Mary Callaghan said she entered the race because the Salt Lake County Commission has been heading in the "wrong direction."
"We need to limit government interference in personal lives and businesses," said Callaghan, promising, if elected, to reduce the size of government and taxes. She tells voters, "We can't afford four more years of Jim Bradley."A Republican businesswoman, Callaghan, 39, said her opponent raised taxes unnecessarily in 1991 and then wasted the money through inefficient management and poor judgment. Subsequent tax decreases didn't begin to make up for the earlier tax hike, she said.
She has been especially critical of Bradley's handling of the Salt Palace project. Also, she faults Bradley for being "out of touch with the citizens of Salt Lake County."
According to Callaghan, the Democrats haven't done enough to combat crime or to solve the county's transportation and planning problems. She proposes to address those problems through longterm planning and citizen involvement.
Jim Bradley lost a bid for the Salt Lake County Commission in 1988 but won on his second attempt in 1990.
Bradley, 47, began his government career in 1972 as the county's grants coordinator. He was later named director of the Utah Energy Office. Before his election to the commission, he operated his own energy and waste management consulting firm. He is a Democrat.
As chairman of the commission, Bradley has helped establish its agenda, which he describes as one of the most proactive in the county's history.
Among other things, the commission opened the new Oxbow jail, began construction on the new Salt Palace, expanded the county's recreation program, built new libraries and clinics and significantly increased the sheriff's budget.
"When you look at the record, the County Commission has reduced the cost of government and moved more of the budget from administrative functions to the delivery of service. I'm proud of what we've accomplished in the past four years."