Steve Curtis, Mayor of Layton, a city about 25 miles outside of Salt Lake City, Utah is seeing prosperity coming its way even as everyone else in America is weary of losing jobs and homes during this recession. According to Mayor Curtis, "this old farming town is slowly but surely transforming and growing industrially as companies keep ramming at their door wanting to develop the land and build industries, which in turn will bring businesses and create jobs." One of the major projects, The Layton Interchange, is scheduled to start construction this summer with expected completion around Fall 2011, is a much needed road upgrade due to rapid population growth for the city. The project is among the many other projects scheduled for Layton city, including the East Gate Development.

Mayor Curtis, a resident of Layton City for 29 years, served on the City Council for 10 years prior to his being elected as Mayor in 2005. Although he was born in Salt Lake City and raised primarily in Ogden, the Mayor is always ready to gush about his beloved Layton City. According to him the city is debt free, something he and his team of hard working men and women of the council and staff have worked hard to achieve.

Layton is also a racially diverse city, said Mayor Curtis. The city's first minority Council member was both a woman and black, and is now one of the community's oldest members. "We have come a long way since Dr. Martin Luther King's, 'I have a dream' speech so many years ago," said Mayor Curtis, "especially as a country in respecting others's civil rights." Furthermore, Mayor Curtis remarked that President Barack Obama is a great example that it is possible for people of color to achieve greatness and has opened doors for change. He stated that those doors will continue to stay open, inclusive of women. The mayor was also proud of how he raised his four children by teaching them to adhere to the motto that "to be the best that you can be, you must dream of being more." Mayor Curtis also believes that this generation continues to push for an affirmative change in the country.

One of the Mayor's sons served in Iraq, and during his military duties, he saw a part of the world that is very unpleasant. Mayor Curtis said: "What we have in America is unique, where we can go through what we have had in the country, and we value our liberty." He also stated that as a conservative he would have done things differently than President Obama; however, "what is important is results, and we are seeing results from the President."

Mayor Curtis sees the Hill Air Force Base that borders his city as a symbol of liberty he said, something his son helped fight for in Iraq. These are liberties that make the United States of America great, and "people's rights should be respected." Those rights according, to the mayor, also need to be extended even when people disagree with others,.

Overrall the mayor is sad to see local farms go away, he said, as the younger generation choses not to continue the legacy of farming. "I love local produce, and personally enjoy going out there and bringing home the fresh produce and I encourage everyone to try it," he said.

Layton was rated one of the best places to live in the country, said Mayor Curtis, and he is proud of the fact that the city has a budget and grants that help take care of those in need, including the Road Home, battered women's shelter Safe Harbor, and the Community Connection, The Red Cross, including the victim's advocate on payroll, and even the ability to welcome and help refugees. Many residents have adopted refugees and helped to integrate them into the community.

"Everyone is welcome and respected in Layton city," said Mayor Curtis. "The future is very bright for the City of Layton. I am very prejudiced in the way I see Layton. That loud noise of fighter planes roaring through the sky, is the sweet sound of freedom."

The Northern Utah Reporters is proud to make Layton City the site of our first major publication, and looks forward to a long and prosperous relationship.