Sen. Mayne a true statesman

It takes a special sort of person to represent minority viewpoints, to find himself on the losing end of political issues much of the time, and to still be the kind of person who is admired and loved by people of all viewpoints. Ed Mayne, elected four times to the state Senate and a long-time president of the state AFL-CIO, qualified in every way.

Mayne, who died of cancer Sunday in the middle of his fourth Senate term, at age 62, had humor and grace. Reporters remember him as impish at times, playing movies on his computer during the final days of a legislative session and turning the screen so they could see. He loved helping the downtrodden and felt politics was a noble public service.

But he also served with passion and energy.

Mayne was a Democrat, which put him in a distinct minority in Utah's Legislature. Often, the Republican majority will ignore the concerns of Democrats, who don't have enough numbers to mount serious threats to many proposed laws. But they listened to Mayne precisely because of his gentlemanly qualities and his reputation.

In politics, opinions often differ sharply. But leaders on both sides of the aisle understood that Mayne held his opinions because of deep convictions and because he truly wanted to make Utah a better place.

His relentless battles included those for senior citizens' rights, for basic health care for the poor, for the safety of helpless animals, for the rights of mobile-home residents against sudden evictions and for increases in the minimum wage. Only two months ago, despite ill health, he spoke at a committee hearing against the practice of employers paying workers in cash, arguing they were hurting both the workers and state tax coffers.

Utah politics has been dominated by one party for many years now. One-party rule can be harmful if it leads to proposals that don't have to survive the legitimate arguments of a credible opposition.

Mayne provided that leveling influence. He served his West Valley City constituents well. More importantly, he was an example of statesmanship and dignity, two things of which the modern world needs more.