Salt Lake County Council Chairman Joe Hatch nixes a new term

Democratic Salt Lake County Council Chairman Joe Hatch announced Tuesday he will not seek a fourth term in his District 1 seat.

Hatch, an attorney who specializes in labor law, has represented the left-leaning Salt Lake district since the inception of the council system that replaced the three-member commission in 2000. While he will serve out the remaining year of his term, Hatch said he was self-imposing a rule of politics that he feels strongly about.

"As someone who is a firm believer in term limits, 10 years is enough," Hatch said.

Hatch has been an outspoken advocate for traditional Democratic causes both in his leadership role in the past year as council chairman, and as a member of the minority party for his first eight years in office. Shortly after taking the helm in January, and enjoying the first-ever council-era Democratic majority, Hatch pushed for, and got, long-sought changes including the institution of an independent redistricting committee and a meet and confer plan that created an opportunity for units of county workers to choose, if they so desired, a designated labor representative for the entire employee group. His time in public service, he said, has been a rare opportunity.

"It has been my honor to do this now, three times, and my pleasure to represent the 170,000 residents of District 1," Hatch said. "To be a spokesperson for liberal and progressive values in this wonderful county."

Always one for a snappy retort (he once described a council member's remarks as "Marxist, but not Karl Marxist, Groucho Marxist. Whatever it is, he's against it") he wrapped up his announcement with a tongue-in-cheek declaration of indisputable certainties.

"I've got to remind myself, it doesn't matter whether I'm here on the council or not, whether there is a council or commission form of government, or whether the Democrats or Republicans control, because certain basic truths will always prevail," Hatch said.

" 'Paint It Black' is still going to be the finest Rolling Stones song."

"Pete Townshend's lead guitar on The Who's 'I Can See For Miles' is the finest guitar solo ever recorded."

"And, the Sex Pistols' 'Anarchy in the U.K.' can never be played too loud."

e-mail: araymond@desnews.com