Smith’s newest store to serve Bluffdale, Riverton Page 7
Learn more about your candidates in the upcoming election Page 9
Meet your new principal
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Former Riverton High assistant principal now leading Mountain Ridge High School.
Rookie principals are at the helm of nearby high schools. Herriman High School Principal Tom Gatten replaced Todd Quarnberg, who resigned, and Mountain Ridge High School Principal Brady Bartholomew replaced Mike Kochevar, who retired.
Both applied for a principalship position after years of experience as high school assistant principals, and after being interviewed by Jordan School District cabinet members, were given assignments based on the needs of the school communities.
“It’s something that we take very seriously,” Jordan School District Superintendent Dr. Anthony Godfrey said. “We have a lot of discussions behind the scenes before making those appointments. We are aware of the importance of strong leadership in schools, and we’re proud of our administrative teams throughout the district.”
Riverton High School Principal Rochelle Waite is impressed with Gatten and Bartholomew’s administrative styles that prioritize students first.
“I love that that is a focus for our district administrative team, of really putting key players in place that focus in on what’s best for kids and how to help them be successful,” Waite said.
Administrators don’t get to choose which school they are sent to but Bartholomew was thrilled with the assignment to return to MRHS where he was an assistant principal for the first four years the school was open.
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“When they called and appointed me as the principal, it was easy for me to get on board and I was so excited about it, just because I’m so ingrained in this school,” Bartholomew said. “It was a very unique opportunity being able to open a new school and start new traditions and work with the community and the kids to get this school up and running, so that school always holds a special place in your heart because it’s something that you helped build.”
Bartholomew kicked off MRHS’s school year with a new school tradition that was meant to begin six years ago.
“We’ve always talked about wanting to do a welcome back barbecue before the first football game, and we’re able to finally get that tradition going this year,” Bartholomew said. He hopes students will be excited to attend so that he can start to get to know them.
With 16 years experience in education, six as an administrator, Bartholomew has learned the importance of connecting with students.
“To me, the kids are what makes this job,” he said. “So for me, just being visible to the kids, getting to know as many kids as possible, that’s what I’m about. These are big jobs, so I’ve really got to be intentional on making sure that I carve out that time to get in front of them as much as possible, whether it’s during those passing times, getting out to lunches or going to support them in their extracurricular activities.”
Bartholomew is the type of principal who wants students to know who he is and feel comfortable going to him for help. As a member of the Herriman community, Bartholomew already has connections with
Special Edition Note: Each month the Riverton City Journal publishes a local newspaper, filled with hyperlocal content for Riverton residents. This month you get two.
Earlier this month we published our normal October edition. After we printed and mailed, we realized that we missed two advertisements. Both were political ads that were purchased by candidates running in the current election.
Because of our error we decided that we would mail an extra copy with the missed advertisements to make sure both candidates of the respective races were presented fairly.
For Mayor you have two choices on the ballot, Tish Buroker and Tawnee McCay. Buroker's ad ran in the first edition earlier this month and McCay's Ad is in this edtion. Shannon Smith who is running for the District 4 Council seat was also ommitted from the first edition.
Sorry, Bryan Scott, Publisher
Brady Bartholomew returns to Mountain Ridge High School as the new principal. (Photo courtesy Brady Bartholomew) Continued page 4
ICYMI: Riverton considers fencing ordinance along waterways
By Travis Barton travis.b@thecityjournals.com
Shouldthe city reconsider the type of fencing allowed along canals? That was the question the Riverton City Council discussed in August.
Currently, the city’s fencing ordinance requires six-foot high solid concrete fencing along waterways like canals, ditches or irrigation lines throughout the city. It excludes foam core and fiberglass mixes as options. The standard aims to ensure durability and safety, Development Services Director Jason Lethbridge told the council. The ordinance was amended back in 2015, and does allow for block or brick, but not fiber cement due to a question of its durability.
Mayor Trent Staggs, who was serving on the council in 2015, recalled being in favor of alternative fence types.
“I wanted more flexibility from a cost perspective,” he said, noting a desire to allow more options for the development community “but I was in the minority at that point.”
While Councilmember Tawnee McCay was in favor of the city being more lenient, Councilmember Troy McDougal preferred to keep the current ordinance.
McDougal worried changing the options would allow previous developments to return and change their fencing type, though city staff did not think that likely. He added keeping masonry fencing allows for easier weed maintenance, but was amenable to variations of masonry-style fencing.
With canal trails being paved now, he also liked the more unified look. l
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many students and their families. His wife is a school counselor at Herriman Elementary School and their three daughters have been active in local sports. In his free time, Bartholomew enjoys attending plays, concerts, sporting events and spending time outdoors with his family.
Bartholomew spent the past two years as an assistant principal at Riverton High with Waite, who described him as incredibly personable and genuine.
“I definitely think Brady is the epitome of Sentinel Strong, and they are very lucky to get him,” Waite said. “And I know that that community is, I’m sure, thrilled to have him back.”
She has no doubt that Bartholomew easily switched his loyalty from RHS back to MRHS.
“You fall in love with where you are,” she said. “That’s your role as an administrator in general. You really just need to be all-in for where you’re at and Brady does that so well.”
As Bartholomew arrived to fill the position at MRHS, Gatten was leaving his assistant principal role at MRHS to accept the principalship at Herriman High School. Throughout his 27-year career in education, Gatten has worked at six different high schools, but he said the goal is always the same.
“The whole purpose of education is to help kids, no matter who they are, and I love doing what I do for the best benefit of kids,” Gatten said.
To best serve HHS students, teachers, advisers and coaches, Gatten said he will spend this first year getting to know everyone.
“I’m really big on relationships,” he said. “With a big high school like this, it’s definitely difficult to learn everybody’s names, but I’ll just do my best to say hi and meet and greet.”
He believes good relationships among faculty and staff members lead to good relationships between teachers and students in classrooms and on the fields. He was on the receiving end of those types of relationships when he was a student.
“I grew up playing baseball, played college baseball, and that’s really what gave me the love to come back and stay in education, is to give back and be a part of it,” he said. “I had a lot of great coaches and great mentors as I was growing up and going through school, and that’s why I went into education.”
Gatten is excited to attend HHS’s baseball games as well as other athletic, academic, musical and theatrical student performances and competitions.
“My family jokes all the time about how I get emotional even listening to the band play,” Gatten said. “But to see the kids, where they’ve come from and what they’re involved in—whether it’s athletics or the performing arts or their success stories in life of coming from a tough home life to being successful in the classroom and graduating—seeing those accomplishments and all those successes is what I kind of get really touched by.” l
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Local legislator surveys the AI landscape as co-chair of new task force
Utah House Representative Doug Fiefia aims to bring legislators from both parties together while guiding national AI legislation.
By Elisa Eames e.eames@mycityjournals.com
When Doug Fiefia decided to run for Utah’s House of Representatives in late 2023, he never imagined that fewer than two years later, he’d end up co-chairing the National Task Force on State AI Policy, a nationwide committee on artificial intelligence. “It’s an honor, and I see it as a responsibility to help bridge the gap between the tech world and the policymaking world,” Fiefia said.
In pursuit of the fabled American dream, his parents immigrated from Tonga in the 1970s. As a first-generation American, Fiefia attributed his family’s survival and prosperity to hard work and sacrifice. From a humble childhood in South Jordan, he earned bachelor’s degrees in both marketing and business administration from Utah State University and later, an MBA from Rice University.
After his education, he worked in sales for companies like Google and Workday while owning his own construction company and founding a nonprofit, Raise the Tide, that serves minority groups. “[Fiefia] saw that in America, anything is possible, especially in Utah,” his website says.
“I’m living proof that the American dream is real,” he said when he announced his candidacy. “That same American dream is at risk of fading for the next generation, and that is why I’ve decided to run for the Utah House of Representatives.”
From 1992 to 1994, Fiefia’s uncle also served in the state House of Representatives, making Fiefia the second Polynesian state legislator in Utah’s history when he was elected last year for District 48, which encompasses parts of Riverton, South Jordan and Herriman.
In July, he was selected as co-chairman of the brand-new National Task Force on State AI Policy, formed by Future Caucus, a national nonprofit dedicated to fostering collaboration between young legislators from both political parties. The goal of the task force is to make certain that AI policy is not influenced by partisan differences but instead by responsible and effective principles of governance. The other co-chair is Vermont Rep. Monique Priestley.
Many lawmakers and groups believe that the task force wasn’t created a moment too soon. “There’s an urgent need for practical, bipartisan leadership that addresses how AI is already affecting jobs, education, public safety, democracy and the future of governance,” the Future Caucus website says.
“Working in the technology sector, I see innovation and transformation every day, especially with developments in machine learning and generative artificial intelligence,” Fiefia said on his website. “Technology is rapidly changing, and there is a need for ethical guidelines, transparency and oversight.”
Though not all lawmakers on the task force have technological experience, AI is shaping their policy areas as never before. Members must maneuver between regulation, technological development and public trust. “This task force serves as a resource to help state legislators connect the dots… and engage confidently with AI as a cross-cutting
about facilitating conversations across states so we’re all on the same page,” Fiefia said. “We may not all agree on every point, but we’ll make sure everyone has the full picture to make the best decisions and, when needed, draft legislation for our states.”
Fiefia affirms that his previous employment in technology played a big role in his appointment as co-chair. “I hope to bring my experience, background and a focus on building consensus so we can find common ground, even when our approaches differ,” he said. “I believe I was selected because I worked in Big Tech and now serve as a legislator, and I run one of the most significant tech policy bills in Utah, the Digital Choice Act.”
issue touching every aspect of public life,” Future Caucus website says.
“This isn’t about one state figuring it out alone—it’s about sharing knowledge, learning from each other and making sure the public can trust the technology that’s shaping their daily lives,” Fiefia said.
Aiming to provide multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the task force will conduct public hearings and confidential briefings, share industry best practices and offer tools and resources for lawmakers. To help guide AI policies across the U.S., the group will also inform influencers, present at policy events, facilitate collaboration, provide AI policy support for lawmakers and find existing policy solutions.
“As co-chair, my job is to help guide the committee’s work, set priorities and make sure we’re asking the right questions. It’s
An addition to the Utah Consumer Privacy Act, the Digital Choice Act, sponsored by Fiefia, was signed into law on March 27 by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. Some provisions included in the bill involve social media data control and competition; consumer social media data rights; data exchange between systems, social media and services; regulation and enforcement by the Division of Consumer Protection; penalties; and severability clauses.
“I am committed to a balanced approach of protecting the privacy of individuals and families while allowing individuals and businesses to be innovative,” Fiefia said. “I’m excited because AI is moving fast—faster than most policy can keep up. This task force [and the Digital Choice Act provide] a chance to bring together lawmakers, experts and industry leaders to talk through both the opportunities and the risks. I’m looking forward to making sure states aren’t just reacting to technology… but are proactive in protecting citizens and encouraging innovation.” l
Doug Fiefia represents District 48 in the Utah House of Representatives. (Photo courtesy Doug Fiefia)
At Buckner’s 2025 Business Innovation Summit, Doug Fiefia, strategist Tim Nielsen and cybersecurity lawyer Romaine Marshall spoke on AI and cybersecurity. (Photo courtesy Doug Fiefia)
Doug Fiefia, his wife, Jocelyn, and their children sit on the steps at the Utah Capitol Building. Left to right: Tomenika, Elenoa, Jocelyn, Douglas Jr., Doug and Melolini. (Photo courtesy Doug Fiefia)
Riverton City getting ahead of the AI game for its employees
City leaders approved of the newly created policy, accepting it will be a work in progress as technology evolves.
By Travis Barton travis.b@thecityjournals.com
With the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence technology in the modern world, Riverton City officials are giving their employees guidelines on how they use it.
The city council unanimously approved the city’s AI policy in September.
“We can see where it’s going to become a very important part of our operations,” City Attorney Ryan Carter told the council in August, particularly with the police department and any use of data analytics. “Really the challenge at this stage in our relationship with AI is coming up with the different means by which it can
regulations usually come after mistakes are made and then policies are created to improve operations.
“This is an instance where we’re trying to get into a policy ahead of a whole lot of practice taking place,” he said.
He also noted they were in the “nascent stages” and the AI policy will continue to evolve with additional iterations expected in the future.
“This is what we’re going to start with and continue to work on it as we get feedback on how it’s being utilized,” Carter said.
Primary guidelines involved all employees using AI as a tool rather than a substitute for their work product with Carter noting the utilization of AI does not give them a pass for problems found in their work.
It will be monitored by the IT department, employees are expected to be trained and violations would result in discipline, Carter said.
“The creation of original documents must be carefully monitored,” he said.
One example he pointed to was their success in using AI to summarize large volumes of data. “Saves an enormous amount of time,” he said.
They are also excited about using it
for helping generate law enforcement reports and summarizing data from body worn cameras, though officers would be expected to review all reports before they are finished.
“We want to make sure the person utilizing AI doesn’t abandon their role altogether,” he said.
Councilmember Andy Pierucci, who
asked about this when he first joined the council, thanked city staff for their work.
“Look how fast this technology has moved,” he said. “I appreciate this, I think it sets guardrails but encourages innovation. It’ll allow us to innovate and increase efficiencies while protecting our residents’ civil liberties.” l
“For
Riverton City adopted an artificial intelligence policy. (Adobe)
‘My Smith’s’ has a new meaning for some in Bluffdale and Riverton.
The $30 million location held its official ribbon cutting Sept. 27.
Smith’sFood & Drug is now in Bluffdale, ready to serve Bluffdale and Riverton homes in the area.
The company celebrated the grand opening of its new location Sept. 27 at 13893 S. Redwood Road, next to Fat Cats off Bangerter Highway. It marks the 57th location in Utah and 143rd location in the seven states that it serves. The store represents Bluffdale city’s first and only grocery store.
The 103,000 square foot store will offer a wide range of fresh produce, local products and organic options including sushi and Starbucks Coffee cafe, fresh made to order salads and sandwiches, hot/cold chicken, fresh seafood, Boar’s Head Meats and Murray’s Cheese. Additionally, the new store will have a floral department, household goods, drive through pharmacy, online grocery pick up and on-site Smith’s Fuel Center.
Stocking the new store was no easy feat. Seven semi trailers of stock were brought in for opening day, consisting of 2,700 pounds of apples, 1,600 pounds of bananas and a total count of over 100,000 unique bar codes worth of product.
The store will provide over 230 jobs and 215 of those were filled with people who were new hires to Smith’s team. Almost all of the new associated came from the local community.
“We’re not just opening a store, we’ve created a gathering place for the Bluffdale community,” Kenny Kimball
said, president of Smith’s Food & Drug. “The store will be second to none, offering customers the very best groceries and other goods, and an enjoyable shopping experience. We look forward to becoming a trusted resource for Bluffdale residents and the surrounding area.”
Smith’s has always been a great community partner in Utah, one example of their generosity is their donations to their food rescue partnership with groups like the Utah Food Bank, who they have donated over $8,000,000 in food.
Bluffdale Mayor Natalie Hall and other community leaders were on hand for the event that featured special promotions and giveaways.
Rich Bishop, District Pharmacy Coordinator was onsite for the grand opening to announce the Smith’s will soon be able to provide all vaccines without an appointment. The pharmacy will have two full-time pharmacists and three fulltime pharmacy techs. The pharmacy has the convience of a drive through and will open 7 days a week.
The $30 million Smith’s store was built by R & O Construction within a Woodbury Corporation Development.
As part of the company’s ongoing effort to moderate energy use, the new store has the latest energy efficient technologies in overhead lighting and cooling.
Smith's was started in 1911 by Lorenzo Smith in Brigham City, Utah and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, making it a local favorite. Smith’s was purchased by Kroger in 1998. l
Smith’s celebrated the grand opening of its newest location Sept. 27. (Photos contributed)
‘Little Mermaid Jr.’ takes the stage Oct. 17-27
The youth production will hold eight performances at the Sandra H. Lloyd Community Center.
By Cassie Goff cassie.g@thecityjournals.com
Riverton Arts Council will be hosting a youth production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid Jr.” throughout the last half of October. “The Little Mermaid Jr.” promises plenty of magic for all!
“Bring the whole family for an unforgettable splashy undersea musical adventure - brought to life by our talented youth cast!” wrote the Riverton Arts Council on their website.
Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and Disney film, Riverton’s production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” will feature the familiar characters of Ariel, Sebastian and Ursula as well as the recognizable songs (by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater. Adapted by David Weinstein).
Opening night is on Friday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. with performances running through Oct. 27. All evening performances will be at 7 p.m. (with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.). Matinee showings are scheduled for 2 p.m. on select days.
The “Little Mermaid Jr.” performances will be held at the Sandra H. Lloyd Community Center in Riverton (12830 Redwood Rd.). Tickets are $15 (or $12 for seniors or children) and are available through rivertonartscouncil. thundertix.com.
Riverton Arts Council has double-cast shows so attendees are encouraged to double-check dates for correct actor line-ups. The show is directed by Trisha Duke.
“Honestly, I’m most excited to see kids who haven’t had opportunities to shine on stage before get their moment in this show,” Duke said. “There are so many fun, cute, featured parts in “Little Mermaid Jr.” and I love getting to
watch these kids come out of their shell—pun intended!”
Kacee Cambron, who does marketing and publicity for the Riverton Arts Council, said audiences can expect all the songs, costumes and moments in a “magical, high energy performance.” She also highlighted the talented youth, parents and volunteers dedicating their time to building sets, sewing costumes, managing lights and more.
“It’s truly a community effort, and the result is something special,” Cambron said.
Every summer the arts council provides learning opportunities for youth with theatre fundamentals, gaining confidence and the experience of performing. Each fall they do a full auditioned youth production.
“One of our main goals as an organization is to create opportunities for Riverton’s youth to express themselves and discover their talents,” Cambron said.
The arts council chose “The Little Mermaid Jr.” due to its wide range of roles giving what is a family-friendly show with a large cast a chance to shine. The show features more than 70 young performers.
“It’s a story that’s full of heart, color, and imagination, and it’s been the perfect fit for our community,” Cambron said.
If you know a member of the cast, discounted tickets can be purchased using their personal code. The cast is holding its own ticket selling contest.
The arts council created a special code for City Journals readers, enter the code cityjournals to receive $2 off per ticket.
Riverton Arts Council’s mission is to create, inspire and share the arts with the Riverton community. For 25 years, they’ve done so through various productions, performances and experiences. They believe in the power of arts to uplift and connect people of all ages.
Learn more through the Riverton Arts Council, visit their website at: www.rivertonartscouncil.org.
Or check out their social media on Facebook at @Riv-
erton Arts Council or Instagram at @RivertonUtah.Arts.
“We’d love to invite the entire community to come ‘under the sea’ with us and support Riverton’s rising generation of young performers,” Cambron said. “Your attendance means so much to these kids and to the volunteers who make community theatre possible.” l
Members of the cast have rehearsed for the past two months in preparation. (Photos by Loni Smith)
Riverton Arts Council will be hosting a youth production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid Jr.” throughout the last half of October.
2025 GENERAL ELECTION VOTER GUIDE
RIVERTON VOTING INFORMATION SALT LAKE COUNTY VOTING INFORMATION
In Riverton, six candidates are campaigning for a seat on the city council. You’ll learn more about each of them as you continue to flip through this Voter Guide.
• Tish Buroker & Tawnee McCay are running for Mayor
• Alexander Johnson & Rusty Lance are running for the District 3 council seat.
• Shannon Smith & Darren Park are running for the District 4 council seat.
Throughout the greater Salt Lake County area, voters are encouraged to pay attention to important calendar dates (like mail-in deadlines) and locate the most convenient ballot drop box.
Residents have a few different options to submit their ballots, after receiving their ballot and prepaid envelope in the mail close to two weeks before the election date.
For voters planning to vote-by-mail, ballots must be received by 8 p.m.. on election day (postmarks don’t count). In other words -- mail early.
In previous election cycles when residents were able to postmark their ballots on the day of the general election. Per the recently passed H.B. 300, voters do need to make sure their ballots are physically ‘in-hand’ at the Salt Lake County office on election day.
While registered voters do have the option to send in their vote-by-mail ballot before Nov. 4, they also have the option to vote in person. Check the accompanying list of Vote Box locations to find the ballot box nearest you. Similar to mail-in voting, ballots must be dropped off before 8 p.m. on election day.
Hey Voters! Please review the following voting information directly from Salt Lake County before submitting your ballot.
Nov. 4 is the General Election - Vote Centers and drop boxes will close promptly at 8:00 p.m.
Important Dates
Oct. 14 - Ballots being to be mailed (21 days before the election as per Utah’s legislation).
Nov. 18 - Board of Canvassers Meeting where each city will certify results after presented to the City Recorders.
Vote Box locations:
Residents can vote by mail or in-person at various drop box locations throughout Salt Lake County:
County - Salt Lake County Government Center (2001 State St.)
Cottonwood Heights - City Hall (2277 Bengal Blvd.)
Draper - City Hall (1020 Pioneer Rd.)
Holladay - City Hall (4280 S. 2300 E.)
Herriman - City Hall (5355 Main St.)
Midvale - City Hall (7505 Holden St.)
Millcreek - Common (1354 E. Chambers Ave.)
Murray - Post Office (5025 State St.)
Sandy - City Hall (1000 Centennial Pkwy.)
Sandy - Senior Center (9310 S 1300 E)
South Jordan - City Hall (1600 W Towne Center Dr.)
South Salt Lake - Granite Library (331 S. 500 E.)
Riverton - City Hall (12830 S Redwood Rd.)
Taylorsville - City Hall (2600 W Taylorsville Blvd.)
Wet Jordan - City Hall (8000 S Redwood Rd.)
West Jordan - Ron Wood Park (6000 W New Bingham Hwy.)
West Valley - City Hall (3600 S Constitution Blvd.)
Register to Vote:
Residents can register to vote online up to 11 calendar days before the election (before 5pm). Registration must be submitted and received before Tuesday, Oct. 28 to receive a ballot in the mail. A valid form of ID, accurate address information, and date of birth is required to register.
Residents can register either: online by visiting the State of Utah’s website (see adjacent QR code); through mail by filling out the Formulario de Inscripcion por Correspondencia Para Votantes (Voter Mail-In Registration Form) found on the County’s website; or in-person at the 2001 S. State St. office. Same-Day registration options will also be available at vote centers. Learn more about voting information through Salt Lake County’s website at: saltlakecounty.gov/clerk/elections. Or by directly emailing: vote@saltlakecounty.gov.
QUESTIONS
RIVERTON MAYOR
Do you believe current property tax revenue is being used effectively? How so?
Thinking about fiscal responsibility - What values should your local budget reflect? How do you plan to balance those values?
What systems would you support to hold local officials accountable when transparency standards aren’t met?
What is your stance on local government cooperation with ICE?
TISH BUROKER
tishformayor.com
I do. If you look at your property tax notice you will see that Riverton Property taxes fund both our police and fire departments. This is the proper use of taxes. To protect private, public and commercial property.
Riverton recently received an award from the Utah Taxpayers Association because we are very transparent in our taxes and fees. We have 2 tax service districts for Riverton Police Department and Unified Fire Authority. All the money collected in these property taxes go straight to the respective organization. We do not charge other property taxes, just our utility fees. We try to keep the fees for water, garbage, and recycling as close as possible to the actual cost the city gets charged for the services. I sit on the city audit committee and we have always received a clean review. Because of good management, our property tax revenue is used effectively in our city.
How do you plan to keep Riverton safe, beautiful and affordable?
Number one: public safety and essential services such as sanitation, culinary and secondary water.
Number two: stewardship. We must maintain assets that taxpayer dollars have been spent on in the past and ensure that money is available for capital improvement projects.
Number three: improvements as money becomes available. We should be diligently watching for grant opportunities as most of the grant funding can be used in creating and upgrading amenities such as trails.
I intend to have quarterly council meetings in which financials are discussed and reviewed. This should not just happen once a year with the budget review. In addition, department requests prior to the budget process should be made and reviewed in work meetings beginning in January as the budget is prepared. I also intend to begin 10-minute podcasts following Council meetings to share and discuss the work of the Council and Mayor including upcoming issues. Finally I can’t wait to begin my program of “The Mayor is In” providing dates and times for residents to drop in and talk to the mayor about their concerns.
As an elected official I have agreed to uphold the laws of the land. Of course I will cooperate with ICE as needed. However, I am not supportive of checking for immigration status during routine encounters but only when an arrest has been made for a qualifying violent crime or felony. Riverton is a very safe city based on the statistics that we receive from our Police Department.
Riverton maintains a high-quality police and fire department. They are the foundation of keeping Riverton safe. As Mayor, I will support them publicly and advocate with the Council on their behalf to ensure that our police department remains a positive community police presence. I will also advocate for improved metrics in our Police Department, that will help determine the best use of this resource and help residents understand that Riverton is a safe place to live. Riverton is a beautiful community. As I canvas neighborhoods I am impressed with the care and pride which most residents maintain their homes and yards. I am advocating for an administrative law judge who could better enforce code violations. This position would also include a volunteer committee group that could assist with neighborhood cleanup as needed.
Voters have a clear choice, as both candidates serve on the Council and have a voting record. I’m the only candidate that voted to create our own police department, saving taxpayers over $21 million thus far. With more sales tax revenue from Mountain View Village and Costco, I led the effort to pay down three of the six city bonds, instead of increasing spending. I am the proven fiscally conservative candidate!
I stand for transparency and feel that residents should have more say when there are large decisions that affect them. I do not feel the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) of Riverton has been transparent enough or done the business in public meetings. I’m the only candidate that voted to not remove part of the city park for development. Our city is growing and we should be expanding parks, not dividing them up for development. I voted to protect our main crown jewel Riverton Park.
All criminals, especially those that commit violent crimes should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I trust our Police Chief to coordinate with other agencies if needed.
Riverton is a safe place to live. I support our Riverton Police Department. We have been able to increase the number of officers and save money by creating our own department. Our city is beautiful and I want to keep our fun community events to keep the hometown feel.
RIVERTON DISTRICT 3
QUESTIONS
Sourced directly from our readers
Do you believe current property tax revenue is being used effectively? How so?
Thinking about fiscal responsibility—what values should your local budget reflect? How do you plan to balance those values?
What systems would you support to hold local officials accountable when transparency standards aren’t met?
What is your stance on local government cooperation with ICE?
How do you plan to keep Riverton safe, beautiful and affordable?
ALEXANDER JOHNSON
AJ4Riverton.com
Riverton City itself has a 0.000% property tax for residents. I intend to keep it that way. Riverton does have a say in our fire and police service area taxes, and our city has done a great job at stretching every dollar. I am committed to finding solutions that ensure fire and police are fully funded without unnecessarily raising taxes. As for the County, I always believe there are ways to trim excess spending. As your Councilman, I will work with our Salt Lake County officials to keep county taxes from rising any further.
Riverton City’s budget does, and should continue to reflect the values of conservative fiscal responsibility and transparency. As your Councilman, I will vote against raising taxes in our city. My experience working in Congress has taught me that every budget has bloat; before asking young families like mine or retired families living on fixed incomes to pay more, we should always look for ways to trim excess spending. I will be a careful steward of taxpayer dollars, making sure our city budget prioritizes core services while staying fully transparent so every resident can see where their tax money goes.
Transparency is a key component of my campaign. As your Councilman, I won’t be someone who only shows up to council meetings. I have publicly committed to holding a town hall once a month, every month I am in office, even if no one shows up, because residents deserve transparent and open access to their elected officials. I will provide summaries of the city’s budget in plain language that is easy to digest. I believe the residents of Riverton have every right to hold their representatives accountable. I plan to lead by example with transparency and accountability.
I support law enforcement officials at all levels, whether it is local, state, or federal. My primary goal as your Councilman is to keep Riverton a safe place to raise a family and own a business. Whether it is working with Riverton PD, State Highway Patrol, Federal Drug Enforcement agents, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, my duty as your Councilman is to provide law enforcement with enough support to protect your life and liberties.
Public safety is paramount, and I will always have the backs of our police, firefighters, and first responders. I will ensure that they all have the funding, resources, and training necessary to keep our community safe. Riverton is a beautiful city. As a member of the Parks, Recreation, and Trails Committee, I have worked to expand outdoor recreation opportunities across the city. Riverton families deserve well-maintained green spaces and outdoor amenities that promote a healthy, active lifestyle. I plan to further invest in the beautification of the City by planting more trees on city property and promoting greener public spaces.
Affordability is a crucial aspect of my campaign. I am a 5th-generation resident; I am fortunate to be able to buy my first home less than a quarter mile from where I grew up. I want my children to have the same opportunities to live in this amazing city. Nevertheless, I do not agree that the solution to Utah’s housing crisis is reckless, high-density housing units. I will prioritize policies that protect Riverton’s hometown feel. I promise to work with state and county leaders to preserve local control over housing decisions.
RUSTY LANCE
RustinLance.com
City Journals Editor Note - As of our press date, Rusty Lance had not responded to our staff’s inquiries. The following information can be found on his website:
“This campaign is about more than politics, it’s about getting the community involved with the issues we face, and Rusty is ready to lead that effort.
Rusty believes elected representatives have a duty to keep the public informed and to protect Riverton residents from overreach at the federal, state, and county levels while preserving the values and safety that make our city exceptional.
Utah native Rusty Lance believes honesty, hard work, and personal responsibility are the backbone of a strong community. A lifelong conservative, he didn’t plan to run for office, but with the rise of the so-called “woke mind virus,” he couldn’t stay silent.
Rusty’s ready to push back and protect Riverton. Our town doesn’t need a makeover, it needs a wall! And he’s here to build it.
Rusty Lance’s background in finance and business uniquely equips him to serve on Riverton City Council with the fiscal responsibility and practical leadership our city needs.
His years as a financial advisor have honed his ability to analyze budgets, manage resources wisely, and plan for long-term sustainability, skills critical for protecting taxpayer dollars and cutting government waste.
As a member of the Riverton City Council, Rusty Lance will fight to implement real safeguards for our community. He will push for ordinances that block taxpayer-funded housing for illegal immigrants, demand full transparency from state and federal agencies operating in or near our city, and work to increase local control over zoning and resource allocation.
Rusty will also support our local law enforcement with the tools and backing they need to keep our neighborhoods safe. His priority is clear: protect Riverton families, preserve our values, and make sure our city is never forced to carry the burden of someone else’s failed policies.”
RIVERTON DISTRICT 4
QUESTIONS
Sourced directly from our readers
Do you believe current property tax revenue is being used effectively? How so?
Thinking about fiscal responsibility—what values should your local budget reflect? How do you plan to balance those values?
What systems would you support to hold local officials accountable when transparency standards aren’t met?
What is your stance on local government cooperation with ICE?
How do you plan to keep Riverton safe, beautiful and affordable?
SHANNON
Park4Riverton.org
How will you address public transportation in West Riverton?
Riverton has done a great job of using property tax revenue wisely and being fiscally responsible. I appreciate many of the changes such as eliminating the business license fee to attract more businesses to Riverton. I will always be open to constituent feedback and input about affordability in our city to determine which fees and taxes are necessary for the safety, comfort and prosperity of our community.
When planning a budget we need to consider keeping the neighborhoods safe, have careful and thoughtful growth, while maintaining low taxes and a vibrant community. I will work carefully to develop solutions based on evidence, cooperative engagement and thought-out solutions.
I believe it is incumbent on the city council and the mayor to always be transparent, seek citizen input prior to making decisions and limit the use of closed-door meetings as much as possible. Those standards should always be met.
I have been knocking doors and meeting with residents for several months. My takeaway from the residents of District 4, including several from various police departments, is that we live in a very safe community. Federal law enforcement has their area of responsibilities, as do our local police officers. I support thoughtful cooperation that keeps the needs and safety of all community members in mind.
We live in a beautiful city, a testament to our residents’ respect for their neighbors as well as the work of local officials, past and present, who have worked tirelessly to build Riverton to what it is today. In District 4, we have the Jordan River Parkway, which contributes to Riverton’s uniqueness. On the Council, I will ensure sufficient resources are made available to maintain our parks, the trails and our public spaces. Building a strong and beautiful community requires smart, careful and long-term management to support our economy and protect property values.
On the Council, I will strive to build relationships with neighboring cities and other governments to coordinate efficient public transportation. The Utah Transit Authority works closely with the state, county and cities to plan and operate public transportation. Taxpayers in Riverton that require public transportation deserve adequate services that help them be part of our community without interrupting vehicle and pedestrian infrastructure.
City Journals Editor Note - As of our press date, Darren Park had not responded to our staff’s inquiries. The following information can be found on his website:
“With a strong commitment to family values, common sense, and fiscal responsibility, I am a candidate that has dedicated his life to serving the community. As a firefighter for 35 years serving at the local and national level, my journey has been rooted in a passion for helping others. With a degree in Emergency Services Administration, I understand budgets and how to solve complex problems.”
“I believe in fiscal conservatism, advocating for responsible spending and policies that promote economic growth and development that benefits our city and it’s people for generations to come.”
“Strong families are the bedrock of society. Promoting family-centered policies ensures that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in a supportive hometown environment.”
“ I have been able to bring together broad coalitions at the legislative level to improve our communities statewide. My service on the Riverton Planning Commission has given me a unique insight into how our city is run and prepared me to serve you on the City Council. I strongly believe in the strength of collaboration, transparency and accountability.”
“I have continually championed policies that strengthen our families and community. Through transparent dialogue and honest representation, I aim to restore faith in political representation and address the pressing issues we face. I ask for your support as we work towards a brighter future together.”
“My vision encompasses a thriving community where every voice is heard and valued, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come. This is our Hometown!“
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