Only In Utah (County).....

Saturday was a tough, beat, down, drag out kind of day for me. Between the convention and a rough night at work right afterwards (I freakin Hate the Lakers) , I'm spent. I'll post more about the convention later, but I just wanted to share this "Only in Utah" moment from Friday with you:

Utah Lake Bridge Moving Forward

Tribune:

A businessman says he's only months away from starting construction on a toll bridge across Utah Lake.

Leon Harward said the bridge will cost $300 million, but didn't say where he will get the money.

Harward, a partner for a private outfit called Utah Crossing Inc., is rejecting calls from skeptics to take out an insurance bond for the bridge's removal in case the project sours.

Harward insists the venture will be well-funded and won't fail, and that a bond isn't necessary. The bridge is meant to connect booming bedroom communities on the west side of Utah Lake with the Provo-Orem metropolitan area on the east.

Promoters have said it will serve a booming population that could reach a half-billion in 20 years.

Harward said that even in the worst-case scenario -- he builds a bridge and for some reason has to walk away -- the state will be left owning the bridge at no cost to taxpayers.

The group Utah Valley Earth Forum says Harward won't find a demand for bridge travel.
The history of toll roads and bridges in the U.S. is bleak, says Jim Westwater, chairman of the skeptics' group.

"Many of the toll roads and bridges that have been built around the country have failed financially," Westwater wrote Feb. 15 to Dick Buehler, director of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands.

That agency controls Utah Lake.

"Given the current lack of need for such a bridge, it seems likely that this toll bridge could suffer the same fate," Westwater said.

He added, "Consequently, we ask that the state ... require the developers to provide full proof of funding for both construction and initial operating costs before finalizing any permits (and) require a full bond from the developer and any successors to provide for the complete removal of the bridge should it prove financially infeasible, or other causes render it dead in the water."

Harward said he was familiar with "the same diatribe" from skeptics he discounted as "tree huggers and squirrel squeezers." He asserted his most vocal critics want to return to the days of the horse and buggy.

I'm sure they meant to say a half million people, not a half billion.

But, those people who have built homes West of Utah Lake knew that there was only one road in and out of town. And, Utahns are notoriously thrifty. I can't see that many people paying to drive on a bridge.

Oh, and I realize that Utah Lake isn't the most beautiful structure in the world, but imagine how ugly a bridge over it will be.

-Bob

Democrats outraising Republicans in Utah County

The Salt Lake Tribune reports this morning that several Utah County Republican incumbents are being out-fundraised by their Democratic challengers.

In Utah County.

Moreover, yesterday's Deseret News reported on Utah's fundraising for national candidates and groups in the past 15 months.

55 cents of every dollar donated by Utahns went to Mitt Romney. 18 cents went to Republicans not named Mitt. 17 cents went to Democratic candidiates and groups.

The gap in Utah is narrowing.

Republican Insider Busted for Underage Sex, Porn

I posted a bit on this the other day, but a friend has sent me some more information.

Yesterday's Deseret News:

OREM — What looked like a family-friendly edited-movie rental store in Orem may actually have been the front for a pornography production studio and distribution center.

During a search Thursday night of the former Flix Club at 908 S. State, police found computers, cameras connected to a television, a large quantity of pornographic videos — some with as many as 20 copies — a keg of beer, alcohol and Lortab pills, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in 4th District Court.

Police conducted the search after arresting Flix Club owner Daniel Thompson, 31, and the store's co-owner, Isaac Lifferth. The two are accused of engaging in sex acts with two 14-year-old girls who told police they were trading sexual favors with the men for money, said Orem Police Lt. Doug Edwards.

Who is Daniel Thompson?

From his MySpace page:

WHO IS DANNY THOMPSON LIVE? WELL NO ONE REALLY KNOWS MUCH ABOUT HIM BUT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE CROSSED HIS PATH OR HAVE ATTENDED ONE OF HIS PARTIES SAY HE IS THE MOST AWESOME COMEDIAN, SINGER, AND IMPRESSIONINST THEY HAVE EVER SEEN! DANNY THOMPSON HAS CREATED HIS OWN LITTLE WORLD AND WANTS OTHERS TO COME ALONG FOR THE RIDE!!!!! SEE DANNY THOMPSON LIVE!!!!!

He also lists his (Marital) "status" as "Swinger"

And, back in 206, Sixteen Small Stones brings us a story of a controversial email list for Utah County Republican Delegates started by Dan Thompson.

And Voice of Utah has a humorous take on the story....

-Bob

ENDORSEMENT: Daily Democrats for Utah County Democratic Executive Committee

I hereby declare my endorsement for the Executive Committee of the Utah County Democrats. I usually don't do any endorsements on a group level. However, The group calling itself the Daily Democrats is presenting a united front to bulid the Democratic Party in Utah County.

What they are promising:

1. a clear message
2. a permanent infrastructure
3. grassroots involvement
4. steady sources of funds
5. candidate recruitment and support.

These are great plans from great people.

Who are the Daily Democrats?

Mary Lou Huffmon is running for Chair. She is a retired reading specialist who has been involved with the League of Women Voters, as well as the County and State Democratic Parties.

Kena Mathews is running for Vice Chair. She is the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Utah County. She is currently chair of the Democratic Women of Utah County, former Deputy Finance Director for Wayne Owens, and former inter for Bill Orton.

Chris Stowe is running for Treasurer. He is a BYU student majoring in American Studies. He did work for the Christian Burridge and Jim Matheson campaigns. He runs the blog YDems.

Millicent Lewis is running for secretary. She is a stay at home mom and local artist who has been active in the Democratic Party for four years.

I hereby encourage all Delegates in Utah County to vote for the 4 Daily Democrat candidates as your next Executive Committee.

Republicans don't pay attention, or follow the law

So, back in 2004, the Republican-dominated Utah Legislature passed a law that changed how we replace a legislator that leaves office. Before, parties could send two names to the Governor, and let the Gov make the final choice. However, the new law requires the party to send only one name.

The Democrats changed their bylaws to reflect the new law in 2004. The Republicans?

They still have a 2003 mentality.

PROVO — Republican leaders huddled Wednesday night trying to untie a legal knot that postponed the appointment of a new state legislator to replace former Utah House Rep. Jeff Alexander, R-Provo.
Party leaders went to bed Tuesday night believing Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. would choose between finalists John Curtis and Chris Herrod after one-on-one interviews scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
They woke up Wednesday morning to learn that they had overlooked a 2004 change in state law that took the decision away from the governor and was intended to leave it to local party officials.
The problem is that outdated Utah County Republican Party bylaws conflict with the fresher state law. The county party ran a convention-style election Tuesday night where Republican delegates in House District 62 narrowed a list of 10 candidates down to two: Curtis and Herrod. The bylaws say that if one of the finalists doesn't earn 60 percent of the vote on the final ballot, the two names go to the governor. (Deseret Morning News, January 4, 2007)

Oh, and the person who informed them they goofed? Governor Huntsman.

I've decided that one of two things could be to blame. Either 1) the Republicans don't pay attention to bills they are passing, or 2) they pay attention, but choose to not honor nor sustain the law.

-Bob