Response to Tooele Transcript Bulletin

Although I attempt to keep my responses to articles I read to a minimum, yesterday’s article and editorial regarding the Tooele County Republican Convention require a response. In my humble opinion, both items focused not on what was actually the real news of the Convention, the contested County offices and the record turn-out and interest and the star-studded slate of local, State and National Candidates appearing here in Tooele County. Two incumbents were successful in avoiding a Primary by large margins, and a political newcomer forced a Primary. But, rather the focus became an impromptu meeting of elected officials and civic leaders with the Governor. Selling newspapers is fine, of course. But, I feel these events must be put into context at least, and some outright errors addressed.

 The suggestion that the Governor “hosted a secret meeting” is absurd. How secret is it with 200 people right outside the door? Next, the assertion that certain delegates were hand-picked to meet with him behind closed doors was false. While some of those people were State delegates (this was a County Convention), it is obvious that those people were Elected and civic leaders. Many of those people have been attempting to have the Governor meet with them for months to discuss the unique challenges Tooele County is facing, as they should. As he talked to citizens that evening, he realized that here was a unique opportunity to meet with these people and hear their concerns and perspectives. I believe that speaks well of him during a busy, stressful time. What is missing from the story is that this meeting started, after the County business had been concluded, during a lengthy break, caused ironically by the fact that those Senate Candidates mentioned in the story were nearly 90 minutes late because they were meeting with delegates in Salt Lake, rather than here in Tooele as had been scheduled weeks in advance. The meeting went long and the speeches resumed without those leaders, as the hour was late. I’ve heard no complaints from the Senate Candidates. As to security keeping people out, I’m not sure who they mean, as the reporter never talked to security to my knowledge, but by his own admission an unnamed campaign worker. Several people managed to come and go without trouble.

We live in a Democratic Republic. That means we elect people to represent us in every level of government, from the School Board to the President. The group that met Friday night was doing exactly what they had been elected to do, taking a unique opportunity to represent their constituents, whoever they might be. The Governor was acting in his role as Governor, his “day” job, not in his role as Candidate. There were no “back room deals”. There were no “kings made”. I won’t even dignify the “well connected families” statement with a comment. How would the article have read had our elected officials turned down this chance? “Local leaders snub Governor-Citizen concerns ignored”, or something similar? As to the apathy that the stories allude to, perhaps the Transcript should read their own story. There was record turnout in the GOP Caucus’, record turnout at the Lincoln Dinner and record turnout at Convention. Apathy indeed! While the political process may indeed be sowing distrust nationally, I suggest that 2 incumbents advancing by large margins in Tooele County tells a different story here. Is it possible that the media might be sowing some of that distrust? Where was the indignation when they reported on similar meetings taking place at the Capital during the Legislative Session with many of the same players? Perhaps it’s the Transcript that needs to take the hard look, at its mission in the Community, and at these endless, pointless vendettas.

Chris Sloan