Rocky at heart of debate

In the first bipartisan gathering of most of the 10 people running for Salt Lake City mayor on Monday, many candidates explained how they would be just like Rocky Anderson — and how they wouldn't.

The S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah hosted the candidates' forum Monday evening, and all but two of the declared candidates showed up. Only Robert Comstock and Arnold Matthew Jones — two relative unknowns — were no-shows.

And in the crowded race to replace Anderson, the outgoing mayor who has said he will not seek a third term is proving nonetheless to be part of the debate.

Case in point: One question, posed by KSL-TV reporter and forum moderator Rich Piatt to former state Democratic Party chairwoman Meghan Holbrook, addressed the mayor's role in national politics. Anderson, a Democrat, has irked opponents but thrilled supporters with his outspoken stance on issues like the Iraq war, global warming and the Bush administration.

"Salt Lake City is affected by national politics. Every city is," Holbrook said. "The mayor themselves cannot change national politics. ... I oppose the war in Iraq, but I do not believe it is the role of the mayor of Salt Lake City to lead impeachment efforts in Washington."

Piatt asked City Councilman Dave Buhler how he would repair relationships with government officials across the state "that some say have been damaged over the past eight years."

Buhler, along with several other candidates, was quick to minimize the impact of those feuds.

"I disagree a bit with the premise of the question. ... Our mayor has had some problems. His strong suit is advocacy, not relationships," said Buhler, a Republican. However, he added, "We do need to recognize we don't exist in a vacuum."

Buhler touted his background as a state senator and his current work as a Commissioner of Higher Education and council member as helping him build bipartisan relationships statewide.

Former City Councilman Keith Christensen, also a Republican but Anderson's preferred successor, announced he has formed a Coalition of Mayors aimed at bringing mayors of other Wasatch Front cities together to talk about common goals and ways to achieve them.

Holbrook said intergovernmental relations are "not completely damaged, but they're surely wounded. Salt Lake City can't do it alone. We have to work with other government officials." She promised to call a summit of legislative and business leaders in the first 72 hours of her term if she's elected.