Political novice to join West Valley City Council
Nov 29, 2021 02:50PM ● By Darrell Kirby
Political newcomer Scott Harmon captured 59% of the 3,464 ballots cast to win the District 2 seat on the city council. (Photo courtesy of Scott Harmon)
By Darrell Kirby | [email protected]
A new face will join the West Valley City Council on Jan. 4, 2022.
Political newcomer Scott Harmon captured 59% of the 3,464 ballots cast to win the District 2 seat on the city council. He defeated another first-time candidate, Chris Bell.
Harmon will succeed three-term councilman Steve Buhler, who lost in his bid for mayor.
“I just want to be able to share my neighborhood’s and my district’s voice on the council,” he said. “I’ve got values that I care about as far as supporting our police and fire and also being fiscally conservative when we get beyond those items in our budget.”
Harmon added that while campaigning, residents expressed a desire for more diligent follow-up and enforcement of city codes and ordinances.
It’s the first time Harmon, 47, a nearly lifelong resident of West Valley City, has run for government office. “I’ve been interested in it and wanted to be civically minded. I thought if I’m going to be that interested in what the city is doing, I ought to just throw my hat in the ring.”
Harmon is an asset manager with Utah Housing Corp. and also works as a real estate broker.
District 2 covers the south-central part of West Valley City.
In southwestern West Valley’s District 4, incumbent Jake Fitisemanu Jr. won a second term by outpacing challenger Darrell Curtis with 53.45% of the vote.
“I’m just grateful that my community trusts me enough to go for a second term and continue the great work that we’ve been doing the last four years,” Fitisemanu said. He is a program manager with the Utah Department of Health.
Fitisemanu said a recurring message from his constituents is that they want to be heard. “There is a perception that there is a disconnect between neighborhoods and city hall.
“Having someone who is approachable and responsive as their representative is what I feel is my job,” he added.
In the race for one of the two at-large city council districts, 59% of voters selected Lars Nordfelt for a third term. He easily defeated Jim Vesock and write-in candidate Lindie Sue Beaudoin.
“I will continue to push for improvements in parks, police, economic development, preserving open space, and protecting the rights of individuals,” said Nordfelt, a math teacher whose late father was mayor from 2002 to 2010. “Sustainability has always been a major focus for me and is only becoming more important as time goes on."
