Making their pitch

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Davis GOP candidates prep for convention

FARMINGTON --The room was cold but the talk was hot as candidates vying for the county commission seat and state offices debated on Wednesday during the Davis County Republican Women "Meet the Candidates Night."

More than 300 people crowded the Davis Events Center to learn where the Republican candidates stand on property taxes, economic development, transportation, education and immigration.

Many of those in attendance were delegates trying to get more information about each candidate before Saturday's convention. Many came just to hear the three commission candidates.

"I'm most interested in the county commission race," said Renee Kraczek of Farmington, a delegate. She wanted to hear what each candidate had to offer.

Kraczek said she was probably going to support John Petroff.

"I appreciate (Petroff's) positive approach and (he) doesn't think everything is wrong with the county," Kraczek said.

Former Congressman Jim Hansen, wearing a badge supporting county commission candidate Barbara Riddle, was out shaking hands with anyone who wanted to talk to him.

"I broke a rule I've had for years," Hansen said. "I have never supported a candidate before the convention."

But he said he has known Riddle for "a trillion years. She is the most efficient person I know."

Meanwhile, commission candidate Dave Harris' sister was handing out literature and telling anyone who would listen, "He is the man for the job."

LaRue Skinner said because her brother has worked for more than 20 years for the sheriff's department, which receives the majority of the county's budget, he should be the next commissioner.

"He has experienced it firsthand," Skinner said.

Skinner and others heard what the candidates, who are fighting for the same office, believe are the top issues through short speeches and debates.

The three commission candidates were asked during their debate about how they would correct the county's property tax system so another 2007 would not happen.

Riddle said she met with James Ivie, the county assessor, and he explained the county has a new computer system so the entire county will be assessed every year, not just segments every five to seven years.

"It's not a perfect system, but it's a place to start," Riddle said.

Petroff said the county cannot do any more to change how property taxes are collected until legislators come up with another plan.

Then they heard Harris, who said, "It's not a perfect system and it's broken. We're taxing people out of their homes."

Harris said he supports acquisition property taxes, where home owners are taxed on the amount they paid for their homes.

During a speed round, Trudie Biggers, president of the Davis County Republican Women, asked candidates for House District 14, District 20, Senate District 23 and the county commission if they would vote to increase their salaries if elected into office.

All said, "No."

When asked if any of them would sign a pledge not to increase taxes or impose no new taxes, the majority said, "No."

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