. Running on the People's Party ticket for city councilman are Roland Morford and Zoe James.
Mayor
David A. Holdaway served for two years as city councilman and the past eight as mayor of Pleasant Grove. He is secretary-treasurer of the Mountainlands Association of Governments and is past chairman of the Utah County Council of Governments. He is employed as a quality assurance manager for HGM Medical Lasers. He and his wife, Regula, have two children.
Holdaway wants to continue improving Pleasant Grove's infrastructures and keep the city financially sound. He said the city needs to devote more effort toward economic development.
"It adds vitality to a community to have economic development going on," Holdaway said.
David L. Gaines is employed by the state of Utah and has served on Pleasant Grove's Planning Commission since 1985. He said he has attended more than 80 percent of the City Council meetings since 1983. He has also been active in Pleasant Grove's youth soccer program. He and his wife, Linda, have six children.
Gaines said economic development has been neglected in Pleasant Grove. He said a city that is growing as fast as Pleasant Grove should have a better business district. He also said the city's hookup fees are too high and it costs too much money to build a house in Pleasant Grove.
"We need to go out and actively recruit businesses and make it desirable for them to come to Pleasant Grove," Gaines said.
City Council
Keith Christeson is seeking his second term as city councilman. He is retired from U.S. Steel and served as a Naval Reserve officer. He is a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He and his wife, Beverly have four children.
Christeson said Pleasant Grove needs to work on economic growth and try to attract small industries. He said he would like to continue working on city beautification and community programs. He would like to see a city drug education program.
"I'm concerned that we create a good healthy environment for our young people. We need to give them things to do," Christeson said.
Daniel B. Fugal has lived in Pleasant Grove all his life and is a partner in Niels Fugal Sons Co. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in finance and business management. He served on the Alpine School District Board for eight years.
Fugal said Pleasant Grove's tax base needs to be expanded to provide the improvements necessary for the city's growing population. More emphasis needs to be placed on economic growth. He supports the city's beautification efforts and would like to see a park in the north part of the city. He supports the city's "pay as you go" philosophy and said the city should continue to stay within its means.
Roland Morford is retired from the Alpine School District after 26 years in the transportation department. He is a veteran of the Navy and served in World War II. He has lived in Pleasant Grove for 37 years. He and his wife, LaPreal, have three children.
Morford is concerned about Pleasant Grove's high water and sewer rates. He is also supportive of the Utah Transit Authority coming to Pleasant Grove and supports better upkeep of the city's roads. He is also supportive of more economic growth in Pleasant Grove.
"I think the water and sewer rates make a lot of people build somewhere besides Pleasant Grove," he said.
Zoe James is widowed and the mother of six children. She has lived in Pleasant Grove for more than 50 years and spent more than 40 years helping manage a family farm.
James said the key to Pleasant Grove's future is economic development. She said the city needs to improve some of its services and spend more effort toward beautification.
"I think we need to upgrade the things we already have instead of expanding into new buildings," she said.