November City Council Election
This November, 4 of 5 City Council seats will be up for election. The fifth seat is mine; it will open in 2009.
One of the seats up for grabs is a two-year seat; its winner will fill the remaining two years of Jimmie Cates' term. Dale Gunther has filed for this seat and is running unopposed.
Only four have filed for the remaining three seats. Three are incumbents Sherry Kramer, Shirl LeBaron, and Rick Storrs. The fourth is a challenger, Jason Porter. The choice in this race is between sending three incumbents back for four more years, or sending two incumbents and one newcomer.
What makes a good council member? When the city council sought applicants to fill the six-month interim position created by the death of Jimmie Cates, I wrote here at the blog that we would be looking for "somebody who communicates well; somebody who has substantial experience with two or more aspects of the City, so that he can see the big picture; who is open and willing to consider questions from all points of view; who has the time and ability to serve; and, finally, somebody who will fit well into the synergy and momentum the current Council enjoys."
These qualities go to character and ability, and will be just as important in November as they were last May.
In choosing the ideal candidate, voters should also consider his or her insight into the current affairs of the City.
In my opinion, the three most critical issues facing the City right now are (1) the need for sound, long-term financial planning, (2) the need for effective transportation planning and effective cooperation with UDOT, and (3) the need to shift the burden of day-to-day management from the mayor, who is part-time, to a full-time city administrator.
In naming these key issues, I do not discount the importance of following through with the many important infrastructure and quality of life initiatives that are now underway. These include the construction of the pressurized irrigation system, the City's $100,000-per-year push for safe sidewalks, the finishing of our parks, and the nurture of our library, Arts Council, and Parks and Recreation department.
That said, let me now offer my insight into the qualities of the five candidates.
Dale Gunther is unquestionably the finest candidate in his race -- or in any race. His long years of executive experience in banking have prepared him to oversee the implementation of the pressurized irrigation system and to plan for the City's long-term financial welfare. He is a consummate negotiator who represents the City's interests with both force and grace. He is also energetic, accomplishing on any given day what would take a week for the rest of us to accomplish -- and that's before he sits down to breakfast.
Sherry Kramer was an excellent choice when we appointed her in June, and she is an excellent choice today. The City has been well-served by her persistence, professionalism, and savvy. When Sherry takes on an issue -- for example, planning for new parks south of the freeway, or working to acquire new cemetery land from the Developmental Center -- she is not to be deterred. One remembers the immortal words of Kipling, that "the female of the species is more deadly than the male." Myself, I would never run against Sherry Kramer.
Shirl LeBaron told us at a recent meet-the-candidates event that he plays well in the sandbox, and I would have to concur. Like the family lawyer he is, Shirl is a good conciliator. He is skilled at seeing and arguing both sides of an issue, then choosing the option that is in the best interests of the community as a whole. Shirl is a team player whose legal expertise and long experience in American Fork are of great benefit to the city.
Rick Storrs is another formidable opponent who, if elected, will be serving his fifth term of office. He knows everything and everybody in the City, and has the good common sense one can only develop after years of service.
Jason Porter is the challenger who, as he explained at a meet-the-candidates event, has no prior experience with the City, but who feels he is at a point in his career where he can afford to devote time to community service. He feels that City governments benefit, from time to time, from fresh blood. His business background, he says, has prepared him to quickly come up to speed on new issues.
I have only met Mr. Porter once, so I cannot vouch for him personally. When I did meet him, I was impressed with his intelligence and his sincere concern for the community. But I have been disappointed not to see him in attendance at City Council meetings and public hearings, and I can't help wondering whether he understands just how many hours of service he is asking to give.
This is a question only he can answer. Fortunately, he has posted his email address on signs around town and encourages the public to contact him with questions and concerns.
One of the seats up for grabs is a two-year seat; its winner will fill the remaining two years of Jimmie Cates' term. Dale Gunther has filed for this seat and is running unopposed.
Only four have filed for the remaining three seats. Three are incumbents Sherry Kramer, Shirl LeBaron, and Rick Storrs. The fourth is a challenger, Jason Porter. The choice in this race is between sending three incumbents back for four more years, or sending two incumbents and one newcomer.
What makes a good council member? When the city council sought applicants to fill the six-month interim position created by the death of Jimmie Cates, I wrote here at the blog that we would be looking for "somebody who communicates well; somebody who has substantial experience with two or more aspects of the City, so that he can see the big picture; who is open and willing to consider questions from all points of view; who has the time and ability to serve; and, finally, somebody who will fit well into the synergy and momentum the current Council enjoys."
These qualities go to character and ability, and will be just as important in November as they were last May.
In choosing the ideal candidate, voters should also consider his or her insight into the current affairs of the City.
In my opinion, the three most critical issues facing the City right now are (1) the need for sound, long-term financial planning, (2) the need for effective transportation planning and effective cooperation with UDOT, and (3) the need to shift the burden of day-to-day management from the mayor, who is part-time, to a full-time city administrator.
In naming these key issues, I do not discount the importance of following through with the many important infrastructure and quality of life initiatives that are now underway. These include the construction of the pressurized irrigation system, the City's $100,000-per-year push for safe sidewalks, the finishing of our parks, and the nurture of our library, Arts Council, and Parks and Recreation department.
That said, let me now offer my insight into the qualities of the five candidates.
Dale Gunther is unquestionably the finest candidate in his race -- or in any race. His long years of executive experience in banking have prepared him to oversee the implementation of the pressurized irrigation system and to plan for the City's long-term financial welfare. He is a consummate negotiator who represents the City's interests with both force and grace. He is also energetic, accomplishing on any given day what would take a week for the rest of us to accomplish -- and that's before he sits down to breakfast.
Sherry Kramer was an excellent choice when we appointed her in June, and she is an excellent choice today. The City has been well-served by her persistence, professionalism, and savvy. When Sherry takes on an issue -- for example, planning for new parks south of the freeway, or working to acquire new cemetery land from the Developmental Center -- she is not to be deterred. One remembers the immortal words of Kipling, that "the female of the species is more deadly than the male." Myself, I would never run against Sherry Kramer.
Shirl LeBaron told us at a recent meet-the-candidates event that he plays well in the sandbox, and I would have to concur. Like the family lawyer he is, Shirl is a good conciliator. He is skilled at seeing and arguing both sides of an issue, then choosing the option that is in the best interests of the community as a whole. Shirl is a team player whose legal expertise and long experience in American Fork are of great benefit to the city.
Rick Storrs is another formidable opponent who, if elected, will be serving his fifth term of office. He knows everything and everybody in the City, and has the good common sense one can only develop after years of service.
Jason Porter is the challenger who, as he explained at a meet-the-candidates event, has no prior experience with the City, but who feels he is at a point in his career where he can afford to devote time to community service. He feels that City governments benefit, from time to time, from fresh blood. His business background, he says, has prepared him to quickly come up to speed on new issues.
I have only met Mr. Porter once, so I cannot vouch for him personally. When I did meet him, I was impressed with his intelligence and his sincere concern for the community. But I have been disappointed not to see him in attendance at City Council meetings and public hearings, and I can't help wondering whether he understands just how many hours of service he is asking to give.
This is a question only he can answer. Fortunately, he has posted his email address on signs around town and encourages the public to contact him with questions and concerns.
posted by Heidi Rodeback at 3:23 PM
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