Investing in the Local Community

by Senator Ross Romero
District 7

Earlier this summer I was contacted by the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Valley asking me if I had time to visit the Clubs and find out what they were doing to help our community’s youth.  The Boys and Girls Clubs offer after-school programs addressing educational achievement, career exploration, drug and alcohol avoidance, health and fitness, gang and violence prevention, cultural exploration, leadership development and community service.  I was very interested to learn the Clubs help over 11,000 youth each year.

I was pleased to learn youth who participate in Boys and Girls Clubs programs statistically have a 15% higher overall GPA, a 90% high school graduation rate, and 26% are likely to earn a college degree.  I was informed during my visit that it takes $454 for a child to participate in Boys and Girls Clubs programs for a year (”454 Club”).  In contrast, it takes $82,402 per year for a child to be admitted to a full time juvenile detention facility.

Last week, I was invited to the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Valley “Thank You and Get Acquainted Dinner” for the “454 Club.”  It was a great event, which again highlighted the wonderful work being done at the Boys and Girls Clubs.  The guest speaker was Dan E. Jones (our very own Senator Patricia Jones’ husband).

Needless to say, my wife and I are now sponsoring a Club member and wanted to make sure others knew about this great community organization and the work it is doing.  If you would like more information about the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Valley or about the 454 Club, please contact Toni Geddes, Director of Development at 801-284-4248 or t-geddes@hotmail.com.

His legacy continues…

The Utah Housing Coalition held its 12th annual Utah Housing Matters Conference October 7 and 8.  The Award Luncheon was dedicated to the late Senator Ed Mayne, who passed away about eleven months ago.  The Utah Housing Coalition’s mission is to strengthen Utah communities through education, advocacy, and cooperative partnerships that preserve and promote an increase in housing that is accessible and affordable.The printed program for the event featured these tributes to Senator Ed Mayne:

 ”Eddie,” as Mayne was known to all who knew him, was a character.  But also a man of character.  Elected as the then-youngest state president of the AFL-CIO in his early 30s, Eddie was a fixture on Capitol Hill long before he won a Senate seat in 1994 from his much-beloved Salt Lake County west side.  A fighter for the “working man and woman,” Eddie, a big man with a big heart, would drive up to the Capitol in a huge, American/union-made car and walk the halls in a swinging motion, talking to everyone. 
Bob Bernick Jr., Deseret Morning News

Since the death of Senator Ed Mayne on Sunday, praise for his accomplishments and his compassion for the less fortunate has been streaming in from friends and colleagues.  But few have as personal a memory for the Democratic lawmaker and labor leader’s big heart as Jennifer Boone.  She was kidnapped and raped 10 years ago when she was 15.  Her assailant was caught nearly five years later trying to kidnap another child.  She picked him out of a lineup and he was convicted of kidnapping her.  But she felt like a victim a second time when she learned that he would not be charged with raping her because the four-year statute of limitations on rape had expired.  She became an advocate for a longer statute of limitations on rape, talking to legislator and state officials, who ignored her–until she contacted Mayne.  “He really cared,” she said this week.  He introduced a bill to extend the statute of limitations to eight years.  When he brought Boone to the Legislature to testify on behalf of the bill, the legislators were so moved that even the fact it was sponsored by a Democrat didn’t deter it from passing.  “It was too late for my case,” she said.  “But he empowered me.  He gave me the closest thing to justice I could get.”
Paul Rolly, Salt Lake Tribune

“The absence of Ed will be a huge void in my life I’m not sure I’ll ever get over,” says Allan Ayoub of the AFL-CIO of Utah.  Ed Mayne’s office is empty, yet still alive with reminders of a life of meetings with presidents, influential leaders and of special honors, but his passion was always the workers of Utah.  Jeff Worthington of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers says, “He wanted a fair wage for everybody, wanted everyone to have health and welfare.”  Ed Mayne was born and raised in Utah.  He married his love Karen and grew his family here.  He was a hard rock miner for 14 years.  At the age of 31, he was the youngest person ever elected to head a state AFL-CIO.  For 30 years, he rallied laborers and helped strengthen unions in a state not friendly to organized labor.  “People began to accept organized labor in a totally different manner,” says Ayoub.
KUTV 2 News

Congratulations, Susan!

Last Friday, Susan Kuziak, received the Eleanor Roosevelt Award presented to her by the Utah State Democratic Party.  Susan was recognized for exemplifying the high standards and compassionate philosophy of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Susan is an active public employee advocate, public school champion, and community service volunteer.  Since moving to Utah in 1984, Susan has worked diligently on a wide variety of issues.  She has encouraged Utah women to run for elective office.  She was a founding member of the bipartisan “100 Years - 100 Women” project.  You can count on Susan to give honest input, accurate information, and valuable insights.

Congratulation, Susan!  You are certainly deserving of this prestigious award.

Ed Mayne Stadium

The football stadium at Hunter High School, home of the Wolverines, has been renamed the Ed Mayne Stadium in honor of the late Senator Ed Mayne.  Our current Senator Mayne, Karen, and her family attended the ceremony renaming the stadium.

Senator Karen Mayne said, “As I looked into the bleachers and saw friends and family coming together to celebrate this good man, I know he would have been overcome with appreciation and pride.”

Senator Ed Mayne was a loyal Wolverine fan and was instrumental in securing lighting for the stadium a few years ago.

Lifetime Achievement

Earlier this month, the College of Eastern Utah (CEU) celebrated it’s 70th anniversary with two outstanding events, one in Price and one in Salt Lake City.  Senator Mike Dmitrich received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his long and distinguished career in public service.  Senator Dmitrich expressed his deep appreciation to CEU for this recognition.

Mike was an outstanding athlete at Carbon High School and Carbon College (predecessor to the College of Eastern Utah), and he has continued to be actively involved in sports.  He has officiated at 20 state basketball tournaments and countless high school basketball and football games.

Mike Dmitrich is a member of the CEU Athletic Hall of Fame, has been awarded an honorary degree by the College, and is recognized in the name of the Bunnell-Dmitrich Athletic Center on the CEU campus.

(from 70th Anniversary Celebration printed program)

 (Click photos for larger image)