Mayor Curtis Speaks on Provo Politics
Branding, towing and telling the truth were topics Mayor Curtis discussed when addressing law students for an event hosted by the Government and Politics Legal Society.
In an effort to increase communication between the city and its residents, Mayor Curtis visited with BYU Law students and held an open dialogue to encourage discussion and awareness of local issues.
“I want to foster an understanding of the government,” Mayor Curtis said. “I wish I could have an hour with every student and help them understand what our issues are. The best thing I can do is come over to your side, and you come over to my side, and we can look at issues through each other eyes.”
He began by offering advice, primarily directed at those looking to work in politics, on the importance of honesty and integrity. To emphasize his point, Mayor Curtis shared a story when he was accused of acting unethically by a former mayor.
“It’s important in situations like these to tell it all, tell it fast and to tell the truth,” Mayor Curtis said.
Mayor Curtis believes that if people follow this approach, even in the face of tough decisions, the outcome will be far better than if they try to hide or ignore their problems. The Mayor then focused on various initiatives and projects he has been involved with during his time in office.
Among the changes was a new logo and image which attempts to encompass what defines Provo, namely its great people, recreational activities and innovation and creativity. He also mentioned a lot of the work being done to the downtown area, which has helped increase the city become the 8
th most livable downtown in the entire United States. Looking forward, the Mayor is planning to improve the downtown area by adding apartment complexes along with more shops and businesses.
To the enjoyment of the crowd, Mayor Curtis also spoke about towing, which is a subject that appeared to connect well with his audience.
“This is a hard thing because on one hand you have property owners who have the legal right to take your car away if you park there, but on the other had you have students who are being fined 200 dollars,” Mayor Curtis said. “Where else in our legal system do you find a situation where a penalty is dictated even without evidence of guilt?”
The mayor answered a number of questions and explained how almost every decision requires careful thought and discussion before reaching a consensus.
Posted:February 15, 2013
