Despite collapsing national economy, managing Tooele County’s boom remains hot topic on local campaign trail

Even in uncertain economic times, growth issues continue to dominate political discourse in Tooele County.

That fact was proven again Wednesday as candidates for county, state and school board positions spoke at the Tooele County Chamber of Commerce’s Meet the Candidates luncheon at Track’s Brewing Company

In fact, growth and the effects of growth — providing for quality education, transportation, water rights, and economic development — were themes that transcended offices and party lines.

“People would not worry so much about the price of gas if they only had a five minute commute to work,” said Dan Egelund, Republican candidate for state House District 21, emphasizing the need for local economic development.

Egelund, who is challenging eight-term incumbent Rep. Jim Gowans, said he would work with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development to bring more growth in business and industry to Tooele County.

Republican Colleen Johnson, seeking a second term on the Tooele County Commission, also emphasized the need for more economic development.

“It is important for the county to continue to recruit new businesses that will provide jobs that pay good wages so people can work and live in the county, as well as improving the tax base for county revenue so we can continue to provide services that growth demands,” Johnson said.

Several candidates promised to address the strain put on the school district by rapid enrollment increases.

“We need to do more than just manage growth,” said Matt Robinson, a candidate for Tooele County School Board in District 4. “We need to make sure the curriculum is in place with quality teachers in the classrooms as well.”

Scott Bryan, also running for school board in District 4, said managing taxpayer funds was one of his top priorities. Bryan said he and his opponent have much in common, but one of the differences is his background in business as a manager, with experience at watching the bottom line of a financial statement and making payroll.

“With my business background, I know that at some point, even with public schools, you have to make decisions based on fiscal responsibility,” Bryan said.

Tobiah Dillon, a candidate for Senate District 24, added, “We need to fully fund our public schools, retain good teachers, and incorporate innovative strategies to prepare our children for life in the 21st century.”

Improving the county’s transportation was another recurrent topic.

“The Mid Valley highway is needed, and I support it,” said Gowans, referring to the project to build a highway intersecting with I-80 and running through the middle of the Tooele Valley.

“Transportation is essential for economic growth,” said Ralph Okerlund, Dillon’s Republican challenger for the Senate District 24 seat.

Dwindling water resources were also discussed.

“Growth has put a strain on our water resources,” said Gowans. “We have several citizens in the Erda area that have lost their water rights.” The state engineer recently concluded a water rights adjudication process in the Erda area to clarify water rights claims due to growth. Through the process, several Erda residents lost water rights. Gowans has advocated for better representation for small water users, and has proposed a policy-making board for the state Division of Water Rights in the past.

Jonathan Garrard, Constitution Party candidate for House District 21 spoke of his concern for rising property taxes.

Other candidates speaking at the event were Bob Springmeyer, Democratic candidate for governor; Josie Valdez, Democratic candidate for lieutenant-governor; Jean Welch Hill, Democratic candidate for attorney general; Richard Ellis, Republican candidate for state treasurer; Auston Johnson, Republican state auditor running for reelection; Mark Madsen, Republican incumbent candidate for Senate District 13; Ben Peterson, Constitution Party candidate for Senate District 21; Ronda Rudd Menlove, Republican incumbent candidate for House District 1; and Gary Gowans and Beth Dale, Tooele County School Board candidates running unopposed for reelection. “With just a few minutes for each candidate to speak it was hard to get much detail,” said Mike Fields, owner of Oxygen for You and a chamber board member. “Still, it was nice to be able to put names with faces.”

“We are grateful for the number of candidates that came out to speak, even if was just for a few short minutes, and many candidates stayed afterwards to talk to people,” said Debbie Winn, executive director of the chamber of commerce. “Many of these candidates, especially the ones for statewide positions, traveled a great distance to attend. It is wonderful to see that they think Tooele is important enough for their time, because often times we are forgotten.”

Tim Gillie: tgillie@tooeletranscript.com