Comments on: Salt Lake City Mayoral Race – Ralph Becker

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:12:44 +0000

What a relief to get rid of that nut case Rocky Anderson. He has done more to damage the reputation of SLC. While Becker may not be perfect, he certainly is a million times better than Crazy Rocky.

By: Erin Chaney

Erin Chaney — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 19:19:06 +0000

I feel that the only issue I need closure on that you didn’t touch on enough was environmental policy. I think that when we talk about boosting our economy, we need to be careful that we aren’t whoring out what makes Salt Lake beautiful. Sure, historical preservation is important too, but not as much to me as whether industrial factories and smokestacks make the other half of the city hideous and make it even harder to breathe.

By: Pete Ashdown’s Journal » Ralph Becker for Mayor

Pete Ashdown’s Journal » Ralph Becker for Mayor — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 22:59:44 +0000

[...] on my conversations with Ralph along with his response to my questionnaire, I believe he has the experience to benefit this city. I am impressed with his convictions for [...]

By: Sheryl Ginsberg

Sheryl Ginsberg — Wed, 23 May 2007 22:07:00 +0000

Although I understand some of the concerns vis a vis Represntative Becker going along with the REAL deal and not being concerned enough about illegal immigration, I think we need to pay attendtion to the fact that Representative Becker is runnning for the office of Salt Lake City Mayor.

This city needs a person who is able to be cognizant of city issues. I don’t have enough behind the scene facts regarding the Salt Lake REAL deal as proprosed to the Legislature, but to judge a candidate on one vote is very short sighted.

I support Representative Baker for his experience in working with the current Legislature, knowlege of City Planning and his ability to work and communicate with all the citizens of our City.
I appreciate this forum as a way to express our thoughts about the various candidates.

By: Pete Mazinov

Pete Mazinov — Wed, 23 May 2007 20:02:40 +0000

Thanks for providing this forum. Mr. Becker strikes me as a bright guy with some good ideas. I am concerned, however, about his going along with the Real stadium deal, later claiming that he was mislead. A seasoned politician can hardly play the dupe. So, it calls into question his motives or ability to guard the public interest in complex negotiations. I’m also concerned about his almost automatic support for legalizing undocumented immigrants. I wonder if he’s an equally forceful advocate of those who have applied for citizenship legally. Judging from his comments in the press, it sounds as though he would make a haven for those who break and evade immigration law. I’d rather not afford that group a place of priviledge, but make it easier for those who’ve applied through legal channels, and support the recent (legal) immigrants we already have.

By: Bryan Catherman

Bryan Catherman — Tue, 22 May 2007 23:33:52 +0000

Great questions Pete. Ralph, thanks for answering the questions here and thanks for helping us better understand your positions.

By: JM Bell

JM Bell — Mon, 21 May 2007 23:30:38 +0000

I really think that Rep. Becker went into amazing depth here.
I especially liked that he’s been a member of Vest Pocket and Buy Local First.

By: Mary Thompson

Mary Thompson — Tue, 15 May 2007 02:40:21 +0000

Peter,

I feel that Mr. Becker did not fully answer some of the questions, in particular #10. Maybe you know the answers to these questions, but I don’t! Yet, it’s the career politicians’ way to answer without really answering. And honestly, I don’t believe Mr. Becker has really thought about Tracy Aviary which is evident in his answer.

I was disappointed in Mr. Becker’s response to the soccor playing fields in SLC that were part of the Real stadium deal. He claimed that if he’d known the $7.5 million deal was not really a gift, he would have voted against it. He should have made it his business to know what he was voting for. SLC’s interests were nearly sold down the river. Clearly there was no oversight here from anyone. It was evident from the county’s wrangling that the Mr. Checkett’s was not being open nor honest. When the county asked him to show them the money, his answer wasn’t exactly spontaneous, was it?

It’s early, and I’m undecided, but that was a major strike against Mr. Becker in my opinion. Looking forward to hearing the other candidates’ views on Tracy Aviary (just kidding!)

By: Misty Fowler

Misty Fowler — Sat, 12 May 2007 05:02:56 +0000

Pete, thank you for doing this! I, unfortunately, cannot vote for SLC Mayor, my vote is in the County district. However, I feel that the City mayor affects all of us in the area. And since I talk politics with a lot of people, I think that being informed about the race (and even having opinions!) will be very beneficial. I look forward to seeing this series posted. Again, thanks!

By: Tom Grisley

Tom Grisley — Sat, 12 May 2007 02:39:24 +0000

Pete:

Thanks for these questions. This is a valuable resource.