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Incumbent Park City Councilors undecided about campaign

Jay Hamburger THE PARK RECORD

Two Park City Council incumbents whose seats are on the ballot in 2015 said this week they have not decided whether they will seek re-election.

Liza Simpson and Andy Beerman remain undecided just more than a week before the opening of the window when candidates must file campaign paperwork at City Hall. Simpson is in her second term while Beerman is a first-term City Councilor.

The Park Record was unable to contact the other City Councilor whose seat is on the ballot, Dick Peek. He is serving his first full term on the City Council.

In an interview, Simpson said she is waiting to decide. She said she wants to learn how many other candidates she sees as qualified mount campaigns. She also said she wants to discuss another campaign with her husband.

"I’m waiting to weigh everything," Simpson said.

Simpson, who is 53 years old and lives in Old Town, said she envisions this year’s City Hall campaign will stress issues like growth and transportation.

Simpson said she has spoken to approximately six people about City Hall service, such as campaigning for City Council or becoming a member of a municipal panel. She did not identify them, but Simpson said a few indicated they were considering a City Council campaign.

Beerman, meanwhile, said he is leaning toward a re-election bid. He said he likely will not finalize the decision until the filing window. Beerman, who is 45 years old and lives in Old Town, said he anticipates the election will focus on issues like the preservation of Park City and growth.

He said factors like the impact on his business as well as his family will be considered as he decides whether to seek re-election.

The election season started this week with an announcement by Old Town resident Becca Gerber that she would challenge for a spot on the City Council. She is the only declared candidate.

Candidates cannot formalize a campaign until the filing window, which runs from June 1 until June 8. Someone wanting to campaign for the City Council must be a Park City resident for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the election and at least 18 years old by the time of the election. They also must be a U.S. citizen and a registered voter in Park City.

If more than six people file campaign paperwork, a primary election would be held in August to reduce the field to six for Election Day in November.

There has been little chatter about this year’s campaign as the filing window approaches. Gerber’s intentions were not widely known until her announcement. City Council candidates in the past sometimes have made their intentions public weeks before the opening of the filing window.

Marci Heil, the election official at City Hall, said there has been a "fairly steady amount of interest" from people with questions about the election. She said people have asked her about candidate requirements and the filing window.

For more information, contact Heil at 615-5007 or marci.heil@parkcity.org.

Park City


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