Laura Seitz, Deseret Morning News Published Sept 6, 2007

SEPTEMBER 7th
            A photograph is worth 10,000 words. In the next life I want to be Laura Seitz, the greatest living photographer of the Deseret News.  She captured forever on film the published picture of the Mayoral Race of Salt Lake City. This photo in time is the memory that I will have forever. Though the article that accompanied it had nothing to do with the event, the picture tells its own story. This picture was taken at the University of Utah's Impact Day organized by the Associated Students of the U of U. The students who organized the event were professional, smart, considerate, helpful and dedicated to representing all of the candidates. All nine candidates had a table set up and waiting for them.
          The Latin origin of the word impact or ''Impactus' means to push against or impinge. It means to fix firmly or pack by wedging. It means to press together, to impinge upon. It is striking as one thing against another; it is forceful contact, collision, or onset. Or the impetus communicated in or as if in a collision. It means the force of impression or operation of one thing on another. It means effect.
          The problem of this community of diverse and ethnic collision is the lack of trust. We do not know each other well enough. We have not been each others homes. We have not traveled to the foreign countries of our neighbors. We do not know the subtlety of protocol. So how do we impact each other? How do we press together with impressions and achieve the effect of impact?  How do we fix firmly our relationship of trust? 
           The Mayor of this GreatCity has the chance of a life time to impact the change.
                               1.  Select and work with people of all the ethnic cultures in city and community councils.
                               2.   Visit the homes and sacred places of the citizens who live in the city.
                               3.   Work for prevention of problems not just the efforts to solve them.
                               4.   Organize communication from the Mayor to the email of all citizens.
                               5.   Welcome all who work in the city with more sane transportation to us.
                               6.    Delight in the festivals and events by advertising them to all of us.
                               7.    Work with the press on the inception and progress of ideas.
                               8.    Honor those acts of kindness and simple things of sacrifice.
                               9.     Respect others and their differences with a smile of appreciation.
                              10.   Activate, advocate, demonstrate, and concentrate on the good. As Mayor of Salt Lake City I will need to be out of the office and in the community. As Mayor I will only be able to accomplish what the people want to accomplish. It is not:  ’ What are you going to do for me that stirs my soul. It is what we are going to do together?
           We will impact each other in one way or another and it can be a collision. It may be a force of impression. It should be done as it is here at the University of Utah on Impact Day. We get better acquainted, visit, discuss problems, get organized, welcome each other, delight in the exchange, think of ideas, sacrifice our time, respect the difference and do good. We can have an impact. We can be the impact.

SEPTEMBER 1ST
Community
         The concept of the Latin word community comes from the idea of com…together and uni or common. It means together in common. It is a unified body of individuals, with common interests living in a particular area. With an interacting population, common characteristics,  policy, economy, and politically similar interests. Related words are communicate, communion, common, and commune.
         A good citizen of a community is a participant in government, obeys the law and strengthens the place and people. The purpose of government is for the good of the society, the protection of the innocent, the punishment of the guilty, protection of religious beliefs, and for redress of grievance.
         We believe that government holds people accountable for their acts. We believe there is protection of the innocent and punishment of the guilty. Laws show respect and deference. If there is no law then there is no peace and no harmony. Society is substituted for anarchy and terror. We believe in laws for regulation of our individual interests between each other. We protect the religious beliefs of the citizen and their opinions with reverence to law and reject sedition and conspiracy.
         The choice of leaders and the laws require that both are wise, good and honest. We do not break the law, but befriend the law. We treat the law with appreciation. We strengthen the community when we are willing to serve. We are more aware. We know the challenges and how to help and serve others.
         When we make a social contract we give up personal freedom, and take up the rights and responsibility of the common good. We give with the hand and we take with the hand. It is give and take. The government is created by contract and enforces the contract. 
         Citizen comes from the Latin word citezein meaning alter. Cite means city or at home. The citizen owes loyalty, and is given protection. The citizen is entitled by birth to this protection. The citizen is entitled to vote. We are a native of one place but Roosevelt told us to learn to be citizens of the world and members of the human community.
         Democracy as a word comes from de….down, away and di….Deity. Demos means people down from deity. Kratia/kratos and means force or power. The word means people down from deity with force and power. Now we mean that government is by the people, and exercised through elected representatives. Democracy is the common people with the primary source of power with equality and respect for the individual within the community.
         The Greeks 508 B.C. to 322 A.D. had a Democracy of adult males who could vote. The women, slave, and alien residents could not. The Mayflower Contract with 40 pilgrims 9-6-1620 agreed and signed 11-11 20 the contract of democracy. The Declaration of Independence was signed July 4^th 1776. The Constitution came from the Articles of Confederation in 1787. The Bill of Rights First Amendment was signed 12-15-1791. Utah attempted to become a state and a part of the community of the U.S. Government in 1849, 1852, 1876, 1882, 1887. Utah was made a State 1-4-1896. The Manifesto was given 1890 and the Peoples Party was dissolved in 1891.
         Democracy adheres to the idea that it is not right that one person is in bondage to another person. We have rulers, leaders, fathers and friends who defend this concept. There should be neither gain nor glory from the world in this service. The order of the community is not that the people just do things according to their own will which leads to chaos.
         The metaphor is in the idea of a boat. We get into a boat, we ride along and we get out. Who owns the boat?  Do we clean, fuel, repair, haul, and respect the boat? This is the great question every father asks of his kids who trash, break and ignore the repairs of his boat. Are we just entitled to ride along in the life of a democracy and then get out when it is dirty, broken or out of gas? Until we feel that we are owners of the boat of democracy, we will never understand the care and effort that it takes.
         My decision to run for Mayor of Salt Lake City came from a feeling of ownership and the obligation of participation. I wanted to become a part of a solution of civility. I wanted to soften the criticism and the negative acrimony of the city leadership. This decision is one that can be made and the action follows in a democracy. I have been apart of a great process and educated by this process. I am aware and enlightened by the experience. I am a better citizen, in a democracy of a great community.
         The Osani Circle Game is played by Pygmy kids by sitting in a circle, feet touching, all connected. Each child in turn names a round object: the sun (Oi) the moon(tiba) an eye(ue) and then goes on to name a figurative expression of “round.” The circle of the family, togetherness or the cycle of the moon are examples. We are all joined in a circle, or a council. We all touch each other, we all have to name the issues of our lives. We need to work together to solve these in our city, in our community and in our circle of life.

AUGUST 25TH
Here is a copy of the recent Editorial I sent to the Tribune:
"Uninvited"
        This is the first time in my life that I have been “uninvited.” The idea and consequences of the concept in this case predicts the end of my political quest for the Mayor of Salt Lake City. The Tribune and KUTV invited me with the “major candidates” to participate in a Mayoral Debate. They had my picture on their web site. I hyperlinked my web site to their web site. The invitation was sincere, timely and by phone. A few days later the editor in charge called and said that I was uninvited, my picture was gone and the invitation was history. I saw other opportunities for “free time” debates and forums advertised without my candidacy. The twenty four percent undecided voters are not going to see who I am.
         The most ironical twist was that I had not done well in the Polls. “Polls don’t lie.” The funniest part was that I was not listed on the poll that was conducted at the University of Utah married student housing.    
         The Channel 2 question at the LDS Hospital Mayor forum was not about universal insurance for the uninsured, not about the homeless, nor downtown rising. It was ‘How much are you going to spend of T.V. Advertising?” That is a metaphor for the uninsured and the homeless. “How much money do you have?” My campaign has sufficient for my needs but can not buy much “TV Time.” 
         I have been to every community council, Ethnic gathering, luncheon, breakfast, forum, festival, debate, picnic, cottage meeting, senior center, and cathedral basement with the other candidates. I have accepted every request and my website is a collection of the immense effort to become an educated candidate.  jphughesformayor.com. 
         The format of this election is an open primary. The voters will decide on Sept 11th. Two of the nine candidates will meet up in the Nov. 6, election. I think that there has been a media primary that selected the “Four major candidates.”  
          I was uninvited. The other uninvited are the Hispanic, the Samoan, the Black, the West Side, the widows, the single moms, the patients, the Doctors, the nurses,  the techs, the secretaries, the clerks, the orderlies, the maids,  the homeless, the uninsured, the neighbors, the U of U students the Italians, Asians, and the Greeks who have kindly encouraged my campaign. 
         There have been many surprises in this campaign. Being uninvited is the most unique. One of the most significant is the 224,000 request on my website. The others would make a great book. 
         I like the Salt Lake Tribune and was their paper boy before global warming. The Editorial endorsements, oblique mentions the second tier candidates, and political understanding makes me wonder. The second tear may be the sorrow of my efforts that never made it to prime time. I am like Lincoln in one way: “I will study and get ready and maybe my chance will come.”                           

                             J. P. Hughes M.D., Candidate for SLC Mayor

JPMD@JPHUGHESFORMAYOR.COM
 
AUGUST 13TH 
            This past week I received an incredible four page letter. It is the most detailed and specific correspondence I have seen on this entire campaign trail for Mayor.
           The intelligent assessment regarding insurance coverage for the 20-30,000 uninsured in the city and knowledge of local business was insightful. Tax credits, RDA, Gateway Mall, Trax,parking problems, $1.5 million in revenue through parking meters, the idea of free zones/stop & shop in order to benefit local business, perimeter parking and mass transit were some of the specific ideas discussed.
            The letter continued discussing community interest vs. private property and the empty, vacant and neglected property on Main Street (in New York that problem was address head on and changed the vibrant activity in the City). There is no historical designation for commercial buildings on Main Street. I would work to include all of the buildings in this designation. Restore them, preserve them, use them. The city can condemn, owners can fix up, monetary incentives can motivate, only legitimate business will have place. There is no reason these buildings need sit empty.
            The knowledge of the specifics and time to research and understand the issues in this letter prove the quality and strength of the citizens who live here in this great city. The ideas were not extreme and he took the time to write, get involve and have his voice heard. Certainly, no one in any leadership position does what they do without help, dialog and respect as that represented in this letter.
            It is an honor to have someone take the time to write and I appreciate it. This is about us. My campaign is about the city and those who live here. It is about our voices being heard. It is about our community. It is about not taking credit. It is about treating everyone the same. It is about time. 
           It is time we work together to make our ideas actions and our actions rewards.

JPMD@JPHUGHESFORMAYOR.COM

AUGUST 11TH
         The power education is the greatest opportunity in the world to change and improve life. My Mother and Wife were school teachers and no two greater women ever lived on the earth. I spent half of my life in education and training to improve those whom I serve as a Physician and Surgeon. I have been in a Russian language night class through community education for 20 years. I have taught a zillion classes and teaching is one of my passions.
         The electronic possibilities of the education through all that is now available is mind boggling for me. The information available and the accessibility of it are unprecedented.
            I have agreed with the other candidates promoting the cause of City involvement in education. The after hours extended classes, year round classes; preschool classes are all good ideas to use current facilities. Reading is deadly and will determine the success or failure of any student. I visited FranklinElementary School for career days and spoke to kids of numerous cultural backgrounds. It is amazing that they pick up English as well as they do. I know how hard it is to try to learn a new language. Often children translate medical histories for their parents in my office.
            The questions of alternative education schools are complex and emotional. I have two autistic grandkids. I have greatly appreciated Arizona’s tremendous efforts to help a three-year old for three years with home visits. Early preschool there also an incredible improvement is this little guy’s life and the entire family. I am on the Pingree School of Autism’s board and have had my grandson there for two years. This place and the people who teach there approach everything in service. There is no doubt in my mind families who have children parallel paths of education need a break in the payment for the system.
            Steven Leavitt wrote his book Freakanomics about public education in Chicago.  He based his conclusions on economics, numbers and asking the right questions. He concluded that kids who left the neighborhood school for another one across town did no better in any measured achievement test. They did do better if their parents were educated and had an interest in the process. They did better if there mother was thirty when they were born instead of seventeen. Moving to an upper-class neighborhood in the middle of the education cycle was detrimental to the tested scores. Having a single parent made no difference in how well the student tested. 
            It seems to me that the teacher in the Public Education System is not paid enough. The money that one receives is a measure of the respect and dignity of the employment. I think that the City will probably not make big changes in the entire system of education. I know that the City can give direct grants of one thousand dollars a year to every active teaching teacher in the City boundaries. This money would not be used for any other purpose. If there are 500 teachers the City would pay them $500,000.00 this is not much out of our 680 million dollar budget. Hopefully we could increase that amount based on revenue generated by the city.
            I am committed to do what it takes with the people involved and invested in the education of our children.

JPMD@JPHUGHESFORMAYOR.COM

MAY 28TH
          "Universal Music"  The Latin word Universal comes from unitat, unis, unity and means one without deviation of change.  One in purpose or action, without limit or exception.  The Latin word Music, or musica, is the art and science of incorporating intelligible combinations of tones into a structured, rhythmic, harmonious and melodious composition (Websters Dictionary 7th Ed. pg. 558, 970).
           Our friend and member of our family, Egor Elagin, worked for Universal Music Group.  For the past two weeks we have been living the reality of a metaphorical Universal Music.  Egor, 36 years-old and in the prime of his life, was found dead in his apartment and my number was the one to call in case of an emergency.  From the moment of that call until now I have been overwhelmed by the kindness and thoughtfulness of the concept of universal oneness.  The Group of people touched by Egor's life and his death worked as a symphony.  His closest colleagues and Human Resources played the roll of  conductor, comforter and provider, the Mortuary played the roll of thoughtful efficiency, dignity and respect, the Coroner's office - kindness, the Hughes and Voss families - help, comfort and action.  Egor's friends set the tone of love and universal friendship.
            The music of life was heard in the silence as friends and family surrounded Egor's fresh grave and dropped flowers and memories on our One friend.
            Life should be like this all the time.  It is not.  We all experienced what a universal life could be like for a moment.  It was universal music.  I can hardly think about it without tears of joy...and sorrow.
            Egor's parents, from Zelenograd, Russia, stood as the Russian Orthodox Priest prayed in the ancient language of their county.  Traditionally christened through music as he began his life, the Priest blessed Egor by singing his christened name again in death.  The Russian toasts and table of food were the traditional encore following a family's grief.
            There could not have been more diversity of culture and people than were a part of this universal music group of rhythm and harmony.  We were all united by one voice.  This group of people, united in purpose, adapted to meet the requirements needed for there to be harmony in life and in death.  This is really the purpose of community.  We can live more harmonious.  We can all play our different parts.  We can be more united.

JPMD@JPHUGHESFORMAYOR.COM
    
MAY 11TH
          It is amazing how fast the Mayoral race is going. We have had many events that are outlined on the website in the archives and news pages. These campaign events have been fun and a very good experience. 
         The greatest idea in the world was to give popsicles at the Live Green event. My specialty was ages 2 to 9-years-old. I asked them if they would vote for me as I handed them this 'cool' treat. My JP-Jones poll indicated that I had 100% of the voters in this special interest group. The highlight and most powerful endorsement came from 5-year-old Zack. He took a red one. His mom is the famous Jenny Wilson. The popsicles made my booth a 'destination' and a great place for cool treats and hot topics.
         The theme is to "check my website." This site has had 81,129 hits/requests and it is climbing. Though its hard to summarize any of my thoughts in one minute, we have a good response to the topics on my website ISSUES page where we hear from concerned, informed and involved citizens. 
         We are hyper linking to other websites providing details regarding transportation, universal health care, environmental preservation, media coverage, the community and more. 
         People are reading and learning about the candidates and the issues important to the city. The events hosted by these communities and private organizations are an incredible forum for learning of all ages and backgrounds. The Piper Down Pub was the site for the Drinking Liberally SLC Chapter's Mayoral Forum. Two of the St. Marks Surgical Center Nurses came and supported me with kindness and kind comment. I spoke for one hour and had a great time. If folks have had a couple of beers, I am a very funny person. We had a great time and I'm pretty sure I got three solid votes. 
        There are wonderful people living in this City. This is a great way to meet them and gain a greater appreciation of Salt Lake City's equality, unity and diversity.

JPMD@JPHUGHESFORMAYOR.COM 

APRIL 25TH
         As a candidate for mayor I have become more aware of the peoples' concerns in the city. Rather than having all the answers and telling people what I think, I ask them what they think the issues are and what is important to them. At the Earth Day Celebration at Liberty Park, my 'Earth Jam' booth #106 became an educational classroom. The issues of graffiti, safe bike lanes, public transportation, voter registration, costs of education, affordable housing, public care of Liberty Park, our Jazz festival, dog leash laws, big box stores, medical coverage, salaries of teachers were just a few. I know we can work together to solve and improve all of these issues. There are differences on how to do it. It will take working together. 
         I was impressed how much work and effort went into the planning and preparation of the entire day. We were treated well and with respect. There was a good feeling. The diversity, variety of people and ideas were amazing and 30 residents filled out voter registration forms - planning and preparing to vote in September and November.
         Monday, the panel of nine candidates met with FIDOS at the Capital Senate Cafeteria to discuss the current available off-leash dog parks. Every one of us spoke in support of the idea. I like the candidates and the people were courteous, the planning impressive and the idea of political involvement was exemplary.  
         These venues for discussion again made me realize that we all want Salt Lake City to be a better place. The proof is in the planning, the preparation and in our performance as involved citizens and public servants. This is a great city.  
         (Link to EVENTS and scroll to ARCIVES for Earth Day photos and FIDOS FOX 13 news story)
         
JPMD@JPHUGHESFORMAYOR.COM       

APRIL 20TH 
         BUSY BLOG This was an eventful and busy week.  I went to the YMCA Sports Night, the League of Women Voters annual meeting, the East Bench Community Council, an LDS Historical Museum tour, SMH Tumor Board, Alta Club Meeting, a spiritual outing with 200 young University Students and a tour of the SLC Cemetery.  I feathered in Colonoscopy exams every day of the week, surgery at Cottonwood Hospital & St. Marks Hospital Surgical Centers and office patients. 
         The cemetery visit focused my mind on the fact that after it’s all over we have only 3 or 4 things.  We have a name, we have a date of life, we have a place of burial and some of the tomb stones have a message.  I have decided that my message carved in granite stone will say, “Check My Web Site.”  We have had 49,912 hits and a lot of those are not mine.  If you are reading this blog you have fulfilled my ultimate request...  
         I do not know if I should say to everyone under fifty to check my web site and those over fifty to have a colonoscopy.  Most of the patients are encouraging and supportive of my 'quest.'  Most of the events highlight people who want this to be a better place.  The other candidates are thoughtful and hard working.  It is a great experience.

JPMD@JPHUGHESFORMAYOR.COM

APRIL 14TH        
         Friday we were invited to a Samoan Festival Live Concert at the F.O.E. Eagles club on 2100 South and 1104 West. In five vans, the Lokou Ole Ola Youth Choir’s 44 members came from California with Reverend Matapo’o Peniamina. The Choir’s name means ‘to live’ or ‘life’ from the idea that Jesus is the Beginning and the End of all life. 
         The ‘Taualuga’ is a dance where the audience brings dollars to the feet of the performers. They are not forced, but want to contribute-and they did. The ‘Taupou’ is a princess dance and my granddaughter, 5 years-old and impromptu, was invited to perform this dance for the crowd. There were cultural differences and similarities but every song and dance began and ended with life. We came out of the courtesy of Oxegena Mariner. His name means oxygen. His help and support for me is like a breath of life and we love him and his family. 
         Elaine and I went ‘honeymooning’ in Samoa almost 40 years ago. All of the memories of Aggie Gray’s Hotel, Saniatu village of David O. McKay and the kindness of that land of paradise returned. We snorkeled for the first time in those waters of life’s creation – prepared with the mask that allows us to look for life and beauty where we have never seen it before. 
         My patient, Benjamin, recognized me after I gave my passionate speech about becoming the Mayor of Salt Lake. I invited all of these friends to come to the inauguration in January and Reverend Matapo’o was kind in his remarks about my campaign and coming back to Salt Lake City again soon. 
         I have seen life in many ways and that night I saw the healthy life of my patient, life in being together as a community and thought of the life and beauty of snorkeling in Samoa - a great metaphor for this campaign. These are new waters for Salt Lake City. Together we can ‘prepare’ ourselves, open our eyes to something new and see the life I have to give to the Mayor’s office.  
             
 

JPMD@JPHUGHESFORMAYOR.COM

APRIL 8TH
      "Career Day"  I had the opportunity to speak to 4th and 5th graders at Franklin Elementary School in central Salt Lake on 1100 West and 300 South.  The children sat around tables with interest and courtesy.  I told them to all be Doctors so that they could help each other.  Many of them had been to the hospital for different reasons.  One little kid asked me about the five parts of the brain.  I drew a picture of the colon and tried to explain why it was more important than the brain. 
      The questions and interaction was fabulous.  My observations were deeply touched by the diversity of the classroom cultures.  They were from everywhere.  The most beautiful Somalian girl was shy and troubled by the language pressure of English.  There were not three kids from the same place of origin.  Where else in the world can this mixture occur and everyone be an equal as an American student?
      The teacher was fabulous and the program very accepting of my visit.  The Mayor of the City could be a great support and help to the children.  We can meet and encourage them with hope.  They are in that classroom because of that hope of their parents to have a better and safer life in this City.  We can assure this safety. 
      I belong to an organization that gives Dictionaries to third graders.  I went with two other 'old guys' to Lakeridge Elementary School where the children were grateful and thrilled to own their personal book.  I was explaining how to use the book to look up a word and one little kid yelled out “I’ve got it.”  He found it before I did.  Again, the teacher was fabulous and the students were full of hope and innocence.  The experience was wonderful and a result of a lot of cooperation.  This co-operative spirit is essential for the Mayor and I will give it my very best.

JPMD@JPHUGHESFORMAYOR.COM

APRIL 2ND
         I have loved and appreciated the Mayor of New York City since 9-11. I read his book on Leadership and I connect with his way and his ideas. The changes he created in New York before 9-11 were as remarkable as the repairs of the spirit he provided after that event of destruction. His programs of bringing order out of chaos are a blueprint for me to ponder as a candidate for Mayor of Salt Lake City.
         I accepted the invitation of a good friend to meet Rudy Giuliani in his home. Giuliani took a small book and my campaign card as a gift with humble hesitation. He stood on the second stair to address the group. While he spoke, he said he was distracted by the beauty of the valley below because he could see out of the large windows behind the crowd.  
         I stood next to him while we listened. The most interesting observation for me came as I looked across the room to Rudy’s national finance chairman from Dallas. He had tears in his eyes. The local chairman of Utah’s commitment to the candidate for President also had tears of appreciation during the speaker’s words. These are very sincere people - they know the man personally and love him. I talked with many of the visitors to our city of Salt Lake and they all were very impressive. I told a Sikh gentleman while we were taking out the garbage at the end of the evening to check out my website. The others laughed because Ravi Singh was the CEO and Founder of Election Mall Technologies - I still went on that "I had the greatest website in the world." We all laughed and had a good time. 
         Giuliani may be elected as President. I may be elected as Mayor. At this point no one knows. In the world of political determinism, unseen controls and evident obstacles, the miracle of both of our experiences is the freedom and the choice to run for the office in the first place. We can be involved in a Democracy. We can try and it is OK.  It is the choice - as it is in life - that defines the success. 

JPMD@JPHUGHESFORMAYOR.COM

MARCH 29TH        
         After the University of Utah Law School mayoral forum I was thinking the candidate panel represents the goodness of America: the women, the businessman, the advocate, the doctor, the manager, the ethnicity and the service - all representing different people. Impressive. 
         Sharing experiences with the camera crew about the C-137 refueling an F-15, meeting the Dean of the Law School-his inviting, kind conversations, fund raising for the Law students to work as volunteers and the informal mingling after with humor and sincerity was the true spirit of community. 
         Rachel Otto, a Law Student and the President of the Public Interest Law Organization, put a lot of intelligent, enthusiastic effort into making it all happen. 
         The star of the show was Richard Piatt’s deep voice of kindness to all the candidates. 
         My question from the Forum was about the San Francisco Health Plan to care for the uninsured.  I like the plan and the effort that it took to pass it into law. I think we can have the same success in Salt Lake City.
         About 90 percent of our uninsured come from those in small business. There is about a 10 percent increase each year. This is due, in part, to double digit premium increases each year for the last five years. About 15 percent of City residents have no insurance, which is about 15-20,000 people. 
         The cost of insuring one person is about $200 per month in San Francisco. Coverage is being phased in this year and their plan is funded by the employer, the employee, and a portion from taxes. 
         A local efficiently managed insurance company in Salt Lake provides insurance for the same amount. We have a great opportunity to get coverage for all the people in the City. 
         San Francisco’s Mayor said it took an enormous amount of “collective spirit, deep expertise, and elbow grease” to craft these consensus recommendations.  We can benefit from their success and we can implement a plan that will work for Salt Lake City’s employers, employees, citizens and the taxpayers.

JPMD@JPHUGHESFORMAYOR.COM

MARCH 25TH
         The Diversity Times is a free monthly newspaper published by Albert C. Jones.  Mr. Jones saw a need for us all to get to know each other and is making it happen with The Diversity Times.  He is what he represents.  He is kind, smart and tolerant of differences - mine being that I am a Doctor and still learning 'the computer' and his is being an insightful Editor and helpful Computer Tech.  In April's Issue they will run a story I wrote about the importance of diversity and how diversity will be a part of my administration. 
         I wanted my message to be that as Mayor I will do what I have done for 33 years in my medical practice and be as inclusive of diversity and ethnicity as I have been for my entire life.  In my office I have seen every ethnic and different culture, I have operated on and cared for all diverse people of this planet and I love the treasured mementos patients have given me that make up my office decor.  It is worth the visit to come and see my office.  I have seen through the differences and believe that we are more alike than we differ.  All colons look the same.  
         The key to ethnicity and diversity is looking for the good, finding it and learning from it.  When we respect our differences and realize our similarities we really do see what we are looking for - we see ourselves in others.  
         
JPMD@JPHUGHESFORMAYOR.COM


MARCH 15TH-This is my 'first' Blog:
        We are here in March Madness. In the college Metaphor of athletic achievement we will see 64 teams play for the victory of a champion. These athletes have worked all year, practiced with commitment, sacrificed personal desires, and have been winners. They will stand, fall and run on the floors of this game. They will win or lose. 
         The race for the political victory in Salt Lake has 10 teams. These players for the victory of a champion have worked all year, practiced with commitment, sacrificed personal desires, and have been winners in life. They will stand, fall and run in the neighborhoods of this game. They will win or lose. There are three similarities in these two contests. 
         First, the commentators predict the outcome. They do it with such conviction and knowledge that we believe them: It will be Florida. They are the best team and they will win. I wonder why we have to play the games and go through all that fuss. We could just say who wins. 
         Second, the seating arrangement of who is the best against the weakest. This is the endorsement of decision makers and planners, who we never see, do not know and have no clue how they decide. 
         Third is the available money of the different programs that produce the teams. Some have been financed with huge contributions others with homemade cookie sales. 
         In this race for Mayor we have all three of these ideas. We are told who the strongest candidate is. We are told who of importance endorses the candidate. We are told who has the most money from special interest groups. So I wonder why we have to have the election. We could just say who won.       
         The best team on the basketball floor could win or not. There are always uncontrolled circumstances and performances. I thought that the Boise State football game last year was the best game in the history of college football. Who ever knew, predicted, endorsed, or paid the way for this team? They worked hard, sacrificed and played all of the games of the season. Who knew that they would win?
         I have wondered why 50 % of the 220,000 people in the Voting districts of SLC are not registered. I wonder why 70% of the registered voters do not vote. I wonder why in a non-partisan race it is so serious what party is important at 70%. 
         I think I have the answer. The voters do not want to see the game. They know who they have been told is the best team, who has the most important endorsement, and it is all about the money.
         I do not know how many people watch the NCAA teams crank through the sweet sixteen. I do not know who gets the money or who won in 1969. I do not know how many people watch the Quest for Mayor now or know who won in 1969. 
         I know what I have seen in this experience. I have seen widows, single mothers, and patients support my endeavor. I have seen friends of over thirty years get involved in the interest of City politics. I have felt a kindness and sincerity from the Black community of this city. I have shared humor and conversation with many of the other candidates. I have been called by a soft voice telling me “you’re on the list.” I have read the word of a writer who came to my home and caught the spirit of my love of this city and country. I have apologized to a writer on the phone and later listened to his apology on my cell phone. I have been surprised by a satire and caricature article that put my oldest son on the floor in laughter. I have read books as a result of sincere suggestions. My daughter and son-in-law developed the greatest living website. I have been accepted in the office of other Mayors of the valley. I have sat across the table from very capable City administrators. I have talked to a friend of the radio world and been told by many that they heard the overhead pages. I have sat at the feet of my dying Father-in-Law and listened to his experiences in the service of politics. I have dictated a couple of hundred letters to the friends about their sacred trust of contribution. I have been helped by the extended hand of the City Election Office to get the rules right. I have listened to the music of Polynesia in my home by men of great understanding. I have had reunion of friends through this political process. 
         My life has more meaning and awareness because of this Campaign for Mayor. I think that I will win as do all the other contestants in the game. I hope that the viewing audience will take an interest and decide for themselves who they want to be their Mayor.

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 JPMD@JPHUGHESFORMAYOR.COM

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