Anderson attributes the high turnover to incompetence by employees, who, he said, "weren't getting the job done." He noted that he does get frustrated with employees. He even has his own personal improvement jar that he puts money in every time he swears at staffers. But most of those arguments are fueled by employee mistakes that have escalated, he said.

"People who know me will know it's not focused personally; it's focused on the frustration of not getting the work done," he said. "I have a forceful enough personality and presence that people think I'm yelling when I'm just being direct."

Anderson's "passion and energy" for the job can sometimes be intimidating for staffers, chief of staff Sam Guevara said, but are all part of what makes the mayor's office productive. Employees who sign on to work for Anderson understand it is a high-stress environment and that they are expected to meet the mayor's standards.

D.J. Baxter, the senior adviser who has been in the mayor's office since 2000, said working for the city is a demanding job and Anderson has a right to keep his employees in line. Baxter noted, however, that he has never seen Anderson belittle employees for not doing their job.

"Rocky is a very hard-driving guy. Anybody who works for him knows that right up front. He expects us all to keep up with him," Baxter said. "I think the taxpayers are getting their money's worth."

Mark Alvarez, administrator of minority affairs in the mayor's office, also has never had any run-ins with Rocky. Rather, he said his experience with the mayor has always been "pleasant."

In fact, Alvarez said hearing Anderson "clearly state his position on issues" is a motivation for the office and that his "clear vision" is driving the city's success.

Outside issues

Anderson's passion for topics outside the city's official business has drawn him national attention. Anderson has advised international organizations about global warming and made national headlines last month by protesting President Bush and the Iraq war during the president's visit to Salt Lake City.

The majority of residents in the city he governs don't mind Anderson being in the national spotlight, according to the Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll. Of the 230 Salt Lake residents responding, 50 percent thought Anderson spent an appropriate amount of time on national and international issues. Forty-two percent said he spent too much time on such issues.

Among 414 statewide respondents, however, 52 percent said Anderson spends too much time devoted to national and international issues.

Jergensen thinks that Anderson ought to concentrate his efforts closer to city business and spend less time on the big-button issues that have won him national recognition but no further local admiration.