One Utah

I highlighted two races yesterday. Here’s a couple more I think we should watch.
The first - and a slightly unusual one - is House 24 - formerly Ralph Becker’s seat. Rebecca Chavez-Houck took Ralph’ spot back in January and is running for re-election this fall. She’s discovering a strange dynamic - that […]

Yet another article in the Trib about problems with Planning:
At a meeting Wednesday, past community council Chairman Michael Hughes presented the board’s concerns to a group of about 50 Avenues residents. He complained of preferential treatment for builders, a tendency to push projects through without public notice and slow and incomplete responses to public records […]

Robert Reich writes:
Are we approaching another turning point, like 1968, but one that reverses the great pendulum of American politics and moves the nation back to the left? The George W. Bush presidency has been such an abject failure — only 26 percent of Americans approve of the job he has done — that America […]

Rebecca Walsh is rapidly becoming my favorite local newsperson.  Her article in today’s Trib is yet another perfect example of her ability to accurately record the seriously messed up politics of Utah.
Walsh writes:
As is so often the case, Salt Lake City is acting out, testing the bounds of this big conservative family we like to […]

At least, we do until the state legislature gets involved . . . .
Mayor Ralph Becker and his staff totally rock. This should have happened years ago.
It passed unanimously. We had three members of the City Council who struggled to reach their decision (Jergensen and Christensen and Martin). In the end, they […]

Ralph Becker, as promised, proposed a Domestic Partner registry for Salt Lake City.  As far as I know, City Council hasn’t voted on it yet but I suspect it will pass. 
The DP registry is will allow health care, visitation rights, and some other rights of couples.
 Way to go Ralph!

With all due respect to Steve at UA, it is the very real possibility that Ralph Becker’s low key style, his ability to create consensus and to convince people of his positions that scares the bloody bejesus out of Rocky hating conservatives.  Rocky was easy - he was a controversial lightning rod person who was […]

One more reason to really like Ralph Becker:
From the beginning, I have been energized by volunteers who
- walked to doors, listened and talked with City residents,
- planted (and replanted) lawn signs,
- gave financially,
- hosted and attended cottage meetings,
- stuffed and folded mailings, prepared and delivered literature,
- advised me on everything from my wardrobe to my […]

This is democracy. Heck- it’s bigger than democracy. It’s life itself and just as important today as the beginning of time (whether 7,000 or untold millions of years ago). It’s called community. And that’s what the Clean Air Summit held Thursday at the Salt Lake City County building was about: saving our community. People representing […]

Short answer:  No.
Longer answer:  No, but . . .

Again, appealing alliteration amuses authors. (And bloggers!)
Great party at Squatters! Great speech by Ralph.
Salt Lake City’s New Mayor.
Just say is “Mayor Ralph Becker.”
Sounds good.
Rolls off the tongue.

It’s after 8 o’clock. We finished the three precincts - checking voters we had a list of 108 voters to check on and at the end of the day all but 20 had made it to the polls. I’m told that this is about normal for the turnouts today. The precincts R […]

Okay today has been far busier than the primary. I’m taking a brief break this afternoon to get my head together before heading out for a final poll check and final round of door knocking.
Today I’m working three precincts on the southeast end of the city - one east of Foothill and south of […]

With one day left until election day, and the polls looking good and the overwhelming majority of voters already decided, should I worry?
The only poll the really counts is Tuesday’s. I’ve been walking for Ralph Becker for months. I can’t count how many times I’ve gone out, knocked on doors, talked to people. […]

Yes, it BECKER HONK AND WAVE TIME again.  This morning 15 peope gathered on the corner of 7th East and 13th South to remind voters it’s time to vote.  Look for Honkers and Wavers at various locations around the city during your commute for the next couple days.

From Ralph’s Site:
7. We will continue to embrace the diverse communities of Salt Lake City, and our government policies will serve as a model for justice and equality for all residents.
Both Scott McCoy and Paula Julander were walking for Ralph last night. 
The experience last night was a good one - walking a neighborhood east of […]

Apparently alliteration amuses me.
So, via ralphecker.com, I see that Becker supporters raised over $50,000 in seven hours!  That’s amazing to me.  The money quote:
Former State Senator Karen Hale, who participated in the event, said, “I think this shows how passionate Ralph’s supporters are. You can’t manufacture that kind of enthusiasm for a candidate. Because Ralph is […]

It has been interesting to watch both candidates for Mayor of Salt Lake City working so hard to get the LGBT vote. One of the candidates, Ralph Becker, has a voting record that matches his campaign rhetoric. Over the past 11 years, Ralph has supported our community. The same can not be […]

With a month to go before the election, there’s a huge amount of work to be done. There are still doors to be knocked on, yard signs to be delivered, events to attend, debates and forums to attend. It makes me glad I’m just a volunteer - I can show up, do my thing, then […]