| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Yang, AthD h.c" |
| Date: |
12 Oct 2004 10:15:19 PM |
| Object: |
Surprise! UT GOP Mayor Resigns Amid Corrupton Charges |
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041012/ap_on_el_st_lo/utah_mayor_s_race
Embattled Salt Lake Mayor Quits Race
2 hours, 25 minutes ago
By MARK THIESSEN, Associated Press Writer
SALT LAKE CITY - The mayor of Utah's most populous county, facing
criminal charges of misspending taxpayer money, announced Tuesday she
was withdrawing from the election for health reasons.
The move by first-term Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman prompted
criticism from rivals that the Republicans were manipulating election
law so they could put another candidate on the ticket.
"My doctor has strongly advised that, in his opinion, with the
extraordinary stress of the ongoing prosecution, I cannot continue a
political campaign without unreasonably compromising my health,"
Workman said in a statement, without specifying the exact nature of
her health problems.
Her campaign spokesman Dave Owen said she would use a provision of
Utah law allowing candidates to remove themselves from a ballot
because of a medical disability. He said there have been no
discussions about her resigning before her term is up in January.
Workman has been placed on paid administrative leave while she faces
two felony charges for allegedly taking $17,000 in health department
funds to hire a bookkeeper at a boys and girls club where her daughter
was a top financial officer. She did not immediately return a call
seeking comment.
The Salt Lake County mayoral position is an influential one in Utah
because the county accounts for about 40 percent of the state's
population.
Democratic mayoral candidate Peter Corroon, who has become the
front-runner since Workman was charged last month, said he was
surprised and disappointed by the news.
"The mayor has said all along she would stay on the ballot and not use
the medical excuse," said Corroon, a cousin to one-time Democratic
presidential hopeful Howard Dean (news - web sites).
Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen, a Democrat, said she was
consulting with lawyers on what action to take.
The Republican Party last week withdrew its support of the mayor and
instead endorsed a write-in candidate, land developer Ellis Ivory.
If Swensen takes Workman off the ballot, the GOP plans to add Ivory.
Ivory said Tuesday that while he would welcome such a move, he is not
lobbying for it.
Independent candidate Merrill Cook, a former Republican congressman,
charged that the party was abusing election laws to ensure a GOP
winner. He questioned the validity of Workman's medical concerns.
"I will say that is a real stretch, a real dishonesty and I just don't
think the citizens would really look kindly on a party trying to
manipulate the system," he said.
The situation could make life difficult for election workers.
Stickers with Ivory's name will have to be mailed to each precinct to
be placed over Workman's name if Ivory becomes the official candidate.
Even if the GOP does not make Ivory its candidate, Swensen will have
to mail out stickers that say "Candidate Withdrawn" to be placed over
Workman's name.
-----
Yang
a.a. #28
AthD (h.c.) conferred by the regents of the LCL
a.a. pastor #-273.15, the most frigid church of Celcius nee Kelvin
EAC Econometric Forecast and Sorcery Division
Proudly plonked by Lani Girl and Crazyalec
The Bush 'balanced' budget: 1.2 trillion and worsening
The Bush 'economic' policy: -3 million jobs and counting
The Bush Iraq lie: -1075 GIs, one friend's co-worker's son and mounting
Having Bush ***** up my country: Worthless
.
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