Sen. Al Mansell Resigns
Senate District 9 Republican nominee Wayne Niederhauser is the most likely replacement for Sen. Al Mansell who, according to his Senate Site blog post, will submit a letter of resignation today.
The appointment will give Niederhauser a little boost in his campaign against Democrat Trish Beck.
Mansell had a distinguished career in the Senate, rising to the Senate presidency and becoming one of the two or three most powerful people in state government. However, he likely won’t get many glowing news stories or laudatory editorials upon his resignation because he had a rocky relationship with the news media, often declining to speak to reporters and comment publicly on issues. He felt reporters were often biased and couldn’t report on complex issues accurately.
Mansell presided over the Senate during the 2002 Winter Games and was involved in making the Games a success. He also helped lead the state through a serious economic downturn resulting in a budget crisis. Another highlight was his leadership in the renovation of the State Capitol. Mansell believed in investing in the future, and after he stepped down as Senate president he shepherded the USTAR initiative, one of the biggest economic development programs ever, through the Legislature. Mansell was clearly a tough guy, but he had a soft spot, treated people fairly, and supported good public policy.
Slowdown in Jobs Growth
In his latest Tea Leaf economic report Utah economist Jeff Thredgold focuses on the “jobs conundrum.”
Local Government Watch
UAC Electronic Voting Survey
The Utah Association of Counties conducted a survey "among county clerks as to their experience with the new electronic voting equipment at the June 27 Primary." To see the survey results, click here.
Washington Watch
Bennett Joins New Caucus
Sen. Bob Bennett signs up as a member of the Senate's new bipartisan Radio Frequency Identification Caucus, which seeks "to educate decisionmakers in Congress and the public to successfully utilize RFID" (Washington Technology).
Matheson: Extend Voting Rights Act
Rep. Jim Matheson votes to extend "the landmark Voting Rights Act," and votes "against a series of amendments designed to weaken the protections afforded by the civil-rights era measure" (see press release).
Blog Watch
At the Senate Site blog, Al Mansell bids goodbye to the Senate: "I began serving in the Legislature in July of 1994. The past 12 years have not been easy, but my time in the Senate has been an unconditional honor and privilege. I always asserted that I was not a politician, and didn't want to become one. When I started my service in the legislature I said when the time came for me to move on, I would. Well, that time has come. Because of time restraints and my other commitments I feel that I need to step down and make room for a new person to represent my district" (see also here)... In response to this Trib editorial rejecting the Washington Co. growth plan drafted by Sen. Bob Bennett and Rep. Jim Matheson, Rep. Steve Urquhart says: "[T]he editorial board either doesn't think Washington County should plan for the future (and, I guess, should do something to freeze time) or the board thinks a good plan is not on the table. It is naïve to suggest that growth in such a desirable community could just be stopped ... Remember: failing to plan is planning to fail. So, I invite the members of the Trib's editorial board to come down to St. George. Seriously. I am happy to arrange lodging and meals and put together an itinerary ... Also, I would ask that the board put together its suggestions for the future of Washington County. As it should know, planning is complex. I'd ask that it deal with the realities of people actually living here and wanting good educational, recreational and occupational opportunities" (see also here)... Woods Cross Citizen surveyed Davis County Commission candidates Chris Martinez and Louenda Downs, and posts their responses... Phil Windley, Cliff Lyon, and Steve Petersen were interviewed KNPR's Dave Berns about Utah politics and blogging, of which Windley says: "[T]alking about Utah politics isn't my job -- it's my hobby. I don't owe anyone anything. I have opinions; I support candidates. You can read what I write or not -- suit yourself. The best thing about blogging though is that I can do this. Write in my own voice and say what I want without having a formal media outlet, without anyone's permission, with no filtering, and no space limits"... The Fix's Chris Cillizza says likely '08 presidential candidate Mitt Romney's state-based fundraising strategy "makes it considerably more difficult to track where his contributions are coming from and what he is doing with the money ... The Fix likes a challenge, however, and has been monitoring Romney's various state filings. South Carolina came in a few days ago, and after poring over it for the past 24 hours, here's what I found: Between April 1 and June 30 the South Carolina Commonwealth PAC raised $236,000 -- the vast majority of which came in the form of $3,500 donations. Twenty-seven individuals in the state of Utah gave to the PAC while 14 donors were based in Massachusetts. Thirteen contributors had California home addresses while six live in Michigan. Not a single contributor to the organization came from South Carolina. The depth and breadth of the donations from Utah signal -- as The Fix has long maintained -- that Romney's Mormon faith will allow him to tap a massive funding source not fully exploited by politicians in the past."
-- Compiled by Golden Webb
Casual Friday
Avoid Crowds on the Green River
The Green River is awfully busy this time of year with recreational rafters competing with anglers. The Division of Wildlife Resources has published an article with suggestions for beating the crowds. Among the ideas, fish at night: “If you can make it out during a full moon, or during the nights that surround a full moon, try fishing at night. You may have several miles of the river all to yourself, and the fishing can be terrific. Brown trout, especially large browns, feed a lot at night. The full moon seems to stimulate this nightly feeding activity even more. The full moon will also provide you with enough light that you’ll be able to see what you’re doing fairly well, but be sure to bring a headlamp so you can remove fish hooks and tie knots.
“Fly anglers should concentrate on streamers, mouse imitation flies or large insect surface patterns. Glow strike indicators are available for purchase, but the strikes are usually hard enough that keeping your fishing rod in your hands will be your biggest worry!”
Weekend Events & Outdoors Report
Outdoors Report
-- Learn about Le Mans, a European car race coming to Utah this weekend, and the diesel-powered Audi that is winning despite skepticism in the Morning News
--Strawberry Reservoir could be in danger from oil and gas exploration Tribune reports
-- Climb the tallest peaks with the Highpointers Club in the Morning News
-- Visit a Tooele County lake in the Tribune’s Short Hike of the Week
-- Find out about upcoming events in the Morning News’ Outdoor Notes
-- Check out the Tribune’s Recreation Roundup and Outdoor Notebook for sports and recreation activities this week
-- Use the Morning News’ interactive map of Utah to plan your outdoor pursuits across the state.
-- The latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report on the DWR website
New Films
-- Once in a Lifetime: Rotten Tomatoes
-- You, Me and Dupree: Rotten Tomatoes
-- Little Man: Rotten Tomatoes
-- Best Movie Bet for Families: Cars. Read the Tribune review
Concerts
-- Park City International Music Festival through July 23, venues vary
-- Jazz on the Plaza, Thursdays at 6 p.m. through July, The Gateway
-- 4Play Concert Series, Wednesdays at 8 p.m., through August 2, Gallivan Center
-- WorldStage! Under the Stars Concert Series, Mondays at 7:30 p.m. through August 21, Utah Cultural Celebration Center
-- Twilight Concert Series, Thursdays at 7 p.m. through August 24, Gallivan Center
-- Lunch Bunch Concert Series, weekdays at noon through September 22, Gallivan Center
-- Concert in the Park: T Minus 5 Quintet, Friday, 8 p.m., Brigham Young Historic Park, free
-- "Ballet Under the Stars," Ballet Center, Murray, Friday and Saturday, 8:30 p.m., Murray Park Amphitheater, $5-$7 (265-0707 or 264-2614)
-- Craig Larson Trio, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Emma Eccles Jones Conservatory, Westminster College, $10
-- Heather Richey, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free
-- Opera Airs in the Mountain Air, Utah Symphony and Opera, Saturday, 8 p.m., Sundance Outdoor Amphitheater, Park City, $12-$65
-- Concert in the Park: Miss Margene, Tuesday, 8 p.m., Brigham Young Historic Park, free
Theater
-- “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” through July 21, Center Street Musical Theatre
-- “Family Matters” through July 22, Babcock Theatre
-- “Once on This Island” through July 22, Center Street Musical Theatre
-- "The Rivals” through July 22, StageRight TheaterCompany
-- "Crazy for You" through July 29, Hale Center Theatre, Tribune review
-- "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" through July 29, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- "Route 66” through Aug. 2, Old Lyric Repertory Company
-- “Postmortem” through August 3, Old Lyric Repertory Company
-- “Dames at Sea” through August 4, Utah Musical Theatre
-- “Noises Off” through August 4, Old Lyric Repertory Company
-- “Two by Two” through August 4, Utah Musical Theatre
-- "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" through August 5, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- “Relative Values” through August 5, Lyric Repertory Company
-- “Paint Your Wagon” through August 10, Rodgers Memorial Theatre
-- “You Can’t Take It With You” through August 19, Hale Center Theater Orem
-- "Saturday's Voyeur 2006” through August 20, Salt Lake Acting Company, Tribune and Morning News reviews
-- “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” through September 1, Pickleville Playhouse, Morning News review
-- "Peter Pan" through September 1, Tuacahn Amphitheatre, Ivins
-- "South Pacific" through September 2, Tuacahn Amphitheatre, Ivins, Tribune review
-- "Pirates of the Caribbean 2: The SeaQuel," Desert Star 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
Museum Exhibits
-- The Face of Utah Sculpture Exhibition through August 24, Utah Cultural Celebration Center
-- Wind Pieces: New Sculpture Exhibition through August 26, Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art, Utah State University
-- In Focus: National Geographic Great Portraits Exhibition through September 23, Utah Museum of Natural History
-- Material Culture: The Art of Fine Textile Exhibition through September 30, Looking Back: 75 Years at the Salt Lake Art Center Exhibition through October 14, Salt Lake Art Center
-- Rooted In Tradition: Art Quilts from the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum through October 15, Utah Museum of Fine Art
Et Cetera
-- Springville World Folkfest, Friday and Saturday
-- 12th Annual Llama Fest, Saturday, 4 p.m., Spanish Fork
-- Sundance Outdoor Film Festival, Mondays at sunset through August 21, Gallivan Center
-- Utah Shakespearean Festival through September 2, Cedar City
-- Downtown Farmers’ Market/ Downtown Art & Craft Market, Saturdays through October 21, 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Pioneer Park
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