As a Democrat and Salt Laker, I share many values and opinions similar to The Salt Lake Tribune.
Mayor Jenny Wilson is a power broker, from a powerful family. Ted Wilson was a great mayor in the ‘70s/’80s.
Since his service, both he and his wife, Holly Mullen, are often on the inside of big stuff. Mullen, a founding member of the Tribune’s editorial board, is now running the Innovation Lab, which picks issues to advocate.
I bring this up because since Rocky Anderson started talking about running for mayor, The Tribune has published anti-Rocky pieces from both Ted and Jenny. I’m not minimizing the Wilson/Mullen family opinions, I just think all the ties need to be called out.
I’ve publicly and financially supported both Erin Mendenhall and Rocky Anderson. Needless to say, they are very different personalities. As an executive leadership coach for 40-plus years, I also know how personality impacts leadership. In supporting Mendenhall for mayor last election, I was excited to have her diplomacy and articulate manner. But sadly, talk has not been followed by actions and results.
The bottom line for the public: Is our quality of life better? Do kids have safe places to play, with air safe to breathe? Are my taxes (just raised at the behest of the mayor) being used well? Are hard choices being made or just kicked down the road?
I’m hearing too many excuses for mediocre performance. I’m tired of just talk. It’s nice to have a pleasing personality, but the most important thing is what you accomplish. I’m desperate for action and genuinely worried that our capital city has lost its way and we are not holding our leadership accountable. I want a leader who will get things done; someone who will say “the buck stops with me.” Rocky Anderson gets things done – which is what Salt Lake City needs.
David R. Ibarra, Salt Lake City
