News Highlights

Unless a lawsuit keeps him off, Ellis Ivory will be on the ballot (Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret Morning News).

UDOT looking at all options, including toll roads, to solve traffic woes (Standard-Examiner and Morning News).

Utah business taxes are average (Morning News).

Tribune profiles Rep. Chris Cannon.

Quote of the Day

“Estimates are that if the (federal) land was in private hands, Utah would capture an additional $214 million per year in property taxes, of which $116 million would be designated for schools. Add to that $53 million in mineral-lease funds, and the Beehive State could be making real headway in funding education.”

- Standard-Examiner editorial supporting House Speaker Marty Stephens’ APPLE initiative.

New Web Site for Ivory

The Ellis Ivory county mayoral campaign, compressing a year’s worth of work into a few short weeks, has put up a campaign Web site, www.ivoryformayor.com.

The site is pretty bare bones, but has enough information for voters to get acquainted with the candidate and learn how to assist the campaign. The instructions about how to write-in a candidate may be moot if Ivory gets his name on the ballot.

Ivory’s main opponent, Democrat Peter Corroon, has had his web site, www.votecorroon.com, up for some time. It includes an impressive amount of information, including speeches, press releases, positions on issues, and a detailed schedule.

GOP Candidates Campaign Together

Top Republican candidates are trying to attract bigger crowds by jointly holding activities in selected locations around the state. For example, Sen. Bob Bennett, Rep. Rob Bishop, and Gary Herbert (representing the Huntsman campaign) are hosting a barbecue in Logan this Saturday (12:30 p.m. at Willow Park, 419 West 700 South).

It makes sense, particularly, for the Huntsman campaign to associate closely with major Republicans who are likely to win by large margins.

Alexander on Leadership

Rep. Jeff Alexander, R-Provo, has mailed out another quarterly promotional publication from his business, Alexander’s Print Advantage.

The publication includes a three-month calendar on one side, and on the other an interesting article written by Alexander about leadership.

“I have compiled a list of qualities great leaders possess which, if nurtured, can yield some incredible results," Alexander writes. “They can be practiced in our businesses, homes or communities.”

He then lists 23 traits of successful leaders with a paragraph of description about each one. Policy Daily will reprint some of Alexander’s leadership tips in future editions. For a copy of the publication, call 801-224-8666.

I can hardly pick up a publication these days without seeing an article on blogging. Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal has a piece about a blogger software firm whose clients now include some large companies like Walt Disney Co. Another recent WSJ story focused on a law professor whose blog on a narrow legal topic has gained a large following among judges and attorneys who refer to the blog frequently. The latest edition of Time Magazine has an article about celebrities who have their own blogs.

We have created the Utah Policymaker Blog with 29 policymakers (and more invited) who have volunteered to post their insights and comments. So far we’ve only had two people actually post blogs, but I believe we’ll get a lot more, and get some good discussion going on public policy topics, in the next several days. Blogs are going to be an effective means of political communications in the future, so this is an opportunity for policymakers to try it out and gain some experience.

Initiating the Story

It is desirable to be in a proactive position with the news media—i.e., to initiate the news instead of react to it. But first you have to know something about the news business in order to pitch a story. You should become a news junkie. Devour your local media news sources, including local news websites. Here are some tips:

• Always take into account an outlet’s news cycle, because that often indicates how much time a reporter has to gather and write stories.
• News in one outlet often generates coverage in others. Broadcast newsrooms check newspapers and web sites as part of their daily process for selecting stories to cover. A seemingly benign story on a business journal web site posted in the afternoon can become part of a TV newscast that evening and a radio morning drive story the next day.
• Internet news sites have the most immediate potential for publication, but still rank below print readership. News on the web has the potential to be available forever, and can spread to countless audiences.
• Television news strives to have a “now” feel to it, even though some stories are shot “in the can” for broadcast at a later date.

Once you’re familiar with your local news outlets, be proactive by:

• Gathering editorial calendars of local news outlets and identifying special issues related to your organization.
• Scheduling a lunch meeting with key reporters or editors to talk about their areas of interest and how you can be a resource. Bring along one of your organization’s lead spokespersons. If a lunch meeting is not possible, do this over the phone to get started, and plan to meet with the reporter at the earliest possible time.

Once you have a story to pitch, it can be proposed to the media as a feature story, guest column, or news brief. This proposal will take the form of a press release or a pitch letter, which we’ll discuss in a future communications tip.

Sen Gregory S Bell, District 22, Oct 16
Rep Michael E Noel, District 73, Oct 17
Sen Curtis S Bramble, District 16, Oct 18
Rep Ann W Hardy, District 20, Oct 18
Rep Greg J Curtis, District 49, Oct 18

Entire Birthday List

Agenda Utah is a service
of Utah Policy.com

Publisher: LaVarr Webb
Editor: Bart Barker
News: Golden Webb
Calendar and Subscriptions: Paul Hollingshead

New York Times
- Editorial: DNA evidence of bipartisanship

Salt Lake Tribune
- Centerville Wal-Mart could be built after all
- Davis County alerted to voter phone scam
- West states in dark on moving N-waste
- Homeless-campus idea causes a stir
- Feeling disenfranchised? Swap your vote, some say
- GOP gives Ivory ballot spot
- Hannity, Moore both hits with scalpers
- Ballots cast early can't be changed
- 'Tough guy' Cannon a master of details
- Editorial: All devil, no deal

Daily Herald
- Transportation open house coming soon
- Senate District 13 candidates focus on different issues
- Editorial: Outdated mining law needs to change

Standard-Examiner
- Retailer wins OK
- WSU students turn tables on their favorite candidate
- Utah commuters may soon see toll roads and reversible lanes
- Bogus calls made to Davis voters
- Huntsman unveils plan to attract teachers
- Radio debate gives callers chance to quiz the candidates
- Weber wants more local road projects
- Editorial: APPLE cart's arrival long overdue in West

KSL
- Editorial: Renew ZAP tax

Salt Lake City Weekly
- Repair snare

Deseret Morning News
- Ivory might be on ballots
- Rocky wants homeless block vetted
- Nuclear waste transit safe?
- Tension higher than usual, USU chief says
- Bennett and Van Dam spar
- Toll roads, traffic fixes explored
- Pastors across state back Amendment 3
- Candidates sketch higher-ed programs
- Utah's taxes are average, study says

Please submit calendar items to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com

- Oct 11-16: Steve Thompson for Congress Neighborhood Walk in Weber County. Call 435-753-3979 to schedule a visit.
- Oct 14: Sutherland Institute seminar "Ethical Fitness--Being an Authentic Leader," 8:30-11:30 am, 6th Floor 150 E Social Hall Ave, SLC. Register: 801-355-1272.
- Oct 14: Mark Shurtleff speaks at the Minority Community Event, 9 am, SLC. 801-910-9463.
- Oct 14: Radio West "Vote 2004: The Race for Utah Governor", 11 am, KUER-FM 90.1, featuring Scott Matheson.
- Oct 14: Mark Shurtleff visits American Fork Chamber of Commerce, GOP Unity event, 12 noon; State Farm Meet the Candidate Night, 7 pm.
- Oct 14: Hinckley Institute of Politics "Vote 2004: The Race for House District 28", 1 pm, KUER-FM 90.1, featuring Roz McGee and Richard Snelgrove.
- Oct 14: Jon Huntsman attends Gov. Cal Rampton Gubernatorial Forum, 2:30 pm, Highland Care Center, SLC.
- Oct 14: Congregation KolAmi Meet the Candidate Night, 7 pm. Featuring Jon Huntsman, Scott Matheson, Chris Cannon, Paul Van Dam, Mark Shurtleff, Jim Matheson representative. Moderated by Ken Verdoia, 2425 E. Heritage Way. Contact: Bonnie Rokeach, 879-4025.
- Oct 15: Mark Shurtleff visits Temple Har Shalom, 7:30 pm.
- Oct 15: Public forum with former Congressman Bill Orton, 12:30 pm, University of Phoenix, 5373 S Green St, Murray.
- Oct 16: Peter Corroon will walk the precincts in Midvale and WVC. 801-328-2208.
- Oct 16: Jim Matheson at the U of U Football Rally.
- Oct 17: Civic Dialogue presents a moderated debate on the Open Space Initiative, 5:30 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 18: Mark Shurtleff attends Columbus Senior Center Meet the Candidate event, 11 am.
- Oct 18: Jon Huntsman Jr. at Tooele Valley Rotary Club luncheon, 12 pm, Best Western Inn Tooele.
- Oct 18: Gubernatorial Debate, KUTV Take Two with Rod Decker, 6:30 pm, airs live outside KUTV studios on Main Street.
- Oct 18: Daffodil Day of Remebrance with Gun Violence Prevention Center, SLC Mayor Anderson, YWCA, 9:30 am, Sorenson Multi-Cultural Center, 855 W California Ave, SLC. RSVP Marla Kennedy 801-487-5987.
- Oct 19: Hinkley Institute of Politics "The New Government Perspective on Homeless", 10 am, KUER-FM 90.1, a discussion with Mark Johnston, Deputy Director, HUD and Nan Roman, National Coalition for the Homeless.
- Oct 19: Gubernatorial Debate at Salt Lake Rotary Club, 12 noon, Marriott Hotel 75 S W Temple, SLC.
- Oct 19: First District Candidates Rob Bishop and Steve Thompson debate, 7 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct. 20: Controversial filmmaker Michael Moore speaks at UVSC
- Oct 20: Jon Huntsman visits Ogden Rotary Club, Tooele Chamber of Commerce Meet the Candidate Luncheon, noon, Ivy Garden; Box Elder Meet the Candidates Night, 6:15 pm, Brigham City Community Center; and Weber PTA Meet the Candidate Night, 7:45 pm, Weber High.
- Oct 20: Salt Lake Chamber’s Business Friendly Legislators Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Little America
- Oct 20: Attorney General Candidates debate, 12:30 pm, Sutherland Moot Court Room, S.J. Quinney College of Law, Univ. of Utah.
- Oct 20: Mark Shurtleff attends Kearns PTA Meet the Candidate Night, 6 pm.
- Oct 20: Public Interest Law Organization debate on same-sex marriage, moderated by Phil Riesen, 7 pm, Sutherland Moot Courtroom.
- Oct 21: Radio West "Vote 2004: The Race for Utah Governor", 11 am, KUER-FM 90.1, featuring Jon Huntsman.
- Oct 21: Hinckley Institute of Politics, "Vote 2004: The Race for House District 25", 1 pm, KUER-FM 90.1, featuring Ross Romero and Martine Smith.
- Oct 21: Mark Shurtleff attends Midvale Senior Center Meet the Candidate, 10:45 am; Chamber West Meet the Candidate, 11:45 am; PTA Legislative Forum, 1 pm.
- Oct 21: Jon Huntsman Interview on Radio West, 11 am, KUER FM 90. Oct 21: 3rd Congressional District featured on Bruce Lindsay's Conversation with the Candidates, 6:10 pm, KSL TV.
- Oct 21: Gubernatorial Debate, On the Record with ABC 4 News Reporter Chris Vanocur, 7 pm.
- Oct 22: Radio West "Vote 2004: The Race for Utah's 2nd Congressional District", 11 am, KUER-FM 90.1, with Jim Matheson and John Swallow.
- Oct 22: Mark Shurtleff attends Meet the Candidate at South Jordan Senior Center, 11 am.
- Oct 23: Mark Shurtleff attends Meet the Candidate in Lehi, 6 pm.
- Oct 23: Jim Matheson at the U of U Football Rally.
- Oct 24: Civic Dialogue presents Salt Lake County Mayoral Race Debate, 5:30 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 24: Third District Candidates Chris Cannon and Beau Babka debate, 7 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 25: Utah Foundation & Hinckley Institute of Politics lecture on Education-The Debate Over School Choice and Tuition Tax Credits, Noon, U of U Spencer Hall Rm 255. Free to Public. Also broadcast on KUER-FM 90.1.
- Oct 25: Attorney General Debate, 3 pm, KBYU.
- Oct 25: Gubernatorial Debate, KSL-TV, KSL Radio and the Deseret Morning News, Rose Wagner Theatre, 7 pm.
- Oct 25: Meet the State and National Candidates Night, 7-9 pm, Whittier Community Center, 290 N. 400 E, Logan. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the PTA.

- See the entire calendar