Leadership vital to success of city, state

By Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb
Published: Sunday, May 27, 2007 12:21 a.m. MDT
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Pignanelli: During the week of March 18, two local news events dominated the front pages of this paper. Much ink was dedicated to the shouting matches between Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson and Fox news personalities Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity. The other important activity was the unveiling by the Salt Lake Chamber and the Downtown Alliance of a long-range vision for Utah's capital city. The news reports reaffirmed the basic job description for Salt Lake mayor was abandoned, and scant attention paid to the mundane chores of strategic planning and development. Thus, the Chamber deserves tremendous kudos for filling the vacuum and providing needed guidance.

Last month, the United Way announced the establishment of the Financial Stability Council to resolve problems confronting many Utahns. Through the leadership of Zions Bank President/CEO Scott Anderson, a group of dignitaries across the community spectrum was chosen and the resulting momentum is astounding. Existing initiatives in state government, especially healthcare, now reside with the Council. As happened in trans-

portation funding for Salt Lake County, a nongovernmental entity is providing direction for the state.

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The absolute indication of leadership is persuading a constituency (legislators, colleagues, the public) to support a difficult project while incurring personal risk and sacrifice. Meaningful executive and/or legislative decisions create winners and losers. A solid compromise indicates parties who surrender something of value. Important projects and legislation are created by leaders who compel and convince followers, results rarely achieved by a committee.

Thousands of Americans are veterans of countless commissions, panels and councils that offered outstanding ideas in behalf of their fellow citizens. Unfortunately, most of their reports and summaries are collecting dust, because enactment requires government action. The tough issues, like health care, cannot even be partially resolved without most stakeholders forfeiting some advantage. During any committee deliberations, shrewd players never reveal what they will forgo to prevent unnecessary disclosure to competitors and suppliers. However, committees provide a wonderful opportunity for everyone to speak, argue and otherwise feel involved. Politicians love these endeavors—because they deflect the heat and pressure from them.

The chamber, United Way and other community organizations deserve praise for their work and vision. Yet, these well meaning entities are not built to solve the complex problems — nor should they. Because elected and appointed officials are answerable to the public, they are endowed with that responsibility. Our leaders must consult the activists but end their increasing addiction to outsourcing the ultimate resolutions.

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