They Might Be Mayors 

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Salt Lake City mayoral candidates answer City Weekly’s questions.

Where do you live?
Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker: Near UU­-going on 6 years.
Former Utah Rep. Jackie Biskupski: I live in Sugarhouse and have lived here for 20 years. Before that I lived in Rose Park for two years.
Salt Lake City Councilman Luke Garrott: Central City, on 500 East between the Smith's Marketplace and Liberty Park. Been a proud resident for 11 years.

Your age/sign?
RB: 62; Gemini (Chinese: Dragon)
JB: 49, Capricorn
LG: I'm a 47-year-old Libra.

Where were you born?
RB: Washington, D.C.
JB: Minnesota
LG: Evanston, Ill.

What brought you to Salt Lake City?
RB: 1974, for grad school
JB: I came to Salt Lake City in January 1989 on a ski trip and never left.
LG: I moved here in 1996 to be with the woman I married soon thereafter.

How many years as an elected official?
RB: Almost 20 years.
JB: I served in the Utah Legislature for 13 years.
LG: For 8 years I have been honored to serve District 4 on the City Council.

Career/profession before elected office?
RB: Planner and lawyer; co-founder and owner of Bear West (a planning and environmental consulting firm) for 22 years.
JB: I was a small business owner and auto injury claims adjuster.
LG: I was, and still am, a political science professor at the U.

First job?
RB: Garbage collector
JB: I de-tasseled corn.
LG: Skolnick's Bagel Bakery, Northbrook Court

Childhood nickname?
RB: Reb
JB: Skup
LG: Luke's the one that stuck.

What college degrees do you have?
RB: BA (1973) in American Civilization, University of Pennsylvania; JD (1977) and MS in Geography and Planning (1982), University of Utah.
JB: A Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Arizona State University in 1988
LG: BA Stanford 1989, MA and PhD University of Florida 2001. I'm finishing up a master's in public administration from the U.

Married?
RB: Kate Kopischke and I tied the knot in 2013.
JB: I am not married.
LG: Was married for 11 years [now divorced]; partner Angela Parkinson for 5 years

Children?
RB: Two sons, ages 43 and 32.
JB: My son's name is Archie, and he is 5 years old.
LG: None.

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Pets?
RB: None (presently—grew up with dogs)
JB: I have one cat. Her name is Kat, short for Catherine the Great, and she is 17 years old.
LG: Cat, "Motzen"

What make of car do you drive?
RB: 2006 Jeep Liberty—diesel (biodiesel when available)
JB: 2013 Nissan Altima
LG: No car for years; I had a red 1976 VW Beetle. I ride a wicked purdy and practical commuter bike.

Unusual hobby?
RB: Every fall I head up City Creek Canyon to harvest elderberries, then I spend hours making jelly. My friends can barely contain their excitement when I deliver a new batch.
JB: I collect antique eye glasses from all over the world. I am curious about who wore them and how they viewed the world.
LG: Soccer mad. Played since age 5, went to Stanford on a scholarship.

Your "Top 3" campaign contributors?
RB: Many more than three contributors have generously capped out, but everyone who contributes to my campaign, financially or otherwise, is "tops" in my book.
JB: Jonathan and Tina Ruga, Paula Green Johnson, Sue Rice and Lisa Kohring.
LG: All of my contributors have been capped to $1,000 each, with many giving low-dollar contributions. Campaign limits are self-imposed now and will become law when I am mayor.

The contributor whose donation brought tears to your eyes?
RB: My 93-year-old mom. She keeps supporting me, coming to events, defending my decisions—even though we don't always share political views!
JB: My dad is in his early 80s and grew up in a small community. When I was growing up, he was openly prejudiced toward people who weren't like him. When I told him I was a lesbian, it did not go well. When I told him I was running for office as an openly gay person—that did not go well. When I told him I was adopting an African-American baby boy—that did not go well. But each time I challenged my father's beliefs, he found it within himself to show unconditional love. My father's support for me never ends. He constantly reminds me how important it is to love people for who they are and to support their dreams.
LG: If you're serving up softball questions like this, you're asking for a BS answer. I'm not a bullshitter.

Your favorite wake-up-in-the-morning beverage?
RB: Tea, from the great selection at Tea Grotto (and on the occasional weekend day, it's a latte with a splash of Bailey's)
JB: Soy Chai Tea
LG: Coffee brewed myself with Viennese dark roast from Salt Lake Roasting Co. and poured through a cone. I'm a snob with my coffee.

How do you relax after work?
RB: Play outside; watch a Jazz or RSL or Utes game; hang out with my awesome family & friends; listen to a range of music types.
JB: I spend time playing with my son and doing the things he loves to do.
LG: An LP and a brewski. Is there any soccer on TV?

Favorite band/music?
RB: Anyone have extra tickets to this summer's Grateful Dead "Fare Thee Well" tour, featuring Trey Anastasio?
JB: I like to make mixes or as they're called today, playlists. Some of my favorites are Sarah McLachlan, Diana Krall and Justin Roth.
LG: "Raise a toast to Saint Joe Strummer"

Bars/eateries that satisfy your cravings?
RB: Way too many to list, but off the top of my head: Frida carnitas; a T-27 margarita; French onion soup at the New Yorker; anything from Aristo's; a Crown or Hires burger; breakfast at Finn's. ...
JB: The Sunshine roll at Tsunami
LG: Mai Bun Mee, a Vietnamese fusion joint on State St., is an experience of extraplanetary flavor explosion that cannot be resisted.

What business claims you as a notable regular?
RB: Wasatch Touring
JB: The Oyster Bar
LG: Junior's Tavern

How do you keep informed?
RB: KUER and KCPW are my morning regulars, and I read everything I can get my hands on that features anything about SLC.
JB: I rely on many news sources, including KCPW, KRCL, KUER, The Salt Lake Tribune, The Deseret News, Utah Policy, Better Utah, KUTV, Good4Utah KTVX, Fox13, and KSL.
LG: I listen to KCPW, for print read City Weekly, The West View, and The (on hiatus?) Liberty Well, and follow online SL City News blog and Reddit.

What tattered book do you keep?
RB: Beyond the Hundredth Meridian, by Wallace Stegner. The landmark description of the arid West and the great leader, John Wesley Powell.
JB: A Testament of Hope, the essential writings and speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It taught me a lot about creating a cultural shift toward freedom and justice.
LG: Are you kidding!? I have tons of these. Students die with their books.

Where are your campaign headquarters located?
RB: Historic Trolley Square; come by to pick up a lawn sign and visit the great shops and restaurants!
JB: In the 9th & 9th neighborhood at 959 E. 900 South.
LG: 228 E. 500 South, just south of the Leonardo.

What does it mean to be a Salt Laker? How might that be different from being an Utahn?
RB: Salt Lake is a progressive capitol city in a spectacular natural setting, an incredibly diverse community with historic neighborhoods, and it has an exciting, thriving culture core.
JB: Salt Lake is the capital city of Utah, and the city and its residents should be leaders in this state. Salt Lakers value opportunity, inclusiveness, respect and responsibility. We should lead the way when it comes to setting progressive social policies and balanced economic policies that serve all residents.
LG: We're the progressive center of a red state. Salt Lakers move Utah forward. We're a real city, the core of Utah's diversity, culture, arts scene, faith, food, recreation, and all sorts of good times.

On a scale of 1-7, with 7 being ultra-traditional and 1 being ultra-progressive, where would you rank your political bent?
RB: Depends on the issue, but my "bent" is certainly progressive.
JB: I am a 1. I support fiscal policies that promote the welfare of all citizens without spending beyond the city's financial resources, I support balanced and efficient regulation, I am a Christian, I support full equality for LGBT people, I support a woman's right to choose, I care deeply about the environment, and I think we need to take aggressive action to protect our water and improve the air quality in Salt Lake City. I believe in an progressive agenda that values human rights and inclusion.
LG: Like a Dabakis mayoral bid, this scale is ill-conceived. I am definitely progressive on issues of equality, opportunity, social justice, and the environment. I also understand the frustration local business owners face dealing with red tape, a position that can be considered conservative. However, I don't see progressive as an enemy to traditions or common sense. So I'm a 1.

What's one building in the city you would like to tear down?
RB: Can't think of a building, but I would happily remove every billboard and replace them with city and mountain views.
JB: The burned out Club DV8 building, across the street from the Salt Palace where all our conventions are located, needs to be removed and in its place we should create a multi-purpose, mixed-use building.
LG: The Borg Cube (the new Federal Courthouse). It blows my mind that a building supposedly signifying equality and justice is so cold and alienating. It replaced a very viable historic building—The Shubrick—that housed people and businesses like Port o' Call and the City Weekly for many years.

How will you deal with the blight of land-banked buildings downtown?
RB: Increase the combination of incentives for building and deterrence to vacant land-banking.
JB: The city does not allow for the removal of a blighted piece of property unless something approved by the city will replace it. The old burned out DV8 Club across the street from the Salt Palace is a prime example. Under my administration we will look at all city ordinances and planning department policies that interfere with sound business practices and make changes to improve efficiency and reasonableness.
LG: I want some carrots and a bigger stick. After eight years, Ralph has no plan and has done nothing. I co-authored a 2011 ordinance with tougher sanctions on absentee land-bankers. We need to make it more expensive to keep properties vacant or in disrepair, but should also use incentives to motivate owners to love it or list it.

How much of a priority is it for the city to have clean (gum- & trash-free) sidewalks downtown?
RB: SLC is known globally as a clean and aesthetically pleasing city; keeping it that way is a high priority.
JB: As the mother of a five year old, I know cleanliness like kindness and generosity is contagious. When the city demonstrates a commitment to keeping the city free of trash, residents and visitors are more likely to do their part to help keep it clean as well.
LG: I pick up a fair amount of trash and want to keep our city clean. I believe our mayor needs to focus on higher goals for residents than a white glove test.

What's the single best environmentally friendly action the city could take?
RB: We should strive to become a 'net zero' city. This means being more efficient and using renewable resources to power our buildings and provide mobility choices. Visit slcgov.com/slcgreen to learn about my comprehensive efforts around sustainability.
JB: Under my leadership Salt Lake will utilize green technology to become a zero waste city. This process reduces air pollution and will be a big improvement on several fronts for our city.
LG: I will launch a city-run transit system to make public transit affordable, convenient and serve all neighborhoods, which will reduce pollution. On production, I also want to break Rocky Mountain Power's dirty energy monopoly and put solar on every roof.

The current mayor keeps a low profile. The previous mayor was more of an activist. Which is better?
RB: If keeping a low profile means convening our community around Salt Lake City aspirations and challenges, building a Trax line to the airport and improving our options for getting around town; equal opportunity for everyone; earning a living wage; enhancing our city's performing arts; promoting urban agriculture; reusing and recycling waste; addressing the challenges of climate change and air quality, reduced snowpack and inequality ... then I'd say keeping a lower profile is working well.
JB: I will be an interactive mayor. I plan to prioritize public input and operate an open and transparent City Hall. I will be an advocate on behalf of the interests and concerns of residents. I will focus on expanding opportunity through economic growth that benefits all of our neighborhoods. This will increase our tax base and allow the city to reasonably price its services rather than seeking revenue through increases in fees and sales and property taxes. I will speak out on equality and inclusiveness for all of the city's residents. I will create an environment of opportunity and the culture of progress that I want for my son and his generation.
LG: Ralph's self-congratulatory media machine ensures his profile remains high even though he's never here. Our mayor should be a fierce advocate for all of us. I will stand up for real people and real issues. I'm a leader that will level the field in SLC.

How do you feel about the use of lethal force by police in Salt Lake City?
RB: Recent incidents nationally and locally underscore the need to improve training, protocols and the conditions under which law enforcement uses lethal force. SLC is a national leader, with an independent civilian review board. [Our force] has advanced training to recognize and respond to people with mental illnesses, cultural diversity and racial and ethnic bias.
JB: As an expert in law enforcement, a member of Salt Lake County Sheriff Winder's leadership team and the mother of an African-American son, I have a unique perspective on local police actions. I've been endorsed by the Salt Lake Police Association and have tremendous respect for the men and women who put their lives on the line every day, serving the people in our city. Those who lead the SLCPD set the example for everyone else in the department. I will meet with all ranking members of the SLCPD to discuss and review training policies, procedures and attitudes regarding the use of lethal force. Utilizing this type of force is a rare exception in an officer's career, but I acknowledge that lethal force is sometimes necessary. I am a strong proponent of sound hiring practices and for training all sworn officers to utilize de-escalation tactics in the field.
LG: On the city council, I've pressed for better training in de-escalation. "Comply or die" is not a legitimate policy in a democracy.

Do you sympathize with current public mistrust of law enforcement?
RB: People are understandably concerned. An opportunity stemming from recent police-involved shootings has been increased attention on community trust and policing. Our police force is well trained and undergoes strenuous evaluation and review focused on maintaining a professional force that builds trust with the community. I recently launched a Use of Force dialogue series involving citizens and members of the police force, to review and recommend how to improve our policies, training and protocols. We invite comments on Open City Hall, an online forum (slcgov.com/opencityhall) where residents can share their opinions on police use of force and other topics.
JB: Three things will help to build strong public relations between law enforcement and the people: 1. Community-oriented policing where every sworn member of the police department participates in positive public engagement. This approach is helpful to staying in touch, building relationships, helping those in our community who need extra assistance and developing positive relationships with our youth. The current Mayor has a low-civic engagement process and appointments to boards are lacking in diversity. The Citizen Review Board is a good example of where we can improve our representation. 2. I would ensure proportionate representation of our community on this board. 3. We need to be mindful of where we place officers in our community and train them on how to best interface with people in that assignment. For example, there are areas in our city that need more solution-building efforts, and this requires specially trained officers. All of these things need the time and attention of our city's mayor and law enforcement leadership.
LG: The mistrust has roots in serious, legitimate concerns about how, when, why, and for whom government uses its coercive power. This is not just about police, but includes bureaucrats, elected office holders and parking enforcement. It's about oversight and accountability.

What's your stance on legalizing medicinal marijuana?
RB: Evidence shows medicinal marijuana is helpful in treating a range of ailments, and I support its legalization for medical purposes. I think the health care, law enforcement and other consequences can be addressed.
JB: Medical marijuana should be legal in Utah so those who would benefit from its use can obtain it legally. It should also be managed and regulated properly so we do not see an increase in legal problems.
LG: Anyone who has seen severe epilepsy or late-stage cancer should support medicinal uses of marijuana to relieve pain and suffering. We already regulate narcotics for medical use and marijuana should simply be another option for doctors and patients.

Do you have any idea of what it's like to live at a homeless shelter?
RB: I have never lived in a homeless shelter, but I visit and volunteer at our shelters and service facilities, and I dedicate substantial time to the range of issues facing these services (and have regularly since I became mayor). Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams and I have convened a Homeless Services Site Evaluation Commission, and we are now in the middle of a 9-month process chaired by Gail Miller and Palmer DePaulis to reach consensus on a direction for the future of our homeless facilities and services.
JB: I have been to the homeless shelter several times over the years, donated food and clothing on many occasions and won an award for the work I have done on behalf of the homeless. I have never lived in a homeless shelter and have only witnessed how challenging living in a shelter can be, especially for a parent.
LG: I have visited the Road Home, 4th Street Clinic, and St. Vinny's/Weigand Center many times, as they're all located in District 4.

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How effective are the city's current efforts to reduce homelessness?
RB: Salt Lake has made great strides in the last eight years toward eliminating homelessness. Our city was the first city (tied with Phoenix) in the US to end chronic homelessness among military veterans. As of last year, we reduced homelessness by 75 percent toward our 10-year goal of eliminating chronic homelessness. We recently launched a progressive initiative that will add 5,000 affordable housing units across the city in the next five years. Our "crazy idea" of giving homes to the homeless was even featured on Jon Stewarts' Daily Show!
JB: This issue has reached new heights of concern because of the failures on the part of the current administration. Common sense tells us the solutions to homelessness include treating mental illness as well as drug and alcohol addiction and finding people employment and housing. But the current mayor prefers to spend city resources on relocating the homeless population to the west side of our city rather than pursuing known solutions. The city should allocate more resources to the proven Housing First Initiative and to programs that aim to prevent homelessness rather than moving the homeless shelter and all of its services to a location that is less visible to him.
LG: Ralph has declared victory over a problem that we all can see is far from solved. We need to address homelessness in a real way.

Does the increased police presence help/hurt the situation in Pioneer Park?
RB: I commend our police force for their efforts in Pioneer Park. This question has been addressed in our "Police Use of Force" dialogue series. In addition, Chief Chris Burbank and I launched the 'HOST' (Homeless Outreach Service Team) program to encourage concerned citizens to put coins in red meters downtown rather than giving money to panhandlers. We also established a SLCPD "Metro Unit" located adjacent to the homeless facilities. These efforts are among many others that the SLC Police Department is playing to eradicate homelessness. For example, police identify businesses that need day workers and homeless citizens who wish to sign up for those jobs. Our officers even arrange for transportation to and from the job sites.
JB: Increased police presence in Pioneer Park is helpful and vital to addressing the drug trafficking we are witnessing in the area, the concerns of families who live and visit the area, and the local businesses who are trying to thrive in the Pioneer Park neighborhood.
LG: It helps. But police aren't always the best people to liaison with people on the street. We need to increase the outreach teams providing social services.

What's your view about locating the state prison in Salt Lake City?
RB: I am strongly opposed to re-locating the prison to Salt Lake City. My administration and our city council are working hard to persuade the Legislature and Gov. Herbert to remove SLC from consideration. Both proposed sites remain wholly inappropriate for a prison, as my staff detailed in a 45-page report we drafted and made public last December. Fortunately, we succeeded in removing one of the two proposed SLC sites (the Airport North location) from consideration. We continue to oppose the remaining site. With the city council, we launched a petition, signed by thousands of residents, opposing a prison in SLC. We are continuing our efforts to convince the Legislature and governor that SLC is the wrong place for a state prison, and we invite any interested resident to support us in this effort.
JB: I am opposed to locating the state prison in Salt Lake City, and I am doubly opposed to Mayor Becker's prison tax, which ties the prison relocation to a potential sales tax increase in the city. The key to preventing the relocation to Salt Lake is demonstrating that there are strong public policy and fiscal reasons for not putting the prison in our Capital City and working with the state and other mayors to identify an alternative site. I have been involved in discussions regarding an alternative site and will be meeting with key elected officials to discuss this location.
LG: If the prison needs to be rebuilt, do it on its current site. Period. While we can't do anything about questionable motives at the Legislature, Ralph taking the secret deal-sweetener is as bad as it gets in backroom politics.

What do you think should be done with the land near the airport if the prison doesn't go there?
RB: The land near the airport has wonderful potential. There are a number of options for how to balance preservation of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem with compatible development. The growth of light manufacturing and distribution in the Northwest Quadrant is a much better economic development opportunity for both the city and the state.
JB: The proposed state prison relocation spot is ripe for economic development, especially after the Mountain View Corridor is completed. That area will be a nexus of several major roadways and the Salt Lake City International Airport. The opportunity for commercial, manufacturing and warehouse distribution development in that area is massive. Businesses with shipping and distribution elements, such as Amazon, will find this location extremely valuable. We have the opportunity to grow our city's economy and experience significant job growth on the west side of our city if we can just summon the vision and political will to preserve this space for economic development rather than the prison.
LG: We should pursue conservation easements on the shore of the Great Salt Lake. Developing there is ethically wrong and too expensive.

Test question: How much is the city's budget for operating the Salt Lake City International Airport? Of the city's total budget, what percentage goes toward airport operations?
RB: It is an enterprise fund, no other city funds go to it other than what is generated at the airport.
JB: The airport budget adopted for fiscal year 2015, including day-to-day operations and capital improvements, was approximately $474 million, which represents approximately 46 percent of the city's total budget.
LG: Just under $475,000 or 46 percent of the budget. Question for you: Is rebuilding a perfectly fine airport worth the 10 years of hellish construction and the lost opportunities the city could pursue instead of another high-end legacy project for our favorite jet-setter, Mayor Becker?

Are you pleased with the city's new bike lanes that have reduced parking and vehicle lanes downtown?
RB: Salt Lake City has adopted a "complete streets" policy to provide travelers with options for cars, public transit, bicycles and pedestrians throughout the city. Improving bicycle safety and convenience has been part of that effort since I took office in 2008. After years of study, public input, broad consultation and pilot testing, the city selected 300 South for the first protected bikeway—connecting downtown with the University. These efforts and our engagement with the public and business along that street resulted in what we view as the best configuration toward achieving our goal. We've learned from that experience, and as we institute more protected bikeways-including adding 200 West between North Temple and 900 South this year-we will continue to provide for mobility for cyclists and others, and listen to the public about issues that need to be addressed.
JB: I support expanding bike lanes in Salt Lake City, but the implementation of bike lanes in the city under the current mayor has been extremely disruptive. I've spoken with business owners, the YWCA and residents along 3rd South, and the bike lanes there have made it unsafe to visit and difficult to travel along that street. Mothers must stand in traffic to unload their children if they're visiting the YWCA. There are no van accessible parking stalls on the street making it difficult for anyone with a disability to visit the area. The residents and businesses on 3rd South were not consulted in connection with the changes to the street. This out-of-touch, top-down administration is one of the major flaws with the current administration. Listening to Salt Lake City residents is my priority. We will develop bike lanes that are uniform and easy for everyone, including visitors to our city, to understand. This will keep cyclists safe, ensure further utilization, and help drivers adapt to this valuable mode of transportation in our city.
LG: Separated bike lanes can be good safety measures. The way Ralph messed up 3rd South is terrible execution. We need a genuine community conversation about how to redesign our streets to serve everyone.

What could you do to ensure that Google Fiber connects lower-income families or less affluent areas of town to the Internet?
RB: A goal with the fabulous opportunity of becoming a Google Fiber community is to bring equal access to fiber to all Salt Lake City residents. The plan to achieve that goal will be presented soon.
JB: I will work toward ensuring the Google Fiber initiative is implemented in our city so it first reaches low-income areas and equalizes access to high-speed Internet. There are homes in Salt Lake City with no Internet access. In today's hyper-connected world where education and information are principally delivered electronically, this digital divide puts low-income families, children and seniors at a significant disadvantage. Google Fiber is a welcome addition to Salt Lake City but its primary focus cannot be just improving service to areas that already have high-speed Internet.
LG: Google will connect neighborhoods where there is demand. The city can leverage its facilities and promote mixed-income neighborhoods to ensure a sufficient level of demand to extend service into lower-income areas.

What's the most recent city-sponsored festival you attended?
RB: This year's St. Patrick's Day Festival. I also am looking forward to the twilight concert series, farmer's market, Arts Festival, Pride Festival, and all the great festivals and street fairs events we have each year.
JB: The St. Patrick's Day Parade.
LG: Nihon Matsuri (Japanese Festival); it's on 100 South (Japantown Street), which used to be the heart of Asian culture in SLC before the Salt Palace was built.

Do you plan to continue the current festival traditions?
RB: I am proud of the success of our Signature Events Fund, established during my time as mayor. I look forward to continuing these events, and working with partners to continue providing entertainment and festivals throughout the City.
JB: I plan to continue all of our city's current festival traditions and enhance the International Jazz Festival. The benefits of our city's festivals far outweigh their associated costs. They create an artistic culture in our community that we all can enjoy.
LG: Part of a capitol city's budget should be used to promote arts and culture. While we should always look for wasteful spending, keeping the arts accessible to all residents requires a certain level of cost that will sometimes not be recouped.

How will you get more people to use the Sugar House Streetcar?
RB: While we are meeting projections for the Sugar House Streetcar ridership, improvements are in the works that will substantially increase ridership. We are close to completing funding and some adjustments to the Sugar House Streetcar that will extend the line to the Sugar House monument (bringing it to the heart of the Sugar House business district), increasing double track so we can increase the frequency of service and increase hours of operation. Salt Lake City, with South Salt Lake City and UTA, were fortunate to receive a competitive, federal TIGER grant award to construct the Sugar House Streetcar decades ahead of the planned development. We are now building upon the initial installation to achieve the full benefits of the Sugar House Streetcar. (The streetcar had the immediate benefit of providing another option for traveling to Sugar House, and catalyzed more than $400 million in of housing and retail development.
JB: People who live along the S-line were hoping for an open system, where they could pull a cord to get on and off at will. Instead, there are five stops in the two-mile stretch, and one on each end, yet all of the new housing development is on the east end of the line. This design doesn't lend itself to an immediate increase in use. Instead, we need to further evaluate this corridor and those who live there must be a part of that process.
LG: Make it free and have real hours. Increasing ridership on the streetcar would help relieve traffic congestion, improve air quality and help create a safe, walkable neighborhood in Sugar House.

Are the new parking meters (and the hours of enforcement) good for downtown small businesses?
RB: The new parking stations make public parking on the street more convenient and were developed, in part, at the behest of downtown small businesses who wanted a more convenient system for their customers. After struggles with the original parking station providers, Salt Lake City brought in new providers and new guts for the stations.
JB: The new parking meters have some real issues. They are not easy for users to operate, and I and many others have been on the receiving end of citations even though we properly paid to park. The meters do not always accurately report a paid status and if you're improperly ticketed, you must take the time to bring the receipt and citation to city hall to resolve the ticket without having to pay a fine. Also, having to pay for street parking during the dinner hour is not inviting to people who live outside of the city but would like to enjoy the wonderful restaurants we have.
LG: Whether blue parking meters or new bike lines, you cannot introduce confusing and faulty systems overnight without a negative impact on our downtown business community. Again, we see how Ralph knows best.

When did you last visit a city park? Which one was it?
RB: I visit city parks regularly; the Bonneville Shoreline trail, Jordan River Parkway and the parks along the river, Memory Grove and City Creek Canyon, Liberty Park, Pioneer Park, Sugarhouse Park and Reservoir Park are among my outdoor stomping grounds.
JB: I visit city parks every week with my son. We often go to Laird Park, or "truck park" as he calls it. We're also regulars at Wasatch Hollow and Liberty Park, and the latter is where we spent our Sunday afternoon last weekend.
LG: A few days ago, I launched my campaign from Riverside Park in Rose Park.

What can be done for dog lovers who seek more off-leash areas?
RB: SLC has more off-leash dog areas than all other areas in Salt Lake County combined. Balancing population growth with off-leash areas for dogs is an ongoing need; the city has a draft off-leash expansion plan for public comment. I encourage interested parties to go to Online City Hall to comment and help shape the future of off-leash areas.
JB: Under the current administration, we have lost over 80 percent of the off-leash areas for dogs, which is a shame. The interests of pet owners should be considered in all parks and recreation planning, and time and space should be dedicated to both fenced off-leash space and larger natural areas for roaming and exercise for people and their dogs.
LG: We should be proactively creating open spaces for recreation and certainly adding more off-leash areas for the many dog lovers who have been left out in the cold during Ralph's eight years in office.

Do you golf?
RB: I have been a golfer most of my life, but I have little time for it today. My favorite city course is Mountain Dell. I truly wish golf was not declining so dramatically in popularity and revenue-generation. We have to address that reality while simultaneously providing courses for golfers who continue to enjoy this great game.
JB: I was an avid golfer until a few years ago when I suffered a back injury and had to stop golfing. But during the 15 years I golfed in Salt Lake, my favorite course was Glendale, because it was always beautiful, good for a hacker like me to be able to find my poorly hit ball, and easy to get to from my home.
LG: Soccer is my sport of choice.

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Do you agree with closing the city's golf courses on the west side that don't pay for themselves?
RB: From the time I entered office eight years ago, we have struggled with declining golf use and revenues, and have been exploring every conceivable way to keep all our courses open. Two years ago, based on numerous analyses and years of consideration, we recommended a plan for the future of golf courses in SLC that included different revenue options and management approaches. After attempting to come up with an alternative to closure, the City Council agreed with my Administration that closing some courses would be necessary to stem failing revenues. We are still discussing options; the city council and my administration are open to any further proposed solutions for keeping the golf courses open.
JB: Several of our city's golf courses have been mismanaged and as a result are in financial distress. Developing new business plans, changing from culinary water to secondary water for irrigation, and reshaping the courses so they need less water would turn our courses around and create a thriving sporting activity for all ages to participate in and enjoy.
LG: The city should fund programs and policies that benefit everyone and produce social gains, such as a city-run bus system to supplement UTA, which would provide convenient and affordable transit options for all residents while making inroads on air quality.

What Utah liquor law is your biggest pet peeve, and why?
RB: When I took office, our City liquor ordinances were antiquated and needed a complete overhaul. For example, there was a "two-per-block-face" restriction on alcohol establishments. Working with the City Council, Salt Lake City has "normalized" our alcohol policy, including lifting the "two-per-block-face" restriction on alcohol establishments.
JB: The variety of licenses make it difficult to create a friendly environment for locals and visitors to enjoy our restaurants. A prime example of this are the two different licenses that Squatters and Red Rock have. Red Rock cannot serve mixed drinks in the dining room whereas Squatters can, and this puts Red Rock at a real disadvantage in attracting customers.
LG: Prohibiting state liquor stores from chilling their beer is downright cruel.

What can the mayor do to help Salt Lake City stand against the tyranny of the meddlesome Legislature?
RB: While I may object to actions of the Legislature that disrespect local decision making and specifically override Salt Lake City policies, I disagree with the characterization that the Legislature is a "tyranny." As a former state representative, and member of the Utah Legislature, I respect that these representatives were elected. Salt Lake City needs a dialogue about decisions made at the state level and their relationship to citizens of Salt Lake City. I have endeavored to maintain a good relationship while actively looking out for Salt Lake City's values and interests and speaking out against actions that violate our city's policies that deserve respect from our Legislature.
JB: The best thing is to engage with them frequently. I spent more than a decade in the House of Representatives. When I got there—as the first openly gay person elected to public office in the history of Utah—there were legislators who would not talk to me. They would avert their eyes when I approached. But I knew once they got to know me that we could be civil colleagues. Eventually, the tenure of our interactions grew (dare I say) friendly. There are elected officials with who I disagree vehemently, but I have in the past and will in the future treat people with respect and engage in dialogue about the needs of our city. I have strong relationships with the present House and Senate leadership, and I know that I can serve the people of Salt Lake better than our current mayor.
LG: Salt Lake City must take the lead in building a coalition that wins local control for cities. Whether it's public transit or clean energy, cities and their residents should have the right to determine their own priorities.

With your influence, what will downtown look like in 10 years?
RB: When I took office, Main Street was boarded up, our cultural core was suffering. Today, we have a bustling downtown with new entertainment venues, exciting food and cultural offerings, and a thriving, growing residential population. I will work to continue to make downtown Salt Lake City the vibrant center of the region, with additional cultural offerings, options for mobility (building on bike share, increased transit opportunities, housing and office opportunities for the range of needs, and a beautiful core for our region.
JB: The whole city will have a real pulse to it, a heartbeat and soul that draws people from all over the world and isn't fraught with drug deals and panhandling. Salt Lake will be a city that reflects how diverse we really are and the many languages that are spoken here. We will have housing for young families and seniors who want to live in the city and have a little green space for their kids and grandkids. We will also have a thriving economy with new businesses that are complementary to our state's economy and we will have a friendly, balanced approach to integrating drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians into a sustainable city.
LG: If we focus on smart growth, an empowering economy, and democratic reforms, we can have a downtown that is thriving, built on consensus, has plenty transit options, and reflects a character that is uniquely Salt Lake City.

What makes you uniquely qualified for the job as mayor, over and above the qualifications of your opponents?
RB: I have a deep experience after seven years on the job with a successful track record reflected in a thriving city. My background in planning, 11 years in the Legislature, 22 years running a business, and career of building consensus around challenging issues allows me to work across the spectrum of opinions and information to the job of mayor of a great American city.
JB: As a mother, former legislator and expert in economic development and law enforcement, I bring a unique perspective to the office. Salt Lake City's tradition of electing two-term mayors has served us very well. Little can be accomplished in 12 years that could not be accomplished in eight. It is time for leadership with new ideas and new energy. It is time to focus on economic development, not sales tax increases to raise revenue for our city. It is time for an honest discussion about the disparities between the east and west sides of our city. It is time for a mayor who listens and will run an open and transparent City Hall where gathering public input is an essential component of decision making. It is time to diversify our leadership and elect a proven leader, who happens to be a woman, as mayor.
LG: In addition to my public service, I have professionally researched and taught classes on the issues of smart growth, an empowering economy, and introducing democratic reforms on a city level. I am the real progressive running with bold plans for a better SLC.