CLINTON -- With two seats available, the four candidates for council have their work cut out for them. Incumbent Barbara Patterson is running against Blair Bateman, Joanne Hansen, and Michael Peterson. Both Patterson and Hansen have served on previous councils.
The candidates agree that growth and the economy are two of the biggest issues that face the city, but differ on how to address these issues.
Blair A. Bateman
Bateman is a local dentist and business owner in the city and has been in business for over 22 years. He said with his experience running a business, along with a long list of public service, he is a good candidate for council.
"I have raised my family in Clinton for the past 18 years," he said. "I have served on the Clinton City Board of Adjustment for 12 years, including a term as Chairman of the Board of Adjustment. I also served on Clinton City's Economic Advisory Committee.
Bateman has been a dentist in Clinton for 22 years. Bateman graduated from Weber State University and from Creighton University with the degree of doctor of dental surgery.
Bateman said he believes the greatest challenge facing Clinton is rapid growth, coupled with the current hard economic time. He said the city should not go into debt or raise taxes for what it can't afford.
Joanne Hansen
Hansen has an extensive background in public service. She has served as a city council member in Clinton for 12 years, and has served as the council representative to the planning commission for 12 years. She helped to establish the youth council, She served as chair person for the Clinton Heritage Days for four years, is active in the City Recreation Program, and is currently serving on the board of adjustments.
"My family and I have lived in Clinton for the past 35 years," Hansen said. "I am currently employed by Davis County Schools and I work at Parkside Elementary in Clinton. I have worked as a counselor in the elementary schools for 10 years."
Hansen said the biggest issues facing the city are roads, residential growth, and commercial expansion.
"I was at the budget work session and got to experience how the individual departments addressed the cuts demanded by the economy," she said. "I feel the department heads did great job with the money allocated to them. I plan to use my influence in supporting the city staff and departments to keep a balanced budget."
Barbara Patterson
Patterson helped create programs that make the community a better place. She hopes to continue her service as a council member in order to help finish parks and beautify the city.
She has been a council member since 2005 and said she has been instrumental in getting the Parks Advisory Board Established, getting park signs installed, and getting the Farmer's Market established.
"Before I was elected to the council, I served on the city's planning commission did my best to keep the taxes lower than surrounding areas. I will try to keep the taxes lower in the future," she said. "I've worked closely with the police, fire public works and recreation, and will continue to work closely with these entities."
Patterson believes community growth and roads are the biggest issue Clinton faces. She believes in the need to balance commercial growth with residential growth. She also wants to make sure roads are up to the standards the city strives for.
Michael Peterson
Peterson was raised in the city and raised his children there too. He hopes his experience will gain enough votes to grab one of the two seats available.
"I was raised in Clinton, it's been my home for 35 years," he said. "I bring experience working with government, environmental regulations, long-term planning and construction projects.
Peterson said Clinton has experienced explosive growth and change in the last 50 years. The farming community had strong values in the past, he said, and the Clinton of the future will also have strong values.
"Providing sufficient water, sewer, roads and maintenance will create challenges that need someone who has experience in understanding contracting and construction so the citizens of Clinton can obtain the best value," he said. "We will need to live within our budget and still take care of our obligations. Clinton City has obligations such as bonds, services, infrastructure and employees. We need to not overspend on buildings and structures that the city needs."
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