2007 Organizing Convention Report

Eager county delegates show up en masse

By TL Feeny
Leg. Dist. 8 Chair
Weber County GOP Webmaster

In the aftermath of our Thursday 04/19/07 Nominating convention, we've had a little lag in the compilation of the final results. There is a lot of post-convention work that goes on after a convention; but we're finally able to provide an accurate and comprehensive report on Thursday's convention business -- after lots of data-crunching.

Our Organizing Convention convened when Chairman Bell brought the gavel down promptly at 6:30 p.m. The county delegate turnout was tremendous. Out of a total of 525 elected county delegates -- 235 of them registered for this Organizing Convention. Standing room only, folks! This, we think, has to be a new off-election year record for our party. The turnout for Thursday's Organizing Convention is unprecedented, for a convention of this type, we think.

We had a fine array of Republican officials who addressed the packed assembly and offered their reports:

Weber County GOP Treasurer Darcy Kruitbosch: "We're in great financial shape, according to our recent audit."

Utah GOP Vice Chair Todd Weiler delivered the State Party report. Todd is top-notch, we believe, providing hope for our recently-languishing State Party.

"The State Party is now on the upswing," he told us.

He mentioned his affinity for his "one-billionth condominium share" at Wolf Creek (Ogden Valley,) and his appreciation for the sheer wonderfulness of Weber County.

That makes Todd W. One of Us, we think, whether he realizes it or not.

We are hopeful that Todd Weiler will see fit to throw his hat into the ring for Utah Party Chair. The Utah GOP Party helm desperately needs a smart guy like Todd in the wheelhouse, we think.

State Senator Scott Jenkins, who delivered the Utah Legislative Report to our convention, mentioned last year's legislative session, during which our legislature devoted record cash to our public school system, along with an unprecedented tax cut.

"Well... we beat that this year by a long margin," House Rep. Jenkins said. Now we have TWO tough acts to follow, we guess, during the 2008 legislative session.

One of the subtle nuances of his speech occurred when Representative Jenkins proudly proclaimed that he'd sprung from from a family of life-long democrats.

A female voice from the crowd in back of your blogmeister intoned: "Well THAT explains it."

We have absolutely no idea what that means. It did however provoke a wave of "tittering" through the audience.

Weber County Commissioner Ken Bischoff delivered the Weber County Government Report. He noted that Weber County bond ratings are now AAA, the best in the municipal bond market. Only three other counties in Utah share this distinction, he said.

He also confirmed that there would be no Weber County-compelled tax increases in the coming year -- an announcement that nearly brought down the house with raucous cheering and applause.

Commissioner Ken also had a smart take on the new frenzy of economic development in Weber County and environs: "It started in Salt Lake County," he noted. "from there it eventually moved to Davis County. "Now the focus is on Weber County." "Along with the development, come the problems," he noted. Weber County government will have to devote its attention to fundamental solutions to water, sewer and other infrastructure and service problems" he said.

Unlike Senator Jenkins, who hinted that the current Weber County "boom-times" were attributable to some extent to the intervention in the market by certain un-named local government officials, Commissioner Bischoff wisely attributed the recent economic growth in Weber County to basic free-market forces.

Lt. Governor Herbert was the closing speaker, who emphasized the State of Utah's great management and teamwork. Likening Utah government to the "Strack Troops" he met aboard a U.S Navy carrier, he attributed Utah's great reputation for good government to our state's old-fashioned, "conservative" political team-work.

Chairman Matt Bell capably officiated, of course, cracking jokes at regular intervals, and keeping the convention atmosphere light and convivial.

We'll cut to the chase now, and set forth the real business of Thursday night's convention:

Weber County GOP elected Administrative Officers:

Chair: Matt Bell
Vice Chair: Christie Moore
Secretary: Debbie Deem
Treasurer: Darcy Kruitbosch

Leg 12 Utah House Representative:

Richard Greenwood

Legislative District Elections:

Check out our full elected GOP Legislative District Officer slate here.

Lots of fresh faces on the Weber County GOP Executive Committee, which bodes well for our party, we think.

We thank everybody who contributed to our fantastic 2007 Organizing convention, and especially congratulate those who were elected to party offices.

We also welcome our readers' anticipated comments and retorts.

At the special request of chairman Bell, by the way, we invite our readers to post their remarks regarding Thursday night's convention. What went well; and what didn't? We urge our readers to post their constructive comments here.

Don't let the cat get your tongues, fellow Weber County Republicans.

Click "comments" to enter your remarks.