From Deseret News archives:
Mayor fights for North S.L. land in S.L.
While state and local officials are known to bully and block efforts of Salt Lake City's mayor, they usually join as a group. Wednesday, North Salt Lake Mayor Kay Briggs, on his own, made a commanding move to protect what he said were the interests of his constituency.
Yes, others were supporting him, but Briggs took the action, accusing Rocky Anderson of lies, political posturing and half-truths in a battle about open space.
The scene: A rally at Library Square in downtown Salt Lake City.
The issue: Foothill property that North Salt Lake owns. The city wants to develop a portion of the property, located atop the foothills that straddle the Salt Lake/Davis county line. The land is within Salt Lake City's boundaries and jurisdiction. Before the Wednesday rally, Anderson gave Briggs a letter that outlined his plans to condemn the land.
Condemning the land might allow Salt Lake City to purchase the land and forever preserve it as open space.
One day later, Anderson said Briggs was less than "cordial" and honest with his words.
"I know on the merits that they don't like what I'm doing, but when it comes to personal relationships, I've always endeavored to be civil and cordial," said Anderson. "I think there's a difference between taking a stand on the issues and taking personal potshots."
Those who know Briggs say he's nothing but a gentleman who "has a very high level of integrity."
Is he passionate? Yes.
"Mr. Anderson may think he's the mayor of the bigger city, but I quite frankly see us as equals," said Briggs during an interview Thursday. "I don't think the 800-pound gorilla has the right to sit on, squash nor desecrate the smaller cities and communities within his county." And North Salt Lake is in Davis County, not Salt Lake County.
In person, Briggs is engaging and charismatic as he discusses the issue. The 62-year-old mayor emphasizes his talk with his hands, telling stories of his daily runs or "shuffles" through the city. Thursday, his run was into the open space in dispute.
Comments
- Tigers vs. Miners by the numbers 2:32 a.m.
- Springville vs. Dixie by the numbers 2:25 a.m.
- Wasatch vs. Juan Diego numbers 2:22 a.m.
- Mustangs vs. Tbirds by the numbers 2:02 a.m.
- Nuggets win after clock review 1:41 a.m.
- Robbery ends poorly for one suspect 1:20 a.m.
- Wednesday on TV 12:59 a.m.
- Integration is possible on TV 12:59 a.m.
- Herbert talks land issues in D.C. 12:59 a.m.
- Developer looking to buy RSL share 12:58 a.m.
- Utah group finds homes for orphans
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
- Y. tight ends talented tandem
- Jazz blow big lead, hang on
- Utes get extra motivation
- Senators want food tax restored
- Hair-pulling raises more questions
- Lobo land like home for BYU lineman
- BYU soccer incident still popular
- U. hopes to keep clicking
- House passes health care bill
265 - TCU showdown has big implications
188 - Lobo suspended
185 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Senators want food tax restored
152 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
105 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
104 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants nationwide will honor...
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Glad that he's finally going to be scouting how to beat TCU. Seems to...
Too anyone who whines about people who EARN high salaries; when was the last...
Don't know bout all that "Texas" stuff, but I'm here to tell you people, that...
Gorbachev was a brilliant leader and single most important individual in...
It buys votes from every irresponsible, lazy American in order to keep the...
My fear is the damage to the economy adding trillions of dollars to the...
I don't know, Ak can be horrible too, there are those times when he only...
Utah 24, TCU 21
You are so right about the BS of these 3 radio clowns!
And some of you out there could care less if we give up our freedoms as long...




You can be the first to comment on this story.