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The Salt Lake County Republican Party Lincoln Club plans to spice up the county GOP convention on April 30 by presenting awards in the following categories:
--Campaign of the Year
--Legislation of the Year
--Legislator of the Year
--Newcomer of the Year
--Quote of the Year
--Statesman of the Year
--Worst Bill of the Year
If anyone would like to make nominations for the awards, please forward them to Jeremy Roberts at: jbroberts55@netzero.com as soon as possible. The convention will be held in the South Town Exposition Center.
Task Force to Study How to Bolster Tourism
A legislative task force will focus on tourism this year as a result of HB57, sponsored by Rep. David Ure. The bill creates a 12-member task force with 5 Senate and 7 House members to focus on the following issues:
- bringing the state and counties together in a cohesive tourism plan
- how to expand the tourism plan to three-year, five-year, and seven-year plans
- the appropriate process for developing funding projections, return revenue projections
- state, county, and municipality branding
- the vision and goals for the state related to tourism using techniques that account for the future
- tourism-related business development and infrastructure to eliminate duplication and facilitate joint ventures involving the state, counties, municipalities, other government entities, visitor bureaus, and private entities
- establishing marketing plans for encouraging people and businesses from out of state to return for multiple visits to the state, stay longer, and expend monies while in the state
- how to encourage state and local government cooperation in developing tourism initiatives
- how to remove impediments, if any, to attracting tourism to the state
- funding sources for tourism related programs including whether or not state or local taxes should be earmarked
The task force will also conduct a cost-benefit analysis of motion picture incentives and their relationship to promoting tourism and must present a final report, including any proposed legislation, to the Workforce Services and Community and Economic Development Interim Committee before November 30, 2005.
Wise Words
"The Reformation was preceded by the discovery of America, as if the Almighty graciously meant to open a sanctuary to the persecuted in future years, when home should afford neither friendship nor safety."
-- Thomas Paine (Source: The Federalist Patriot)
Reader Question
Should I Run for Political Office?
Yesterday, a fellow e-mailed me, saying he’s considering running for mayor of a medium-sized Utah city and he wanted to talk to me about the possibility. So here’s a question a lot of would-be politicians are asking themselves right now, and responses from a couple of Exoro Group consultants:
"I'm seriously thinking about running for a political office. I want to make this decision as rationally as possible. What should I be considering and what sort of questions should I be asking myself?"
Hugh Matheson: Can you give a concise, authentic, 20-second answer to the following question: Why do you want to be [insert office name]? Does it hook into a deeply-held value you share with your neighbors and a significant portion of the people in the city or district? Now, try imagining saying it to your family and supporters on election night having spent a bunch of your own and other peoples’ money having lost the election…if it still feels good to say it, then maybe you should run for office.
LaVarr Webb: Running for office isn't actually a rational decision. The irrationality of it has to be compensated for by having a significant level of "fire in the belly." If you don’t have that, you shouldn’t run. Other questions to ask yourself: Do you have a basic philosophy of government and can you articulate it to others? What issues are you most concerned about and what will you say about them? Do your family members, friends and work associates honestly think you have what it takes and do they support you? Are you committed enough to spend a lot of your own money (if you have it) and/or ask others for campaign contributions? Can you handle criticism and opposition even if it's unfair?
Bart Barker: What is the real reason you are considering running? You need to identify this and really understand it. Are you seeking a starting point in politics and looking around to see where you have your best opportunity? Or is there an issue about which you feel strongly and running for a specific office seems the best way to make a difference? So why, really, are you considering running? Be sure you know in your heart and that you agree with the reasons.
How well do you understand government in general and the level of government in which you would serve? You need to be able to speak intelligently on the hows and whys. For example, if you are running for city council you need to understand city government, the form of government your city has (strong-mayor, council-manager, etc.), the services your city provides (not all cities deliver the same services), your city's boundaries, current city issues, county government (because cities work closely with the county), state government (again, you'll be working with the state and with legislators), and more. You'll need to do your homework to get elected and then, if you win, to serve effectively.
What are the issues that matter to you and how will you address them in office? What about other issues that may arise? Are you knowledgeable about them? Do you have a position? Are you ready to do the research and homework necessary so you can speak intelligently as a candidate and as an elected official? Are you open-minded about different viewpoints?
Do you love government or politics? I don't know of a public office in which those who are truly effective are paid what they are worth. They do it because of their drive to serve, to make a difference, or because they love the attention. Will you be able to reach election day still loving the experience? Can you still get up every day after two or four years, excited about serving?
Are you willing to endure the struggle and pain of getting elected and serving? Politics can bring great satisfaction and joy, but there are plenty of rough spots as well. You can take a lot of heat and much of it may be undeserved, but it's part of the territory. How thick is your skin? Have you been in situations where you have endured severe criticism and handled it well? You need to avoid lashing out at your constituents, other public officials and the media, even if you think they deserve it. Sometimes you won't have a chance to set the record straight. Can you handle that? When I served in office people in my neighborhood knew when I'd had a bad day: they saw it on the TV news.
A related question: do you have secrets you don't want the public, or even your family, to learn? They have a way of coming out when you're in public office. It may not be during your first campaign or your first couple of years of service. But when you face major political opposition or you take a strong position on a controversial issue, some people may search for your skeletons to discredit you. Will such revelations undermine your effectiveness or damage you personally? Is it worth the risk? Something from your past also could be taken out of context and presented inaccurately to hurt you. This sort of thing may never happen to you but, unfortunately these days it's a risk. It's also a big reason many qualified individuals won't serve. Nobody is perfect and most of us have made mistakes we'd rather the world not know about.
What is your employment or income situation? Can you devote the time necessary to campaign? If you win, can you afford the time away from your job or business to serve in a part-time office? Or, if the office is full-time, what will it do to your career and your income?
How will running for office and serving in office affect your personal and family life? It probably will take more time than you think. Are you willing to devote the time necessary to be effective? Are you willing to miss family events? How about holidays? The Fourth of July is a holiday for almost everyone except elected officials, who are expected to be present and visible at community celebrations. The same with Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, Pioneer Day and whatever other Day your community celebrates. Are you willing to be cornered by citizens at the grocery store, at the movies with your spouse, and at restaurants? Normally they will be courteous, but they consider you to be their employee and won't be bashful about expressing their opinion on the current controversy. You'll need to smile, listen and be patient. Are you willing to give over some privacy and a lot of personal time to your constituents?
Money is critical in a campaign at any level, especially in a contested race. Do you know how much your election will cost? Do you have or can you raise that amount of money? Candidates who must raise the money may be weeded out early if they aren't cut out for public service. Those who might contribute can sense it and won't give. This filtering process is an important part of elections. Of course, those who have money and are willing to spend it to get elected don't experience this. Some wealthy candidates significantly outspend their opponents and still lose because the filtering doesn't come until election day. Others get elected because of their money and then are over their heads in office.
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Utah
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