Candidates for Eagle Mountain mayor and city council had the opportunity to explain their positions at a Meet the Candidates night on Wednesday. They answered questions about economic development, transportation and other issues in Eagle Mountain.

This year the mayoral position is open along with two seats on the city council. Mayor Heather Jackson is running for a second term, which would be her first four-year term, against Regan Bolli.

Jackson said it was important to keep stability in mind during this election. She said the current City Council members are working well together and the city has won two budget awards in two years. Jackson has lived in Eagle Mountain for 11 years.

"I have delivered on all that I promised in the last campaign. Finally Eagle Mountain is getting some positive press," she added.

Jackson said there is a working economic development plan in place. "We need to talk about our strengths to attract business," she said, listing the city's strengths as quality of life, workforce and large tracts of available land. She added that the city needs to attract large businesses that employ lots of people such as high tech. "The mayor and council have an open door policy," she said.

Jackson supports local businesses by using local hairdressers and daycare providers. "We have 260 business licenses here, including 14 commercial licenses."

Jackson said she helped acquire $3.5 million to take Pony Express Parkway to Redwood Road. She also helped to get two lanes going east and has driven a UDOT representative to locations to show him roads that can be improved and widened.

Mayoral candidate Regan Bolli said he moved to Eagle Mountain two years ago. He said he had a desire to get involved from his second day. He was appointed to the economic development committee by Jackson and has served as vice-chair since then. He is now on the board of the Lehi Area Chamber of Commerce. Bolli has a degree in American studies.

Bolli said Eagle Mountain has a lack of commercial development. The city needs to attract amenities such as grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants, he said. "We also need large corporations. They have looked and liked us. We need to show them professionalism in this city."

Bolli said the city needs a community transport plan where the concerns of the community are considered. He said Pioneer Crossing and Mountain View Corridor are good but they do not connect with Eagle Mountain.

Three candidates are competing for two open City Council seats, including two incumbents, David Lifferth and Nathan Ochsenhirt. John Painter is the third candidate.

Lifferth is running for his second term. "Four years ago I ran for office. I had the most votes in the history of the city. People knew me. I study everything. I knew the math. It takes a lot of midnight oil to do this job," he said.

Lifferth said he responds to a dozen residents every week from his Web site, www.davidlifferth.com.

"I ran a survey on my Web site and 98 percent of people who responded said they think Eagle Mountain is a better place now than it was four to five years ago." Lifferth said he is always looking out for what's best in Eagle Mountain because he has children and grandchildren growing up there.

Nathan Ochsenhirt also is running for a second term. He said he has earned the trust of everybody he has ever had an association with. He has lived in Eagle Mountain for six years and has shown his leadership. He has owned a company for 15 years and has four children. "I have seen improved open space, infrastructure and economic development. We have added miles of trails and have completed many of the wonderful projects that have been started in this city."

City Council candidate John Painter has lived in Eagle Mountain for three years. He said he has demonstrated commitment professionally and with his family. He has a master's degree in physics. Painter wants to run Eagle Mountain like a successful company. He would like to attract business that is not contingent on transportation and wants an intelligent plan for the city. "There are still deficiencies, but there are lots of opportunities," he said.

Painter said he moved to Eagle Mountain because it was affordable. "I liked the idea and philosophy of a master-planned community," he said.