This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sherman Clow is no fan of Salt Lake City's blue, automated curbside parking meters. They're bad for business, he says.
The Avenues resident is challenging District 3 City Councilman Stan Penfold, who is seeking a second term. Penfold also is chairman of the city's Redevelopment Agency.
At the very least, Clow would not charge for curbside parking after 6 p.m. because it hurts restaurants.
By contrast, Penfold said charging until 8 p.m. has done what restaurants and businesses wanted — it causes turnover that frees up spaces for more diners and shoppers.
Clow said he would emphasize public involvement in council decision-making.
"There is a traditional way of doing things that creates a political elite. But now we have a better way of doing that," he said. "I want to use our online resources to let people have a voice in government."
Penfold, too, said he would like to see more public involvement in city government. But his strategy would be for the council and mayor to improve their outreach — particularly in "the early phases of decision-making."
Both men want the Utah Transit Authority to improve bus service to neighborhoods. And both said they would support a sales-tax increase for UTA to make it happen.
Penfold backed an alignment of 1100 East for the extension of the Sugar House Streetcar, contending "it makes sense."
But Clow isn't so sure. Unless a solid majority of area residents favors the alignment, he would give it a thumbs down. "In reality, it screws up the neighborhood," Clow said. "And I don't think it will bring the predicted ridership."
The candidates also differ on the planned Utah Performing Arts Center (UPAC), which will be built on Main Street's east side between 100 South and 200 South.
But Clow said the $116 million price tag was too much. And the mega-theater could hurt other existing venues, he added, including the Capitol Theatre and Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Kingsbury Hall and Pioneer Memorial Theatre.
"I'd really like to see that money go to our existing parks," Clow said. "We have to look at what we have and make sure it's in good shape before we go build more."
Penfold acknowledged Salt Lake City parks need investment, saying he would make that a priority if re-elected. But unlike Clow, Penfold did not support the City Council's recent 13.8 percent property tax hike. He preferred the approach pushed by Mayor Ralph Becker — to wait a year to seek public input and pursue new funding sources.
Clow said he would have voted for the tax hike but criticized the city for raising other fees, such as one for lighting. "They've been nickel-and-diming us [with fee increases]. And they should be more honest and up front about it."
Stan Penfold
• Age - 56
• Residency - 20 years in Salt Lake City
• Occupation - Director of the Utah Aids Foundation
• Education - Associate degree in landscaping and horticulture, Ricks College, Idaho
Sherman Clow
• Age - 67
• Residency - 48 years in Salt Lake City
• Occupation - retired telecommunications analyst
• Education - MBA from Westminster College