Price City Council Candidates in the Spotlight

The Carbon County Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon gave Price City Council candidates a chance to speak last week. The four candidates, including Layne Miller, Rick Davis, Tanner Richardson and Terry Willis, each presented and answered questions.

Miller, who is a current councilman, was the first to speak. He has been a Carbon County resident for over 40 years and is well known as a tour guide for Carbon County Recreation. Miller is a husband, father and grandfather, and has been a foster parent for over 25 years.

During his time on the Price City Council, Miller has served twice as the International Days Chairman and served on the city’s personnel committee. He also helped launch the Price Renaissance Festival and played a role in the city’s pickleball courts and disc golf course.

Next to the podium was Davis, who also currently serves on the council. He was born in Standardville and has resided in Carbon County for most of his life. Davis is a graduate of Carbon High and the College of Eastern Utah. He served in the United States Air Force and had a career at Utah Power and Light for over 30 years.

Davis explained that while he has served on the council, he has faced every project or idea with three questions: Is it legal? Is it the best thing for Price City? Can the city afford it? He said that answering these three questions have helped guide his work on the council. Looking to the future, Davis stressed the importance of the city’s appearance and improving it.

Richardson was the next candidate to address those in attendance. He graduated Carbon High with the Class of 2015, where he served on the school’s student government. The school organization was instrumental in Carbon Christmas, which helped raise funds for those in need during the holidays. He is now employed with AutoFarm.

Richardson explained that the main issue he would like to address as councilman is the state of the city’s roads. He said that while this issue does not have a quick fix, he would like to help implement a plan to improve the city’s roads. Richardson also spoke about the importance of beautifying the city to attract visitors and new residents.

The final candidate to speak was Terry Willis, who has served on the Price City Council in the past. Willis has been a resident of the community for over 40 years, saying that she came here by chance but stayed by choice. She is a Navy veteran, wife, mother and grandmother.

Willis has served in many roles throughout her life, both through her career and volunteer efforts, that have given her experience in grant writing and being fiscally responsible. If elected, she promised to help maintain the city’s budget and seek additional funding for needed projects and improvements.

After each candidate presented, those in attendance had the chance to ask questions. The first question regarded the changing local economy and asked the candidates to describe what they would do to ensure local employment and a healthy economy.

Miller said part of the answer to that question is to bolster tourism in the area. He explained that tourism can be a piece of the puzzle as visitors stay in local hotels and support local businesses and restaurants.

Willis said that it is important to support home grown businesses so that they can expand. She also said that recruiting small and medium businesses should be a focus to diversify the economy.

Davis said that in order to support the changing economy, municipalities need to work with one another as well as the county to support new businesses. He said Ridge Road is important for potential industry expansion.

Richardson noted the importance of making Price City a destination, not just a pit stop. He said focusing on bringing people to the community to enjoy local amenities, such as the baseball fields for tournaments, can attract funds. He also emphasized supporting local businesses.

Another question from the crowd revolved around beautification and the issues the city and its residents have had with this in the past. Each candidate emphasized the importance of enforcing ordinances and making beautification a priority.

To conclude the luncheon, Price City residents were encouraged to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 21.