Deseret News | Reader comments: Rep. Clark declares candidacy for Provo mayor's seat

Reader comments
Rep. Clark declares candidacy for Provo mayor's seat

Go Steve Go! | 10:05 p.m. May 18, 2009

Steve would be a great mayor but we would miss him on the Hill. We wish you the best, Steve!

Good for Provo | 10:18 p.m. May 18, 2009

It's good to see someone like Steve get in the race. I like both Steve and John Curtis. Steve is right that Billings has been in long enough. I wish the Mayor would gracefully acknowledge the good he's done and step aside - 12 years is long enough.

John Curtis is a solid candidate and will be a great Mayor. I think it's great for Provo to finally have two honorable men to choose from. I can appreciate what Steve brings to the table, but I think John's got the professional experience that Provo needs right now. We simply need a leader not another politician.

Anonymous | 7:21 a.m. May 19, 2009

Steve has lived in Provo all his life. He has served the people of Provo well for many years. It is time to bring him home to Provo were he can best serve the city he loves. Go Steve!

Comments continue below

What? | 7:34 a.m. May 19, 2009

To "Good for Provo." What good has Billings done? That is precisely why he has to run for re-election is to try to develop some sort of legacy that does not revolve around the 60 million wasted on iProvo. Hundreds of thousands wasted for the few at the airport. A couple of million wasted moving the golf course for a non-existent development. He essentially spent the money before it hit the bank and now it may never come.

Billings has wasted millions upon millions of dollars and completely decimated the City of Provo that was left in very strong fiscal shape by his predecessor. Now he has to keep in office to continue to cover up the mess that has been created and try to find some sort of legacy.

Billings, it is time to go regardless. The citizens don't trust you and the employees utterly despise you. It is time to take your command and demand style of dictatorship somewhere else.

Time for a new leader, a real manager in Provo.

happy jack | 7:54 a.m. May 19, 2009

He certainly looks like a politician, and a well-fed one at that.

Constantly amazed | 10:07 a.m. May 19, 2009

I am amazed at the love affair that some Provoans have with Billings. Wake up people. The emporer has no clothes!! If they only knew the narrow-focus, small-minded, and controlling behind-the-scenes operations, they would boot his unvisionary, ineffective, misguided behind right out of the office. He is confrontational and dictatorial. He manipulates public perception at the higher costs of poor policy. Provo deserves much more than the growing list of missed opportunities this mayor has racked up.

Gratefully, the field of candidates is filling up with competent and visionary people. Now's your chance Provo. Pick a real winner. We deserve it.

Right on John | 11:45 a.m. May 19, 2009

I think you can keep Steve Clarks of the world and the Lewis Billings. John Curtis is the one we need! Steve is over-inflated and doesn't have a grip on Provo. He's as self-serving as Billings. Be careful Provo and don't make the same mistakes again.

Self Serving? | 12:35 p.m. May 19, 2009

Someone more self-serving than Billings? I don't buy it. It didn't take him long to use all of the lower-class citizens in our neighborhood to get him into office before he moved to the rich side of town and abandoned us and all that he claimed he stood for when he initially ran for re-election. No one on the West side of Provo would ever vote for him again. Since he moved you can hardly get an minute with him more less an appointment. This "captain" even beat the rats off this ship he built and then ran aground and left all of us stranded without life vests or rafts. West Provo for anyone but Billings!

Steve will be great | 2:40 p.m. May 19, 2009

Steve will be a great mayor. He's a genuine and approachable person who we would do more than well to have as our mayor.

GO JOHN CURTIS | 5:33 p.m. May 19, 2009

Its our lucky day to have someone like John Curtis running for Mayor. Billings has had his time and should have completed his objectives after 12 years. Good bye.

I think Steve just doesn't understand Provo and thinks more about himself than the needs of our city.

John Curtis has the understanding and temperament to be a great Mayor with the passion to make real positive changes for Provo and mend the fences that Billing knocked down. We need John Curtis.

Nice picture | 5:45 p.m. May 19, 2009

If I were Steve Clark I wouldn't want my picture to be with former Rep. Greg Curtis, one of the most deceptive and mean spirited politicians in recent memory. It seems like a bad association.

I really think I like John Curtis. I asked him why he is running and I think he has great ideas for Provo. In my opinion he would be a great leader and Mayor.

OH NOO | 6:56 p.m. May 19, 2009

One of the leaders of the Utah County Mafia is leaving??
I don't know how to say this without letting it be known that I think Clark was one of the worst legislators on the hill but I am sure that the people in his District will be able to find someone worse--
Without a credible Governor to control the silly boys I am sure the state will run a muck for the next 18 plus months.
Keep your arms and legs inside the right wing ride and hang on!!!!!!

Good Government | 7:31 p.m. May 19, 2009

Steve Clark is, above all, approachable. He's got a down-to-earth style. He listens. He thinks. And then he acts. He's the best person for the job of Provo mayor, certainly. Go, Steve. Provo needs your leadership.

Anita Newmayor | 11:03 p.m. May 19, 2009

Perhaps there needs to be further debate from the commentors claiming that Steve doesn't understand Provo.
Aside from living here for most of his life, serving a term on the city council and his years as a State Rep for Provo, sitting on several city boards and councils, not to mention his wife's current term on the city council, what would give anyone the idea that he doesn't understand it? What more does one person need to have a "grip on Provo" other than a lifetime of service to it?

As it stands, there is no one better qualified, or ready with ideas.

John Who? | 11:51 p.m. May 19, 2009

Steve had a very distinguished career in business before he became a part of government. To wax philisophical, I think that's the way it works best according the people who founded our American style of government. He's a statesman and has some really great ideas and plans for Provo.

I don't know John Curtis, and most people don't. I'll be very interested to hear what his ideas are and how he intends to accomplish those ideas. Everything I've heard up till now from his camp is very abstract. You can be more specific. Provo's not a very big town.

At this point, I think Steve has the edge in experience and ideas. Good luck!

Clark is the ONE! | 4:38 a.m. May 20, 2009

Rep. Steve Clark is the ONE for Provo's Mayorship. He is a hard-working, patient listener, take action sort of guy. He will be judicious and cautious when handling Provo's financial decisions. He will carefully consider all issues and all sides to those issues. There is not a better man or candidate for Provo's Mayor than Steve Clark!

Clark on immigration | 6:33 p.m. May 20, 2009

Steve Clark really let down the legal system with his failure to do anything about the problem of illegal immigrants in Utah County. Is this a portent for the future? How can companies bring high wage jobs to Provo when the illegal immigrants help keep wages low?

Wake up Provo! | 11:42 p.m. May 22, 2009

I just don't know what I am going to do if the people of Provo give the current mayor yet another chance. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. The Mayor had his chance, he may be a nice guy but he has made some very poor choices and Provo paid the price. That is why we need to go with a leader with a proven record in John Curtis. I don't know John but I know a record of achievement when I see one. Lets not beat around the bush any longer. Lets make the "RIGHT" choice and choose John Curtis.

More than the (R) | 11:49 p.m. May 22, 2009

Provo needs more than another so called Republican Politican from the Utah legislature, (see Steve Clark). We need a true Conservative reformer like John Curtis. Don't even get me started on the current Mayor, let him go quietly into that good night.

Really? Steve Clark | 12:11 a.m. May 23, 2009

Elect Steve Clark if you want Spanish to be the official language of Provo. The only way he could attract good ideas is if they came in the form of an illegal immigrant. No se puede Steve Clark.

Madison | 12:19 a.m. July 9, 2009

That last comment was pathetic and uneducated. Good luck making it in the real world with comments like that. Steve Clark speaks ENGLISH. He is well educated (unlike others), personable, and friendly. He knows Provo. He cares about Provo. Who wouldn't want that. He deserves to serve the People.

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