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Show < . * . * ' • • -r;v - - Sentinel Guardian of Your Community News WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2009 • A7 INTRODUCING CANDIDA! Spanish Fork Candidates Jen Allen STAFF WRITER Seth Sorensen Seth Sorensen is not a native of Spanish Fork, but his wife and children are. He feels this gives him two different vantage points of Spanish Fork living. He has degrees from Snow College, Utah State University and Walden University, and works for Nebo School District as an Assessment/Curriculum Specialist. "I am running for city council because I am just a regular guy facing the same struggles as all of my neighbors and doing my best to provide for my family," he said. He said he wants Spanish Fork to "continue to be the same great city I have come to know and love" so that the residents can always enjoy it. He has served previously on the council during 2004-08. He aided in lowering pressurized irrigation rates, keeping utility cost lower than other surrounding cities and focused on economic development as well as helping with the wind farm. "I have been on the board of directors of the Spanish Fork/Salem Chamber of Commerce for the past six Brian Wall Seth Sorensen Sherman Huff Steve Leifson years, and we have implemented several programs that, with a little extra help from the city, could have a tremendous impact on economic development." His desire to promote economic development is driven by the need to increase the tax base so that the city budget isn't so tight. "My vision for the city is providing an enhanced quality of life at the lowest possible cost to the residents. Our quality of life is what makes Spanish Fork great. We must strive to maintain that while keeping operating costs as low as possible." proud father of five children and 12 grandchildren. He and his wife were born and raised in Benjamin, but moved into town just after getting married and graduating school. Huff spent over 30 years working for Pacific Pipe Credit Union, which is now known as Pacific Horizons Credit Union. He is running because he was prompted by residents. Four years ago Huff ran and was narrowly defeated but said that he feels comfortable about taking on the challenge. "Spanish Fork is entitled to a mayor who has the time and ability to be the nucleus of the council and act in a Steering position," he said. He also said that the mayor should be someone who has the time and is willing to serve the community. With five years on the planning commission, eight years on the city council and being a native to the community, Huff feels he is well-qualified for the job. He believes that the ability to listen and communicate with people is key to success. His years of church service helped foster his skills in listening to what others have to say. Transportation is a critical issue to Huff. But he is interested in more than just the major construction that would need to be done on the I-15/Main Street interSee SF • A9 Sherman Huff Sherman Huff is the Woodland Hills Candidates Christy Hardman Steve Lauritzen Steve Lauritzen is running for mayor of Woodland Hills. He said the most important issue facing the city is making the revenue stretch to cover the cost of upkeep. "The city has an aging infrastructure that needs regular repair, along with safety needs," he said. Woodland Hills is small and relatively undeveloped, and he wants to make sure that the undeveloped areas are planned in accordance with the rest of the city. Lauritzen said he doesn't want to see drastic changes long term. His long-range vision includes housing areas that will maintain the rural feeling of Woodland Hills with lots that are laid out properly with trails and green space. He said he would like to look at some commercial development in the city as w^lL," perhaps twinging in a boutique or a professional plaza. . , . . : , Lauritzen has been on the city council for four years, and he was elected mayor pro-tem for three years in a row. His responsibilities on the council have included the supervision of public works, and extensive work on the city budget. He has owned his own business for 12 years, and he said he has a good grasp of budgets and planning, and said his leadership experience and training has made him "uniquely qualified" for the position of mayor. Lauritzen said that above all, if elected, he is determined to be "fiscally careful." He said that he will also work to reduce water rates, and from his experience on the budget and with the public works, he said he knows it can be done. Steve Lauritzen Wendy Pray Lauritzen has been married to Therese for 18 years, and hasfivekids, ranging in age from six to 14. He has lived in Woodland Hills for almost seven years. ing growth. She said as growth picks up, there will be a need to balance the areas of the city that are undeveloped with those that already exist, to keep the character and maintain the distinct flavor of Woodland Hills. Pray said the Woodland Hills water issues are complicated, because people Wendy Pray Wendy Pray is running for Woodland Hills city council. She said the major issues facing the city are maintaining quality roads, keeping adequate water and balanc- See WH • A9 Elk Ridge Candidates Marilyn Nielson applied for secondary water, but Elk Ridge is one of STAFF WRITER four cities that has not yet done so. Now the project is Paul Squires four and a half years from Paul Squires is running completion, and there's 5 for Elk Ridge City Counmillion dollars in federal cil. He is married with four grants available to get the children and 9 grandchilinfrastructure set up, but as dren. Now retired, Squires we get further along, less of likes to spend time woodthat money will be availworking, especially carvable. I will make sure that ing canes which he gives as we get a grant written so gifts to friends land neighthat we can have secondbors. He also enjoys hiking ary water. We don't want to in the mountains with his make people have to choose dog, a big Labrador puppy between watering their lawn Weston Youd which he got as a retirePaul Squires and bathing their children ment present. Squires and There are four main ar- because water is so expenhis wife have lived in Elk il Engineering Squadron, where he was in charge of eas that Squires would like sive." Second, Squires says Ridge for eight years. he also would like to run the Squires has two Bach- infrastructure and facili- to concentrate on if elected. city based on the extensive elors Degrees: one in Busi- ties. He also worked for the First, he wants to make General Plan Surveys that ness Administration and U.S. Department of the In- sure that Elk Ridge gets were sent out to residents Economics, and one in Bi- terior with the Bureau of a full share in CUPW, the in 2007. "Those were a reology with an emphasis in Reclamation, which works secondary irrigation water ally good indication of what Range Management. He with water, dams and water project. "The south end of residents wanted their city served in the Air Force in conveyance systems. He is the county has been waiting Vietnam as well as active currently a member of Elk thirty years to get secondand reserve duty for over Ridge's Planning and Zon- ary water," Squires says. See ELK RIDGE • A9 "Most cities have already 34 years. He was in a Civ- ing Commission. \ Laurel Brady Mapleton Candidates Judith Everett STAFF WRITER Brian Wall Brian Wall is running for Mapleton city mayor. Raised here as a young boy, he returned to Mapleton nine years ago because he loves the small, rural, unified community. He and his wife have four children, ages 8-21. Coming off a four-year term on the city council, Wall has seen three different styles of leadership in the three mayors he's worked with. He doesn't believe the current leadership is effective because he feels it is perpetuating disunity. With 32 years experience in successfully managing business, Wall hopes to lend his expertise to the city and its staff in changing the present culture. He wants to build the city government into a team that will treat its taxpayers as well as businesses treat their customers. He wants to focus on what the city as a whole really needs, not what the government wants. "I look to bring proven leadership and teambuilding experience into the city," he said. If elected, Wall will work to remove future impact fees from budgeting calculations, and look for viable economic development opportunities while managing responsible growth. He will work to put guards in place that will protect the city from future liability issues, and will do all he can to conclude and close the Gibby and Ensign-Bickford disputes. Laurel Brady Laurel Brady is running for Mapleton city mayor. She came to Mapleton nearly 21 years ago when she discovered the lovely little farming town on a bike ride. She felt the town had a special character and a peaceful, welcoming feeling that drew her in. She and her husband have eight children ranging in age from 9-26. After Brady graduated from BYU, she began a 30year career in public safety in Provo and Orem. She was involved in politics the whole time, first as a reporter, then as a member of the planning commission, and now as mayor. Over her two-year term as mayor, Brady has worked to create relationships with authorities on state, federal and local levels. She has learned the legislative process firsthand, and has cooperated with mayors and staff from surrounding towns on mutually beneficial projects. Brady has worked to cut expenses while building essential infrastructure despite the economic downturn. She has been instrumental in getting federal grants to offset expenses in the city budget and she helped create the economic development committee to find feasible options for increasing the tax base. If re-elected, Brady will continue "pinching pennies" to ensure no future tax increases for residents. She will tackle the flaws in the development code before growth pressures resume. She will work to bring the city's policies and laws into alignment with citizen values. Salem Candidate Lindsay B. Wolsey STAFF WRITER Sterling Rees Compared to most of the candidates running for Salem City Council, Sterling Rees is a newcomer to Salem. Rees grew up in Loa, and moved his family to Salem about five years ago. He and his wife, Cynthia, have six children and five grandchildren. Rees work for the US Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency. "I want to be involved, want to be part of the community, do my share, to improve on the quality of life we have in Salem," Rees said. He feels that growth is the most important issue facing the community. "I'd like to see some things come to Salem," Rees said. "Growth is going to happen, regardless. I'd like to see the quality of life improve for the citizens. Sterling Rees I'd like to see businesses come to town that are going to be a benefit to the citizens and the community, as well as increase the tax base." He finished by saying, "I love living in Salem. It's a great town, with great people." Editor's note: Salem candidate Sidney Jorgensen did not get back with our writer before deadline. |