Warner - executive director of America's Freedom Foundation, which oversees America's Freedom Festival at Provo and Stadium of Fire - had been nervous for the better part of March because there was no final agreement with a headline act in place, and he feared he would have nothing to say at the April 1 news conference.
While Brad Pelo, the show's executive producer was confident, Warner could not relax until a signed contract was in hand. That happened March 31 at 5 p.m., less than a day before he was to announce the star attraction.
Whew.
"All those things coming together took away my nervousness," Warner said afterward.
Smoke break
It came as no surprise recently when Draper's City Council banned smoking in public outdoor areas.
What wasn't expected was the lone "no" vote.
Councilman Alan Summerhays elicited a few light chuckles and curious expressions from his colleagues when he sided against the prohibition.
Later in the meeting, Summerhays let off some smoke of his own - scolding a contractor for overspending by nearly half-a-million dollars on construction of the SunCrest Fire Station. Summerhays said he would rather have had higher bids than be blindsided by surprise overages.
Fellow Councilman Troy Walker tried to calm Summerhays by asking if he needed to take a smoke break and "chill."
Summerhays, a nonsmoker, simply responded with a forced raspy cough.
Sex and violence
Salt Lake City Weekly is out with its Best of Utah 2008 and sex and violence appear to dominate City Hall.
New City Councilman J.T. Martin snagged best political bounce with his rubber-penis quote when he protested the relocation of adult-novelty shop Blue Boutique before he even took office. The Sugar House boutique also finished second for best local scandal.
"Gayborhood," outed during the mayor's chase to describe the Marmalade district, won best new word; while The Leonardo took home best tease.
Best macho display went to former Mayor Rocky Anderson and developer Dell Loy Hansen, whose City Hall sashay included a chest bump followed by Rocky's declaration: "I'll kick your a--."
Rocky also snatched best activist honors, while new Mayor Ralph Becker beat his predecessor and the guv for best elected official.
"He's Rocky without the rockiness," the Weekly wrote.
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