A lifetime spent first in education and then in local government administration has left its mark on Gayle Stevenson. Now 66, the Davis County commissioner is seeking another term.
He faces a challenge from L. Burke Larsen, a fellow Republican who also hails from his hometown of Layton. The primary election is June 25.But Stevenson isn't put off by the challenge any more than he has been by others in his career.
He's seen the school district through hard times, when money was tight and salaries and morale were low. He's steered the county through some of the same terrain.
Things are better now. Davis County isn't exactly flush with money, but its financial situation is stable. With population and economic growth bringing in more tax revenue, the county can finally tackle some long-range projects.
It's the prospect of seeing those through that finally nudged Stevenson to seek another term on the commission. He was first appointed to the commission in 1988 to fill out an unexpired term and has run successfully for two more terms.
In a way, Stevenson has anchored the commission; he has served with nine different commissioners in his eight years in office and believes county government needs stability and continuity.
"For a three-member commission, that's a lot of turnover and change in leadership. And that can prove costly," Stevenson said.
"Being a county commissioner is being heavily involved in decision-making. Decisionmaking requires good judgment and judgment comes from experience. I think I know this county and its people better than any candidate," Stevenson said.
Stevenson was born and grew up in Layton and has lived there most of his life. He married his childhood sweetheart, Beverly, 46 years ago and reared five children in Layton, all graduates of Davis High School.
His five children have given him 21 grandchildren and, as of a
few months ago, one great-grandchild.
In deciding to run again, Stevenson said he took several things into consideration. "It was a process of weighing the pros and cons, talking with my wife and family, talking with the people who were asking me to run again, and who else was in the race," Stevenson said.
"Finally, I was convinced that the public deserved to have a choice."
"There are a lot of things going on now. The fairgrounds is progressing, we have an economic development plan that needs to be implemented, we need to finish the visitors center on Antelope Island and continue that development, along with the rest of our tourism industry, and we need to continue to get the county stabilized financially," Stevenson said.
"We're running pretty darned smooth right now," he said.
Stevenson plays racquetball three times a week with a long-time group of friends, an activity he calls "a great outlet." He also dabbles a little in magic, performing occasionally for groups.
"I also have a monstrous garden, a half-acre, that keeps me and most of the family and neighborhood in vegetables," Stevenson said. His surplus goes into a wheelbarrow that he sets out on the curb with a sign inviting passersby to help themselves.