Daily Herald, October 25, 2010
Richard Davis

LOCAL OPINION

When I called for change in Utah County politics on this page a couple of weeks ago, I urged voters to look at the candidates, the individuals, who are running on the Utah County Democratic ticket this year. I suggested that, as individuals, these candidates possess the following:

1. Responsiveness to all voters. These candidates have listened to tens of thousands of voters over the past few months. They've actually met average voters. Republican incumbents, on the other hand, are responsive primarily to Republican convention delegates.

2. Utah County values. The local Democratic candidates are fiscally and socially conservative, but they are not extremists. They believe in real legislative ethics reform, not a watered down version passed by the legislators themselves. They don't want to just deport illegal immigrants and their families; they want to find a more comprehensive and compassionate solution to immigration as suggested by LDS Church leaders. They support public education in deed not just in word. Unlike most Utah County legislators, they know that with class sizes ballooning, Utah legislators are doing much less than they should to fund our children's education.

Candidate Spotlight

Dave Hogue

As a passionate defender of citizen rights, small business and public education, Dave Hogue served ten years in the Utah House of Representatives. His representation of District 52 brought attention to the challenges of growth in Riverton, Herriman and South Jordan,  as well as spotlighting public education and the need for children's healthcare.

While attending the University of Missouri, Dave enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during the Viet Nam Conflict. After serving two tours in Viet Nam, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, The Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and was nominated for a Bronze Star. After college he completed a 25-year career in banking and finance and subsequently founded his own small business for 17 years.

Dave has been married to Becky Jarvis Hogue for 45 years. They have seven children and 13 grandchildren, and have lived in Riverton for 31 years.

Candidate Spotlight

Steve Baugh

Steven Baugh has been married to his wife Cathy for 43 years. They have eight children and 22 grandchildren, of whom seven are attending public school in Utah County.

Steve has committed his entire professional life to service in education and has served in many capacities, including Alpine School District Superintendent, Principal of American Fork High School and Pleasant Grove Junior High, Assistant Principal at Mountain View High School, and as a math teacher at Orem High.  

His current service in education includes serving as the Director of the Center for the Improvement of Teacher Education and Schooling at Brigham Young University (where he is an associate professor) and as the Executive Director of the BYU-Public School Partnership.

Candidate Spotlight

Don Jarvis

Don Jarvis is an experienced educator, administrator, and community activist.  

He is active in community and church.  A member and a director of the Provo Rotary Club, he also volunteers as a supervisor for Provo School District’s adult English as a second language program.  His family has supported the Provo Food & Shelter Coalition for over twenty years.  He has served three missions for his church, one as mission president, and has filled many church assignments, from bishop to home teacher.

He participates in local politics.  This year, together with former Utah Republican Senator Karl Snow, Don headed Utah County signature gathering for the non-partisan ethics reform initiative.  In 2009 he was executive director of the Utah County Democratic Party, in 2008 he ran for the legislature, and in 2007 was chair of the Research Committee for the County Party.  In the 1970s, he served as Wasatch Neighborhood Chair.

Daily Herald, October 11, 2010
Richard Davis

LOCAL OPINION

There's a popular line: Politicians are like diapers. Both need to be changed frequently, and for the same reason.

An election is an opportunity for voters to change politicians. And the one coming up on Nov. 2 is no different. In fact, in Utah County it's time for voters to take matters into our own hands and show politicians who is really in charge.

All over the country, this year voters are saying they want change. And here in Utah County it is certainly time for change. The same old party and legislators have been governing Utah County politics for far too long.

Voters are probably not aware how long some of these legislators have been in office. Did you know Margaret Dayton has been there since 1996 and Becky Lockhart since 1998? (Bill Clinton was president when they were elected.) John Dougall has been there for eight years and Craig Frank has been a legislator since 2003. Worst of all, Howard Stephenson has been at the capitol since 1993. He was elected when George H.W. Bush was still president!

When legislators serve for too long, they have the potential to become arrogant. They take their positions for granted. They assume that they deserve all the special attention they get from lobbyists, state agency officials, and the media. They often forget they serve the people.

Unfortunately, many Utah County Republican legislators have become just that way. They are out of touch with their constituents.