Candidates for Helper mayor and city council assembled on the stage before a sizable crowd at the Rio Theater Monday evening for a “Meet the Candidates night.” The rhetoric was spirited at times, but remained cordial throughout the nearly two-hour discussion of community issues, and visions for revitalizing the city without spoiling the hometown atmosphere.
The candidates included incumbent Mayor Ed Chavez and challenger Lenise Peterman, and council hopefuls Donna Archuleta, Tim Riley, and Malarie Matsuda. It was announced that incumbent council member Gary Harwood, who is running for reelection, was in California fighting wild fires and unable to attend the event.
Michelle Goldsmith, who spearheaded the grassroots event, introduced the candidates and outlined the format. Candidates were allotted time for an opening and closing statement, with questions submitted by the public in between. Michelle Fidel delivered the questions, with Mrs. Mike O’Shea as the timer.
Chavez runs on record
During his opening statement, Mayor Ed Chavez spoke of his roots and family ties in Helper, and touted his career and volunteer history, and his accomplishments as an elected official.
He noted organizing the other city mayors for a unified front with the county commission. He said, “When they wanted to shut down the Bookmobile, we got together and were able to save it for another year.” Chavez said the mayors also got a better fire contract, and got the county to apply for CIB funding for a new fire truck for Helper and for Wellington.
Peterman stresses tourism
Mayoral candidate Lenise Peterman said one of her goals would be to promote Helper as a destination– a historic, recreational, and artistic destination. “Were very unique in the State of Utah and I think we should capitalize on that,” she stated. She said tourist dollars will help make Helper a sustainable community, which she defined as, “a living system where we’re constantly replenishing people, we’re taking care of our natural resources, and we’re economically sound.” Peterman concluded, “I promise I would work tirelessly on your behalf to make our community as great as it can be.”
Archuleta: “Represent all”
City council candidate Donna Archuleta said she didn’t have any agendas or pet projects in mind. “I just want to represent all the people in Helper, not the ones that have the loudest voices already,” she affirmed. “I may not have the solutions or answers to everything, but I’ll figure it out and try to get it done.” She added, “I’m not here to kiss nobody’s a–, I’m just going to do what’s right.”
Council candidate Tim Riley acknowledged he wasn’t born in Helper, “but I got here as quick as I could.” He said he was “blown away” by the area and particularly Helper when he moved here five years ago. Riley praised the diversity of the people, and extolled the scenic, archaeological, and historical attractions of the area. He said when the people pull together like helper engines, “We can move this town in any direction we want to.”
Matsuda: Modernize website, branding
Malarie Matsuda, also a city council candidate, talked about her background as a teacher and her involvement with the Helper Revitalization Steering Committee, where she said, she discovered the process for community building. “One of the things I’d like to do if I get on the council is to update and modernize our website and city branding to not only create more transparency with local government and citizens living here, but also to let people know what we offer,” she stated.
Helper’s hopefuls ‘spirited, but civil’
(Left to right) Ed Chavez, Lenise Peterman, Donna Archuleta, Tim Riley and Malarie Matsuda.