Anderson epitomizes leadership

My friend and former Salt Lake City Mayor Jake Garn was published in the Deseret Morning News "My View" column on Friday endorsing Frank Pignanelli. I appreciate the newspaper printing my view on the same subject.

Problems do not get solved by sweeping them under the rug. Positive change does not happen without new ideas. Unity is not forged without candid dialogue and inclusiveness.

Leaders like Mayor Rocky Anderson know how to build coalitions and overcome resistance to change. Leaders like Rocky bring everyone to the table, even when being inclusive ruffles the feathers of those accustomed to getting their way. Leaders like Rocky have high expectations and a good work ethic. Mayor Anderson epitomizes leadership.

Before Rocky was elected mayor, the City Council voted down the University TRAX line. Rocky tenaciously worked to reverse the decision. He brought together opponents, community leaders, residents and business owners. Together, they crafted a process for building the line that has become a national model. I was close to him in that process. I personally saw the long hard days, the sleepless nights, and the diplomacy exercised even before Rocky was sworn into office.

When faced with one of the most difficult issues in city history, the Main Street Plaza controversy, Mayor Anderson immediately took a principled approach, maintaining that the promises made to both the city and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should be upheld to the extent constitutionally possible. When his first proposal, which would have given both sides almost all of what they were initially promised, was rejected, he made a practical proposal to end the divisiveness. Afterward, LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "We commend the mayor . . . for all that he's done to bring about a resolution to that very difficult and serious problem." Several members of the City Council also praised the mayor for his leadership.

Mayor Anderson includes everyone in city government. He has increased the number of minority city employees on an unprecedented scale. He hired the city's first ever Japanese-American RDA director and the first African-American planning director. Of his appointments to city boards and commissions, 35 percent have been from the minority community. He has given a voice to people of every income level, faith, political persuasion, sexual orientation and race.

Rocky has courageously addressed the divisions in our community. Instead of tiptoeing around the issue, he has sparked candid, yet respectful dialogue. Along with Jon Huntsman, he co-founded the Alliance for Unity, which brought together prominent leaders from many religious faiths, ethnic backgrounds and political leanings. He has forged strong relationships with religious leaders, from the Rev. Tom Goldsmith of the Unitarian Church to Presiding Bishop H. David Burton of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with whom he meets on a regular basis to work on downtown development.

The other side of Rocky is his ability to overcome resistance and to forge positive change. Sure, there is tension between the mayor and the City Council. That is common and a good thing for our system of checks and balances. I faced resistance from the council as mayor. Palmer DePaulis had the "Gang of Four." Faced with opposition from the City Council, Mayor Anderson has shown effective leadership, pushing forward important initiatives. Without his tenacity and independence, we would not have the University TRAX line or the tremendous YouthCity program. We would not have open space at Library Square, which the City Council resisted for nearly two years. We would not have provided leadership for better regional planning and less air pollution by challenging the violations of federal environmental laws in connection with the Legacy Highway. We would not have a progressive public arts ordinance.

I have seen Mayor Anderson's legendary work ethic. It is because of his constant energy that so much has been accomplished in the last four years, despite huge issues like the Olympics, Sept. 11 and the Main Street Plaza.

During four years of Rocky's administration, violent crime on the west side has decreased by 23 percent, and the total of major crimes citywide is down more than 10 percent. Rocky has initiated internationally recognized environmental programs, which are making our air cleaner and saving taxpayers money. He has brought more than two dozen businesses, on-street parking and outdoor dining to downtown. He has saved more than 230 acres of open space. He has brought more than 1,300 units of affordable housing to the city. Mitt Romney has recognized Rocky's important role in hosting the most successful Winter Olympics in history and has endorsed his leadership for another term.

Rocky is not your typical politician. Honestly folks, I can't even buy his lunch on occasion! He has earned my respect and my admiration because of his independence and honesty. He may ruffle some feathers from time to time, but Rocky is the kind of leader Salt Lake City needs.

Former Salt Lake City Mayor Ted Wilson is a key campaign adviser to Mayor Rocky Anderson.

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