Mayor Jim?

posted on 4/28/2018 by the Salt City Sinner

Jim Dabakis, former State Senator and co-founder of the Utah Pride Center and Equality Utah, is running for Salt Lake City mayor. He’s got plenty of company; there’s a whole baseball team’s worth of candidates running.

I was very interested to read the following from Jim recently, via his Facebook page:

I Am So Sorry, I Must Return Your Generous Campaign Contribution… 

Dear XXXXXXX,
I am returning your generous campaign contribution. With thanks. You have done nothing illegal or immoral. As a matter of fact, recently on an airport inspection visit, I was dazzled by the great work and progress being made by you and so many others who are building Salt Lake's future. However, I have made it a habit in my years of public service to not knowingly take money from people or companies where there might be future conflicts. 

Sincerely,
Jim Dabakis 

(The contribution came from an out of state major contractor consultant on the new airport. There are billions of dollars being spent out there. No disrespect, really, but I just don't think I should take money from him.)

Jim’s decision to forego a campaign contribution from this (as-yet unnamed) airport contractor is telling in a few ways. It’s remarkable that it is remarkable, for one. Conflicts of interest and corruption have become so deeply entwined with the political makeup of Utah that it’s a signal event when a candidate for mayor politely declines what was no doubt a sizable check.

It’s also a reminder of what’s at stake in the coming mayoral election. The airport expansion is the largest public works project in Utah history, and it isn’t even the only issue a new Mayor is going to have to wrestle with. After all, like it or not, the inland port is headed our way like an incoming meteor (or Thanos). Given the air quality situation in the valley, the State of Utah’s shocking disregard for input from city residents on many issues, and the affordable housing crisis, we’re going to need an executive who can strike a balance between idealism and pragmatism. The last thing we need while dealing with issues involving enormous contracts ($3.6 billion dollars draws a lot of flies) is a mayor whose gears have been greased.

I don’t know Jim personally, but I’ve met him a few times and he seems like a delightful man, smart, passionate, and, when he gets particularly animated on a given topic, capable of vigorous arm-waving the likes of which is not often seen outside the Muppet phylum. In short, I like Jim. He won’t be the only candidate that I have something to say about, by any means, but I will say that should Jim win, Salt Lake City will be in capable (if wildly-waved) hands.