Leon B. Robertson
Experience. Financial acumen. Skill in planning.
That's a package of skills Leon Robertson hopes Murray voters will be in the market for Tuesday when they head for the polls.
After serving six years on the City Council, Robertson is running for mayor with a commitment to make city government "more service-oriented" and people-friendly.
He's also offering the unique combination of skills that were honed during years of service as vice president for budget and resource planning at the University of Utah, where he was responsible for budgets that eventually topped $450 million annually.
"I feel like I have the expertise and the time to be mayor," said Robertson, 67, who is now retired. "I've been associated with government groups and decision makers for a long time."
His goals include revitalizing the city's central business district, diversifying the local tax base, improving city transportation corridors and redeveloping the American Smelter and Refining Co. site west of State Street.
Robertson, who has lived in Murray for 40 years, has chaired the city's budget committee the past four years.
Dan Snarr
Dan Snarr is making his first run at political office with the same energy and enthusiasm that has made his landscaping business grow and blossom.
He believes his work ethic and love for solving problems will provide city government with a fresh crop of ideas for tackling the challenges Murray will face in the years ahead.
And he's committed to pruning back his business interests in order to make the mayor's post his full-time job.
"I'm in a position right now where I can have the freedom and time to serve the people of this city," said Snarr, 48. "I think I can bring a business perspective" to the job.
He said he is keeping an open mind on the proposed Millcreek annexation and will work to support existing local businesses while promoting new commercial growth, particularly at the old 140-acre American Smelter and Refining Co. site.
Snarr has also pledged to remain in his office one night each week to ensure residents will have an opportunity to talk with their mayor.
He also said he will advocate holding one meeting a year in each of the city's five council districts.
Sherry Madsen
Sherry Madsen isn't entertaining any grandiose illusions.
She knows that running a write-in campaign for the Murray mayoral seat is an uphill battle.
But Madsen, who has served nine years on the Murray School Board and spent two terms as its president, said she is running because none of the other mayoral candidates oppose annexation of the Millcreek area.
"There is no room in our district for the children in the proposed annexation area," she said. "The move would impact our schools to the point of requiring portable classrooms, larger class sizes and possibly (new) buildings."
She also advocates restoring the downtown business area, maintaining a "small city" environment and improving the local tax base by attracting quality development.