Davis County's next commissioner, J. Dell Holbrook

Road back to office?
Dem eyes Davis County Commission seat
By Cathy McKitrick
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated:

n.
fluke
(flook) [Informal] a result, esp. a successful one, brought about by accident; stroke of luck
- Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition

Some called it a fluke when Democrat J. Dell Holbrook got elected to the Davis County Commission in 1990.

After all, Republicans had enjoyed total dominance in the largely white, largely Mormon county for three decades.

The small Democratic gain marked by Holbrook's election 18 years ago has not been duplicated since.

But this year the 62-year-old Holbrook is back, ready to test his chances to win another term on the three-person commission.

"Once you have insanity, it can recur," quips Holbrook about his reasons for a repeat run.

Holbrook faces a formidable Republican opponent in West Point Mayor John Petroff.

Petroff, in his second term leading his fast-growing westside city, has well-established relationships and support within the Davis GOP, an organization secure in the fact that it wins elections.

"Government should not hinder our success as businessmen. It should help us," Petroff says, summarizing his philosophy of efficient, nonintrusive government.

Holbrook describes himself as a Cal Rampton Democrat, referring to the late three-term governor who was born and reared in Davis County. He acknowledges his strong Republican and Mormon roots, underpinnings he shares with most Davis County voters.

So why the blue streak when he could easily go red?

"A one-party system doesn't serve us well," Holbrook says. "When one faction gets too powerful, it becomes abusive. We need checks and balances."

While Petroff touts the state's stable economy as a tribute to Republican ideals, Holbrook points to Davis County's double-digit property tax increases that occurred under Republican reign.
"Taxes have doubled since I served on the commission," Holbrook says. "The only thing comparable is the rise in elected officials' wages."

Holbrook recalls making about $45,000 a year during his single term. Now Davis commissioners receive an annual salary of $108,000.

During his short stint at the helm, Holbrook scrambled to get the causeway to Antelope Island rebuilt.

"It had washed out and UDOT estimated it would cost $40 million to rebuild," Holbrook says, noting he had witnessed large numbers of international tourists who had hoped to reach the island.

With the help of former Davis Public Works Director Sid Smith and then-Gov. Norm Bangerter, Holbrook put together a successful $16 million renovation, and a modest toll helped fund the road's upkeep.

Holbrook ran unsuccessfully to regain the seat in 1994 and 1998.

"Some might say I'm gutsy to run again, others might say I'm mentally defective."

To Rob Miller, vice chairman of the State Democratic Party, the choice is clear.

"They need him so badly," Miller says. "J. Dell is a true administrator, someone who can go in and cut the fat."

Right now the commission seat belongs to Alan Hansen, who retires at the end of the year.

"I'm 100 percent behind Petroff," Hansen says. "I think he's the best man for the job."

Hansen acknowledges that his mother and grandfather were Democrats.

"I know good people on both sides," he says. "But it's hard to say if a Democrat can get elected in Davis. The statistics bear it out that it probably won't happen."
cmckitrick@sltrib.com