Residents of Oakley say their town has a small-town feel that they want to work hard to preserve. With a population of 1,470, according to the 2010 U.S. Census, Oakley has grown by about 522 people since 2000. Residents want the city council candidates to keep the values of the town intact while managing growth, improving infrastructure and attracting new businesses.

Oakley has six candidates for the three city council seats that are up for election. Originally, there were seven candidates which would have necessitated a primary but one candidate, Pete Dickinson, dropped out of the race.

Candidates for Oakley City Council are:

E. Michael Lee

An Oakley resident of 23 years, Lee works as a staff development director at the University of Utah Hospital.

Lee wants to help preserve the home-town values of Oakley while making sure the town does not become overdeveloped.

“I want to be active in my community and help dictate what goes on,” said Lee. “I can bring a fresh perspective to the council and the issues that are presented.”

Terry Morrison

As a small-business owner and Oakley resident of 25 years, Morrison wants to broaden the business structure of the town and get tourists to stop in Oakley instead of just passing through.

“I want to see change and give residents of Oakley more of a voice,” said Morrison. “The council needs to be more responsive and involve everyone in the planning process.”

Morrison wants the city to work on advancing its infrastructure and improve the rodeo arena, which Morrison said is a big part of the town and could be used to attract more visitors.

Ron Bowen

Bowen is currently serving his second term as a city council member and wants to continue serving to keep things going the way they are.

“We have a nice town with nice family values; I want to keep it that way,” said Bowen. “I don’t want it to become too commercialized or big.”

Bowen has lived in Oakley for 28 years and works for the city maintaining the park and recreation facilities. He wants to make sure the Oakley Rodeo remains a go-to event in the summer and the town continues to hold family-fun events.

Eric Rose

Rose has lived in Oakley for 10 years and works as a project manager. He is currently serving his first term on the Oakley City Council and wants to continue serving because he feels he now fully understands all the issues presented before the council.

“I grew up in a small town and like the small-town feel,” said Rose. “I want to help Oakley continue to be that way.”

Bob Elbert

Elbert works for a freight company and has lived in Oakley for 15 years. He has previously served on the city council and wants to serve again to help everyone in the town be heard.

“The dynamics of the community change and the council needs to give the people a voice,” said Elbert.

Elbert said his previous experience on the council has helped him understand how a city works and pinpoint the priority issues the council needs to address.

Les England

England has lived in Oakley for 15 years and works as an attorney. He said he decided to run when other residents in town asked him to.

“I am objective and have insight into the issues brought before the council,” said England. “I don’t know of any issues confronting Oakley right now but I hope to be there and address them as they come. You never know what’s going to come up, if it’s a new pasture or a new subdivision.”

The general election will be held on Nov. 8.