In the Zion National Park gateway community of Springdale, the coming town council election has a dearth of candidates. Only three candidates are running for two Springdale Town Council seats.
Springdale has been rocked recently by losing a five year struggle to keep Springdale’s “village atmosphere” from being altered by formula restaurants such as the Subway chain. Springdale’s insurance paid $787,000 to Izzy Poco to settle the case, and Springdale was forced to change the town ordinance which previously banned formula restaurants. The July Town Council meeting was packed with Springdale residents demanding to know what happened and why, and Springdale Mayor Stan Smith sent out a letter with his explanation.
Besides dealing with the still smoldering embers of the Izzy Poco case, the Springdale Town Council has a lot of work ahead of them. Another big hotel is scheduled for construction next year, a makeover of Main Street in its entirety to install new street lights is being planned, several new restaurants will open next year, and visitation to Zion National Park is exceeding all records.
In spite of all this, only three candidates are running for two town council seats in the coming election. Lisa Zumpft is the only candidate who isn’t an incumbent. Zumpft has been very active in Springdale for the past ten years. In addition to other activities, Zumpft is one of the founders and current chair of the board of directors for Zion Harvest, which sponsors both the Springdale Community Garden and the Springdale Farmers Market. The other two candidates are current members of the Springdale Town Council. Mark Chambers is a co-owner of the Under the Eaves Bed and Breakfast in the center of town and came within six votes of being mayor in the previous election cycle. Mike Alltucker was appointed to fill a vacated seat and is the President of the Anasazi Homeowners Association, the largest single residential development in Springdale.
Darci Carlson, the Springdale Town Clerk, said that there is still a chance for new candidates to enter the race as a write-in candidate, an opportunity which won Mayor Smith a Town Council seat in 2007. However, applications have to be filed at the Town Clerk’s office with a Declaration of Candidacy before 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4. Utah law requires a “Declaration of Write-In Candidacy” no later than 60 days before the regular general election. Springdale town offices normally close at 3 p.m., but Carlson said she would make herself available until 5 p.m. if anyone is interested. You can contact the Springdale town office at (435) 772-3434. More information is available at vote.utah.gov.
According to Carlson, the qualifications that a candidate must have are as follows:
1) Be a United States citizen at the time of filing.
2) Be a resident of the Town of Springdale for a period of at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the date of the election.
3) Be a registered voter of the Town of Springdale.
4) Any person convicted of a felony, or any person convicted of treason or a crime against the elective franchise may not hold office in this state until the right to vote or hold elective office is restored as provided by statute.
