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This is the August 16 - August 30, 1996 update.


August 30, 1996
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.

  • Named two candidates in each of eight districts who will run for the Utah State Board of Education. The names will go before Utah voters on the November 5 election ballot. "One of my highest priorities as governor is to ensure that our children receive the best education possible," Governor Leavitt said. "I am pleased to forward the names of these school board candidates to the voters of the state. They are all people who can make a great contribution to education."

    • The candidates are as follows:

    District 2: Lynn Haslem, Altonah (incumbent)
    Richard P. Tatton, Price

    District 4: Cheryl Ferrin, Eden
    Morris N. Poole, Logan

    District 6: Thomas F. Davidson, Ogden
    Joyce W. Richards, Ogden

    District 8: Daryl C. Barrett, Salt Lake City (incumbent) Jill G. Kennedy, Salt Lake City

    District 11: C. Grant Hurst, Sandy (incumbent)
    Jerald A. Sumsion, Sandy

    District 12: Boyd F. Jensen, Murray (incumbent)
    D. Kent Michie, Salt Lake City

    District 14: Susan C. Henshaw, Orem
    Marlon O. Snow, Orem (incumbent)

    District 15: Linnea S. Barney, Orem (incumbent)
    Dee Dee Rose, Provo

    The governor's nominees were selected from a list of names submitted by eight district Utah School Board Nominating Committees under Utah's school board election laws. The committees were appointed by the governor and were made up of a local school board member, a parent, a school district employee or school administrator, a teacher, and three community representatives. Each committee submitted three to five names from which the governor selected the two names that will appear on the ballot in each district. The State Board of Education supervises the state's public school system including adult education programs, applied technology centers, Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind and the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation. The board is responsible for establishing and ensuring a wide range of minimum standards for Utah public schools from textbook adoption and teacher evaluations to bus transportation and health and safety requirements for schools.

  • Pulled the switch to bring solar power to Dangling Rope Marina. Governor Leavitt joined with Congressman Jim Hansen and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Superintendent Joseph F. Alston in dedication ceremonies at Dangling Rope Marina on Lake Powell. "This is a great example of how state and federal agencies and the private sector can work together to solve energy challenges on public lands," the governor said. The new photovoltaic/propane hybrid energy system will replace the diesel-fired generator used to supply electricity for residential housing, the marina store, fueling-dock and other concession operations. Dangling Rope is the only marina in the 90 miles between Bullfrog and Wahweap and is a frequent stop for boaters. The new solar energy system will save the National Park Service more than $100,000 per year in fuel and maintenance costs and will eliminate air and noise pollution produced by the diesel generator. The new energy system was created through a partnership between the Utah Department of Natural Resources' Office of Energy and Resource Planning, Utah Department of Community and Economic Development's Office of Energy Services, U.S. Department of Energy, Sandia National Laboratories, PacifiCorp, ARAMARK Leisure Service, Inc., the National Park Service concessionaire on Lake Powell and the Environmental Protection Agency.


  • Encouraged business leaders to become more involved in education. Governor Leavitt spoke to 75 executives from Utah's top businesses to thank them for their contributions to education and encourage them to participate in the Schools-to-Careers program. "Every business has something to give to the schools in their area that will in turn benefit your company." Schools-to-Careers is designed to increase businesses' involvement in education by offering guest speakers to classrooms, providing internships or apprenticeships to students and allowing schools to visit their businesses on field trips. The event was sponsored by the Utah Partnership for Educational and Economic Development and hosted by Bank One. After his remarks, Governor Leavitt introduced M. Anthony Burns, chairman, CEO and president of Ryder Systems who spoke to the group representing the education committee of the Utah Business Roundtable. Ryder Systems has partnered with Utah in supporting the school partnership initiative.


  • Appointed Richard B. McKeown to the Utah State Tax Commission. McKeown replaces Roger Tew whose term has expired. In commenting on the appointment, Governor Leavitt said, "The state of Utah is fortunate to obtain the service of Rich McKeown as a Tax Commissioner. He is a capable individual with a great deal of broad-based experience." McKeown has an extensive background in the legal profession. Most recently, he has been a partner in the law firm Parker, McKeown & McConkie and a mediator with Intermountain ADR Group. He has also been an adjunct professor in the paralegal program at Westminster College and was the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1987. McKeown devotes many hours to several local and national organizations including the Utah Bar Association's Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee and the East High School Foundation. He was also a candidate for mayor of Salt Lake City in 1995. McKeown's appointment is subject to senate confirmation. In his three terms on the Tax Commission, Tew was a leader in state-local taxation issues and served on the boards of the Federation of Tax Administrators and the National Tax Association. He was asked by the Federal Highway Administrator under two presidents to chair a national task force in an innovative tax administration project. That effort organized a fuel tax reporting agreement among states and Canadian provinces that annually saves trucking companies millions of dollars in administrative costs. Tew will leave office September 19 at the end of his term as the president of the Western States Association of Tax Administrators. He will become a partner in the law firm of VanCott, Bagley, Cornwall & McCarthy, specializing in state and local taxation and government and legislative affairs.


  • Applauded Bob Dole's presidential candidacy. Governor Leavitt and Lt. Governor Olene Walker joined with members of the Utah congressional delegation and Republican candidates at a press conference to recap the Republican National Convention and show support for Bob Dole and Jack Kemp. "I am happy to join with other Utah Republicans in supporting Bob Dole and Jack Kemp," the governor said. "They are committed to restoring power back to the people. Our country needs their leadership as we prepare for the next century." Others in attendance included Senator Bob Bennett, Congressman Jim Hansen, Congresswomen Enid Greene, Frank Suitter from the Republican Party of Utah, congressional candidates Merrill Cook and Joe Cannon, Senator Dave Buhler representing Utahns for Dole, and a representative from Senator Orrin Hatch's office.


  • Welcomed the beginning of competition in local phone markets to the state. Governor Leavitt participated in dedication ceremonies for Electric Lightwave Inc., the first telecommunications company to offer Utahns a choice in local telephone service. "Access and affordability are essential in any industry and can best be ensured through vigorous competition in an open marketplace," the governor said. "We welcome Electric Lightwave to our state as the first of many firms that will give Utahns increased options in the local telephone services industry." The Utah Telecommunications Act was passed in January of 1995 to allow the citizens of Utah to choose between competing companies for local phone service.


  • Praised Utah's National Guard Troops as "clearly the No.1 National Guard in America." Governor Leavitt and his family attended the annual National Guard Governor's Day where he had an opportunity to review the troops and pay tribute to two deactivated units. "Utah has a proud tradition of outstanding National Guard Units with many outstanding accomplishments. I would like to thank each of you for your dedication and service to our state and our nation," the governor said.


  • Lit the "Y" for 50,000 college football fans. Governor Leavitt participated in the pre-game show at the Pigskin Classic by turning on Cougar Stadium's new state-of-the-art score board. The Pigskin Classic is the first college football game of the season and was played between Brigham Young University and Texas A&M in Provo.


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