BOUNTIFUL — Members of a new Bountiful grass roots citizens’ group have their sights set on capturing the mayor and two city council seats in November.

The Coalition for Ethics & Accountability in Government (CEAG), in a meeting last week, endorsed candidates to fill slots held currently by Mayor Joe Johnson and council members Fred Moss and Tom Tolman.

Jeffrey L. Novak, who formerly chaired the group, has announced his mayoral candidacy while Phill Wright and Eric Hattabaugh have officially said they will vie for the council positions.

“For the first time in Bountiful politics, an inclusive coalition of like-minded associations and individuals have collaborated as a result of shared values, clear objectives and a strategic action plan to support better government in Bountiful,” a press release from the group said.

It said that Novak “received the lion’s share of support and praise from numerous, prominent citizens associated with well-known organizations” including United Women’s Forum, Citizens for Families, United Families, Citizens for Tax Fairness, etc.

Former Bountiful Police Chief Paul Rapp, in endorsing Novak, reportedly said that city elected officials should step down after several years to allow for new leadership with fresh ideas.

“We need a new mayor. We need a new city manager. We need a new majority in the city council,” the press release quoted him as saying.

He added that the “buddy system” and “favoritism” in city government will cease with confidence that Novak, Wright and Hattabaugh “will be governed by what is right,” the release said.

“They will make the changes that need to be made in our community, and I endorse them fully,” Rapp is quoted as saying.

If elected, Novak reportedly said, Bountiful will be the first city in the state with an ethics committee to review conduct of the mayor and council members.

“They will report to the council once a quarter, and if I, as mayor have violated ethics in my actions I want it noted publically. I will not hide behind closed doors,” Novak is quoted as saying.

“More open communications with citizens” would be part of a strategic plan. A public comment time would be made part of city council agendas.

“We need to be more aggressive in taking the message to the people of what your city is doing,” the release quotes Novak as saying.

Wright and Hattabaugh “promised to work with Novak to make Bountiful government and its day-to-day actions more transparent,” the release continued.

“It is no longer business as usual...but business as it should be,” resident Dave Hansen reportedly said.

“Our government is wide open,” responded Mayor Joe Johnson. “Why would we hide anything? We’re open for suggestions.

“In terms of integrity, our council is full of integrity. People like to live in Bountiful. What’s the issue? Is it that something’s wrong, or something you don’t like?

“We’re very proud of Bountiful, people like to live here. Some decisions are not always easy, but a lot of thought and study goes into things. I’m very happy with where we are,” Johnson said.

Johnson plans to seek another term, but the Clipper has been unable to confirm official intentions of Moss or Tolman.

For more information on CEAG candidates, visit the Web at www.utahceag.org or www.novak4mayor.com.

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com