I answered questions posed by The Salt Lake Tribune, which are in the E-edition of the Tribune today. In the process of my communications with the reporter, I inadvertently omitted one of the questions and my response. My response to the question is reported as: “No response.”
Here’s the question:
What role should Salt Lake City and its mayor play in Utah’s broader political landscape?
My response:
Political courage and independence from the Utah political majority are, unfortunately, a rarity in Utah politics.
SLC and its mayor play a vital role in bringing a very different approach to Utah politics. Our Legislature is disproportionately Republican. Thanks to gerrymandering, our entire Congressional delegation is Republican. Every statewide office is held by a Republican. If SLC doesn’t have a mayor standing up on vital issues, there is no independent voice representing those who aren’t otherwise represented.
If we want a different voice, with strong leadership challenging one-party rule in Utah, SLC is the place for it. That has been missing for the past four years.
When I was mayor, we always stood up against bigotry, environmentally harmful state policies, and the undermining of Utahns’ freedoms by our Legislature. It was a healthy dynamic, where those who aren’t part of the Utah political majority had a powerful voice.
Following is the remainder of my published responses to The Salt Lake Tribune’s questions:
How would you describe your leadership style?
Anderson: I am a principled, collaborative, accessible, and inspiring leader, focused on achieving the best results for the present and the future. I build exceptional teams, cutting those who don’t perform at a high level. My teams and I have worked hard, with a remarkable comradery. We always enjoyed meaningful successes, contributing to our high office morale. My teammates and I have been driven by a shared passion for excellent results and a high sense of service.
From their endorsements, here’s a sampling of how former team members view my leadership: YF: “He’s pragmatic and intelligent with a heart of gold.” WM: “To his core, [Rocky] is committed to helping people achieve social, environmental, and economic justice.” RR: “Rocky was the best employer I’ve ever had.” WE: “Rocky had assembled some of the most bright and talented people I have ever worked with. The office energy, enthusiasm and comradery were contagious!”
Why should voters trust your leadership over your opponents’?
Anderson: Our current mayor routinely breaks promises. Four years ago, she promised to negotiate for 100% renewable energy by 2023, then recently stated it “was never a reality.” She promised childcare for city employees and to restore the curbside clean-up program; neither happened.
She promised homes at The Other Side Village would be occupied by winter 2021. Three winters later, not one home built. Over a year ago, she promised 300 new housing units for unsheltered people would be occupied by last April; that didn’t happen. Tragically, 197 of the units won’t be built, contrary to the mayor’s recent false representation they were “still under construction.”
I take my promises seriously. I promised an afterschool and summer program; we implemented YouthCity. I promised greater inclusivity and equal rights action; I exceeded expectations. I promised extraordinary climate protection action; we won the Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Protection Award. My word is my bond.
What results has your leadership style delivered when working alongside those with whom you disagree?
Anderson: Some members of the City Council often opposed me when I was mayor (which can be healthy), yet our achievements were extraordinary. We were world-class hosts of the 2002 Olympics. Together, we provided a 450-bed overflow homeless shelter. We annually set aside more than 9% of the general fund budget for infrastructure needs.
After the council rejected the university light rail line, I worked effectively with light rail opponents, council members, and others to revive the light rail line.
On matters of important principle, I don’t go along just to get along. That’s what real leadership requires. I joined in a successful challenge to the state’s initial Legacy Highway plan, which violated laws intended to protect the environment and public health. I successfully fought against the Legislature’s English-only law. I successfully defended against a challenge to my executive order requiring equal city employee benefits, regardless of sexual orientation.
How would you approach working with the City Council to deliver results for residents?
Anderson: I can work with anyone toward achieving common goals, even if we have different viewpoints or disagree on other matters. I worked closely with Mitt Romney on the extraordinary 2002 Winter Olympics. Jon Huntsman Sr. and I co-convened the Alliance for Unity, comprised of diverse community leaders who worked constructively to bridge divisions. When I was mayor, the City Council and I achieved many good things, leading to Salt Lake City being recognized as one of the most livable cities in the nation, while keeping spending down and never raising property taxes.
City Council members seek to improve the quality of life for everyone in our community, as do I. We will work together well in promoting our shared goals. It’s not healthy for people to feel they have to agree on everything. A healthy, respectful disagreement can lead to better results for everyone.
How would you approach working with the Legislature and other state leaders to deliver results for Salt Lake City?
Anderson: I’ve worked with many legislators for decades on matters as varied as joint custody reform, banning lobbyist gifts to legislators, restorative justice, sentencing policies, workplace privacy, illegal surveillance, jail and prison reform, and justice for victims of child sex abuse.
Recently, I’ve met with state senators from both parties with whom I have amicable relationships. I’ve been told by a legislative leader that he knows I’m the person who can best lead Salt Lake City out of the homelessness and lawlessness crises we’re now facing.
After I’m elected, I’ll meet with legislators and the governor to form a consensus regarding a shared plan and a collaborative, effective approach to dealing with Salt Lake City’s homelessness, crime, and affordability crises, with an immediate emphasis on eliminating homeless encampments, providing a humane alternative place for unsheltered people to go, enforcing the laws, and providing adequate supportive permanent housing.
Is it more important to stand firm on issues that matter to you or compromise if that is what it takes to get at least some of what you want?
Anderson: If, for instance, the state is about to engage in an illegal act that impacts fundamental freedoms or poses significant risks of harm to the environment or public well-being, the city’s leader should stand firm and challenge it.
If there is simply a disagreement over policies that don’t impact fundamental rights or interests, it would usually be best to determine what compromises can be worked out.
Here’s the question:
What role should Salt Lake City and its mayor play in Utah’s broader political landscape?
My response:
Political courage and independence from the Utah political majority are, unfortunately, a rarity in Utah politics.
SLC and its mayor play a vital role in bringing a very different approach to Utah politics. Our Legislature is disproportionately Republican. Thanks to gerrymandering, our entire Congressional delegation is Republican. Every statewide office is held by a Republican. If SLC doesn’t have a mayor standing up on vital issues, there is no independent voice representing those who aren’t otherwise represented.
If we want a different voice, with strong leadership challenging one-party rule in Utah, SLC is the place for it. That has been missing for the past four years.
When I was mayor, we always stood up against bigotry, environmentally harmful state policies, and the undermining of Utahns’ freedoms by our Legislature. It was a healthy dynamic, where those who aren’t part of the Utah political majority had a powerful voice.
Following is the remainder of my published responses to The Salt Lake Tribune’s questions:
How would you describe your leadership style?
Anderson: I am a principled, collaborative, accessible, and inspiring leader, focused on achieving the best results for the present and the future. I build exceptional teams, cutting those who don’t perform at a high level. My teams and I have worked hard, with a remarkable comradery. We always enjoyed meaningful successes, contributing to our high office morale. My teammates and I have been driven by a shared passion for excellent results and a high sense of service.
From their endorsements, here’s a sampling of how former team members view my leadership: YF: “He’s pragmatic and intelligent with a heart of gold.” WM: “To his core, [Rocky] is committed to helping people achieve social, environmental, and economic justice.” RR: “Rocky was the best employer I’ve ever had.” WE: “Rocky had assembled some of the most bright and talented people I have ever worked with. The office energy, enthusiasm and comradery were contagious!”
Why should voters trust your leadership over your opponents’?
Anderson: Our current mayor routinely breaks promises. Four years ago, she promised to negotiate for 100% renewable energy by 2023, then recently stated it “was never a reality.” She promised childcare for city employees and to restore the curbside clean-up program; neither happened.
She promised homes at The Other Side Village would be occupied by winter 2021. Three winters later, not one home built. Over a year ago, she promised 300 new housing units for unsheltered people would be occupied by last April; that didn’t happen. Tragically, 197 of the units won’t be built, contrary to the mayor’s recent false representation they were “still under construction.”
I take my promises seriously. I promised an afterschool and summer program; we implemented YouthCity. I promised greater inclusivity and equal rights action; I exceeded expectations. I promised extraordinary climate protection action; we won the Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Protection Award. My word is my bond.
What results has your leadership style delivered when working alongside those with whom you disagree?
Anderson: Some members of the City Council often opposed me when I was mayor (which can be healthy), yet our achievements were extraordinary. We were world-class hosts of the 2002 Olympics. Together, we provided a 450-bed overflow homeless shelter. We annually set aside more than 9% of the general fund budget for infrastructure needs.
After the council rejected the university light rail line, I worked effectively with light rail opponents, council members, and others to revive the light rail line.
On matters of important principle, I don’t go along just to get along. That’s what real leadership requires. I joined in a successful challenge to the state’s initial Legacy Highway plan, which violated laws intended to protect the environment and public health. I successfully fought against the Legislature’s English-only law. I successfully defended against a challenge to my executive order requiring equal city employee benefits, regardless of sexual orientation.
How would you approach working with the City Council to deliver results for residents?
Anderson: I can work with anyone toward achieving common goals, even if we have different viewpoints or disagree on other matters. I worked closely with Mitt Romney on the extraordinary 2002 Winter Olympics. Jon Huntsman Sr. and I co-convened the Alliance for Unity, comprised of diverse community leaders who worked constructively to bridge divisions. When I was mayor, the City Council and I achieved many good things, leading to Salt Lake City being recognized as one of the most livable cities in the nation, while keeping spending down and never raising property taxes.
City Council members seek to improve the quality of life for everyone in our community, as do I. We will work together well in promoting our shared goals. It’s not healthy for people to feel they have to agree on everything. A healthy, respectful disagreement can lead to better results for everyone.
How would you approach working with the Legislature and other state leaders to deliver results for Salt Lake City?
Anderson: I’ve worked with many legislators for decades on matters as varied as joint custody reform, banning lobbyist gifts to legislators, restorative justice, sentencing policies, workplace privacy, illegal surveillance, jail and prison reform, and justice for victims of child sex abuse.
Recently, I’ve met with state senators from both parties with whom I have amicable relationships. I’ve been told by a legislative leader that he knows I’m the person who can best lead Salt Lake City out of the homelessness and lawlessness crises we’re now facing.
After I’m elected, I’ll meet with legislators and the governor to form a consensus regarding a shared plan and a collaborative, effective approach to dealing with Salt Lake City’s homelessness, crime, and affordability crises, with an immediate emphasis on eliminating homeless encampments, providing a humane alternative place for unsheltered people to go, enforcing the laws, and providing adequate supportive permanent housing.
Is it more important to stand firm on issues that matter to you or compromise if that is what it takes to get at least some of what you want?
Anderson: If, for instance, the state is about to engage in an illegal act that impacts fundamental freedoms or poses significant risks of harm to the environment or public well-being, the city’s leader should stand firm and challenge it.
If there is simply a disagreement over policies that don’t impact fundamental rights or interests, it would usually be best to determine what compromises can be worked out.
https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2023/11/15/what-would-slc-mayoral-candidates/
By Blake Apgar | Nov. 18, 2023, 6:00 a.m.
