Deseret News | Curtis will run for Provo mayor

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Curtis will run for Provo mayor

Mike Ridgway | 3:46 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008

Do we really need another person who's politically indebted to controversial State Senator, Curt Bramble, holding public office in Utah?

A quick reminder for those who missed last Sunday's Deseret News article by Bob Bernick and Lee Davidson:

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Before former State Senate President John Valentine and Majority Leader Curt Bramble faced re-election for their leadership posts earlier this month, a Political Action Committee they help manage gave more than $38,000 to GOP senators and Senate candidates in the Nov. 4 election ï¿½ people who could have helped decide the pair's leadership fate.

They lost their leadership posts anyway. Still, the senators maintain that their PAC's giving was not intended to help them in the top Senate post contests.

"It was not done because of leadership elections. It was done to help elect more Republicans. But it is one of the responsibilities of leadership to help Republicans get re-elected," Bramble said.
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This Bramble Utopoly thing is getting crazy. The willingness of Utah County voters to go along with it is even crazier.

Mike Ridgway | 5:24 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008

Tad Walch's statement that John Curtis wasn't seated as a legislator because he didn't get 60 percent of the vote of the delegates in that special election is inaccurate.

But the blame for this political disinformation rests, not with the writer of this article, but with spin-meister Republican insiders, especially then Utah GOP Chair, Enid Greene, and controversial state senator, and Republican State Central Committee member, Curt Bramble, both of whom know, or should have known, that Utah election law was changed in 2004 to completely eliminate any requirement that a candidate achieve a supermajority to be chosen directly by the party delegates residing in that district to be declared the winner of the seat.

Enid's overturn of that election was a travesty of the highest order.

I know of what I speak since it was I who drafted the substitute wording to the bill, HB 40, which was ultimately adopted by both houses of the Utah legislature and signed by Governor Walker.

The seat was AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN Curtis'.

Mike Ridgway
Former Member
* Utah GOP State Central Committee, 1999-2005
* Utah GOP State Executive Committee, 1999-2001
* Utah GOP State Constitution and Bylaws Committee

government incest | 8:26 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008

This article very clearly describes why government is so difficult to change. Mr. Curtis' candidacy, regardless of his qualifications, is clearly an inside job. Personal ties to Billings, Bramble, et al. Feeding at the city's financial trough. Lining up all the good ole boys as support. What an embarrassment to democracy.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 9:36 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008

Right away I won't vote for him because he has ties to Bramble and Alexander.

Not the guys you want to put on your resume...

I actually like Curtis but that was a bad move to start you campaign with.

Re government incest | 11:36 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008

The whole state of Utah is an embarrassment to democracy.

Missing the Point | 3:25 p.m. Dec. 7, 2008

The main point that seems to be getting missed in this discussion is that Billings doesn't deserve another term as Mayor. He has destroyed the city of Provo. Need we be reminded of iProvo? Need we be reminded deals like Action Target that cost the City millions. Need we be reminded of the golf course where he has spent almost a million dollars the City hasn't received yet? Need we be reminded of the hundreds of thousans spent at the airport to the benefit of the view (namely Billings penchant for flying)? Need we be reminded that over 99% of the employees have a serious disdain for Billings in the least? Need we be reminded that he has spent millions of dollars that were not budgeted for? Almost every year he has cut budgets and yet somehow Provo keeps spending more. Where has the money gone Billings? Can you account for it? Why have all the departments cut millions of dollars but you have entotal spent more every year? Those are the questions that should be addressed this coming election season with the main point being ENOUGH BILLINGS!

Steve | 8:54 p.m. Dec. 7, 2008

Anyone with Brambles support doesn't have mine!

nick henerson | 10:11 p.m. Dec. 7, 2008

I think that the person who said, "Utah is an emberrassment to democracy" doesn't know anything about utah and that is unfair to say that!

Anonymous | 11:47 p.m. Dec. 7, 2008

The fact that John Curtis was able to get his former enemies to support him is truly remarkable. If you look closely at his supporters, there are prominent community leaders both Demo and Republican which shows bipartisan support. Curtis is just what Provo needs.

Supporter | 6:30 a.m. Dec. 8, 2008

John is a proven leader who brings people together. He is not beholden to Bramble or others, he is a realist who knows by experience that you cannot get elected in Provo without broad support, including Republican leadership. John will be a welcome breath of fresh air. Thanks John for being willing to serve.

Anything Would Be Better | 7:31 a.m. Dec. 8, 2008

Anyone would be better than a smooth talking, fork-tongued politician like Billings. Time for a change Provo. Time for a real leader. Someone who can actually manage without making things worse. Someone who actually completed his college education!

Antispin | 10:07 a.m. Dec. 8, 2008

While I can't wait for any alternative to a fourth term for Mayor Billings, I am very concerned about Mr. Curtis running for mayor. Action Target has been right at the head of the line for the Great Lewis Billings tax dollar giveaway game. Mayor Billings sent several million in incentives to Mr. Curtis and Action Target as he convinced them to move to the Ironton industrial park. This is a park where Billings owns alot of property and was desperate for any large tenants. A few years ago Billings spent millions of tax dollars to build out the roads and utility infrastructure in the Ironton area. Usually tenants and developers would pay this cost. This move greatly enhanced his own property value as did the Action Target deal. Oh yea, the mayor's property is in a "blind trust". That just means that we are all blind to the financial benefits that his shenanigans bring for himself.
I think Curtis is on the Billings team!

re:missing the point | 1:27 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

I find it interesting that the golf course gets blamed for the money the city has spent there. If they would have left it alone and not sold it under it's proper value, they wouldn't be faced with putting back together something that they themselves broke. It pays for much more of its own operation than all the city parks COMBINED

"re" spin | 1:32 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

It took 2 years to get Billings on board to move Action Target. Claiming that somehow he eagerly did this for his own benefit shows you don't have much of the inside information. It was a long political battle, and Billings wanted neighborhood leaders to quietly go away when they pushed very hard to change the circumstances at Action Target's current location in Provo. He didn't get his way, and Action Target is moving to a location that is appropriate for their business. (And the neighbors say good riddance)

re: re: missing the point | 3:59 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

Once again you are missing the point and maybe I wasn't clear enough. Billings has spent almost a million dollars relocating holes at the golf course to make way for a development that at this point is not going to be built. Word is Target has pulled out and the developer can't find anyone to take their place thus the money Billings was counting on to pay for the golf course relocation is not coming in even though he already spent it. That is not a good thing from what I have learned. Never spend before the money is in the bank. Unfortunately for Billings, this "greatest project ever to hit Provo" has sunk harder than the Titanic. If only Billings career would do the same.

re:missing the point | 4:01 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

Obviously you know nothing about municipal government. The reason municipalities install parks is for the benefit of the citizens that can't install them for themselves. They never have been nor never are considered to be a money-making entity. If they were the private sector would be building them all over the place. Wake up and hearken back to your high school civics class - if you passed it.

Surprise? | 4:06 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

To anyone that believes Billings won't run for a fourth and unprecedented term consider these facts: What else would he do? He has no management experience outside of his manipulating people as Mayor, he couldn't finish college, Leavitt didn't want him in his State administration or in D.C. in the Dept. of Health and Human Services, and Huntsman wants him no where to be found in his State Administration, he couldn't win a congressional seat, and the County and State Republican Organizations want nothing to do with him. So much for being Leavitt's Heir-apparent twelve very long years ago! It is time for a change Provo, join me in voting for one November 2009 - Billings OUT!

Anonymous | 12:33 p.m. Feb. 12, 2009

I am writing this in part to see where public opinion lies on freedom and individual rights.

I want feedback...don't hold back on me. :)

I ran for Provo's city council and was mocked by other candidates and even the city officials. They feel the Constitution does not apply, and is outdated in regards to our current political state. I think its because they love the way swinging a little power makes them feel and so they ignore principles this country was founded on.

Anyhow, please youtube my speech to them. Key words: James Anderson Provo.

Flame/Praise me and let me know if there are any good patriots left here.

Is there a reason for me to run for Mayor still as I am currently planning for 2009?

Are my principles sound and in line with the Constitution?

Is there anyone willing to help the cause?

James Anderson

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