Utah politicians look back on good ol' summertime

Utah banks and credit unions: "Watching all the bickering and fighting between IHC and other health-care providers/insurers during the summer meetings was great fun. We garnered great ideas for our future battles."

Utah lobbyists: "We respectfully extend our appreciation to the Legislature and governor's office for authorizing task forces that met throughout the summer on a frequent basis. Those year-round retainers are nice."

LDS Church Legal Department: "Although it took a fair amount of research, we did discover a little-known loophole in the Word of Wisdom that allows the sale of alcoholic beverages in church-owned retail developments."

Mayor Rocky Anderson: "Wow! What a great summer! I spent time recruiting candidates to run against those miserable council members who do not appreciate my vision and leadership. Robert Redford and I invited dozens of mayors from around the country to discuss pollution and the backward thinking of the Bush administration. I organized a protest against President George Bush, offended thousands of war veterans, and further isolated my city from the rest of the state. Then I just had time before summer's end to fire a few staff members and exchange heated insults with them in the news media. But the real highlight of the summer season was my bike tour in Italy where I was able to spread my heartfelt message of peace, love and harmony with others."

Deseret Morning News management: "We spent the summer as we do every season — apologizing for the antics of Frank and LaVarr."

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Republican LaVarr Webb was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. He now is a political consultant and lobbyist. E-mail: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. A former candidate for Salt Lake mayor, Pignanelli served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as House minority leader. Pignanelli's spouse, D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, is executive director of the state Department of Administrative Services in the Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. administration. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.