Comments on: Salt Lake City Mayoral Race – Jenny Wilson

By: David Pace

David Pace — Wed, 30 May 2007 15:19:41 +0000

I was thrilled to have Rocky as mayor. Even before I returned from NYC to Salt Lake, I watched with interest in his determination to get a beach head in a red state. I had the privilege of voting for him for his second term. Having said that, I don’t think we need another Rocky. We need someone to take us to the next stage of powerful, thoughtful, visionary and most of all effective leadership. I don’t know if Jenny is the right person, but I’m listening. I want someone who can validate the concerns of the LDS Church and its constituencies without being cowed by it. I want someone respectful, strong and above all in-love with this place as a Utahn, not as a Mormon, not as an anti-Mormon, not as a progressive even, just someone who honors the unique place we live and chooses to serve here.

I’m listening to Jenny and the other candidates, and I hope the best person wins.

By: Heather Mastakas

Heather Mastakas — Wed, 23 May 2007 17:15:05 +0000

Reid, since you addressed a question to me, let me respond. I don’t know Maryann, Jane, Lisa, or John – I’ve never met them. And I wrote my comment all by myself. The reason the comments might sound similar is because they’re all, well, supportive.

I think the thing we have in common is that we all believe she is qualified for the position and, if elected, would serve our city well.

By: Bryan Catherman

Bryan Catherman — Tue, 22 May 2007 23:50:26 +0000

Pete, thanks again for asking the questions. Jenny Wilson, thanks for answering them here.

I agree with Reid L Cliegg about the canned comments from campaign workers. And if Michael Place is telling the truth, I’m disturbed because I hate that almost as much as I disapprove of the recorded messages I get every election (and on my cell phone to make it that much more unpleasant).

I can assure you that I’m not a campaign worker when I say Jenny Wilson was a complete hard *ss when it came to grading our work when she taught a class of mine up at the U, but I’m a better person for it. It forced me to dig in and produce some really good stuff. Thanks Jenny!

By: Michael Place

Michael Place — Tue, 22 May 2007 21:44:41 +0000

Jenny’s campaign sent unsolicited email to me. I very much dislike spam and was disheartened to see a candidate I once supported resort to such tactics. After sending email to the campaign requesting information about why they might have chosen to make a decision to spam their supporters, my question was left unanswered.

After that incident, I stopped supporting Jenny’s campaign. I can’t support the election of an official who is so callous about their communication methods and so unwilling to explain themselves.

By: Eric Waters

Eric Waters — Tue, 22 May 2007 17:37:49 +0000

Reading the responses that Ralph and Dave have given, I was bored. They both seemed to say pretty much the same thing in different ways. Obviously there are places where Dave and Ralph differ greatly, but I was bored with their itemized lists of generic ways to improve Salt Lake. I like Jenny’s response as she’s not so long winded and she sets herself clearly apart from the others in specific ways (“[Liquor laws] are archaic and mockery of adult agency and personal liberty”). While I agree that she was not as articulate in some of the other questions, deep down her politics more closely reflect my own. While I’m waiting for the debates to make an absolute decision, I support Jenny above the others thus far.

By: Reid L Cliegg

Reid L Cliegg — Mon, 21 May 2007 22:35:52 +0000

Maryann, Jane, Heather, Lisa, and John …

Who is writing your talking points here? The style and tone suggests, SUGGESTS collusion. They are all of a similar style and they all feel just like the others. How many of you guys are involved in her campaign? I’m pretty sure that Allcott is.

By: Alison Klein

Alison Klein — Mon, 21 May 2007 03:25:08 +0000

I agree with many of Brandon’s comments above. I have followed Jenny closely on the campaign trail so far, and though I do not doubt her time on the council and her relationships in the city could prove valuable, from listening to her speak to others and respond to issues and questions, she does not appear to be articulate, visionary, or experienced enough for the difficult position of mayor. I disagree with the assertion that she is more progressive than many of the other candidates so far, but even if she truly is, I question whether she has the tools and background to implement her so called progressive agenda. I am sure that Jenny has, and probably will to continue to make great contributions to the city, but she is not ready to become mayor.

By: Maryann Martindale

Maryann Martindale — Sun, 20 May 2007 16:47:22 +0000

Jenny has my support as the next mayor of Salt Lake City. She is progressive without being divisive, she is ethical without being self-righteous. She is a strong leader that has the ability to engage, motivate, and encourage positive change, manageable city growth, and active civil participation.

Jenny will be a great mayor!

By: Brandon Bartels

Brandon Bartels — Sat, 19 May 2007 21:22:55 +0000

I found Jenny’s response to the questions to be impressively UNinspiring. As I read her responses I kept finding myself rubbing my eyes and yawning. I am hoping the next mayor of SLC will be an impassioned leader with well thought out ideas that can deliver results.

Jenny wrote, “The housing component interests me very much as an increasing in housing will provide…” I think this represents much of what she had to say, continually responding to others plans, gentlelly agreeing with ideas that have already gained popular support, NO VISION OF HER OWN. Speaking of, did she even answer the question about municipal fiber optics? Too many answers were “consider this, consider that” sort of no response responses.

Can anyone point out to me where Jenny deliniated an idea and backed it up with a plan? Most of the comments made to this point are about personal experience or relationships with Jenny. I’m glad she has friends and I appriate her work with the county on issues like partner benefites benefits, but where is the vision, where is the leadership?

By: Jane Marquardt

Jane Marquardt — Sat, 19 May 2007 17:07:47 +0000

Jenny is definitely my choice for the next mayor of SLC. Jenny has a great blend of experience and vision. She understands the mechanics of government and has a strong vision of what this city can become. She motivates others to want to work with her.

Within weeks of being elected to the County Council, Jenny took the lead in promoting domestic partner benefits for lgbt county employees. She didn’t need to be “lobbied and educated” about these issues – she just gets it. She has also demonstrated strong progressive credentials in the areas of ethics reform, mass transit and the environment. Go Jenny!