Leadership
BIOGRAPHIES & PROFILES
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"I grab on to things and I want to see the results. And I do I think I'd characterize myself more as being passionate that I really feel intensely about my responsibilities. And I did before I was mayor. You know things where I felt like we could make some good progress and help improve lives and make for a better world or a better community."
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"The blunt, idealistic Anderson views his first term as a time to light the fuse for positive change. Anderson likes precision and movement. He hates blathering committees, delays, and boilerplate speeches, which he labels 'Pablum.' He takes a lot of swings even though it means a fair amount of whiffs."
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Popularity of Mayor Rocky Anderson
" 'Salt Lake City', says Mayor Rocky Anderson, is an 'island of progressivity' — but much of the rest of Utah doesn't "get" him. That's how the mayor responded when he heard the results of a new Deseret News-KSL poll. In the survey of 403 Utahns, taken in late June by Dan Jones & Associates, Anderson enjoyed the most favor on his own turf, with 59 percent of Salt Lake respondents expressing approval of his first year and a half in office."
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" 'I focus very much on getting things done. I'm very direct. I appear to be brusque,' he says. 'But it’s almost never meant personally. It's simply a matter of impatience with getting everything accomplished and doing it in a timely manner.' "
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"Mayor Anderson has his priorities straight for the city at this critical time. He is a hands on manager, which is better than a hands-off, out of sight, out of town mayor. I’m thankful for the attention to fine details that the mayor puts forth, knowing that he will be able to take full responsibility for what the city is doing."
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"Anderson says he is misunderstood. 'You call it confrontational. I call it direct and honest.'[...] 'Electing me mayor reflects a progressive trend in Salt Lake City.' Anderson says. 'The people of Salt Lake City are more open to new ideas and change.' "
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" 'People feel like they’re getting their money’s worth with him,' Jones said. 'People outside of Salt Lake City have a difficult time with him because he’s willing to take on issues that are unpopular.' "
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"Like him or not, there’s not much hiding behind curtains where Rocky Anderson is concerned. He wants clean air; good transportation systems; and a viable downtown with—heaven forbid—nightlife. Unlike the Utah legislature... we have a mayor who has the stones to tell it like it is."
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Although incomplete, the 'Vote Smart' website outlines a short biographical summary of Rocky's political, professional, and civic experience
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"He's worked on the boards of Utah Common Cause for campaign and election reform; on Planned Parenthood for responsible family planning; for the American Civil Liberties Union for human rights; at the Guadalupe School for quality education for low-income minority students."
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"He is a man who loudly makes his opinion heard, in front of any audience. He is steadfast, some might say single-minded, when it comes to wanting a cleaner, greener, healthier environment, and he backs up what he says with action, creating a more fuel-efficient city fleet and implementing wind power, expanding recycling, encouraging high-density housing and requiring conservation in new city buildings. He has been an advocate for gay marriage, extending city benefits to partners of city employees, and he has fought for diversity in the city, friendlier liquor laws and better understanding between Mormons and non-Mormons. He brokered a practical deal with the LDS Church to end the divisive Main Street Plaza fight."
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A July 2006 SL Tribune article listing Rocky's accomplishments and plans for his second term as SLC Mayor.
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"Early‐to‐mid‐1970s: Diverse work experience prior to attending law school. I worked at several jobs that provided extraordinary exposure to a wide variety of people and elevated exposure elevated my understanding of the challenges facing working people. My jobs included:
Aide at methadone clinic for heroin addicts Dish washer Buck‐fence builder at a ranch in Idaho Waiter at restaurants in Utah and Virginia Cab driver Billing clerk Temporary secretary Substitute teacher Bartender Lumber truck driver and lumber yard laborer Roofer" |
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"Can any, like the majority of Utah voters who were going to cast their ballots for Trump, authentically claim they are "shocked" to discover that Trump is a disgusting, narcissistic, dishonest, cheating, racist, fraudulent, misogynistic pig?" - Rocky Anderson
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". . .Rocky is not all rough edges, says Gill Dickensen, a neighbor. She recalls the time he knocked on her door and asked her to take care of a baby wren or robin, she can’t remember which, that he found in his driveway and nearly ran over. She says he gives storybooks to the neighborhood children every Christmas. “We love him." He just always takes time for people,” Dickensen says"
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"I support the overruling of the Citizens United case, by constitutional amendment if necessary. Congress should be able to—and it should—strictly limit or prohibit campaign contributions, particularly from corporations. The notion of "corporate personhood" should be abolished. Campaigns should be publicly financed." – Rocky Anderson, Campaign Finance Section of Vote Smart 'Political Courage Test'
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"Anderson explained that the city has dealt with several 'very unusual' issues in the span of his four-year mayoral term: the 2002 Winter Games, security issues surrounding the 9-11 terrorist attacks, Elizabeth Smart's disappearance and recovery, the Main Street Plaza fray, The Gateway construction and fallout, the bid to build the Grand Mall on the city's west side and 900 South rail reactivation. These are major engagements that don't normally happen in one term and have sidetracked Anderson from some of his goals. With many of those issues now behind, Anderson wants a second term to focus on his vision for the city, including redesigning Pioneer Park into a community gathering place and working to define downtown districts for development. "We had some enormous challenges that took huge amounts of time and energy that now can be devoted to building on to many of our successes," Anderson said. Those successes include developing the city's after-school YouthCity program, lowering the city's greenhouse gas emissions, passing an administrative order on affirmative action in hiring and Anderson's fruitful lobbying for the University TRAX light rail line along 400 South."
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"No portion of Anderson's life during his past seven years of service was safe. Jokes targeted Anderson's policies on local transportation, pedestrian-crossing flags, the banning of water bottles, his constant firings of employees, his stance on international politics, his campaign to impeach President Bush, ugly neckties and his personal relationships. But all in all, the cynical attempts to roast Anderson came out warm and fuzzy. Each "roaster" thanked him for his dedication, time and service to the community. As Anderson was escorted to the stand by "Gayle Godzika," a rapping drag queen, for his final words, the crowd again rose, clapping and cheering. Shouts of "Rocky! Rocky!" bounced off the walls."
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