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Corroon dings Herbert on quality-of-life issues
By Jeremiah Stettler
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated 3 hours ago Updated Aug 6, 2010 02:41PM
Gov. Gary Herbert isn’t making the grade when it comes to preserving Utahns’ quality of life, Democratic challenger Peter Corroon charged Thursday at a news conference staged beneath the scenic granite slopes of Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Shortly after rolling out his own platform for improving air quality (think bigger tax credits for fuel-efficient vehicles), protecting water supplies (maybe a water bank that lets people sell their excess water) and preserving public lands (set aside more money for conservation), the Salt Lake County mayor and gubernatorial candidate chided Herbert for doing too little of the above.
Corroon said the governor deserves a “C” — and maybe a “D” — for his leadership in maintaining, and enhancing, Utah’s quality of life.
He failed to keep about 5,000 drums of depleted uranium from reaching Utah, Corroon said. He nearly signed an agreement that would have funneled Snake Valley water to Las Vegas. He vetoed a bill that would have made Rocky Mountain Power’s energy-saving Cool Keeper program mandatory.
The mayor’s comments come the same week that Business Facilities magazine ranked Utah tops in the nation for quality of life because of its “four-season climate, a moderate cost of living, high-quality education, excellent health care and outstanding cultural and recreational opportunities.”
“It is easy for someone to stand off to the side and take pot shots,” said Don Olsen, spokesman for Herbert’s campaign. “But what you need to do is look at real results in the real world.”
While one trainload of depleted uranium made it to Utah, Herbert stopped two more, Olsen countered. While Herbert considered signing the Snake Valley water accord, he delayed his decision to review concerns by constituents such as Corroon. And while he vetoed the Cool Keeper bill because it was mandatory, he fully supports a voluntary program and uses it in his own home.
But Corroon says the governor lacks “commitment” to quality-of-life and environmental issues that are becoming increasingly pressing as the Beehive State grows.
Everyone knows what the problems are, Corroon said. “We need a governor who is willing to take the steps to implement the solutions.”
Corroon released a 25-page plan Thursday detailing steps he would take to provide better stewardship of the state’s air, water and land resources. Some pledges were broad: Encourage public transit, particularly on red-air days. Other were specific: Raise clean-air standards to require new vehicles sold in Utah to be 30 percent more efficient by 2016.
The Democrat spoke of creating a rebate program similar to Cash for Clunkers for trading out high-polluting vehicles, drafting a drought-prevention and response plan, adding more natural gas-powered vehicles to the state fleet and pushing a more vigorous anti-idling campaign.
“It is very subjective for somebody to say you are not doing enough,” said Olsen, who argued Herbert shares Corroon’s belief that environmental policies and economic development are intertwined. “We are doing a lot. What we are doing makes good environmental sense and good economic sense.”
Maclovia Perez
801-833-2793
Coordinadora Red de Peruanos en Utah
E-mail:redperuenutah@gmail.com
http://redperuenutah.blogspot.com/
Corresponsal Red Democratica del Peru
