Governor Mike Leavitt: Updates

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This is the April 26 - May 9, 1997 update.

May 9, 1997
Contact Vicki Varela, 538-1503
or Paula Ernstrom, 538-1509

Listed below are the highlights of Governor Mike Leavitt's activities over the past two weeks. Please call if you have any questions.

Joined with Lane McCotter to announce an aggressive plan to address serious challenges in the state corrections system, including the medical care of prisoners and unprecedented population growth that has strained budgets and created employee recruitment and retention problems. McCotter said that he had joined the governor and his chief of staff in a series of discussions about how to resolve recent incidents at the prison, particularly related to prison medical care. The governor asked McCotter several days ago to provide a specific strategy for addressing the issues. Having presented his ideas to the governor, McCotter informed him that he felt the department had another critical need; to be freshened by new management. Consequently, he announced to the governor that he has chosen to conclude his service as executive director of the Department of Corrections. He expects to complete his duties, providing enough time for the governor to conduct a search for a new corrections director. The governor has asked Nolan Karras to oversee a nationwide search for a new executive director. McCotter said that throughout his career in corrections he has observed that leaders have windows of peak effectiveness which last 5 to 6 years. "There comes a time when you recognize that you have made a contribution of which you are proud and which has a long-term positive impact on an organization. I am choosing to leave this assignment with pride about the work that I and others have done to make this one of the best managed corrections systems in the United States." The governor said he was respectful of McCotter's decision. "Lane McCotter has provided outstanding service in a consistently high risk environment over more than 5 years," the governor said. "I am deeply grateful for his professionalism in carrying out this difficult job."

Testified before Congress on President Clinton's designation of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Governor Leavitt reiterated his support for the idea of protecting the sensitive lands in the Escalante area but disagreed with the process the president used last fall when he set aside 1.7 million acres as a national monument. "I feel deeply that President Clinton did not keep the public trust. Had Mr. Clinton been willing to discuss his ideas with those of us in Utah, he would have found both state and local representatives ready and willing to work with his staff to provide the best protection of the natural resources of this area while at the same time providing economic stability to those communities most impacted by it," Leavitt told the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Lands. He then joined with members of the Utah Congressional Delegation and other states to ask Congress to reexamine the powers granted to the president through the Antiquities Act.

Attended the Presidents' Volunteer Summit in Philadelphia. Governor Leavitt joined Lt. Governor Olene Walker and other delegates from the state and Salt Lake City for the event. While there the state delegation agreed to the following standards for Utah's children:

A caring adult in each child's life -- a parent, teacher, coach, mentor or religious leader
A safe place with structured activities in which to learn and grow
A healthy start with a healthy future
An effective education that equips them with a marketable skill
An opportunity to give back to their community through their own service.

The state is asking local community to define the outcomes of these standards. However, the state will focus on recruiting foster families to provide a safe place and improving the literacy rate by encouraging caring adults to tutor children.

Celebrated Southern Utah University's rich history. Governor Leavitt joined with former President George Bush, former Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop, LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley and a host of other dignitaries for SUU's Centennial Convocation. Governor Leavitt participated in most of the two-day festivities which included the dedication of the Centurium and the school's convocation. Leavitt, who graduated from SUU in 1978 and later served as chair of the school's board of trustees, received a commemorative Centennial Medal and an honorary degree at the convocation ceremonies. "I will always be proud to say that Cedar City is my home, and SUU is my alma mater." He went on to praise the school's founders and challenged the administration to honor them by continuing their passion and commitment. "The most proper tribute we can give the founders of this great institution is to emulate them," he said.

Encouraged small business owners to think big. This came at the 1997 Governor's Conference on Economic Development in St. George. "Some of Utah's most successful businesses started out in someone's garage with only a handful of people," Governor Leavitt told the conference. He relayed the story of Megahurtz, a Utah business that started out with 10 people in a garage and has now merged with a major corporation. He took the opportunity to answer questions from conference participants including questions about transportation, Utah's travel industry and our business climate.

Honored the state's best educators. Governor Leavitt attended both the Golden Apple Awards and the Huntsman Awards for Excellence. The Golden Apple Awards honor eight individuals, including two volunteers, who have made an impact in the field of education. The Huntsman Awards for Excellence honor ten teachers, principals, administrators, school employees and volunteers who make significant contributions to their schools.

Said the best way for us to change the world is to change ourselves. This came at the kick off to "Neighbors Uniting Provo," a grassroots movement designed to unite residents in common causes to preserve values and freedom. "I have discovered something through my years of public service," Leavitt said. "Great government does not make great communities. Great communities are made by great people." The movement hopes to involve residents in maintaining a high quality of life at the individual and neighborhood levels.

Remembered victims of the Holocaust. Governor Leavitt declared the week of May 4 as Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust. "The Days of Remembrance have been set aside for the people of the state of Utah to remember the inhumanity of those who perpetrated the Holocaust, as well as to reflect upon our own humanity and the need for respect of all peoples," the declaration reads. Also in the declaration, the governor encouraged Utahns to "rededicate themselves to principles of equality and justice for all."

Appointed Roger J. Ball to be the administrative secretary to the Committee of Consumer Services. "In the next few years, the public utility industry will be in a period of dynamic and unprecedented change," Governor Leavitt said. "Roger Ball has the background, skills and capability to properly represent the interest of consumers and small businesses as these changes take place." Ball has an extensive background in both the utility industry and in organizational development. He spent more than 20 years with British Telecom, first as an engineer and later overseeing total quality management and standards for the company. During his career with BT, the British utility market was privatized and a regulatory structure was created. Since leaving BT, Ball has been an organizational development consultant to many public and private organizations throughout the United States and Europe. He has focused on strategic contributors to corporate survival, competitive advantages and organizational development, including quality costing and quality assurance. A citizen of the United Kingdom, Ball is a permanent resident of the United States. He received the equivalent of a bachelor's and master's degree in electrical and electronic engineering and a master's degree in business administration. He is also a member of several professional organizations in the U.K. and U.S.

Appointed Matthew B. Durrant as a Third District Judge. In commenting on the appointment, Governor Leavitt said, "Matt Durrant is a person of impeccable integrity and his grasp and knowledge of the law are superior. He has just the right temperament and sense of fairness to become one of Utah's finest judges." Durrant is a shareholder at Kimball, Parr, Waddoups, Brown & Gee in Salt Lake City. His emphasis has been in copyright, trademark, contract, and employment law. Durrant has also been an adjunct professor at J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University. His publications include articles in the Arkansas Law Review and Utah Historical Quarterly and two novels which he coauthored. The new judge received his law degree from Harvard Law School and his bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University where he graduated as valedictorian and with highest honors. The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

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