Third District Salt Lake City Council candidates agreed that open spaces must be protected in a debate on Oct. 26 in the Hinckley Institute of Politics.
Janneke House is running against incumbent Eric Jergensen, and voters will decide between the two Tuesday, Nov. 8.
The 3rd District includes the area around the State Capitol and the Avenues.
Both candidates centered their messages on the importance of further increasing the economic growth of the city, protecting open spaces and revitalizing the downtown shopping and residential areas.
Jergensen and House agreed that open spaces improve health and happiness for residents and that the Foothill area requires further protection.
Jergensen promised to "reduce Foothill development" and eventually cease further expansion.
House said the City Council needs to work with Mayor Rocky Anderson because when "gridlock occurs, nothing happens."
Jergensen disagreed.
"Local government works oftentimes better when there is not a rosy agreement between the City Council and Rocky," he said.
The race is supposed to be nonpartisan, but House has made efforts to clarify the political distinctions between herself and Jergensen, including placing Democratic donkeys on her brochures.
Rhetorically, House asked why one of the most Democratic districts in Utah has a councilman that usually votes Republican.
Jergensen countered partisan arguments by saying, "Water is not a Republican or Democratic issue...(It is) a community issue."
Members of the U community and the community at large attended the debate.
"This debate was a great opportunity to see the opposition candidate and to give (House) an opportunity to articulate her vision for the future of Salt Lake City," said Breanne Miller, a junior in political science and Spanish and president of the U's College Democrats.
House "will be able to be a better city council member by working with Mayor Rocky Anderson and helping to tip the balance of power that the Republican Party currently controls on the Salt Lake City Council," she said.
"It is wonderful to be able to meet both candidates and learn how to get involved in these important municipal elections," said Remington Johnson, a senior in history and political science.
Anyone interested in learning more or helping out with either campaign can access the candidates' Web sites at voteforeric.org and www.votehouse.org.
j.lewis@chronicle.utah.edu
