After cutting the deal with the LDS Church in December 2002 and the Alliance for Unity committing its $5 million to build the center, it was all downhill with one excuse after another for the delay in building the center. Folks were told the plans were being drawn, yet it was not decided what the building was to house. Later it was decided that all city residents would use the facility, so citywide community meetings were then held.

When the mayor's chief of staff, the point person on the project, resigned, there was no one in city hall who seemed able to answer questions about the project. What followed was excuse after excuse, and residents were given the runaround. Three years later, the Alliance for Unity finally wants to know, "Where's the beef?" The latest excuse was that the city could not complete the project because it was having trouble buying two pieces of property. Yet the city's contract person said that was never part of the deal when negotiating the contract. Well, now James Sorenson has given the needed money to the city to purchase the property to put an end to that excuse. No more excuses, just "get 'er done."

This whole elusive project gives credence to the belief many west-side people have that city hall has neglected them and taken them for granted, except at election time. It's unfortunate that the generosity and good will of many caring citizens has been squandered.

Though the Main Street Plaza land swap has been a divisive issue for our city, maybe it's time stop the excuses, work together and take a lesson from Horton the Elephant.

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A Utah native, John Florez has founded several Hispanic civil rights organizations, been on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch, served on more than 45 state, local and volunteer boards and filled White House appointments, including deputy assistant secretary of labor and as a member of the commission on Hispanic education. E-mail: jdflorez@comcast.net