Standard-Examiner: Cities Gear Up For Candidate Filing Period Next Week

Needless to say, Weber County Forum is champing at the bit to get rolling with our 2015 Ogden Municipal Election coverage, with the same highly detailed reporting which we've provided over the past ten years

Lo and behold folks,  We're delighted to shine the spotlight on this morning's Cathy McKitrick story, heralding the beginning of the 2015 municipal election season.  Ms. McKitrick provides a robust writeup in this morning's Standard-Examiner, providing a preview of a few of the races lining up for November's Ogden City Elections, among other things. Here's the lede, peeps:

OGDEN — In odd-numbered years, residents get the chance to either run for municipal office or cast votes to determine who will occupy some of their city council seats.
And in two Utah cities — Salt Lake City and Ogden — mayors come up for re-election this year as well. In January, Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell announced that he would seek a second term... With municipal primaries scheduled for Aug. 11, Top of Utah municipal candidates have from Monday, June 1 to the following Monday, June 8 to file for office with their respective cities.

Check out the full story, Weber County Forum readers:

• Cities gear up for candidate filing period next week

Sadly, veteran At Large Seat C's Councilwoman Amy Wicks will be stepping down:

“I think 12 years is as long as somebody should serve in that position,” Wicks told the Standard-Examiner. “I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot, and that maybe it’s time for some new blood. We don’t have term limits but I’m going to impose those on myself.”
During those dozen years, Wicks said that several pieces came together to improve economic opportunities in Ogden, make it safer and expand amenities that draw people in and enhance quality of life in the city.
“I’ve enjoyed serving Ogden, and getting to know a lot of great people who are doing great things for the community,” Wicks said.
One task Wicks views as a loose thread is the inability to search minutes on the city’s website.
“I’ve been bringing that up for a couple of years now, and have been told it’s part of the website revamp,” Wicks said.
But in her book, that’s not acceptable.
“I hope that whoever fills my shoes will work in the spirit of transparency and inclusion of all members in the community,” Wicks said.

 Ward 4's Councilwoman Caitlin Gochnour will not be running again either:

Caitlin Gochnour, who is finishing her second term representing Ogden’s Ward 4, told the Standard-Examiner Thursday that she would not run for re-election.
“It was a really hard decision, and it will be difficult to step away from so many projects that I care so much about,” Gochnour said. “But I personally believe in term limits, self-imposed in my case.”
Gochnour said she now has a heightened appreciation for the democratic process: “It’s an opportunity for regular citizens like me to participate.”

Ward 2's Councilman Richard Hyer will be looking for a second term:

Ogden City Council Chairman Richard Hyer said Thursday that he intends to file next week for a second term. Before getting elected to the Ward 2 council seat in 2011, Hyer served 16 years on Ogden’s Planning Commission.
“I do enjoy serving the citizens of Ward 2,” Hyer said, “and I think I’m helping to make sure the city services get equally balanced throughout the whole community, and that the north end is getting some recognition.”

Ms. Mckitrick also puts the focus on newcomer Council hopeful, Luis Lopez:

Luis Lopez, director of the Community Education Center at Weber State University, will likely be among the first to file for Ogden’s at-large council seat being vacated by Amy Wicks, who is finishing her third term this year. Lopez is hosting his first campaign event on Saturday (May 30) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sonora Grill, 2310 Kiesel Ave., Ogden. There, he intends to unveil his website, luislopezforcitycouncil.org, and candidate Facebook page, Luis Lopez for City Council.

Ogden City residents who might be interested in throwing in their own hats for available elected Ogden City seats can find the information they need for candidate filings via the Ogden City website:

• Ogden City 2015 Municipal Election Information

Added bonus via Utah Politico Hub:

• Small Town Politics: Should I Run For Office?

Needless to say, Weber County Forum is champing at the bit to get rolling with our 2015 Ogden Municipal Election coverage, with the same highly detailed level of reporting which we've provided over the past ten years.