Hyde Park selects six candidates during Nominating Convention

There will be no incumbents on the ballot in the municipal election in Hyde Park City this November. Voters sent a clear message during Wednesday night’s Nominating Convention.

“I think people wanted a change and that’s okay,” said Hyde Park resident Bob Christensen. “It’s awesome. I will certainly support whoever wins.”

Christensen was among a standing-room only crowd that packed city council chambers looking to select candidates interested in running for three open city council seats.

The city’s nominating convention is held in place of a primary election. Eleven candidates nominated themselves to run for four-year terms. Each was given up to four minutes to make their case.

“I’m not running to clean house,” said Brandon Buck. “There’s a responsibility to build community infrastructure for future generations. I’m running because I want to serve the community of Hyde Park.”

Growth was on the minds of all the candidates. Many expressed their affection for the small town feel of Hyde Park, yet appreciate the need for prudent and fiscally responsible growth going forward.

“I have a talent for managing money,” said Stephanie Allred. “I can make a dollar squeal until it cries.”

Voters selected six candidates to more forward to the fall general election: Buck, Allred, Tiffany Atkinson, Shannon Rhodes, Karl White and Kirk Brower.

Atkinson and Rhodes expressed the need for women and diversity on the council.

There needs to be a little bit more balance,” said Rhodes.

Karl White and Kirk Brower were encouraged to run after being nudged by friends and acquaintances.

Current city council members Bret Randall and Mark Hurd were among the nominees at the convention; neither was selected as a candidate.

A number of Hyde Park residents are unhappy with the council’s recent handling of an incident involving a city employee who allegedly pointed a gun at another employee.

That controversy, according to some, was the reason they showed up to vote Wednesday night.

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