From Deseret News archives:
UEA skips traditional pep talk by Huntsman
Teachers union says '05 focus is on community, not politics
The 2005 Utah Education Association Convention left Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. out of the lineup, parting with what has become an apparent tradition.
In the late 1980s, Gov. Norm Bangerter was regularly scheduled to speak at the convention's opening ceremony. He even showed up in 1989, weeks after teachers walked out of their classrooms to protest his proposed tax cuts.
Gov. Mike Leavitt addressed conventiongoers nearly every year of his three-term stint, praising educators, pep-talking rookies and hinting at new initiatives.
Leavitt's successor, Gov. Olene Walker, was honored at last year's convention, UEA President Pat Rusk said.
Huntsman addressed the convention last year while on the campaign trail. So did Scott Matheson Jr., his UEA-backed, Democratic opponent.
But the state's CEO is conspicuously absent this year.
The 18,000-member teachers union didn't invite him.
But Rusk said the UEA certainly meant no slight by it.
"There was no message in that. It just wasn't part of the program."
Huntsman deputy chief of staff Mike Mower noted Huntsman Education Deputy Tim Bridgewater was invited to visit the convention and planned to stop by Thursday evening.
"(The governor) is always honored when he is asked to speak. However, he appreciates that he's not always invited to address every event and gathering, and when he is invited, he makes every effort to attend or send a representative," said Mower, also Huntsman's legislative liaison.
"We have a good working relationship with UEA officials. The governor was there last year; I'm sure he'll be there in future years."
The response is far more gracious than the Republican Party's back in 1988, when Bangerter didn't receive an invitation.
State party leaders responded with a press conference, where they complained Bangerter wasn't invited but UEA-backed Democratic challenger Ted Wilson was.
E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com
Comments
- Rabbis join NJ gay marriage debate 9:03 a.m.
- Afghan buildup on faster timetable 9:01 a.m.
- Salahi denies crashing W.H. party 8:58 a.m.
- Suspect in police slayings killed 8:55 a.m.
- Arrests made in Roy slayings 8:35 a.m.
- Bowden meeting with school officials 8:01 a.m.
- FIFA: Ireland won't be in WCup 8:00 a.m.
- Florida's Dunlap arrested, charged 8:00 a.m.
- Stocks climb early as dollar slides 7:59 a.m.
- China: Talk, not sanctions on Iran 7:49 a.m.
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- Cougs begin bowl preparations
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Y. student vanished in China
- Max Hall issues apology
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- BYU says Hall incident resolved
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
899 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
481 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
384 - Max Hall issues apology
382 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
317 - Utes won't respond to Hall
264 - BYU is champion of the state
140 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
123 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
120 - Religion in politics is tiresome
113
Live 'Twittologue' Dec. 2, 4:00 p.m. with Jason Chaffetz. Click for more.
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
Just in case no one else is watching, gold broke through the $1200/oz barrier...
Assuming that the prosecutor is following the law, it is investigations like...
Now there is no wasted time or money in a prolonged trial and jail time. No...
Isn't there a psychological term called projecting? Isn't that where you...
As evidenced by the posts here, the BYU kitten fans do not feel like the...
Holiday candy is a poor comparison to what few natural sites there are for...
Old Joe Smith and Max Hall had a lot in common: "...and while they were...
I was shocked by the '0-to-5' year term until I read that the "victims" had...
Billions more for war. What on earth for? What a waste of financial...
Awesome story! Way to go to this outstanding family.



You can be the first to comment on this story.