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Show Creer , Romney debate role of attorney general J ' . ' ' ' " '' ?r .l I rvf 1 1 ' , f V - , I U w Sj ) Ty ' . v.v - Af j I By Rod Bland Staff Writer "The most important issue in the election is who can do the job right," said Vernon B. Romney, Republican candidate for Utah Attorney General, in a debate Thursday with John Preston Creer, Democratic candidate for the office. Mr. Creer said, "you have a job to do, and you have to protect the people." The debate, sponsored by Newman Hall and moderated by the Rev. Lawrence Sweeney, was open to the public. Helping coordinate the event were Dean Rode, Allen Heap and Bob Terragno. Father Sweeney opened the debate by saying that it is the responsibility of every citizen to acquaint himself with the issues and candidates, and then judge who would do the best job. Issues of importance in the debate were: qualifications of the two men; Senate Bill 80 (a drug control act which was vetoed by Gov. Calvin L. Rampton), and what is the job of the attorney general. Mr. Creer said much of Mr. Romney's campaign against him is based on the fact that Mr. Creer is younger and less experienced. He added, "A man's ability in the office is not related to his length of practice." Mr. Romney retorted, "Do you want a politician posing as a lawyer or do you want a lawyer posing as a politician." He emphasized that the better Attorney general is a good lawyer with broad experience and background. The two men explained why they felt they were competent for the job. Mr. Romney said his background included 15 years of active law practice; two years of committee work in Washington, D. C. and eight years in the practice of law on a private basis. Mr. Creer said he entered the state bar in 1962, worked for the law firm of McKay and Burton and was Salt Lake City Deputy Attorney General. ( At one point in the debate Mr. Creer said, "The issue I see in this office is not an issue of subject matter, whether or not we are for or against the war in Vietnam, but how we handle ourselves in the office." Mr. Romney countered, "A major part of the job of the attorney general is giving legislative opinions, doing the job right and being a good lawyer for the departments and agencies of the state of Utah." John Preston Creer, (left) Democratic candidate tor Discussion centered around the candidates' legal attorney general, gestures to emphasize a point in a qualifications, crime, and the generation gap. The debate with his Republican opponent Vernon Rev. Lawrence Sweeney (center) moderated. Romney (right) in OSH auditorium Wednesday. |