Deseret News | Reader comments: Hiring of senator's son drawing fire

Reader comments
Hiring of senator's son drawing fire

Above Board | 5:25 a.m. July 23, 2008

Okay, so it's above board hiring. But how is it that so many kids of politicians end up in well paid jobs related to government employment? I'm sure they are ALL above board, but 100k for a 25 year old kid?

Utah Bill | 5:37 a.m. July 23, 2008

It's simply amazing the coincidences that occur when legislators are involved in allocating money to programs. If I were the cynical type, I'd be suspicious of how often their family and friends benefit from their work on the hill.

GreatDane | 5:38 a.m. July 23, 2008

Sweet! I wish my first full-time job as a 25 year old kid would be for $100K in "consulting" even though I had no consulting experience. I need to move to Kanab. Or, get adopted by one of the local politicans there. I guess the Center for Education, Business, and the Arts saw no need to hire an educator, businessman, or artist. If this CEBA thing is actually an economic development project, and they want to establish themselves as such, why not hire a professional in the field to do so? Most jobs require some form of formal qualficiations in terms of education or experience and those qualification requirements are set forth in the job announcement. What happened here?ostiion actually require any formal qualifications in terms of education or experience or could just anybody meet the required qualificationsI would be really interested in looking at what CEBA asked for by way of job qualifications

Comments continue below

Ethics Reform | 5:55 a.m. July 23, 2008

Nothing to see here folks. Just move along... Seems like more of the same old Utah legislature back scratching. Even if the kid was the best candidate it still has the appearance of back room favors. Aren't we supposed to avoid the appearance of evil? Utah needs ethics reform. And by the way, I didn't apply for the job.

Tim Barnes | 6:14 a.m. July 23, 2008

Wow! Who cannot connect the dots on this one?

Bob Jensen | 6:19 a.m. July 23, 2008

What were the specific qualifications required for this job in terms of education or experience? I assume the Center for Education, Business, and the Arts was looking for credentials as an educator, businessman, or artist or combination of those credentials.

Paul | 7:15 a.m. July 23, 2008

For $100k, they should have been able to hire about 5 Senator kids...

Tim | 7:28 a.m. July 23, 2008

If it looks like a nepotism duck, if it quacks like a nepotism duck, if it walks like a nepotism duck, it's a nepotism duck.

stink | 7:40 a.m. July 23, 2008

It has a stink to it, doesn't it. Salary paid, 25 year old... got a terrible stink to it. No experience that anyone could buy off on? Got a stink to it.

Here is what is really happening: this project needs a sugar daddy, a protector. The boy is the protector. His task is to get more money for the project, and he knows ..........DAD!!!! He was chosen because he is the son of the possible supporter in the ledg.

Utah either cleans up its act, or not. Could go either way... lots of money, unanimous corrupted vote, daddy is a big wheel... 50 50 chance the public will see the rat.

Gina | 8:03 a.m. July 23, 2008

Unbelievable. . .who really believes that some 25-year old with NO full-time experience--let alone management experience--was the best choice for this job? Just more of the cronyism that is modeled by the governor that puts people who know nothing in positions of power. . .

Devil's Advocate | 8:07 a.m. July 23, 2008

Maybe he IS the best choice for the job because daddy will help him get the funding in the legislature that CEBA is looking for. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. . . politics at it's worst.

Harley Bob | 8:40 a.m. July 23, 2008

Wierd. Why would this guy even apply for a job he so obviously has no qualifications for? Was he told ahead of time: "If you apply, you get it."

sob | 8:44 a.m. July 23, 2008

is this not the same place where local politicos on legislative energy groups are also share holders in the planned development of a nuclear energy plant.
but then thats why they go into politics in kanab.
get what you can as quickly as you can

Dumb! | 8:50 a.m. July 23, 2008

He was the best candidate? Disgruntled? This is just another page in the ever lasting book of GOP disregard for ethics.

There is no way that there wasn't another candidate for this position who is more qualified. I'd like to see the short list. My guess, there was only one nae on it.

Big Red | 8:50 a.m. July 23, 2008

"Unanimous pick"? I can't even get my family to make a unanimous pick for pizza!

Sounds like this obviously unqualified kid was the "unanimous" pick of the Kanab Good Ol' Boys network before he even sat in the interview hot seat.

By the way, I didn't apply for this position. But I live in southern Utah, and I'm not stupid.

Tim Lee | 8:56 a.m. July 23, 2008

Only in Kanab. Are these guys just oblivious?

1. Natural Family Ordnance
2. No "speedos" ordnance
3. Fire Cowboy Ted.

Number 4: We hire only those genetically connected to our community ordnance.

Maybe they should just secede from the rest of the world.

You can bet that paper screaders will be working overtime in Kanab today.

Shaking My Head | 9:03 a.m. July 23, 2008

I saw the job description for this one. The requirements were very specific and appropriate for the job. The young man certainly didn't meet the requirements. It's possible that no one with those kind of qualifications was willing to locate in Kanab for one year. However, that doesn't mean they arbitrarily settle on someone less qualified. If that were the case, they should have issued a new job description with a less stringent requirements and readvertised the position so everyone could have a fair shot at the redescribed position. I'm not concerned that he is a Senator's son. It would be inappropriate to hold that against him. I'm more concerned that he is not qualified and that the hiring process was flawed. I guess the bottom line is whether the folks down there get the job done in a professional manner and only time will tell.

Wowzers | 9:11 a.m. July 23, 2008

I wish my first job was for a $100k! I went to work in government as a fresh-faced, optimism-filled recently graduated college student for just over $30K per year. My current responsibilities far exceed anything this young man will become involved in, in his current position, and his base salary still exceeds mine. Seems to me that they could spread that funding over 3 or 4 years, thereby maximizing the grant, and paying junior about what he's worth. I am fairly familiar with both state and federal civil employee positions and procedures. There aren't any $100K positions at the entry level in either place. That's usually the capstone on a long public service career.

Anonymous | 9:11 a.m. July 23, 2008

you have to be joking me!!

Guyz | 9:23 a.m. July 23, 2008

I give up on the lottery. I am moving to Kanab. Running for public office and getting jobs for my three unemployed teenagers.

Tipster | 9:26 a.m. July 23, 2008

Amazing! When something so obviously smelly like this happens where is our Attorney General? Where is the Utah legislative ethics committee?

I feel sorry for those in Kanab who have this kind of judgment in their political leaders.

Southern Utah Resident | 9:29 a.m. July 23, 2008

THIS STINKS TO HIGH HEAVEN!

STOWELL NEEDS TO RESIGN IMMEDIATELY!

stop crying | 9:54 a.m. July 23, 2008

looks like state workers got to work early today. I wish the would work rather than complain about someone getting a better job than they have.

randy | 10:08 a.m. July 23, 2008

business as usual in utah politics lately ..

i like the part where the son gets to lobby for funding in the future .. lobby who ?

gee - duh!

remember .. new slogan in utah politics ...

incumbent out .. challenger in

H. Dodds | 10:14 a.m. July 23, 2008

I work the private sector. My hard earned tax dollars pay for this scam. That ought to be a concern for "stop crying" as well. Unless . . .

Mahershalalhashbaz | 10:12 a.m. July 23, 2008

Sounds very fishy to me. I say the son and the father step down. Get out of our government you dirty scumbags! Nepotism at its worste.

Break up the duopoly | 10:20 a.m. July 23, 2008

Incumbent parties (DEMs and REPs) out.

Challenger parties (Constitution and Libertarian) in.

Cantrell | 10:40 a.m. July 23, 2008

A few facts:

* Senator Stowell supported someone else for this position and wrote that person a letter of recommendation. He was not aware his son was applying for the job.

* The senator was not the driving force behind the appropriation for CEBA. That was Rep. Mike Noel's priority.

* The CEBA position salary is $80K/year, under contract. When you factor in benefits it's more like a 50K-55K salary.

It's easy to assume and condemn, but take a minute before you reach for your pistols. Those of you who have worked with Dennis Stowell know he is an honorable man.

tourboy | 10:52 a.m. July 23, 2008

Cantrell's comments are good points to consider. Even so, how stupid do you think we are? Just because Senator Stowell is a smart enough politican to avoid a bombshell doesn't mean the Kanab politicans are that smart.

dixie dude | 10:55 a.m. July 23, 2008

Here's another important fact:

The CEBA hiring committee ASKED Kelly Stowell to apply for the job. Who else did they ask? NOBODY.

What does that tell you? The whole hiring process was a scham. They had their mind made up before they even started.

Big Red | 12:12 p.m. July 23, 2008

Rebuttal to Cantrell:

You left out the $20K bonus that comes with the CEBA consulting job. By the way, benefits are NOT included with any consulting job.

Whether or not Dennis Stowell was the driving force, he KNEW about the position and he SUPPORTED it. That's according to the CEBA chairwoman.

This is a heck of a deal, by anyone's standard, for a kid's first full-time position. Even the Kennedy kids don't get this kind of deal!

dixie chick | 12:32 p.m. July 23, 2008

You are wrong, Big Red. The CEBA position is 25-year-old Kelly Stowell's SECOND full-time job in his long and illustrious professional career.

Anyone happen to know who sat on the interviewing/ hiring committee(s)?

Not a State Employee | 12:41 p.m. July 23, 2008

Contrary to "stop crying's" assertion, many of us are not "state employees." I have many good friends who attended top schools in the state and the nation and landed high-paying consulting jobs fresh out of college (not graduate school) at the biggest and best consulting firms in the nation: McKinsey, Bain, Arthur Anderson, etc. They would have given their left big toe to earn that high of salary right out of school. Don't get me wrong, many of them are now earning well into the six digits, but not until after several years of proving themselves worthy of such sums.

This is a waste of taxpayer dollars and there's no other way to slice it. Pay the kid $40 or $50K per year (and that's good money by rural Utah standards) and let him prove himself. If after a couple of years CEBA is up and running and paying for itself, then you give him the big increase.

Additionally, from an HR perspective, the other problem with this scenario is there's no room to grow; therefore nothing to work for or look forward to when it comes to matters of pay as he's already tapped out.

Get over it. | 3:25 p.m. July 23, 2008

We have a lot bigger problems to deal with than one college graduate who got a job.

Lockharts | 3:39 p.m. July 23, 2008

The Lockharts are just as bad. Who does LOBBYIST STAN LOCKHART lobby to? Well, as the State Republican Chair, Lobbyist Stan Lockhart has to lobby to this WIFE! Wonder how he or she gets their way?

Why is there NO OUTRAGE OVER THIS?

give him a break | 3:39 p.m. July 23, 2008

DWS Job #: 8650177
Open Date: 05/02/2008

Kelly applied for the job, was interviewed and was selected as the best person for the job. If you applied and have a problem with that, speak up, otherwise, he deserves a chance to fill the position. Don't blame him for being hired, he had a great job that he loved and he was really good at. If you've got a problem with him getting the job, talk to the board that hired him. They could have hired someone else. The job description says "Training: Work experience, + bachelor's or higher" He's got that. What else do you expect.

LOCKHARTS | 3:43 p.m. July 23, 2008

Oh, yes, his wife is a 10 year REPRESENTATIVE from Provo, Rebecca Lockhart.

Throw both of them out.

thinker | 3:51 p.m. July 23, 2008

If you think this stinks, run for public office. That way you can do things the "right" way. Don't be surprised though if nobody agrees with you and writes to the newspaper and accuses you of being 1. A good ole boy 2. A cronie 3. An anything a "phobe" 4. Predjudiced 5. In it for yourself 6. Favoring your relatives, business, etc.

Can you imagine what might happen if more people would give of their time to serve their communities instead of complaining about those who do?

Holding office in a small town is still a big job.

I say put up or shut up.

wrong facts on give him a break | 4:02 p.m. July 23, 2008

This job announcement was posted on the Dixie State College website. That posting has no, I repeat no, QUALIFICATIONS SECTION. Odd, all the other postings have a qualifications section. Why was this one deleted?

Stunned | 4:04 p.m. July 23, 2008

It is amazing to me that any one is trying to defend this sort of slight of hand followed by feigned innocence. There is such a tone of arrogance and disregard for process in this whole matter. I too pay my taxes. I try to be careful in spenind my money. In these rough times, it is not easy to come by. This type of nopotism and contempt for tax payers is insulting to the hard working people of this state.

Watching Utah politics the last eight months or so has left me with a profound feeling of irritation and frustration.

I am sure that Senator Stowell is a fine man and i am sure that his son is worthy of having a job and perhaps ten years from now after he has gained the requisite experience he should have a job of this clibre.

But he obviously does not have that experience yet and honestly it would be quite a stretch for any one to suggest that he does... at 80,000 or even 55,000.

Young Mr. Stowell is not entitled to this job and Senior Mr. Stowell and his friends are not entitled to be granting it.

Tim L:ee | 4:04 p.m. July 23, 2008

Give him a break? Who ever said this was about poor [plus 100K] Kelly Stowell? It's not! He should go for it and get all the money he can lay his hands on. Bravo for him!

All the criticism is about the extremely poor judgment of the public officials who unprofessionally managed this thing.

post thinker | 4:10 p.m. July 23, 2008

Don't run for public office if you expect to be exempt from public accountability.

You must be kidding | 4:09 p.m. July 23, 2008

The State of Utah now has a $112 million dollar budget deficit. How can we afford something like this?

Turner | 4:20 p.m. July 23, 2008

Nobody likes angry pointless complaining. But, people expect public scrutiny of their government and of using government funds. This isn't China. Here, public SERVANTS take a lot of heat. We owe them our thanks and they owe us accountability.

Ditto | 4:31 p.m. July 23, 2008

This isn't church. These leaders are accountable. That's as it should be in a democracy. Harry Truman leaving office said: "I have been a public servant while President. Now I leave office to return to be a citizen. Now, I get to be the boss."

Cartman | 1:54 p.m. July 25, 2008

What's it going to take before people realize how corrupt our "leaders" are? Where does it end?

Will the media follow up on these corruption/cronyism/nepotism allegations?

I could not find a list of the people who actually hired young Stowell.

When you have a list of criteria and experience required for a job, and then change or delete that description to hire an unqualified person, someone has some explaining to do. Will the Deseret News find the answers for us?

Killing Bugs | 10:44 a.m. July 26, 2008

Like this is such shocking news.

Son: "Hey, Dad, uh, I need a job. Ya know, so I can get some more cool stuff, like wave runners to take to Powell, and I gotta get a lift on my Escalade, and put a pool out back, cause man, it's hot. C'mon, Pops, ya gotta know someone, or can pull a string somewhere, yeah?"

Dad: "Hmmm....you have a point, son. Would hate for my fine political image to be tarnished if ma-boy didn't have fun things ta do and can't pay fer 'em. Let me ponder on it. Maybe have to talk about it to some folks on Sunday.

...the rest of the story ensues in print...

cLAUDIA | 8:24 a.m. July 27, 2008

Sound familiar...a BRIDGE TO NOWHERE? Kanab cost of living must be out of sight!

Ear Marks? Hope we see this on the foolish way our Tax dollars are spent.

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