Should Public Officials Get Free Tickets?
July 12, 2000
Should public officials be guaranteed tickets to Olympic events?
That's the question before the top board of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee.
That committee takes up the issue at a meeting tomorrow.
News Specialist John Daley has our story.
Opening Ceremonies for the 2002 Games.
In a stadium of 57,000 people, 4,000 average Utahns--perhaps a few more--will be there to see it in person.
Perhaps the President and other heads of state will be there attending as guests.
But should Utah public officials get preferential treatment, guaranteed entry?
Olympic organizers say they aren't yet sure.
Mitt Romney/SLOC President: "FOR STATE SENATORS, FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, EVEN FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF SLOC, WHAT POLICY SHOULD WE ADOPT? THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING TOGETHER AND FORMULATING AS A GROUP."
It might seem reasonable to some that elected leaders from a venue city are able to attend events held in their town.
But should others be guaranteed seats?
For example: The President of the State Senate and Speaker of the House, state legislators, other state, county and city officials?
Ken Bullock/Member/SLOC Board of Trustees: "THERE'S A FINE BALANCE BETWEEN HAVING ELECTED OFFICIALS THERE IN AN OFFICIAL CAPACITY AND NOT GIVING THEM SPECIAL PRIVILEGES BECAUSE OF A POSITION THEY HOLD."
Olympic critic Steve Pace says only a few top leaders
with ceremonial duties should get preferential treatment.
Otherwise, he says...
STEVE PACE/Olympic critic: "IT'S LOOKING LIKE, AS YOU SEE SO MANY TIMES BEFORE IN THIS GAME, PEOPLE ARE TRADING ON THEIR INSIDER STATUS TO GET BENEFITS OUT OF THE OLYMPICS."
Folks we spoke with on the street today are clear. They say there should be no special treatment.
Jim Fields/Bountiful: "ALL OF US ARE SUPPOSED TO BE EQUAL HERE AND EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE AN EQUAL CHANCE TO GET THE TICKETS."
Margaret Thompson/Farmington Resident: "BECAUSE I THINK I HAVE JUST AS MUCH RIGHT TO GO AS THEY DO. MY TAXES ARE PAYING FOR THERE OLYMPICS, I THINK I SHOULD HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY THEY DO TO GET TICKETS."
The question is, do Olympic organizers see things the same way?
That Olympic board meeting takes place tomorrow at the State Capitol at 8:30 AM.
