Greene, Herbert debate politely

ST. GEORGE — Enid Greene and Gary Herbert traded compliments on Monday, showing viewers of a televised debate that politics only go so deep.

Not one negative comment about the opposite camp escaped either Republican candidate's lips during the hourlong session held inside the KCSG-TV studios in St. George.

"Enid Greene is my good friend. She's a great lady," said Herbert, who is Republican gubernatorial candidate Jon Huntsman Jr.'s running mate.

Greene, who is partnered with Nolan Karras in his quest to become Utah's next governor, also spoke favorably of Herbert.

"While our opponents would make a good governor and lieutenant governor, Nolan Karras will make a great governor," she said. "We think Utah is a good state with the potential to be a great state."

On June 22, voters will select one of the two Republican teams to face Democratic candidate Scott Matheson Jr. In the November elections.

The two squared off in a friendly debate over questions about economic development, water sources and acquisition, congestion, educational funding and the federal government's role in Utah's vast holding of public lands.

"The No. 1 issue around the state is economic development," said Herbert. "We need to access our natural resources. Nobody in the state has been aggressive enough with the federal government to do that. We need to get the federal government to dispose of some public lands and put them into private hands."

Greene said Washington County's "unbelievable explosion of growth" should convince Wasatch Front politicos that southern Utah has grown up.

"I recognize the needs of southern Utah are, in some ways, different from those of the Wasatch Front," she said. "But there's an incredible amount of congestion here, and the difference is that the Wasatch Front has been soaking up the resources. It's sort of had its turn. We need to look at what we can do for this end of the state."

Herbert agreed growth is an issue in southern Utah.

"The biggest difference between us is that we actually have a plan for economic revitalization for Utah," he said. "It's not just a matter of saying, 'Just trust us.' There has never been a defined, strategic economic development business plan for Utah, and we have one."

Utah's distinction as one of the highest taxed states in the nation is something the candidates would like to change, and soon.