OGDEN -- Both candidates in the race for the Ogden City Council Ward 2 seat would be rookies on the council, but one appears to favor the status quo more than the other.
Staying the course is the message of Richard Hyer, who finished first in the Sept. 13 primary election voting, while runner-up Jennifer Neil promises to be more critical.
Hyer, 55, is a 15-year member of the Ogden City Planning Commission who says, "I just want to continue to serve the people."
He runs Hyer Quality Jewelry, his own business repairing and manufacturing jewelry.
Neil, 49, is a housewife and mother with a bachelor's degree in applied mathematics and quantitative economics who says, "I don't do lip service. I do research."
Hyer said the city faces more than one important issue. "They hinge on each other, economic development and improving infrastructure. Those two go hand in hand."
Neil also pointed to infrastructure as key, saying "that includes a lot of things, such as police and fire. We have at least two fire stations that are poorly equipped and maintained."
It also includes schools, because what the city does can affect schools, she said.
"And it doesn't include a blimp," Neil said, referring to plans for a police blimp patrolling the city at 400 feet, which apparently would be a first in the country.
To spruce up infrastructure, Hyer said the city needs to increase tax revenue.
He points to "several" vacant retail office buildings downtown that need tenants. "We need to go out and find companies that are a good fit for Ogden and convince them to move here."
Continuing the administration of Mayor Matt Godfrey's theme of marketing Ogden as an outdoor recreation hub is also important, he said.
"We need to continue seeking recreational-based businesses. That seems to be working well. Employees for those businesses really like our recreational opportunities, so that seems to be a pretty good fit for Ogden."
As one of seven city council members, he said, "I'm hopeful of working with the ideas from the best and the brightest people we have in city government. There may be some things in the works that I can contribute to."
Neil said the city needs to be more aggressive in updating and repairing Ogden's sewer and water systems, going beyond temporary fixes.
"It's been ignored for years," she said.
She describes herself as a "stickler for detail. I'm very detail-oriented. Anything vague in proposals or ordinances from the administration I'm going to mark it and send it back. First drafts won't be passed by me."
Hyer and Neil are bidding to replace Brandon Stephenson in the Nov. 8 general election.
Stephenson, the two-term incumbent for the 2nd Ward, is running for mayor. Godfrey is not running for re-election.
Ward 2 basically covers the city north of 7th Street, as well as Business Depot Ogden.
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