It's most unfortunate that tragic circumstances have left Comm. Mary Callaghan a widow and a single mother of two teens. It's also commendable that she, a "devout" Republican and mother who "taught Sunday School," "hopes to complete her doctorate degree." It is not, however, a matter of misfortune that, in accordance with the Deseret News' overwrought apologia, Comm. Callaghan, a "very serious person" who dresses "in impeccable suits," has "discomfort with public life."
You see, contrary to erstwhile State legislator Ron Fullmer's statement that, "I don't care what [Mary] said ... the statute said she has to be paid. End of story," it should matter what politicians say. Does Mr. Fullmer really believe that if Comm. Callaghan kept her promise and refused the money that, figuratively speaking, "the statute" will arrive at Mary's door, put her in a headlock and stuff the money down her throat, " end of story?" Give me a break, we aren't that naive. What people say, especially what people say that have been given the public's trust, matters. Or does it?
Should we care that to get our votes, Comm. Callaghan promised not to accept the $279,500 severance pay package? Does it matter that our politicians are so out of touch with their constituents that Comm. Randy Horiuchi was "shaken" by the public's reaction thereto, and Comm. Nancy Workman was "taken aback by the level of [public] vitriol?"
What planet do these guys live on? Perhaps they are being diplomatic, but if not, are they really "shaken' and "taken aback" by the public backlash? Is it really beyond their understanding that we, the people, are a little piqued? Is Comm. Bret Overson also so out of touch that he minimizes Mary's dishonesty, "because Mary is just trying to take care of her family?" And does Mr. Fullmer really believe that Mary's situation is so dire that, "she really doesn't have a job prospect, so she's probably going to have to live on this money?" It's as if they were all talking about a homeless, uneducated, single mother of uninsured teens who was a crack-head and had promised to go off welfare earlier than required. Hey guys, she's not a crack-head and she'll be fine. In fact, did Messieurs Callaghan, Horiuchi, Workman, and Overson know that most Utahns don't get severance packages, let alone any forewarning that they’re getting axed?
The Commissioners' frank comments evince an out-of-touch attitude that makes it easy for them to rationalize and say, "I don't care what [we, he] she said." Well, as of today, I can forgive Mary for being human and thinking, Whoa, you can buy a lot of neat suits for $279,000--but I made a promise -- yeah, but I'm not going to run again because 'public life discomforts' me--but how can I live with myself and face my family and the community--yeah, but what about the standard of living I'm used to--I'll take the money! Not so fast Mary. You stole my vote and my patience is wearing thin. We cannot tolerate this lack of integrity. I urge you to step up to the plate and say, "I'm sorry. I made a mistake. Once elected, the money just seemed more important than keeping my promise– but I do what I say and I am not taking it, end of story."
If you can't do this, just as many Utahns thought Pres. Clinton should have resigned for being untruthful, you should resign, tuck your tail under your political skirt, take the money and go to college. Moreover, you other Commissioners should get a grip and stop rationalizing Mary's duplicity. While I condemn death threats, if the Commissioners cannot definitively demonstrate that they understand that it does matter what they say, we Utahns should unite and put them back in touch with reality by throwing all the bums out--end of story!
Loren M. Lambert
Dec. 27, 2000©
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