Mark Towner And Throwing Yourself On Your Sword

April 29, 2006

Joe Cannon
State Chair Utah Republican Party
117 East South Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

Dear Joe,

This letter is to inform you that because of unethical and repeated problems with Mr. Mike Ridgway, I resign my position on the State Central Committee, and as the Chair of the Audit Committee. Mr. Ridgway's most recent offense occurred today during the Senate 2 Caucus election where I was a candidate. Convention rules clearly indicated that no flyers or materials were to be passed out in the caucus meetings. During the second candidate's speech, Mr. Ridgway interrupted the caucus by passing out a flyer opposing my candidacy just before my speech. Delegates were reading Mr. Ridgeway's information slandering me and my actions on the credentials committee two years ago.

After speaking with numerous delegates after the caucus meeting which I lost, they indicated they were distracted and or influenced by the letter and it was shameful behavior. Several delegates indicated they may have changed their votes had the true facts of the letter been presented before voting. I was not given this opportunity.

I respectfully request that the Utah Republican Party file legal action to remove Mr. Ridgway from any further involvement with the Republican Party. I can no longer associate myself with an organization that allows a member to be so disruptive to our stated goals. Failure by the party to take prompt action and seek a legal blockage of Mr. Ridgway participating in any future Republican functions; I will have no choice but to cease any further involvement with the Utah Republican Party. Mr. Ridgway is a cancer that must be surgically removed now, or other good Republicans will leave the party as well.

It has been a pleasure working with you and the other officers of the party, and I would hope you address this issue promptly.

Respectfully,

Mark E. Towner
801.502.****

cc James Evans, Salt Lake County Republican Chair
cc Senator Curt Bramble, Convention Credentials Chair
cc Fred Lampropolous, National Committeeman
cc Senator Orin Hatch

Speaker Of The House Bob Bernick Jr.

I blew milk out my nose when I read this line from Bob Bernick's latest column,

"Are the Republican leaders of the Utah House just excellent politicians, or are their Senate counterparts just kind of fumbling along?"

Ummm, neither.

I heard Bernicks first draft of this column ended with "Three Cheers For Speaker Curtis!"

The Senate Site also noticed some problems with Bernick's story.

Advice For Dave Checketts

Don't despair. You can get your stadium. But you should take this advice.

1) Change the face of the team. Dean Howes is not getting it done. If you really want him around, make him ball boy or something like that. Something where he doesn't have to deal with the public.

2) Change your political allies. One of your problems is you have teamed up with SLCo's political villains. As long as you have Speaker Greg Curtis and Mayor Tom Dolan at the front of your political moves, people (and the press) will be EXTREMELY suspicious of what you are doing. Stop trying to play insider cloak- and- dagger games and just be cool about the whole thing.