Residents will have 10 candidates to choose from for three council seats but will have only one possibility for mayor when they enter voting booths next Tuesday.
Candidates running for two four-year seats are Steven Anderson, Michael R. Garrett, Cindy Haacke, Leonard R. Handy, Edward A. Hinds and Alvin Y. Nance.Candidates for one two-year seat include Cindy L. Gooch, David R. Ivie, Al Keime and William E. Yelton.
Incumbent Mayor DeLore W. Thurgood is running unopposed.
Anderson, 47, 2635 W. 1700 South, is manager of the Syracuse branch of the Community First Bank. He said he has a "desire to build a better community and participate in its growth."
He said continued growth is necessary for Syracuse. He supports the construction of a storm drain system.
Garrett, 47, 1562 S. 1000 West, a business service manager at America First Credit Union in Clearfield, said his 20 years in banking could help bring business to Syracuse. He supports the creation of a small industrial park and recreational opportunities in the city.
"I would like growth to come at a moderate pace, so it can be developed and controlled properly," Garrett said.
Haacke, 34, 1533 S. Bluff Road, a registered nurse at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, said she wants to encourage development of Antelope Island, rebuilding the island causeway and development of the lake shore for tourism.
"We are located by the Great Salt Lake - one of the great tourist attractions of the West," she said.
If elected, Haacke said she would be a representative voice for controlled development of Syracuse. She said her strong-willed personality and accessibility to residents set her apart from other candidates.
Handy, 54, 1418 W. 2700 South, supervisor/trainer at Pioneer Adult Rehabilitation Center, said he is running for office because he is concerned about traffic and road maintenance in Syracuse.
He said he is interested in bringing "new blood" to city government. He also believes the city needs to manage lot sizes and expand its police force in the face of population growth. He has served on the Syracuse sewer committee.
Incumbent Hinds, 41, 1779 S. 3400 West, a supervisor in the maintenance supply shop at the LDS Church Office Building, was appointed to the council six months ago after former council member Randy Rounds moved.
Although currently serving Rounds' two-year term, he is seeking a four-year seat. He said he wants to help upgrade the city's road and water system. He also supports proposals to build a golf course in the city and the rebuilding of the Antelope Island Causeway.
"I don't have a background in the political scene. I am a resident that likes to see things happen and improvement in the community," he said.
Nance, 57, 1386 W. 2700 South, a retired Hill Air Force Base supervisor, is seeking another term on the council.
He believes that strict ordinances would best manage growth and the city's rural atmosphere. He believes there is a need for light industry and other businesses to expand the economic base.
He sees as a problem that the city operates out of cramped quarters and would support building new city offices. He also supports the construction of a city storm drain system.
"The city has had very good management, low taxes and great people who are willing to volunteer for various assignments," Nance said.
Gooch, 25, 1729 S. 1525 West, a student in secondary education at Weber State College, said she is running for office to provide more programs for youth to help curb drug abuse. Citing a recent drug bust in the city, she said there is reason to create a center for youth.
As the city grows she wants its rural nature preserved and wants to entice economic growth that features only clean high-tech industry.
"We are the lowest-taxed city in Davis County. We have to have some economic base to keep that with the population growth," she said.
Ivie, 30, 2109 W. 2175 South, a heavy-equipment operator at Hill Air Force Base, said he wants to increase public awareness about city government as Syracuse is impacted by the burgeoning population growth in north Davis County.
In the face of that growth, he said, continuation of good city services - including strengthening the city's law enforcement - is important.
He believes that business development is a key to the city's future and would support the creation of a city redevelopment agency to help entice businesses to expand in the area.
"My ideas are fresh and I am really concerned and care about people," he said.
Keime, 43, 1227 W. 1240 South, a teacher at North Davis Junior High, said he hopes to help guide the city through challenges that include maintaining city services with decreasing amounts of tax dollars
Keime said he supports building a small industrial park and believes that a business that does contract work for Hill Air Force Base should be sought for Syracuse.
"I think I am open-minded and pretty progressive. I will be able to look at all the issues. I think it is a plus that I am not running because I am mad or irritated at anything in the city," he said.
Yelton, 29, 2227 S. 3300 West, a business analyst at TRW in Ogden, is running for office because he believes the city has a lot of potential.
He said he is worried about the youth in Syracuse as well as public safety.
"Our police force needs to be better equipped and services need to be taken care of a little bit better," he said.
Thurgood, 61, 2232 S. 1000 West, a retired civil servant, is seeking a second term as mayor.
He said that, like it or not, growth is inevitable in Syracuse.