Winning the Political Game
Crusade for Something
Too many political leaders at all levels miss opportunities to provide real leadership because they fail to really crusade for causes they feel strongly about. While politicians can’t make every issue a top priority, each leader at city, county, state and federal levels ought to select two or three issues that they want to champion and be known for, and then fight for those causes. They need to be determined and persistent advocates, and use every opportunity to communicate their position.
Most politicians fail badly at this basic ingredient of political success. Think about your state legislator, a county commission or council member, your congressman or senator, or your mayor. Can you describe his or her real political passion, top priorities, the things they are determined to accomplish before their term is ended?
Probably not. Few people have a clue what their state legislator or other political leader really cares about. Good politicians become known for something. They choose issues that are important to their constituents and fight for them.
In many cases, political leaders actually do have causes they’re focused on, but they haven’t communicated it very well to constituents, so few people are really aware. It takes consistent communications to break through the vast clutter of information and messages we are exposed to each day.
One danger, of course, in becoming known for something, is that you choose the wrong issue that isn’t supported by your constituents. It’s obviously important to be in tune with views of voters, but if you feel strongly about something, it’s also up to you to communicate it well, convincing your constituents that yours is the right position.
The Need for Business-led Visioning
The latest weekly newsletter of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah features an article by Natalie Gochnour of the Salt Lake Chamber on the need for a collaborative vision for the Salt Lake area. The newsletter also features links to a week’s worth of economic development stories published in the news media.
Podcast Watch
If it’s Friday, then Jennifer Napier-Pearce has published a new edition of her InsideUtah.com podcast, this week featuring political consultant LaVarr Webb (:40) on where Utah's GOP is and where it's going; bike advocate Malcolm Campbell (7:45) on peaceful coexistence with motorists on the road; Salt Lake Tribune editorial writer George Pyle (14:37) on entering the brave new media world; and Peruvian immigrant David Tello (20:35) on his past, present and future.
Blog Watch
At the House Majority blog, Rep. David Cox offers his thoughts on "what should be done with the $70 million dollars set aside by the legislature for tax reform during the 2006 General Session"... The UAC blog posts a May legislative recap... Media Relations counsels bloggers about rumor mongering: "Before you pass [a rumor] on, be ... responsible ... and ask for the source of the information. Even then, you may not get a truthful answer. As a blogger, start to regard yourself as a columnist and a journalist. Ask yourself this: 'If someone were writing damaging things about me, how would it affect my job, my employer's attitude toward me, my family, even my kids on the playground?'"... Sorro at Two Guys from Quantico fleshes out his criticisms of 3rd District candidate John Jacob (see also here)... Utah Democrats explains why underground nuclear testing "is a BAD idea"... Wilf Sommerkorn says: "While I do not begrudge [Salt Lake County's efforts to enhance its transit options], I hope we do not forget or relegate needed transit for other areas of the region as well. There will only be so much money and effort that can be put into building new transit, and if it is all focused on SL, what happens to the rest of the region?"... Give Up Blog says Sen. Orrin Hatch is a "Utard" (see also here)... Out of Context offers proof that "[n]ews about Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson doesn't stop just because he's out of the country."
-- Compiled by Golden Webb
Washington Watch
Hatch: Polygamy, No; Gay Marriage Ban, Yes
At a tense Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy insinuates that Sen. Orrin Hatch has expressed support for polygamists in his home state of Utah, to which Hatch responds: "I never said that. I know some (polygamists) that are very sincere. ... Don't accuse me of wanting to have polygamy" (Reuters); Hatch votes with the majority of the Committee to approve the gay marriage ban (see press release).
Matheson Hails Forest Recovery Bill
Rep. Jim Matheson hails the passage of HR 4200,The Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act, which will provide emergency assistance for fire-ravaged Western forests (see press release).
Cannon: Feds' Privacy Compliance Uneven
At a subcommittee hearing on "privacy in the hands of government," Rep. Chris Cannon says: “As technological developments increasingly facilitate the collection, use, and dissemination of personally identifiable information, the potential for misuse of such information escalates. Unfortunately, according to the GAO, federal agencies’ compliance with the Privacy Act and other requirements is ‘uneven’” (see press release and GovExec.com).
Energy Savings Assessment at Utah Plant
The Dept. of Energy will conduct a three-day Industrial Energy Saving Assessment at Holcim, a cement and mineral manufacturing facility in Morgan, Utah, as part of the comprehensive national energy efficiency effort undertaken by the Bush Administration (see press release).
Local Watch
Ogden Gondola/Resort FAQ
The Ogden City website has a posted a new Frequently Asked Questions page about Ogden's proposed gondola/resort project. To read the questions and answers, click here.
Casual Friday
Wildlife Viewing and Fishing:
More Great Reasons to Hold a Business Conference in Utah
By Phil Douglass, DWR Conservation Outreach Manager
Trout in the middle of town and bison beside your bus: both can be important and exciting additions to your next business conference, and both are found in Utah.
The Fishing Was Great!
In the summer of 2005, the Ogden area hosted the annual conference for the Association for Conservation Information. Many of those who attended the conference were thrilled to learn that fishing opportunities were available within five minutes of the conference center in Ogden. In fact, the fishing opportunities were so close that many of the participants enjoyed a morning of fishing before the work and business affairs of the conference began—every morning of the conference!
From Provo to Logan, many such opportunities exist in Utah. For example, the Provo, Weber, Ogden, Blacksmith Fork and Logan rivers are great fly fishing rivers that can be easily and quickly accessed by anglers before or after conference sessions.
Break out sessions and field trips are important features of many conferences. These sessions and trips keep participants enthused and refreshed. And an outdoor excursion is often the perfect field trip for a business conference.
Wildlife Viewing in Utah – It’s Close and Easy
In addition to great fishing, numerous and unique wildlife viewing opportunities are available in Utah. These opportunities include the chance to see a free-roaming bison herd on Antelope Island. The bison can be easily seen from a bus, van or car.
Visitors who are more adventurous may want to include some time before or after a conference session hiking the backcountry areas that overlook Salt Lake City, Ogden and Provo. These areas offer opportunities to see Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain goats and a variety of other wildlife.
The Utah bird information line (801-538-4730) is also an important resource for business travelers to Utah. The line provides detailed and updated information on bird sightings throughout the state.
A Utah Division of Wildlife Resources official once came across a traveler from Dallas who learned on the bird line that a yellow-billed loon was at the Fish Springs Bird Refuge in remote Tooele County. The businessman rented a car and made the four-hour trip (one way!) for a chance to see the loon!
In the winter months, businesses that hold conferences in Utah to take advantage of the state’s great skiing may also want to consider adding wildlife viewing to their agendas. Two great opportunities exist within 30 minutes of downtown Salt Lake City.
Every February, more than 300 American bald eagles congregate at the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area north of Salt Lake City. The area and the birds are easily accessible and offer spectacular viewing.
Rocky Mountain goats also spend their winter months at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon east of Salt Lake City. A spotting scope has been placed at the mouth of the canyon to give viewers a closer look.
Helping You Plan
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources offers several programs to assist you in creating memorable wildlife-oriented experiences as part of your conference activities. These programs include the Becoming an Outdoors Woman, Watchable Wildlife, Community Fishing and Farmington Bay Naturalist programs. Representatives from these programs can provide literature for conference information packets and may also be available to conduct or lead field excursions. For more information, call (801) 538-4700.
Outdoors Report
-- Morning News and the Tribune comment on a climber’s ascent up Delicate Arch.
-- Read about a Utahn biking across the country to raise money for SPLORE in this Tribune article.
-- Morning News reports about whirling disease in Huntington Creek.
-- Upcoming events abound in the Tribune’s Outdoor Notebook and Recreation Roundup.
-- Learn about the best springtime fishing spots in the Morning News.
-- The latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report on the DWR website
Weekend Events
New Films Friday
-- The DaVinci Code: Tribune review.
-- Art School Confidential: Morning News review.
-- Over the Hedge: Read reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.
-- Keeping Up with the Steins: Rotten Tomatoes reviews.
Concerts
-- Utah Youth Symphony Orchestra, Friday, 7 p.m., Abravanel Hall, free
-- "Fiesta! A Celebration of Latin American Music," Salt Lake Choral Artists, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Assembly Hall, Temple Square, free
-- Utah Premiere Brass, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Provo Tabernacle, 100 S. University Ave., Provo, $3-$15
-- The Salt Lake Symphony, Friday 7:30 p.m. Libby Gardner Concert Hall, $5-$8 (801-581-7100)
-- Utah Symphony with Monica Mancini, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Abravanel Hall
-- Sally Bytheway Chorale, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 8575 S. 700 E., Sandy, free
-- Saltaires, Barbershop Chorus, Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m., Taylorsville High School, $10-$25
-- Student Fest concert, Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., The Adventure Foursquare Church, 352 W. 12300, Draper, free
-- The Deseret Piano Trio, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU, Provo, $5-$14 (801-422-4322)
-- Wasatch Singers, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Riverview Junior High School, 751 W. Tripp Lane, Murray, $5 at the door
-- The Salt Lake Children’s Choir, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Provo Tabernacle, $5-$8 (801-537-1412)
-- "Fiesta! — A Celebration of Latin American and Spanish Music", Utah Choral Artists, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Libby Gardner Hall
-- Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Saturday, 8 p.m., O.C. Tanner Amphitheatre, Lion Boulevard, Springdale, $5-$9 (435-772-5666)
-- The Madeleine Choir Festival continues until June 11, events Sundays at 8 p.m.
Theater
-- “The Barber of Seville”, May 19 and 21, Capitol Theater, Morning News review
-- "The Spitfire Grill", May 19-20 Grand Theatre, Tribune review
-- “Zorba”, May 19- 20, Rose Wagner Theater
-- "Five Guys Named Moe" through May 20, Pioneer Theatre Company, Tribune review
-- "The Miracle Worker" through June 3, Hale Centre Theatre
-- "The Foreigner" through June 3, Alpine Playhouse
-- "Always . . . Patsy Cline" through June 3, Desert Star Dinner Theatre
-- "Desperate Homemakers: The Big Fat Sequel to My Big Fat Utah Wedding”, Desert Star Cabaret Theatre
-- "The Rat Pack Remembered", Desert Star Dinner Theatre
-- “Phantom of the OBT” through June 3, Off Broadway Theatre, Morning News review
Et cetera
-- Bike Bonanza with UTA Rideshare, May 19, 4-8 p.m., Gallivan Center
-- Gallery Stroll, May 19, 6-9 p.m., Downtown
-- Living Traditions Festival, May 19-21, City & County Building
-- Eating Locally, Eating Seasonally Workshop presented by Wasatch Community Gardens, May 24, 7-9 p.m., 800 S. 600 E.
-- 82nd Annual Spring Salon through July 2, Springville Museum of Art
-- Lunch Bunch Concert Series, weekdays at noon through September 22, Gallivan Center
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