October 1999 Marriott-Slaterville hopefuls want to keep things simple ? Two council candidates say residents' voices aren't being heard By GEOFFREY FATTAH_ Standard-Examiner staff MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE - Candidates for this fledgling city's governing body all say they are interested in keeping their community quaint and comfortable for families. But two City Council candidates, who are challenging incumbents, say the present council is not responding to residents' concerns. Although Marriott-Slaterville has only been a city since February, three of its council members are up for re-election, and two of them are being challenged. Council president H. Orvil Holley, who holds the at-large seat A position, said his main objective is to keep Marriott-Slaterville a good place to raise a family. Holley said controlling growth will be the biggest issue in the future. He also said the city must also be "stingy" with its spending and honor the volunteers who worked hard to set up the city. He said his main reason for serving as a council member is because of his life-long ties to the area. Having family and many grandchildren in the city, Holley said he feels he is in tune with their needs. Holley is a retired LDS Church educator who served six years on the Slaterville Planning Committee before it incorporated. James Elmer, who is running against Holley, differs with his opponent's claim of being in tune with residents. Elmer said many residents are unhappy with the council because they feel it simply does not listen to them. Elmer said growth is a concern and development must be taken slowly and responsibly. Elmer is an assistant traffic manager for Channel 16. He grew up in Slaterville, where he lives in his grandfather's house. He spent 20 years in New York City, where he worked as a paralegal before moving back to Utah in 1994. One of his contributions to the new city was helping to design the city's seal. Incumbent for the east district seat C. Ren Meyerhoffer, said he also wants to keep the city a "place where people are proud to live." Meyerhoffer feels he has been receptive to people's concerns and wants to keep serving his community. Meyerhoffer works as a maintenance worker for the Cargo flour mill in West Ogden and is a life-long resident. His challenger Dennis Ilium characterizes himself as an outspoken person. He said he is a good listener, however, and can be more open to residents' wants and needs than the present council, which he feels has not been very open with residents. Ilium works as a training specialist for the Utah Department of Transportation and has lived in the city for almost 20 years. Rob Smout is running unopposed for the district west seat E seat. You can reach reporter Geoffrey Fattah at 625-4225 or gfattah@standard.net. 212