Candidates for city council and Cedar City mayor debated last week on Southern Utah University’s campus. The city council candidates engaged in a civil debate followed by the mayoral debate.
Four residents are running for city council, including incumbents Ron Riddle and R. Scott Phillips, with challengers Kathy Long and Waldo Galán.
Riddle is a cabinetmaker who has lived in Cedar City for 61 years. Riddle has been a city councilman for the past four years. During the debate, he commended his challengers for their civility whilst campaigning.
“I think that shows what kind of people we have running,” he said. “I would appreciate your vote, but I think that I’m grateful for the way in which all of us have treated each other.”
Phillips spent 40 years working with the Utah Shakespeare Festival and has served as a city council member for eight years. He prides himself on his respect for every resident of Cedar City.
“At the end of the day, I have to represent all of the citizens of Cedar City and make decisions that I think are the best for the community, not necessarily best for the loudest voice,” he said.
Long has been a resident of Cedar City since she started attending Southern Utah University in 1983. She attended the conference via Zoom due to a stroke she suffered recently. During her closing remarks, Long said she is still capable of being mayor.
“I survived a stroke and I’m still here. I still have cognitive abilities, and I think that’s important, and I think that it shows my perseverance.”
Galán is a former automotive executive and consultant who’s resided in Cedar City for 13 years. He spoke on his automotive experience and ability to maximize opportunities for the company he represented.
“Cedar City is no different,” he said. “I will be proactive in making sure we overcome all of these challenges before they present themselves, by being thoughtful, strategic and purposeful in every aspect of developing my office here.”
Current Cedar City Mayor Garth O. Green chose not to seek reelection, with newcomers Phil Schmidt and Steve Nelson competing for his position.
Steve Nelson is a real estate broker who seeks to be approachable if he were to be elected.
“I believe that’s one of my personal strengths… I am very open,” he said. “I love different perspectives, different ways to look at things. I feel like we get better decisions when all ideas are truly heard and vetted.”
Phil Schmidt is a longtime resident of Cedar City and owner of a construction company involved directly with the city. When asked about underrepresented portions of the community when it comes to decision making, Schmidt referred to his campaign slogan “TEAM” which stands for “together everyone achieves more.”
Author: James Ruble
Photo courtesy of Jeff Richards, St George News
Editor: Hannah Clove
