Don't Waste Salt Lake County

Thank you to Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jani Iwamoto, the rest of the Democratic-led Salt Lake County Council and Mayor Peter Corroon. The county is no place for storage of high-level radioactive waste. We don't want it, and now the county is on record saying so.

Councilman David Wilde, a Murray Republican, doesn't want to waste our county, either. Councilman Wilde joined with others on the Council in supporting the resolution to keep waste from landing within our borders.

Turning Utah into a dumping ground for toxic radioactive waste is the third-rail of politics, folks. Poll after poll has shown that Utahns of all political stripes oppose storing radioactive waste in our state. I feel sure that candidates who fail to take a firm stand against dumping the stuff in our state will do so at their own peril.

The Island Life

Jeremiah Stettler, who reports on Salt Lake County government for The Salt Lake Tribune, writes today about "islands" within the county--in this case, 33 enclaves surrounded by the city of Sandy that remain unincorporated. The people who populate these scattered residences prefer to get their services from the county--trash collection, police and fire, street maintenance.

Back in the '90s, these residents made it clear they liked being islanders within the bigger, growing city of Sandy. And yet one of those islands--the unincorporated area of Granite (far eastern edge of Sandy) will vote in November to determine whether it should become a township and remain free of incorporation within Sandy.

Is it self-determination? Is it a cheaper way to live with lower taxes? I must say living so seems rather charming. What do you think?

Open Up!

I went to the House Democratic Caucus meeting today. It was fascinating. I've been before, as a reporter, but I'm wearing a candidate hat now. I introduced myself as a candidate for Salt Lake County Council and they gave me a warm reception.

Interestingly, on the floor directly beneath us at the Capitol the House Republican Caucus was also meeting--in secret. That's the way of doing business with the House majority. Apparently, the members decided to push their own version of a legislative ethics package, perhaps saving the citizens of Utah from deciding the issue for themselves on the 2010 ballot. It would have been great to hear the discussion surrounding the ethics issue.

I think the GOP may finally be getting the message. People are sick to death of business as usual at the Legislature. They're afraid to leave it to the voters.

And I'm glad the Democrats continue to hold open caucus meetings, where they are doing the people's business.

What do you want?

People I talk to in this campaign want these things (and this list is not even close to exhaustive!):

1. Clean air along the Wasatch Front. The whole state, for that matter.
2. Honesty. Please spend our tax money openly and with honest intent.
3. Bipartisan spirit. Yes, you are a Democrat, they say, but can you please play nice with the other party in the sandbox?

I'm only beginning. More TK.

People who need people

I'm realizing many similarities between campaigning for SL County Council and my long and previous life as a newspaper journalist. I spend my evenings now telephoning potential supporters and asking for their votes. In a way, it's like calling total strangers for interviews. It takes a bit of gumption and steeling myself--don't want to bother people too much in what is probably their precious and minimal spare time. There is a magic two-hour window that I try to hit between dinner and "too late to call." Between 7 and 9.

Once I get someone on the phone though, all my tension dissolves. We talk. They tell me what is on their mind. What they want in a politician. I'm heartened by their civic engagement and interest in the campaign. I am doing exactly what I need to be doing.

Bright Starr

I've had plenty of help so far in this campaign, but mostly through informal channels. Today I hired Samantha Starr as my official campaign manager. Samantha comes with great cred. She managed state Rep. Laura Black's (D-Midvale) legislative campaign in 2008 and has done a great deal of work in grass-roots organization. She is just what this campaign needs: intellect, a great work ethic, experience, tenacity. I think it is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!

And...we're off!

I'm thrilled to be running as a Democrat for a Salt Lake County Council at-large post. This means that no matter where you live in Salt Lake County--within Salt Lake City limits, or in any other city or unincorporated area--you can vote for me. So I hope you will.

Meanwhile, this is a generic and temporary blog to help me line up volunteers and for gathering on-line financial contributions. I am connected to PayPal.com to ease your donation process. Please donate any amount (by law, you may contribute up to $6,000 to my campaign in this elections cycle. That can be one lump sum, or spread out) you can. And I will be grateful for your generosity. You may also contribute by check, via snail mail. Make your check to: Mullen for Council and send to:

Mullen for Council
1735 Kensington Ave.
Salt Lake City, UT 84108

My greatest challenge from now through April 24 (the date for the Salt Lake County Convention) is to court delegates for their support. Currently, this is a two-way race. I need your support--so be sure to attend your Democratic precinct caucus on March 23 and get elected delegate. Then vote for me! Simple and wonderful, eh?

Thanks in advance.