By using the word “supporter” instead of “endorsement,” did my opponent mislead when he featured the Governor in his mailer as one of his supporters?Did he intentionally mean to imply endorsement?You be the judge.The following statement came from the Governor’s office when my opponent announced that he had the endorsement of Governor Herbert at a recent debate.
"As we have previously discussed, Governor Herbert issued statements of support for both Steve Clark and John Curtis, both of whom are longtime friends of the Governor. He recognizes that sometimes such support can be read as an endorsement of a particular candidate and can cause some confusion.
"In this race, however, the Governor believes that both candidates have what it takes to be a fine mayor. The people of Provo have two very capable and qualified candidates from which to choose in the upcoming mayoral race, and for that reason they have a difficult decision ahead of them."
Last night I responded poorly to your question. In hindsight I was harsh and unfairly critical of your question. I hope you will accept my apology and give me another chance to answer your question.
No office is worth holding if you have to step on others to get there. For most of my campaign I have taken the false accusations about me quietly while I focused on the issues. However, this last attack by my opponent requires clarification and that is the purpose of this letter.
As I have often discussed, I have had significant involvement in both major political parties.
Almost a decade ago I became concerned that we lived in an area where elected officials won based solely on their party affiliation or were running unopposed. As a result, there appeared to be a lack of checks and balances which was not healthy and removed accountability from the process.
The verdict is still out on whether it was the right way to deal with the problems but I knew I had to try. I decided to work with the Democratic Party to build a platform that better represented Utah County values with issues like personal responsibility, limited government, and protection of the unborn as well as other conservative values. The goal was to give the voters a choice. Under this platform I ran for the State Senate. Many find it note worthy that my Republican opponent in that race has endorsed me for mayor.
Ultimately the national issues of the Democratic Party were too uncomfortable for me and like many of you I listed myself as unaffiliated. Several years later I found myself once again a Republican running for Jeff Alexander’s open seat at the persuasion of many good Republicans. Thanks to the informed Republican delegates who knew my history I received the most votes of the many candidates running. As part of the process the State Party chair gave the seat to another candidate who has done an outstanding job with his appointment and who has also endorsed (along with four of the other candidates) me for mayor.
I am currently a delegate in the Republican Party, a member of the State Ronald Reagan club, a contributor to the local Republican Party and a Mitt Romney Honorary Campaign Trustee. My run for mayor is endorsed by all three Republican County Commissioners, the Republican County Sheriff, current and past Utah County Republican Party Leaders, two former Republican US Congressmen and four of our City’s Republican State Senators and Representatives (colleagues of my opponent).
While some have not understood my involvement none have questioned my devotion to strong conservative principles that have made this country great. I will always place principles above party and make no excuses for that.
John Curtis
PS Ironically Ronald Reagan which my opponent chose to use in his attack was once a Democrat as well.
Since announcing my candidacy, I’ve heard some pretty silly things about myself. Below is a partial list: (Use the scroll bar at the right to see all of them)
I’m going to revoke zoning ordinance –Nope, not true. Because I have suggested that I would make our neighborhoods better by improving safety and building a strong economy in Provo some think I will attack our zoning ordinances.
I’m a liberal. - Sorry no truth here. In fact, I’ll go toe to toe with my opponent who makes this claim , to show that I’m the most conservative. Click here to see my view of the proper role of government. If you want to know the history of my party affiliations click here .
I have something to do with the bribery allegations made against my opponent -
Although rumors have been circulating for several weeks now, it was not a subject that I cared to comment on publicly until I was confronted with the issue by a reporter from the Herald.Frankly, I considered it an unfortunate diversion, potentially shifting the focus of our campaign away from the critical issues facing the city. Click here to see the memo to my staff on this matter.
I’m related to Lewis Billings – Sorry not true unless maybe you went back to Adam and Eve.
The City of Provo gave my company millions of dollars to move – Not true. Click here to see the exact details of the transaction.
I’m going to remove the Y from the mountain. - I’m pretty sure there is a law that would insist on the death penalty for anyone suggesting we take the Y off the mountain. Don’t worry the Y is safe in my hands.
I’m going to fire the City CAO and replace him with someone from my campaign. - I can tell you that if I’m elected mayor, the current CAO has the best job security of anyone in the city. No one on my campaign has been tagged for any position. In fact, check out my record. In decades of business I have never hired someone simply because they were a friend (It’s a bad idea). Please click here for my position on appointments and staffing
I’m part of the “StopCindy.Com” group. - Nope. Not even a little truth here. I think this one got started because some saw the "StopCindy.com" signs near mine. If this were a way to determine my involvement we would have some strange alliances going on. Click here to see what I mean.
I’ve had the internet scrubbed so no one could check out my background. - Didn’t know that was possible. Maybe I should have tried this one.
My company was a bad neighbor. – I have been delighted to be a part of the ownership, management and growth of Action Target Inc. Action Target is one of the finest companies we have in the area and has been responsible for the support and maintenance of hundreds of local families over the years. See the full story of the relationship with our neighbors by clicking here.
I am running as a ticket with other city council members – Not so. I’ve been very careful when asked who I support to point out the good points of all the candidates. Because some of the candidates tend to line up with my political philosophy, it is easy to see why this one got started.
I’ve out spent my opponent 2 to 1. – I need to take some lessons in politics from my opponent. He clearly knows how to work the reporting system better than I. For more information on my spending click here.
You shouldn’t vote for me because I drive a nice truck. – This one is true. I got a great deal on a used truck and love it! You decide if that means you shouldn’t vote for me.
The rumor is true. Bandit has officially endorsed John. Note: This is a true endorsement and not just support.
In a small German village, a woman differed with her minister and became so angry that she began spreading ugly rumors about him around town. As fate would have it, she eventually became ill and called on the minister to pray for her. He came gladly, and she asked his forgiveness of her gossiping.
"I will grant you forgiveness," the minister said, "but there's something you must do."
"I'll do anything," the woman said.
"As soon as you get well, go pluck the feathers from a black chicken and put them into a basket and bring them to me."
When the woman got well, she did what the minister asked her to do and presented the basket of feathers to the minister.
"You did well," the minister said. "Now take this basket of feathers and scatter them in the corners of the marketplace and from the towers of the church. Scatter them throughout the town. Then return to me."
So the woman did. She walked from one end of town to the other, scattering the feathers. Then she returned to her pastor. "I have done as you asked," she said.
"Very well. Now take your basket and collect all the feathers. Make sure not one is missing."
"But that is not possible!" the woman said with a choking cry. "The wind has carried many of them away!"
"So it is with your words," the minister said. "While I have gladly forgiven you, do not forget that you can never undo the damage your untrue words have done." Author, Unknown
