A Day at the Legislature

Today was the annual "Local Officials Day at the Legislature". Also attending were Youth City Councils from throughout the state, including American Fork. The following is a brief schedule with comments. . .

• 6:15am ... meet at AF high School and depart for Capitol, (can't believe I woke up at 5:20)?
• 7:00....... arrive at Capitol (brrr, 12 degrees), register, network with other youth councils. Also met Rep. Dougall who visited with us. Mingled and nibbbled at the continental breakfast in the Gold Room.
• 7:30........ Orientation at the steps below the Supreme Court Chambers. The Capitol restoration is awe inspiring. The engineering and isolation stabilization making the building able to sway in an earthquake is amazing for the 92 year old building. See www.utahstatecapitol.utah.gov.
• 8:00....... Observed Legislative Committee Meetings. The hallways and rotunda were busy with Legislators, young people, staffers and local elected officials.
• 9:00....... Observed Senate and House Proceedings. The youth were also able to visit with Rep. Sumsion during this time. Some went on a brief tour of the Capitol.
• 10:30 depart from Capitol to the Grand America Hotel
• 11am.......City Youth Council Meeting with Political cartoonist, Pat Bagley. Pat shared some of his famous cartoons lampooning utah culture, politics and a smattering of national matters with stories. Shortly before the end of the session, youth council members visited with and had pictures with Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert.
• 12:15 ..... Luncheon joined with Mayor Thompson with legislators, local elected officials and other youth councils. Governor Huntsman addressed the gathering encouraging the youth to be involved in the process of community and state government. The keynote "speaker" was President George W. Bush (ok, Steve Bridges, the hilarious impersonator). See www.stevebridges.com for some comic relief. Among many of his zingers were; " Ya know I take alot of criticism. Bob Woodward wrote a book entitled "State of Denial". Come on, we all know Denial is not a state (pause); its a river (pause) in Africa (pause)."
• 2p.........Return home to American Fork with added information, appreciation and contacts regarding this great state and community we live in.

Comments

[Mikayla Orton]

Hey, Mr. LeBaron! Here are the pictures from that day: http://hs.facebook.com/album.php?aid=37065&l=5009e&id=555070852

[Citizen Taxed]

Mr. LeBaron:
Heidi Rodeback says on her blog, "the public is clamoring to house the arts, stock the library and finish the parks". I am one citizen that is NOT clamoring for arts nor any tax payer funding for arts. I propose the library board stock the library with books from funding sources outside of increased taxes. The parks funding ought to come from the developers that develop in the neighborhoods where new parks are being created.

Gracias!

[AF Citizen]

Shirl, How about a blog entry on RDA funds? What are they? How does a city qualify for RDA? What is the ultimate funding source of RDA money?

Thanks!

Note From Shirl......Good question about RDA funding. There is some good information and some misconceptions about RDA or Redevelopment Agency funds out there. I will draft a post shortly with some good links. Thanks for your input.