South Ogden City Council

By Jamie Lampros

SOUTH OGD

EN -- Maintaining open space, keeping taxes down and protecting children are some of the issues on the minds of candidates this year.

Three open seats are available for city council. Incumbents John Bradley and Shannon Sebahar are being challenged by Arlo Mueller, Sallee Orr and Wayne M. Smith. Councilwoman Alma Richins is not running for re-election.

John W. Bradley

Age: 44

Occupation: Assistant attorney general, state of Utah

What experiences have prepared you to hold office? I am now in my 10th year on the city council. I have extensive training and background in government, management, administrative law, planning and zoning.

What are the top issues facing your city? South Ogden is about at build-out. Responsible development, maintaining open space and re-vitalizing and upgrading the older parts of town are huge issues which will have direct impact on what our city is like in 20 years. It is not only about how it will look, it is also about maintaining value, a low crime rate and a great business environment. Enhancing recreation and other amenities are also a priorities.

What do you want to accomplish if elected? Long-range planning with specific steps to give direction to development rather than simply letting development happen. Maintaining a positive business environment. Enhancing recreation and healthy lifestyle opportunities.

What sets you apart from your opponents? Experience. South Ogden is a multi-million dollar corporation with almost 15,000 "shareholders." It needs experienced leadership.

Arlo L. Mueller

Age: 85

Occupation: Retired Ogden firefighter, civil service, U.S. Air Force, fire inspector.

Top issues: The inept handling of the new city hall and Golf City

Experience: Citizen, voter, not a felon.

Goals: Form a tri-city with South Ogden, Washington Terrace and Riverdale. Expand neighborhood watch, citizen mobile patrol, enforce handicapped parking and give public safety officials more input into the safety of the schools in South Ogden City.

What sets you apart: I have traveled hundreds of miles, spent hundreds of dollars and been in attendance at dozens of council meetings to make South Ogden a more safe place to live in.

Sallee Orr

Age: 48

Occupation: Weber School District employee

Experience: South Ogden General Plan Committee, delegate for the 2006 Utah State Elections, Bonneville High School Advisory Committee, Bachelor of Science from the University of Utah in Recreation and parks management.

Top issues: Child safety. We need to provide our children with safe ways to walk to and from school. Bonneville students need a way to cross Highway 89 safely with a crosswalk, a light and sidewalks. South Junior High students need sidewalks along Adams Avenue.The crosswalks on 40th and Chimes View (one-way streets) need to be clearly marked and have attention stripes. Our parks need to have safe access routes so residents and children can ride their bikes or walk to our parks. Some of our parks need to be cleaned up and groomed to encourage wholesome activities. There are neighborhoods and homes that need to be cleaned up and rules and regulations need to be enforced to promote a positive and safe area for everyday living.

Goals: Work to provide safe walkways and crosswalks for students and residents alike, Improve our parks -- clean up those parks that need it, make sure that the two soccer fields that South Ogden has are well maintained and the possibility of adding a third or fourth field, find a suitable space for a fenced dog park. Encourage the city to enforce the codes for neighborhood maintenance and beautification. Improve communication with residents, notify them of meetings and important issues in a timely manner.

What sets you apart: I am motivated to make a difference. With my degree in parks and recreation management, I know how important open space and parks are to a community. I felt that the open space zoning of the Golf City property was very important for the quality of life in South Ogden and I campaigned intensely to make the residents aware of this important issue. I have had numerous leadership opportunities over the youth in our community. I care about our community and our children and I know that I can make a difference.

Shannon P. Sebahar

Age: 38

Occupation: Marketing strategy consultant

Experience: Fifteen years finance and marketing experience plus four years of practical government experience serving on the South Ogden City Council and other community leadership positions.

Top issues: How to accomplish our many goals and projects with the limited funding that we have without raising taxes. We need to ensure that the redevelopment on the north end of town and projects such as the recreation center and infrastructure maintenance will meet our needs for the next 10, 20 and 30 years.

Goals: I will continue initiating partnerships with local businesses, neighboring communities and schools as well as working to obtain external funding to help us achieve our goals and provide increased services such as home ownership programs, a Boys and Girls Club, a recreation center and our nature park and trail system.

What sets you apart: My strengths include proven leadership capabilities, a strong financial and business background, a clear understanding of issues that face South Ogden and our entire community as well as valuable relationships with key community leaders that will help benefit South Ogden.

Wayne M. Smith

Age: 40

Occupation: Deputy sheriff

Experience: Resident of South Ogden for 36 years, supervisor for the Weber County Sheriff's Office, supervisor for the Salt Lake City and Atlanta Olympic Games, Utah Narcotic Officers Association president.

Top issues: Protecting our quality way of life. I would like to continue the improvement of South Ogden by investing in safety, improving housing standards, which protect our property values, and seeking out new businesses to help our economy and our community. I would like to invest in recreation opportunities for our youth, our adults and our seniors.

What sets you apart: With 18 years of law enforcement experience, I have learned to make decisions based on the appropriate choice for the situation, not based on personal opinion, biases or agendas. This will help me make decisions that best represent government, the citizens, the city and the employees of South Ogden City.

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