Election season 2015 has arrived in South Jordan. Three city council seats are up for a vote this year, with a primary in each contested district scheduled for August and the general election in November. 

Anna T. Florin - “I feel open spaces add to the health and quality of life of the people who live in the surrounding areas. I’m pleased with the number and quality of city parks South Jordan owns, and I would hope that these parks are never threatened by development in the future. I would fight against any such plans. I believe the residents of South Jordan need to have their voices heard when any important decision is being considered by our city. The residents should have the final say in matters, not the five members of the city council or any other employee who works for the city.”

Nathan D. Gedge - “I am running for South Jordan City Council to preserve the rural atmosphere of South Jordan, including the protection of open space, and to ensure that new development is properly reviewed. I am running to continue the communication with the State of Utah, Salt Lake County, Jordan School District and neighboring communities to improve transportation in the Southwest Salt Lake Valley. I bring extensive community service that I am hoping to share with the residents of the city, and working with city staff. The connections and relationships that I have developed through my previous campaigns and service will be a benefit to the residents of South Jordan.”

Thomas E. Geilmann - (see June 2015 South Jordan Journal)

Eric Hansen - “I want to have a part in ensuring the infrastructure (roads, canals, bridges, waterways, utilities) are maintained and grow with the city and that South Jordan grows responsibly. I want to make sure that young families have activities in the city limits such as Country Fest, Mulligans, and our other many city parks and facilities, the city recreation and aquatic center, and that these activities remain affordable. I also want to make sure my district is being served and protected by the police [and] fire.”

Patrick Harris - “I am running because I am concerned with the incongruent development that is taking place in our city and if allowed will continue to take place. Did you know in our city there is now a Transit Oriented Development (TOD)? This includes the high-density apartments near I-15. Did anyone ask you what you thought about the TOD project and the high-density apartments that come with it? Citizens of South Jordan should have the right to influence how the TOD is developed. I want to keep taxes low. I will work to eliminate any unnecessary and wasteful spending. We need to implement measures to quantify the effectiveness of everything the city funds.”

Andrew C. Petersen - “We need a city council that fights for the people, not against them. Life is for the living, taking joy in your day-to-day, making decisions that serve your emotional and spiritual happiness, not just our financial well-being. This means innovating and creating new opportunities that allow for the continuation of the things we love, that also covers the bottom line. Let’s find the means to provide outcomes where everybody wins.”

Chuck Newton (Incumbent) - “Every campaign promise I made in 2011, I fulfilled: a. Cut city debt; b. Cut top heavy staff; c. Overhaul city finances. This included fixing financial controls and technology and changing parks from culinary to secondary water while selling excess city-owned land; d. Cut sales tax on utilities; e. Promoted economic development. This includes the TOD and Oquirrh Mountain Marketplace.”

Brad Marlor - “I have recently received many phone calls, letters and emails from friends and neighbors asking me to run again for office. I share their belief that we need to do a better job at City Hall. I am a firm believer in citizen run government. We elect people to represent us. Serving in office is an honor and privilege, and should be taken seriously. I believe elected officials should listen to the people and reflect their needs and concerns. I will be a part of a return to a representative, service-oriented city government. As I did in my previous service on the Council, I will listen to the people in district two and represent their views.”

Paul D. Bateman - “I want to help shift the paradigm back to true representation. I will accomplish this by bringing the important issues back to my district to get an idea of how they want me to vote. As long as it doesn’t conflict with my core values, I should vote the way my district wants me to vote, not based on my personal feelings. I feel like this type of true representation will help to restore the faith between the citizens of South Jordan and the city government.”

Tamara Zander - “I believe that the best government is the government closest to the people. I will be a voice for the people of South Jordan and also a listening ear. Our city’s rapid growth is our biggest challenge. I want to see the South Jordan charm maintained while we manage this growth and safeguard our community’s resources. I am a mother, a wife, an entrepreneur, small business owner, and, to many in South Jordan, your next door neighbor.”

John H. Geilmann - (see June 2015 South Jordan Journal).

District four Candidates Joe Ross and Keila Mower did not respond to requests for statement by press time.