Rocky Anderson, in a very Trump-esqe way, recently announced his ROCKY III campaign for Salt Lake City mayor. After 15 years out of office, he is arrogantly declaring, “Make Salt Lake City great again.”
In his typical Rocky-inspired, no-filter, all-about-me manner, his announcement speech was 50 minutes! 50 minutes! His actions are naïve and misinformed. His criticism of current Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall should be rejected.
(Note here, as the mayor of Salt Lake County, representing the broader Salt Lake area, I typically dial down the hyperbole. But Rocky, more than anyone, deserves what he offers to others, so pardon me for not sugar coating).
Rocky was an unfocused mayor who created chaos at every turn. He carries arrogance as a core element of his DNA that can’t be checked, as evidence of this current foolhardy endeavor of seeking re-election.
Really, Rocky? Do you think none of us are working on addressing criminal justice reform and seeing to improve challenges surrounding homelessness? Only you can fix those concerns?
Rocky’s claim that he can magically solve homelessness challenges is harmful and offensive to many, not just Salt Lake City’s mayor. America’s cities are facing unprecedented challenges right now and Salt Lake City is not immune from those systemic influences.
While mental health and substance use concerns are not new to cities, there are relatively new and compounding factors at play as well. Cities throughout out the nation are still recovering from the disruption of the pandemic and sadly facing the toll of the opioid crisis.
Additionally, the “American Dream” of owning a home and having a good-paying job is slipping for more Americans. These are systemic and tragic outcomes of this era. To claim Mayor Mendenhall has failed to address them is offensive. The reality is there is no simple solution. (And it certainly isn’t Rocky.)
Mendenhall and I serve on several governance and community-based committees, along with other elected leaders including the district attorney, the sheriff, members of the Legislature and philanthropists such as Harris Simmons, CEO of Zion’s Bank, and Gail Miller. Our goals are: build more housing (supporting all ranges of incomes but supportive housing for those exiting homelessness); the expansion of drug treatment and mental health services; using our jails for violent offenders; and streamlining our criminal justice system.
Partnerships funded by the state, county and Salt Lake City since Mendenhall has been in office include: Prioritizing a mental health receiving center where individuals can be taken in a crisis, which is scheduled to open in 2024, opening winter overflow for those experiencing homelessness earlier than ever before this year, funding a hotel that can be converted for the elderly and frail who are experiencing homelessness and hundreds of new supportive housing units.
Mayor Mendenhall is committed and invested in implementing solutions to the challenges surrounding homelessness. This is the challenge of our time and requires coordination and resources from all. She is very much at the table in a productive manner.
Salt Lake County residents are compassionate and caring and want the best for individuals in crisis as much as they want their capital city to thrive. I can assure our residents that local elected leaders are aware and engaged and monumental action is underway. Mayor Mendenhall is capable, intelligent and appropriately seeking collaborative solutions.
If in office again, Rocky’s divisive style and impulsiveness would be a monumental set-back for Salt Lake City on all issues, but especially harmful to our coordinated efforts to improve our streets and support those in need.
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson
Jenny Wilson, D-Salt Lake City, is the mayor of Salt Lake County.