Who says primary elections aren't important?
Well, this one is. Because whoever wins the June 23 election for Davis County assessor - Ross A. Bartholomew or Carol C. Buckley - will almost certainly become the new assessor on Jan. 1, 1999.Incumbent Willard Gardner is not seeking re-election and there is no Democratic challenger.
The main difference between the two very experienced candidates is that Buckley is already employed in the Davis County Assessor's Office and Bartholomew isn't.
Carol C. Buckley (R)
Age: 55.
Address: 3498 S. 100 West, Bountiful.
Family: Currently single but has four grown children and nine grandchildren.
Hometown: Born in Provo but has lived in Davis County for the past 35 years.
Occupation: Chief of real property for the Davis County Assessor's Office.
Education: High school graduate. Also a certified appraiser through the State Tax Commission and the State Licensing Division.
Experience: Has served four years as the chief of real property, supervising 10 employees. Spent three years as a residential appraiser for Davis County. Worked 22 years as an independent appraiser for a bank and also for the State Tax Commission. Has also conducted state and county board of equalization hearings.
Volunteer/service work: Member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.
Hobbies: Ceramics and her grand-children.
Why she is running for office: Her family and friends have encouraged her to run for office. She feels she can better serve the public by being even more involved with the Assessor's Office.
Strengths: Works well with people. Has the support of 20 of the 21 current employees in the Davis County Assessor's Office. Is very involved in all aspects of the Assessor's Office operations - including its new computer system.
Other information: She a good, hard worker - not a politician but someone who will do the job. She would also like to implement a new automated telephone system in the Assessor's Office so the public can more easily access information.
Ross A. Bartholomew (R)
Age: 49.
Address: 1356 N. 225 West, Centerville.
Family: Wife, Patricia. The couple has four boys and one girl.
Hometown: Raised in Gunnison. Has lived in Centerville for 10 years.
Occupation: Employed for the past 10 years in the property tax department of the State Tax Commission. Has all the required assessor licenses.
Education: Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in business administration, with a minor in statistics.
Experience: Involved in a statewide program that monitors property valuation procedures in all 29 Utah counties. Worked as a real estate appraiser for 18 years, including 10 years as an appraiser for Salt Lake County.
Volunteer/service work: A past member of the Jaycees and involved with Boy Scouts and volunteer fire departments.
Hobbies: Outdoor activities, like boating, with the family.
Why he is running for office: His technical background and leadership roles qualify him for the challenges of the job.
Strengths: His computer skills with tax appraisal programs can be applied directly to the county's new tax appraisal computer system. He has good people skills and likes teamwork in departments.
Other information: Was a member of the National Guard for 21 years. He promises he'll be accurate and equitable in county tax valuations. He'll also work closely with and involve the county recorder, commission and others in the tax assessing process.