2007 election questionnaire — Ralph E. Becker
BIO
Name: Ralph E. Becker
Age: 55
Occupation: Professional urban and environmental planner
Previous political experience: Becker's involvement on the state level began when he was the state planning coordinator under Gov. Matheson. He also has served on the Salt Lake City Planning Commission, the Memory Grove oversight committee and the Salt Lake City Housing Appeals and Advisory Board. Currently, Becker represents District 24 in the Utah House of Representatives, a seat he has held for more than 10 years — six of which were in leadership positions.
QUESTIONS
• Why do you want to be the next mayor of Salt Lake City?
The job of mayor of Salt Lake City is a perfect fit for me. I want to be mayor because I want to put my skills, experience and vision for Salt Lake City — along with my leadership approach and ability to engage our city's residents — to their highest use as a public servant. I have focused professionally on city planning for over 25 years, I have represented the city up at the Legislature (District 24), and I deeply believe that I have the ability to help our city become a truly great American city.
• What is your opinion of the job Rocky Anderson has done in his two terms as mayor? What aspects of his leadership, if any, will continue in the office if you are elected? In what ways do you envision your administration differing from Anderson's?
Mayor Anderson has done a great job when leading out on certain issues such as climate change and the city's role in reducing our impact on the environment. I fully intend to continue his work in that arena. I do, however, bring a different style to the job. I am a consensus-builder and a believer in creating and cultivating coalitions when solving the city's problems.
• Salt Lake City voters will decide whether to approve bonding for up to $192 million to pay for new public safety facilities. Do you support this bond, and why or why not?
I do support the bond because we desperately need new public safety facilities. If we do not pay for it now, we will end up paying for it later, and the costs will only be higher then. Our public safety facilities have deteriorated. If the bond passes, I will review each project in the package.
• Plans for the LDS Church's City Creek Center development call for a skybridge across Main Street to connect shopping areas on the second level of the outdoor mall. The City Council amended the city's master plan to allow for such projects to be considered. What is your opinion of skybridges in general and specifically as part of the City Creek project? If elected, will you support the skybridge being built?
Recent comments
What does Ralph have in his blueprints for the Westside of SLC (...
Jay | Nov. 2, 2007 at 4:58 p.m.
