Nov. 4, 1999
The election of a new Salt Lake mayor brings a brand new relationship between City Hall and Olympic organizers.
News Specialist John Daley has more on that.
Mayor-elect Rocky Anderson will carry the flag for Salt Lake in the 2002 Olympics.
But potentially, he'll have a much greater impact before then--as a powerful player in Olympic decision-making.
The man who'll be Mayor in 2002, Rocky Anderson, is temporarily moving into a 5th Floor room at the City & County building, offered by current Mayor Deedee Corradini.
First order of business--making sure Salt Lake isn't left holding the bag if the Olympics run over budget.
Rocky Anderson/Mayor-elect: "THAT'S GOING TO BE MY NUMBER ONE PRIORITY."))
Anderson says he and SLOC President Mitt Romney have exchanged phone messages and intend to meet soon to discuss it.
Mayor Deedee Corradini mostly marched in step with organizers, rarely attending board meetings or publicly questioning decisions.
As mayor, Anderson promises to ask tough questions.
Rocky Anderson/Mayor-elect: "WE CAN'T TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED. I'M GOING TO BE A WATCHDOG IN THAT REGARD BECAUSE WE NEED AN ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF SALT LAKE CITY AND I INTEND TO BE THAT ADVOCATE."
Anderson will surely be supportive of some Olympic plans, but not necessarily all Olympic plans.
For instance, he says he'll do everything he can to help organizers turn an LDS Church-owned parking lot in a medals plaza.
But, though he says it's not a top priority, he thinks the state needs to reexamine it's liquor laws before 2002.
Rocky Anderson/Mayor-elect: "THAT'S ONE OF THE FEW ISSUES WHERE THE LDS CHURCH REALLY DOES GET INVOLVED. THEY'VE GOT A STAKE IN THAT ISSUE AND I HOPE TO SIT DOWN WITH OFFICIALS FROM THE LDS CHURCH AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES AND BRING A LITTLE BIT OF SENSE TO OUR ALCOHOL LAWS."
Board member Ken Bullock predicts Anderson's Olympic presence will be felt.
Ken Bullock/SLOC Board Member: "I DO KNOW MAYOR ANDERSON, ROCKY, IS GOING TO NOT ALLOW THINGS TO GO UNQUESTIONED."
In the past, another city official often sat in for Mayor Corradini at Olympic board meetings.
Anderson says he plans to attend those board meetings regularly.
