LAYTON -- They don't vary much on the issues of growth,accessibility to elected officials, public safety and planning. Lackof experience isn't a problem.
The most evident difference between the two candidates for Laytoncity mayor?
Personality and leadership style.
On one side is the marketer, two-term councilman Stephen G. Handy,54. He's slender, media-savvy and a slick communicator. Handy is abold campaigner, with a billboard, a Web site and Internet blog.
He has spent $19,445 campaigning thus far.
On the other side is the organizer, three-term councilman SteveCurtis, 50. He's not as smooth-spoken, but communicates with astraightforward, down-to-earth ease. Instead of using a billboard,Curtis drives a red Volkswagen Beetle that has been wrapped withcampaign slogans and his photo.
Curtis has spent $12,542 on his campaign -- far more than he hadwanted.
Outgoing Mayor Jerry Stevenson says both men are qualified for thejob. The biggest challenge facing Layton, a city of almost 60,000residents, is population growth, said Stevenson. Whoever steps intooffice will need to have a plan to accommodate an approaching influxof people, businesses and traffic.
"I haven't given either one of them an assignment that theyhaven't taken and completed to its fullest," said Stevenson. "I thinkeither one will do a great job."
But he admits the two have two different personalities.
Said Rep. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, a former Layton councilman:"They're both great individuals. They have totally differentmanagement styles, totally different ways of approaching the sameissue. There's clearly a choice between the two of them."
Adams has written an endorsement for Handy, but Curtis supporterssay Handy lacks the "backbone" to be a good mayor. Handy buildsconsensus and communicates but isn't firm in his decisions, saidLayton resident Scott Nelson.
"I've seen him waver on too many issues to think he'd make a goodleader," said Nelson. "You can't have a leader who is not firm in hisdecisions."
Said east Layton resident Carol Thacker: "We don't need amarketer. We need a doer."
As a councilman, Curtis has focused on youth and youth activities.He says he has spent more time with residents than Handy andunderstands their concerns. He says he's approachable and has theknowledge to effectively plan for growth in the city.
Curtis also knows he is the underdog in the race. During theOctober primary elections, he finished behind Handy by about 270votes. One reason was because of geographic location, said Curtis.Handy lives on the east side of Layton, where voter turnout istraditionally better. Curtis lives on the west side.
"To me, that (vote difference) is easily made up," said Curtis, asupervisor for Qwest Communications. "We have only 20 districts,that's about 10 votes a district. It's easily made up if you workhard enough."
But he admits winning the election will be a tight race. Handy isa marketer by profession and he's well-known in his neighborhood. Therace will come down to whoever can best market themselves to thepublic and draw out supporters on election day.
During the primary elections, voter turnout was about 14 percent.
Handy, who benefited from higher voter turnout in east Layton,isn't taking his lead for granted. His strength, supporters say, isface-to-face communication. As of Friday last week, Handy had held 12cottage meetings with residents.
He's also not afraid to spend money or solicit campaign donations.Handy has gathered donations from about 130 individuals, according tocampaign finance disclosures. Curtis had gathered about 11 individualdonations, according to his disclosure form.
Said Handy: "I have relationships beyond the city and haveconfidence that I can build the right type of relationships for thecity. . . . The question really is, who has the skill-set to getthings done? Mr. Curtis talks a lot about youth and recreation -- butunless you have economic prosperity, you can't have quality of life."
Handy pledges to hold open office hours if elected. He wants tomaintain fiscal responsibility and provide more for public safety. Asa self-employed marketing consultant, he says his time is flexible.
"I don't know how I could do it if I were tied to a desk anddriving 25 miles away to work," he said.
As for lack of a backbone? "I like to build consensus," saidHandy, "but frankly, you can't always do that."
Municipal elections will be held Nov. 8. Polls are open from 7a.m. until 8 p.m., when residents will also select two new citycouncil members among a field of four.
Candidates at a Glance
Steve Handy:
age: 54
occupation: marketing consultant
family: six children, wife's name is Holly
political experience: two-term Layton councilman (has served 6years)
Steve Curtis
age: 50
occupation: supervisor at Qwest Communications
family: four children, wife's name is RaeLynn
political experience: three-term Layton councilman (has served 10years)
E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com
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