HURRICANE — Residents vying for two open seats on the Hurricane City Council included a wide variety, ranging from those with decades of experience in civic service to those making their first foray.
One thing was certain, they all expressed a desire to make the Hurricane Valley a better place to live for future generations in their short speeches on Tuesday night.
More than 100 residents attended the city-sponsored event as employees worked diligently to set up chairs to accommodate the flow. Hurricane City Recorder Cindy Beteag said it was the largest crowd she can remember from previous council candidate previews.
Incumbent Joseph Prete spoke about the recent population boom and subsequent residential growth in the area.
“I think it is very important to have a skill set among our council members to think through the issues on a deep level — to be appropriate and analytical,” Prete told the crowd. “Not to get caught up in a presentation when you see it from all angles.”
Drew Ellerman works as the Community Development director for the City of Washington, his employer for the last 16 years. Prior to moving to Hurricane in 2004, he spent 12 years with the town of Snowflake, Arizona, as a town planner and town building official.
“I’ve seen the tragedies of bad projects and what it can do to a city,” Ellerman said. “That’s partly why I think I am running, is because I have seen what is happening and what is coming our way.”
Resident Lucille L. Douroux said she moved to the valley 14 years ago and brings more than 35 years’ worth of corporate business management in the travel industry to the table.
“I have seen this place grow and it motivated me to get off my retirement couch and have a voice, be a voice for the people,” Douroux said. “I say I am a diamond in the rough.”
Teri Humphries, by far the youngest of the nine candidates, said she has several years of experience managing big box stores. Growing up in Monroe, she stated that she will always be a small-town girl.
“We grew up on a farm, we didn’t have a lot of money, but our parents taught us how to work — and work hard,” Humphries said. “I am very passionate about that, they taught us self-reliance.”
Stephen Lemmon said if elected he would work to bring more public attention to large-scale city plans before they develop.
“As I have been going to some of the meetings, and I see the people come in, either they are not paying attention to things until the last minute — as citizens,” Lemmon said. “Or, it’s not being communicated.”
Amy C. Werrett and her family have lived in Hurricane for 18 years. She told the crowd that she fell in love with politics as a former student reporter at the University of Utah.
“I love Hurricane. I want to make it an even more vibrant and inviting place to live and work,” Werrett said. “I just felt like now was the time for me to jump into the race.”
Clark Fawcett, previously a city manager, said his career experience balancing budgets and engaging civic leaders gives him an edge over his competitors.
“During my 37 and a half years as the city manager of Hurricane, I was able to bring us into a great financial situation and they continue to have great reserves,” Fawcett said. “I feel like I can still bring that to the city.”
Travis Christiansen started his speech, in his old second-grade classroom, with support for all the candidates from the former Hurricane Tigers offensive lineman.
“I appreciate the men and women that are throwing their hat in and having the guts to say, hey, I’ll do a job that’s practically thankless and hard,” Christiansen said. “And when you walk out at the end of the day, you probably made at least one person really mad at you.”
Incumbent Councilman David Sanders wrapped up the speech portion of the evening with remarks about the incurred responsibilities of managing residential growth.
“We need to make sure that our health, safety and welfare is covered,” Sanders said. “The first time I ever heard of a shooting was last week in town. That’s one of the byproducts of growth, hate to say it. We need to make sure we’re covered.”
For a complete list of candidates running for Hurricane City Council, their biographies and their contact information, visit the Hurricane City government website.
The 2023 primary election for Hurricane City will be primarily vote-by-mail, according to their website. A polling location at the Hurricane Community Center will be in place for early voting and on Election Day, Sept. 5, between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Hurricane City ballots will be mailed out no sooner than Tuesday, Aug. 15 and no later than Tuesday, Aug. 22. Ballots must be mailed and clearly postmarked before Election Day or placed in one of the ballot box locations by 8 p.m. on Sept. 5, 2023.
Ballot drop box locations:
Hurricane City Office — 147 N. 870 West, Hurricane, Utah. Ballot box is located inside the Utility office and is available during regular business hours only.
Hurricane Library – 36 S. 300 West — Ballot box is located outside the building and is available up until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Early Voting:
Hurricane Community Center, 63 S. 100 West, Hurricane, Utah – (*Due to Peach Days, please note the changes in times and dates)
- *Tuesday, August 22 – Noon to 4 p.m.
- *Wednesday, August 23 – Noon to 4 p.m.
- *Thursday, August 24 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- *Friday, August 25 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dixie Convention Center, 1835 Convention Center Drive, St. George, Utah
- Tuesday, August 29 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 30 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Thursday, August 31 – Noon to 4 p.m.
- Friday, September 1 – Noon to 4 p.m.
Photo Gallery
Travis Christiansen speaks to residents at a Hurricane City Council candidate meet-and-greet for the upcoming primary elections in Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 8, 2023 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News Lucille Douroux speaks to residents at a Hurricane City Council candidate meet-and-greet for the upcoming primary elections in Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 8, 2023 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News Drew Ellerman speaks to residents at a Hurricane City Council candidate meet-and-greet for the upcoming primary elections in Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 8, 2023 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News Clark Fawcett speaks to residents at a Hurricane City Council candidate meet-and-greet for the upcoming primary elections in Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 8, 2023 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News Hurricane Valley residents at the Hurricane City Council candidate meet-and-greet for the upcoming primary elections in Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 8, 2023 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News Teri Humphries speaks to residents at a Hurricane City Council candidate meet-and-greet for the upcoming primary elections in Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 8, 2023 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News Stephen Lemmon speaks to residents at a Hurricane City Council candidate meet-and-greet for the upcoming primary elections in Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 8, 2023 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News City council incumbent Joseph Prete speaks to residents at a Hurricane City Council candidate meet-and-greet for the upcoming primary elections in Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 8, 2023 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News City council incumbent David Sanders speaks to residents at a Hurricane City Council candidate meet-and-greet for the upcoming primary elections in Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 8, 2023 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News Amy Werrett speaks to residents at a Hurricane City Council candidate meet-and-greet for the upcoming primary elections in Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 8, 2023 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News
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