From Deseret News archives:

The right man, the right time

Published: Monday, Jan. 7, 2008 12:07 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
During a visit with the Deseret Morning News editorial board in 2007, then-candidate Ralph Becker was asked if his low-key style and evenhanded approach to campaigning would get him noticed. His reply, in so many words, was he hoped voters would look hard and choose substance over style.

They did.

Now, as Mayor Becker gets sworn in today, residents of Salt Lake City hope he will hold fast to that thought. As the old maxim has it, an empty can makes more noise than a full one. And Becker has never been a noise maker. In fact, as a legislator, he was known for skills that hardly made a peep — diplomacy, organization, diligence, hard work and a sense of duty.

Say what you will, when it comes to life in the City-County Building, those qualities may not have a lot of flair, but they feel like fresh air through a window. The time has come to buckle up, hunker down and get things done.

There is much to do. Downtown Rising must be risen. Fences must be mended with the Legislature. Bruises and wounds inflicted by past regimes must be addressed and dressed.

Story continues below
Salt Lake City, of course, has been known for decades as the Crossroads of the West. Now, in his own words, Becker says the city itself is at a crossroads. Social services, the arts, business, religion and taxes are all on the agenda. And what the city needs is not a firebrand shouting "Follow me!" but a competent manager with a track record for crafting plans that actually work.

If the past is an indication, Becker is such a man. What this town needs is a good wonk. And Salt Lake City residents chose wisely in selecting a mayor who prefers cooperation to confrontation and prefers competence to being combustible. Becker appears to be a marathoner, not a sprinter — the kind of leader who doesn't care who gets credit as long as things get accomplished.

After all, in governing it's not what you do, but what you get done.

Becker comes to the job prepared — in training, temperament and talent.

He has shown he is more than a doer, he can get it done.

Recent comments

I don't know much about Becker but this op-ed gives me high-hopes...

2 bits | Jan. 7, 2008 at 11:41 a.m.

We can expect eight solid years of "Isn't St. Ralph wonderful" from...

Anonymous | Jan. 7, 2008 at 8:49 a.m.

This op-ed sets a great tone for the coming administration. Best...

lamonte | Jan. 7, 2008 at 5:18 a.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

Sounds like a good option if you can't or won't switch to AT&T for the...

I worked with and around Bill Sederburg for 5 years while he was at...

Price injured; Miles has cast removed

hand. He needs to work on his moves to the basket and rebounding. Lateral...

Jazz blow big lead, hang on

play Fez or Koufos tonight. He went with a smaller line up and Boozer, Okur...

I've met Bennett before and he is a nice man. He also knows the Constitution...

Thousands protest health bill

That's never been a secret. Everyone will pay for it except those that don't...

What exactly were Nephite interpreters?

I agree with NonMormon. I am active LDS, and I enjoy Ash's articles, and I...

I kept saying don't resign Milsap, especially after Portland offered that...

U. hopes to keep clicking

BYU is the slowest team that has ever been in the top 25. Utah will put up a...

NFL: Midseason grades

i think u have the cowboys ranked too low! at least an A- LOL nice work!

Advertisements
Advertisement