Reberg taking time for Matheson

Salt Lake County Community and Support Services director Leslie Reberg is jumping from a political mess — the nest of controversies that is county government nowadays — into a political race — Rep. Jim Matheson's re-election attempt.

Reberg sent a letter to Acting County Mayor Alan Dayton Tuesday requesting an unpaid leave of absence from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1 "to follow through on some personal projects without creating any undue questions or conflicts at work."

"This is my favorite time: election time," Reberg said in an interview. "I love the process. I just decided I wanted to help" Matheson in his campaign.

Reberg's husband, Mike, is Matheson's Utah legislative director. The couple's cars proudly display Matheson bumper stickers.

Reberg will be an unpaid campaign volunteer.

Though Reberg is experienced in Salt Lake County government — having filled various positions — during the past four years she has been an anomaly: an unapologetic Democrat in a Republican administration. Much to Reberg's surprise given her politics, GOP Mayor Nancy Workman asked her to be one of three county department heads when she, Workman, came on board in 2001.

"I want to reemphasize that this is a temporary leave and that I very much look forward to returning to my position in November," Reberg wrote to Dayton. "I have a desire to continue to do whatever I can to further the critical projects and contribute to the positive policy directions that I believe can make a lasting difference."

Many in scandal-plagued county government have said they are tired — tired of scandal, tired of controversy, tired of people taking advantage of the troubled atmosphere to give life to petty grievances.

As for Reberg, while her motivations for leaving were to help a candidate she believes in, she conceded that "this experience of switching gears will be energizing."

Acting associate department director Chris Crowley will take over in Reberg's absence.

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E-mail: aedwards@desnews.com