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Show Wednesday, October 27. 20D4 j C3 Supplement to Satina Sun, Sanpete Messenger, and Sanpete MessengerOunnison Valley Edition tom H Lilli Bom Sept. 18, 1933, in Salt Lake City, Bob Bennett is the son of former Paul Robert Bennett (R) U.S. Sen. Wallace F. Bennett and Frances Grant Bennett. He is a 1957 graduate and former student body president of the University of Utah. Sen. Bennett and his wife Joyce are the parents of six children and a rapidly growing brood of Bennett grandchildren. 1. What do you see as being four-ter- m the most serious issue facing Utahns in the next four years? The major issue facing Utah today is growth, which brings challenges in transportation, education, housing, and land use. I have a record of support for projects critical to Utah, and will work to continue to make appropriate federal assistance available to the state as we confront these demands. 2. In order of importance, what will be your top three priorities if elected? America's role in the world is being questioned at home and Paul Van Dam receiv ed his juris doctorate degree from the University of Utah in 1966. abroad. America can and must lead the w orld toward freedom. I pledge to use my experience, leadership positions, and network of contacts in both parties to continue to deliver solid, positive change. His professional life has been spent as an attorney, including working as the chief deputy prosecutor in the Salt Lake 3. What single greatest strength will you bring to this office if elected? County district attorneys office. Van Dam was the Salt Lake County district attorney from 1975-7and served as Utah's from 1989-9general attorney He resides in Salt Lake City with his wife and two children. 1. What do you see as bemost serious issue facthe ing 8, In this election, voters should 2. ask themselves which candidate is best positioned to assist Utah in the future. I believe my seniority and committee assignments put me in a position to help Utah with regard to its unique challenges. 4. What is the greatest weakness or difficulty y ou will have to overcome in relation to the office you are seeking? I now serve as chief deputy majority whip where I advise Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and help set the Senate agenda. 5. What distinguishes you from your opponent? I'm a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Com- - mittee where serve as chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee a significant assignment for rural Utah. As chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, I'm able to contribute to the national debate on health care reform, tax I simplification, employment, savings, and job grow th. I'm also a member of the Small Business and Governmental Affairs Committees, and next in line to the Senate chair Banking Committee. ing Utahns in the next four years? The most serious issue facing the state is the possible resumption of nuclear testing by the federal government at test sites in Nevada, which could create another generation of the most serious issue facing Utahns in the next four years? The most fundamental issue facing all Americans today is our safety and security in an uncertain world. That said, however, the greatest challenge facing Utah specifically is the question of how we will take greatest advantage of a 2. In order of importance, w hat w ill be y our top three pri- orities if elected? 1) Instituting a ban on nuclear testing changing economy. We have tremendous resources in our state a talented and skilled work force, a great quality of life and many other advantages and we must do a better job Beau Babka and his wife Kim are the parents of six children and live in Draper. He is an active mem- good-payin- 3. What single greatest strength will you bring to this office if elected? Too often, government is reactive. Looking to the future and the opportunities it holds for our young people and our state is important, both in this election and in the way I represent the people of the 3rd District. 4. What is the greatest weakness or difficulty you will have to overcome in relation to the office you are seeking? The greatest difficulty is the time spent apart from my family. As the father of eight children, it is difficult to be in Washington for a great part of the year. I have missed many recitals and sporting events, but my family has been understanding and supportive. What distinguishes you from your opponent? 5. I think voters will choose on the basis of my accomplishments, my hopes for Utah and the leadership I am providing on behalf of the 3rd District. This election is about who can provide the most effective voice for our values, our priorities and our needs as Utahns. I have demonstrated that kind of effectiveness during the last eight years. ber of the LDS church and community and has coached numerous sports teams with his children. Babka has been involved in law enforcement since 1992 and has served with South Salt Lake City. He has held numerous positions including community policing officer, detective, sergeant, division commander, captain and assistant chief. He is a former member of International Chiefs of Police, National Police Chiefs Association, American Criminology Society. He is a member of the local Footprinters Organization, as well as other state and local law en- forcement associations. Babka is also an adjunct professor in the criminal justicesocial science department of Salt Lake Community College. He holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Weber State University, a master of public administration from Brigham Young University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. In 2002, Babka ran a strong race for the position of Salt Lake County Sheriff. 1. What do you see as being the most serious issue fac- ing Utahns in the next four years? think that the major issue facing Utah in this election is our I childrens educational needs. 1. From the perspective of the office you are seeking, w hat do you see as being the most serious issue facing Utah in the next four years? The most serious issue facis making sure governUtah ing ments have internal controls in place that will deter fraud, and helping governments understand their responsibility to prevent and detect fraud. 2. What is your top prior- r ity if elected? My top priority will be to ensure that governments are accountable for their actions, and that financial and compliance information is available to every citizen of the state. We will continue to impress upon government leaders the importance of providing information to their citizens. 3. What single greatest strength will you bring to this office if elected? am a certified public accountant. The office of state auditor requires a person with the I appropriate professional knowledge to perform audits using and understanding generally accepted auditing standards. 4. What is the greatest weakness or difficulty you w ill have to overcome in relation to the office you are seeking? All Utah governments have 2) Reducing the deficit 3) Making healthcare affordable Other priorities include fully funding education, strengthening homeland security, and protecting Medicare and Social Security. V 3. What single greatest strength will you bring to this office if elected? My understanding of the issues that affect Utahns, combined w ith my experience in office w ill make me an effective representative of the people of Utah. 4, What is the greatest weakness or difficulty you will hav e to ov erconie in relation to the office you are seeking? The greatest hurdle I will have to ov ercome is the disparity in funding between my opponent and myself. He has received millions of dollars in contributions from special interests from outside the state, while my campaign is primarily funded by Utahns. I feel that my willingness to get out among the people and represent them on important is- - Paul Vanpam sues can help me overcome that hurdle. 5. What distinguishes you from your opponent? My opponent has been an ineffective senator who has put special interests and partisan politics ahead of the needs of Utahns. I will always put Utahs needs first in the Senate, and get things done for my constituents. With overcrowding in schools and a shortage of teachers, we need to take a look at what the federal government can do to help. Unfunded mandates, and overemphasis on administrators and testing prohibit the No Child Left Behind Act from helping our children achieve in school. We must overhaul the plan and get money to teachers and into the classrooms where we need it most,-.-,- ' 2. In order t importance, what will be your top three specific priorities if elected? 1 ) Start working on fixing No Child Left Behind and get more resources to teachers and students. 2) Fix our border security problems. 3) Try to make the deficit smaller by removing corporate welfare from the federal budget. 3. What single greatest strength will you bring to this office if elected? With the years I have spent as a community liaison with the police department, I have learned to work with diverse groups and find an equitable arid happy ending to conflict. Im a problem solver. 4. What is the greatest weakness or difficulty you will have to overcome in relation to the office you are seeking? Sadly, its fundraising. I Beau Babka ' dont like the fact that you need so much money to run a campaign. In my campaign we have kept ourselves from taking any corporate money from PACs that have been sponsored from big business. Weve actually had to turn away offers of support "because we didnt like where the money was coming from. 5. What distinguishes you from your opponent? I want the people of the 3rd District and certainly, the state of Utah to know that I am a man of integrity and honesty. Over my long career as a police officer, these traits are what have made me the person I am today. With these traits I plan to bring Utahs best interests to Washington and give a voice back to Utahns, a voice that has been long hidden behind party politics and broken promises. Carlos Vasquez (D) Anston Johnson (R) Auston Johnson, incumbent, graduated from Utah State University with a degree in accounting and is a certified public accountant. Johnson has 27 years experience in governmental accounting and auditing, is a member of the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of CPAs, was named outstanding CPA in business and management in 2002 by the Utah Association of CPAs, and is a member of Utah State University School of Accountancy Advisory Board. Johnson is married and has three children. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Navy. rs Dam (D) Beau Babka (D) of using those assets to attract g jobs and career opportunities for our young people. 2. In order of importance, what will be your top three specific priorities if elected? 1) My first priority is balneed for security with the ancing protection of our civil liberties and privacy. As chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, I have the opportunity to help shape legislation that is vital to this priority while also protecting privacy. 2) Continuing to grow our economy and increase jobs is my second priority. After Sept. 11, America saw an increase in unemployment. We are bouncing back, but more can be done. 3) My third priority is education. We need to increase funding for our school children. As chairman of the Western Caucus I have worked to consolidate our school trust lands. By doing so, we can greatly increase money in our school trust fund which is money that goes directly to our schools. down-winde- in Utah. Chris Cannon (R) Chris Cannon was first elected to Congress on Nov. 5, 1996, and to a fourth term in was 2002. At the beginning of the 1 08th Congress, Cannon was named chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law and was elected chairman of the House Western Caucus. , In 1983, President Ronald Reagan appointed Cannon as assistant associate solicitor in the Department of Interior, and he became associate solicitor in 1984. Cannon was bom in Salt Lake City on Oct. 20, 1950. After receiving a bachelor of science degree and a law degree from Brigham Young University, Cannon worked as an attorney for four years. Cannon married Claudia Fox in 1978. They have eight children and reside in Mapleton. 1. What do you see as being Van 2 i " ' ,.jf i l Auston Johnson been challenged by economic conditions over the last few years. My staff and I struggle to make the best use of the limited resources available to us to make sure that the citizens of Utah are best served. 5. What distinguishes you front your opponent? am a CPA, and I have 27 years experience in auditing and accounting for governments. I Carlos Vasquez, the son of Guatemalan immigrants to the U.S., was bom in Utah and grew up in Clearfield. He graduated from Davis High School and later attended the University of Utah. In 1995 Vasquez married Lucy Jane Tuaone. They have five children and live in Fruit Heights. Vasquez works at UPS as a package car driver, and is active in the Teamsters Union. Vasquez has volunteered on several campaigns and is a Boy Scout leader. He also serves as secretary to the Utah State Democratic Party. 1. From the perspective of the office you are seeking, what do you see as being the most serious issue facing Utah in the next four years? The most serious issue is accountability. We have seen in re- cent months what unchecked power allows our elected officials to do. The auditor must be independent and keep an eye on taxpayer money. 2. What w ill be your top pri ority if elected? Using technology more efficiently would be my top priority. Recent events in local government have shown clear inefficiencies in how elected officials and government offices conduct business. 3. What single greatest strength will you bring to this office if elected? I work as a delivery driver for UPS. I work in my church, in my community and at home raising my family. I know the meaning of hard work, and I will bring that work ethic to this office. 4. What is the greatest weakness or difficulty you will have to overcome in relation to the office you are seeking? Tiie greatest difficulty is running a campaign to seek this offiee. It is hard to get my message out to the voters. I can do the job itself, but since the job is a political office, campaigning will always be a difficulty. 5. What distinguishes you from your opponent? Carlos Vasquez I believe that the Worker's Compensation Fund (WCF) belongs to the shareholders, not to politicians. The current state auditor has written a position indicating that the WCF belongs to the state. Any money in that fund should be used to strengthen the fund or returned to the workers and employers who are the |