
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.
Return to the Updates.
Return to Home Page.