| Candidates for the Nov. 4 elections in Ferron meet the residents. |
Ferron residents, in an attempt to decide who to vote for came out in full force to listen to the candidates. On the evening of Oct. 22, the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary sponsored a Meet the Candidate night in Ferron City Hall. All the candidates that are currently on the ballot for the upcoming election were on hand to introduce themselves and field questions from the packed city hall.
Dixie Swasey opened the meeting with a welcome to everyone and the introduction of Bryce Syndergaard, who would act as moderator for the event.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, the candidates were each given three minutes to introduce themselves and give a brief overview of their individual platform.
Incumbent Mayor Kent Larsen was asked to start the program. He explained that he had been appointed mayor as the previous mayor, Garth Larsen, accepted employment out of the area. Larsen said that he had been mayor for nearly two years.
“This a great event,” Larsen said. “Our American Legion and Auxiliary are the most active around and they have done a great job of preparing this evening. I have spent six years serving Ferron, four as a councilman and nearly two as the mayor. This city is in a financial crisis with declining population and revenue, we need to increase our tax base and attract some business and industry. Our children need employment opportunities that will enable them to remain close to home.”
Byron Rollins, candidate for mayor, was next to introduce himself. “I have spent almost 17 years working for Ferron City. I have lived in Ferron since I was 12 years old and I respect this city a great deal. This city needs community involvement to assist the people in the running of the city. We also need jobs to keep our kids at home.”
In the two year city council position, Jo Sansavero, the incumbent, was first to speak. “I was born in Emery County, moved to California, owned my own business and retired back here. What I want to do is change the bad things about Ferron into good things. When Mayor Larsen was appointed to the mayor position, I was appointed to fill his council seat. I have attended two sessions of training at the city’s expense and I feel that I can do a good job returning to this council seat. I have been over the cemetery, the golf course restaurant and economic development in Ferron. There are three areas we need to focus on. Number one is to advertise the recreational opportunities here. Number two is to promote industry and three is to expand the elderly housing situation in Ferron. I am a results oriented person and I will get the job done,” she said.
Joe Trenery, candidate for the two year council seat was next. Trenery said, “I moved here to Ferron in 1968, have seen the good times and the bad times and I want to help make it better. We need to support those people we already have here in Ferron and keep dollars here. There is no need to go up north, we need more home based shopping and utilization of services. We need to keep the assets we have and keep local businesses open.”
Gordon Bennett, incumbent in the four year council position was next. “I transferred here with the highway patrol and have been councilman for the past four years. I have noticed that the people of Ferron need to be more involved on a weekly basis with the running of the city. Council people need your help to make the decisions that are made for everyone. Citizen input is imperative. I will strive to do better and make the community better. I have been over the water, sewer and fire departments. I was instrumental in getting the grants to do the renovations to the fire station. We are slowly making progress on the station. We hope to break