One of the Salt Lake County mayoral candidates' inquisitors was bound to bring up the Internet privacy issue that has added some salt to an otherwise bland campaign.
The question came about halfway into a mostly friendly hourlong debate between Republican Nancy Workman and Democrat Karen Crompton. Crompton complained last week that Workman, the Salt Lake County recorder, puts out residents' personal information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers and even credit card numbers on the county's property-records Web site.
Workman defended the practice.
"We only take what people bring to us that they want revealed to the world," she said. "We do not do anything that is against the law in any shape or form."
Crompton has asked Salt Lake District Attorney David Yocom to review the county's Internet policies to ensure people's privacy is protected.
"The fact that we can do it doesn't mean we should do it," she said.
The debate between Workman and Crompton will air Thursday on KUER radio from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The two candidates faced a panel of seven Utahns who asked them questions about a variety of issues including crime, water and transportation. The University of Utah FM station will use the same format and panel throughout a series of debates between candidates in all the state's major races this election season.
Workman and Crompton were asked to explain their visions for the Salt Lake County mayor's job, part of the new mayor-council form of government that will replace the County Commission Jan. 1.
"The mayor will be a lightning rod for the citizens," Workman said. She sees the office being more responsive, accountable and accessible to residents' complaints. The nine-member council, including six elected from specific districts, will be better able to handle problems than a three-member commission, she said.
Crompton sees the office as an opportunity to start county government with a clean slate. It is a time for new direction, ideas and leadership, she said. Instead of three voices, there will be one, the mayor. The county mayor also will be able to work more effectively on problems that cross city boundaries, she said.
"It will help us act like a community rather than individual cities," she said.
One panelist wanted to know what each candidate would do during her first 30 days in office.
Workman said she intends to "throw the door open and let people come in" to the office. She said she wants to hear what residents have to say. "I like the way Rocky (Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson) went out into the restaurants to talk to people," she said.
Crompton said the first 30 days begin Nov. 8, the day after the election. She wants to work with the current commission to ensure a smooth transition to the new form of government. Come Jan. 1, "certainly the budget is going to be the number one priority," she said, adding that the county faces shortfalls in funds for services.
A recent Deseret News/KSL poll showed the two candidates in a dead heat.
E-MAIL: romboy@desnews.com