I realize that Salt Lake City is our capital city and we should pay attention to the mayoral race since it does affect the entire state. However, I have no opinion on Rocky Anderson's re-election in Salt Lake City because residents of Davis County cannot vote for the next mayor of our capital city. I do have some interest because I know some of the candidates, but I believe we have more important issues to deal with in Davis County.
As our county explodes with the development boom, we have to realize the facts of long-term growth. And in the next 10 years, we will be dealing with issues that will affect every county resident. Those issues will include, but not limited to: public safety and pollution (air and water).
Public safety is an issue that for many is taken for granted. As our towns and cities grow in Davis County, so is the need for police and firefighters. Presently, police and firefighters are extremely underpaid. These men and women risk their lives on a daily basis and do not receive the compensation they truly deserve. Many firefighters have to supplement their income with second jobs in order to make ends meet. Furthermore, most police officers cannot live in the cities they protect because salaries have not kept up with the rise in housing costs.
Pollution is a reality Davis County. Some try to treat pollution as a political issue, but let's face it, dirty air and water affects everyone. In Utah, and Davis County, the amount of pollutants in the air has increased in the past few years. As a result, a group of Salt Lake doctors are hoping to inform most Utahns about the health-related costs of Utah's air pollution.
As residents, we too can be active in protecting the local environment. And one such action we can contribute in is recycling.
Currently, there are no cities in South Davis County that participate in curb-side recycling. I am sure the reasons and excuses our local governments have been explained in the past, but a growing number of the general public are expressing an interest in curb-side recycling. Everyone is aware of the costs involved. Yet, most residents are very informed of the benefits in recycling. For those residents who live in Bountiful, there is a group of citizens that will meet this week as they organize a plan to have curb-side recycling in the city. If you are interested in having curb-side recycling in Bountiful City (and you do not have to be a Democrat to attend), please attend the group's first meeting this Thursday, June 28, at 7 p.m. For directions and more information, please call Dr. Ray Ward at 294-6854.
There are plenty of other issues to deal with in Davis, but these two issues are some of the many issues facing our county today.
Good luck to the mayoral candidates of Salt Lake City.
By Todd Weiler, Utah
Republican Vice Chair
In 1796, George Washington announced that he would not seek a third term. His decision set a precedent for future chief executives to quit after two terms. Presidents Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson, Grant, Cleveland, Teddie Roosevelt, and Wilson all declined third terms. Then came FDR.
During the campaign at the end of FDR's second term, Republican Wendell Willkie argued against a third term. The slogans "No Third Term" and "Two Times Is enough For Any Man" were common that year.
In the end, FDR won by five million votes. The 22nd amendment to the U.S. Constitution, limiting our nation's chief executive to two terms, was ratified in 1951--six years after FDR's death.
FDR convinced the nation that he needed to stay in office due to World War II. Rocky is trying to lobby support for a third term due to the sky bridge. It's hardly a worthy comparison.
FDR was smart enough to not close the door to a third term and let the people call for it. Rocky is trying the same approach, but no one is biting. In one breath, Rocky insists his decision on a third term will be driven by his passion for the city, and not by politics. In the next, however, he admits that staying in office would "offer a lot of opportunities."
Rocky was recently quoted as saying: "Being mayor has allowed [me] to leverage what we have here into national and even international leadership. That's one of the factors that makes me somewhat reluctant to move out of the mayor's office."
Rocky's ultimate motivation is to remain relevant. He is smart enough to know that the opinion of a "former" mayor is of little interest.
Even if a democrat moves into the White House, Rocky knows that he is viewed as such a wing nut that he has no chance of being appointed to something significant. After all, he admitted in the Hannity debate that he voted for Ralph Nader over John Kerry in 2004. No prominent democrat is going to touch this guy with a 10-foot pole.
Rocky is realizing that he has no where else to go. The last time he ran for Congress -- he actually lost to Merrill Cook! Rocky can survive in the liberal bastion of downtown Salt Lake, but he is way too "out there" to carry his whole congressional district.
I believe that two terms are enough for any chief executive--regardless of party affiliation. I was disappointed that Gov. Leavitt sought a third term, and will likewise be disappointed if Rocky does as well. I believe the community is best served when city hall has a revolving door. If you can't get it done in eight years, then maybe you just can't get it done at all.
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