5 candidates debate issues about Salt Lake District 1
But the district also has a great upside — its crime statistics show it's safer than people think, and it has more developable land than any district in the city.
It's also a district whose representation is up for grabs. The City Council member is running again, and four challengers are looking to unseat him.
Tuesday the five candidates sat down for a debate, sponsored by KCPW Radio, at the Salt Lake City Library downtown. That debate can be heard in full at www.kcpw.org.
Four of the five candidates — Leslie Benns, incumbent Carlton Christensen, Terry Jessop and Arnold Jones — have also responded to a Deseret Morning News candidate questionnaire. The fifth candidate, F. Joseph Irish, who has run for several city offices with little success, did not complete the questionnaire.
The candidates' complete answers to those questionnaires will be posted on the Deseret Morning News Web site on Thursday.
Jessop said he prefers adding new technology to the police department's investigating ability rather than just simply pouring in new officers.
On the issue of revitalizing downtown, Jessop said the city needs to focus more attention on helping small businesses rather than larger retailers.
Benns said she would like to pursue development of the proposed culture block downtown, while Christensen said downtown's outlook is improving and is better than many downtowns around the nation.
Jones said he would pursue rental/lease rebates or tax breaks for businesses willing to move back downtown.
The candidates agreed that neighborhood conflicts between immigrant Hispanics and longtime residents are a problem in District 1. Many longtime residents say immigrants don't keep up their yards and have too many people living in small homes.
Jones said the problem could be solved by having more city-sponsored block parties and other events to bring neighbors together. Christensen said the city can do a better job of working with state agencies and the school district to develop plans that will help new immigrants make a positive transition into American society. Benns said she would work with local churches to help educate new immigrants about things like housing codes and other issues.
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