Monday, February 12, 2007

Remember how Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. touted his planned executive order prohibiting officials in the executive branch from accepting gifts of any kind? It is to be the beginning of Huntsman's quest to reform state government and bring ethics back into the fold. It also is Huntsman's wish to set an example to state legislators, those gift fondling public servants who never saw a freebie they didn't like.

So questions were raised last week after the deal was struck to keep professional soccer in Utah and build a new state-of-the-art stadium in Sandy. After it passed the Legislature with Huntsman's help, Salt Lake Real President Dave Checketts publicly presented Utah First Lady Mary Kay Huntsman with 35 roses and gave the Huntsmans an official Salt Lake Real jersey.

It's all on the up-and-up, though. Those close to the governor say the roses are being displayed in a public area of the Governor's Mansion, so it is a gift to all of Utah. They also say that as an official representative of Utah, it is incumbent upon the governor to accept gifts as part of ceremonial activities. But he doesn't keep them. The governor's staff collects all the gifts given to the governor and eventually donates them to charity.

So here is the example for legislators: The next time a lobbyist invites you to a dinner on him or her, don't turn it down because that would be rude. Just get a doggie bag at the restaurant, stick all the food in the bag and take it to the Homeless Shelter later that night. It might even make you feel good about yourself. Also, don't turn down Utah Jazz tickets when they are offered. But take a video camera with you and record the entire game. Then donate the tape to a local Boys and Girls Club for the children's entertainment.

Cheers,
Paul Rolly