Rob's blog

A story came out in the Salt Lake Tribune today, "Council Swayed by Donor Dollars?" (November 1, 2007 only [5 days before the election]). It alleges that Peterson Development made a campaign donation of $1,500 to myself and Mike Kellermeyer, and then a week later, we both voted differently in favor of their project than we otherwise had before, suggesting we had been "bought" or influenced to decide in their favor. Since we all mistrust politicians and know that they are swindlers and cheats, this should come as no surprise (at least, according to the "conspiracy theory" people.) But for those who just want the facts before they make up their minds, let me lay out the facts and then you determine for yourself if I am lying or if someone is playing an 11'th hour attack to make a candidate look bad right before the election to influence its outcome.

1. Lets look at the bribery suggestion.

Politicians and those who "grease their palms" like to keep it under wraps, not in the full light of day. Consider if you will my campaign disclosure statement. When was the first day it could be filed? October 23rd. What is the day that I filed? October 23rd. If I wanted to keep something inappropriate swept under the carpet, wouldn't I wait until the last second so the public would have less time to be aware of who my contributors were? Was I just stupid to have not figured that out? I have always been open and transparent, providing any information to anyone who asked for it. Not because I HAVE to, but because I WANT to. The more honest someone is, the less they have to hide and the more unafraid they are to have someone look at the details surrounding them. Here is a link to the campaign disclosure statements for the General Election that was used by the Tribune for their facts.

2. Who has contributed to my campaign?

Here is every contributor in descending order of contribution and the relationship to me:

• Foursquare Properties, $2,000 (owners of Jordan Landing, their projects needing any council approval are all completed) 
• Peterson Development, $1,500 (major developer in the city, have had projects both turned down and approved while I have been on the council)
• T L Consulting, $1,500 (owners of Wasatch Pacific who have developed projects on the west side of the city (none in my district). Approvals for their projects all came before I was on the council) 
• Robert M. Bennett, $1,000 (yep, me. Imagine being my own fourth top contributor! I guess I believe in me as a candidate to be fair)
• SME Industries, $1,000 (SME Steel, a West Jordan business)
• Rocky Mountain Glass, $1,000 (West Jordan business)
• Horiuchi and Associates, $500 (Randy Horiuchi, County Councilman, as a private citizen)
• Robert A. McCleve, Jr., $500 (West Jordan resident)
• Anonymous, $250 (envelope left on my door to my attention. I do not have any way of identifying the source, nor who I could return it to)
• Southwest Family Medicine $200 (my doctor in West Jordan)
• Sean Fleming, $200 (West Jordan resident)
• Gregory K. Knight, $100 (my cousin in Arizona)
• Knight Realty Company, $100 (family real estate company)
• Majestic Investiment Company, $100 (family business)
• Universal Investment Company, $100 (different family business)
• Spencer and Christy Knight, $100 (my cousin in Holliday)
• Boyce Metal Works, $75 (West Jordan business)
• Misc. Donors $50 or less, $200 (names are not recorded unless they contribute more than $50)

I would invite the other candidates to prepare a similar list, but for me, it is not about the candidates being swayed. It is about who is using this for their own political agenda to make some people look bad to influence the ELECTION, not a single development or developer.

So, it looks like mostly West Jordan businesses, West Jordan residents, family and some business interests that don't reside in but do business in West Jordan. If I am obligated to every one of them to do "special" favors, it is going to take me a while; especially for all of those small donations!  

The truth is, people and companies have ALWAYS contributed to candidates they believe in, not because they expect special treatment or favors, but because they believe something good about that candidate. Have or do some companies or candidates trade money for influence? Historically, I'm sure it has happened. But I sure wouldn't do it for a measley $75 or even $15,000. It's not worth it to ruin your reputation forever. I have never been influenced by any company, personal relationship, employer relationship (I have worked for the LDS Church for 7 years and never once felt undue influence as an employer or a member to vote a particular way for any of the many projects they have in West Jordan, and they were paying my salary - much more than the one-time $1,500), or any other way in my votes for my community other than what I felt was best for my constituents and the city. Anyone who says or suggests otherwise has never looked me in the eye and searched my heart.

They also must consider that some people are willing to sell their soul for a whole lot less than most people would consider (REALLY, what is so good about serving on the city council, serving 30 hours a week as a part time official for $815 a month, taking flak and abuse every week, that $1,500 would make up for???? Is it worth it at any paltry price - or any price at all if you have integrity?)

3. With a project coming up, shouldn't you just have turned down the contribution to avoid the appearance of impropriety?

Sure, I could do that, but the reality of America is that races costs money. Even with the shoes I have worn out knocking on doors, you can only reach so many people. So you have to pay to reach them through the mail or other methods. How much money do you need? How much is your opponent raising? Will you be outspent and possibly lose the race if your message doesn't get out as far as is needed to get you the votes you need to prevail?

Here's another consideration: what if instead of voting on the Peterson and other projects, I had just used delaying tactics to get the council to delay any project by any person or company that had contributed to any of our campaigns (all the candidates) until after the election was over? If you were a company, would you want that? It would sure make you think again about EVER donating to any candidate in the future. Is it "if you see a council member coming and it is election time, RUN AWAY! All your plans and business prospects will just have to sit on hold from July through November to avoid all appearance of evil?" Let's be realistic.

The only answer is that either you either have the integrity to not be influenced by contributors or you don't. Look at all the other donaters to the other candidates. The same could be said about owing favors for them, yet I am not and will not make that allegation against anyone else. That is, to me, what is wrong with America - we have turned so negative, especially with politicians, that the presumption of guilt is automatic rather than what we were founded on (presumption of innocence UNTIL proven guilty).

Make what you will of this. Talk to me. Check out my story. See if it rings true or if I am a lying politician (isn't that redundant?). The decision is, of course, yours. I have nothing to hide and will open all of my books, financial statements, scanned checks and documents to any member of my district who would like to look at them. It is the least I can do to maintain that transparency that to me is so important to help people decide who they can really trust to act with the highest integrity in spite of what others may suggest about them.