Rick Safsten, a Gang of Six council candidate re-tread, brought to you straight from the deep bowels of the Ogden Community Foundation right wing socialist cabal
Update: A second write-in candidate has also entered the 2011 election race
As reported in yesterday's WCF article, former Gang of Six Councilman Rick Safsten has suddenly entered the 2011 Ogden City Election At-large "C" council race as a write-in candidate. This morning's Standard-Examiner carries Scott Schwebke's morning story on the topic, which fleshes out some of the details concerning Mr. Safsten's last minute write-in election run:
This latest political move on Safsten's part is of course a 180 degree flip-flop from his stated 2007 position regarding a renewed council candidacy, at which time he said he "would not not run for re-election because of personal challenges."
And lest you believe that Safsten may have let any political grass grow under his feet in the interval since he was last chased out of council office in 2005, you can rest assured that he's kept his crony-capitalist instincts sharp, sitting on the Board of Directors of one of the most shadowy corporate entities in Ogden City, i.e., The Ogden Community Foundation, where he's been rubbing elbows with the notorious likes of Matthew Godfrey, John "Pureheart" Patterson and... get this... the beneficiaries of the Envision Ogden/FNURE campaign donation money laundering scheme... none other than Royal Eccles and former Ogden City Councilman Blain Johnson themselves.
There you have it, O Gentle Readers: Rick Safsten, a Gang of Six council candidate re-tread, brought to you straight from the deep, reeking innards of the Ogden Community Foundation right wing socialist cabal.
Who'll be the first to chime in on this?
Update 9/28/11 7:53 a.m.: We can't find word one about this in this morning's Standard-Examiner hard-copy edition; but we just now learned from a sharp-eyed and alert WCF reader that there's also a second write-in candidate who's entered the 2011 Ogden City Municipal election race, namely somebody by the name of Patrick C. Conlin, who has been certified by Cindi Mansell's Ogden City Recorder's Office as a "valid (mayoral) write-in candidate." In that connection, check out this 9/27/11 document from the City Recorder's Office:
We suppose we can interpret this (at the very least) as very good news for disgruntled Ogden City voters who find both candidates Caldwell and Stephenson to be entirely unacceptable, and who'd been hoping for a mayoral candidacy voting option which would be the equivalent of voting for "none of the above."
Who knows however? We'll have to wait and find out, we guess, whether Mayoral Candidate Conlin has any political substance, beyond providing an easy option for a "protest" vote.
So what about it WCF readers? Is there anyone out there who can provide a little quick info on Patrick Conlin, other than the fact that he resides in Ogden, and operates a chiropractic clinic in South Ogden?
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31 comments:
Welcome back Rick. I can hardly wait for you to revive great ideas like a gondola, selling green space to developers, giving money to bankrupt builders. I am anxious to hear your spirited defense of downtown veledrones and reviving the year round ice climbing tower. Any new items on how to treat lease income from BDO?
Or it could be very good news for Mr. Stephenson who seems quite happy running as the "stay the course status quo" candidate. If Mr. Conlin bleeds off more of those likely to vote for Mr. Caldwell, however reluctantly, than those likely to vote for Mr. Stpehenson, however lukewarmly, then Mr. Stephenson will be the net gainer and, if the disparity is large enough, the next Mayor of Ogden. A write in candidate for Mayor has virtually no hope of election, so I can't help wondering if some deeper Machiavellian strategy is involved. Ditto Mr. Safsten entering as a write-in candidate against frontrunner Councilwoman Wicks.
I know nothing about Mr. Conlin or why he running as a write in. But I do know, having lived in Louisiana, that it's not unknown for a candidate to encourage, even to finance another candidate to enter a race in the calculation that he'll take more votes from his opponent than from him.
For a very funny account of how this works, I recommend Tony Hillerman's reportage in a story called "Mr. Luna's Lazarus Act," in the collection of his reporting titled "The Great Taos Bank Robbery; And Other True Stories of the Southwest." [http://www.amazon.com/Great-Taos-Bank-Robbery-Southwest/dp/0060937122/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317223532&sr=8-1 ] It's a hoot and a half and it's true . [Hillerman, known mostly now as a novelist of Indian Country police procedurals, was a reporter and even a university professor [!] until he decided to find honest work and became a novelist.
Is anyone else anxious to see what happens when the evidence in the alleged illegal campaign contributions FNURE and Envision Ogden are released and the names of the perpetrators are made public? Exposure while in a position of authority is typically denounced so we can only hope this will be the case in this situation. Sleep med sales must be at an all time high in the Ogden area due to this gang. Blain Johnson and the rest can run, but soon there will be nowhere to hide! (never was and never will be)
Mr. Safsten was too loyal a supporter of the Mayor's more bizarre obsessions like the gondola scheme than I would have liked. But let us remember there were occasions on which he could be convinced that Hizzonah was wrong, and on those occasions, infrequent though they were, he voted against the Mayor to the great financial benefit of the ratepayers. In particular, remember that it was Mr. Safsten's vote that was the final and 4th vote that killed the Mayor's proposal to add two more floors, entirely at the city's financial risk, to the office block at the SE corner of the Junction, and against the recommendations of the city's own consultant on that project. That plan happily failed by a 4-3 vote.
Thump Mr. Safsten for the votes he cast in support of the numerous Godfrey schemes that have not panned out [River Project, etc.] but give the devil his due. He was often mistaken in his votes, but I don't think he was a mindless drone in support of everything Hizzonah's fevered imagination cooked up that drained the public treasury. And he treated those constituents who opposed him on many issues, and made it plain they intended to work to unseat him, with unfailing civility and courtesy I think. That was my experience with him, at least And hat is characteristic not thick upon the ground these days in Utah elected officials.
That said, I hope his bid for office as a write in candidate for the Council fails spectacularly and that Ms. Wicks will remain in the office in which she's served the ratepayers well for years.
Why thank you Bob. I am never certain if my thoughts or opinions are correct until they pass your muster. Why i\I could go to thinking that I have something worthwhile to say. Indeed it is your voice that makes many realize how unworthy our thoughts, opinions and imporessions are. i am truly grateful for your free input on many subjects.
You ever get the feeling that Godfrey's ideals and people are NOT going away with this upcoming election? His people in the council, department heads remain, talk that Mattie will be in Community Development, double dippers will continue to dance and both candidates for Mayor are both from the Godfrey camp. Stuart Reid has taught this High Priest well. Am I the only one that sees a problem here?
When you post on a public blog, BR, you have to expect people may post in reply.
If you can't deal with people commenting on what you post, then don't post.
Blogs, good ones anyway, are places where conversations spring up. Conversations that involve more than "Oh, yes! I think so too!" Deal with it.
PS If I didn't think your posts were worthwhile, I wouldn't reply to them.
any relation to Steve Conlin, Newcastle Mortgage, 25th Street?
BB
If so, wasn't he involved in the back room secret maneuverings by the 25th Street Merchants Association and the Mayor to have UTA remove its buses from 25th Street without bothering to notify the Council of the request or to ask the riders of those buses what they thought of the idea?
Wow! I have been deemed worthy. It must be somewhat disappointing for you to have to put your valuable opinions to mere paper or to the world of the internet. In a truly just and good world your posts would come carved on stone tablets, to be saved for future generations to study and revere. If you can't deal with people responding to your posts then do not post.
Bob Becker points out that Rick Saftsen voted against adding two floors to the "Wells Fargo Building". Big deal. That was a no-brainer. As far as I can tell, it was the only time Saftsen exhibited any intelligence and anything other than total obedience to Godfrey's inept schemes. And that one vote cost him Godfrey's support, which is why Saftsen chose not to run that year.
The cronies are looking at their guy, Caldwell as mayor, and with their guy Hyer going on the city council. They had a huge field of candidates trying to unseat Amy and it didn't work. They know if they can kick her off the council, they could have a working majority to bulldoze the bench.
So they called the Godfreyite re-tread, Rick Saftsen. Make no mistake: Saftsen left the council because of his one, non-obedient vote. And he is being brought back because he's all that could be found at the last minute. He is a marionette at the end of the power players' string, nothing more.
don't underestimate Mr. Thompson ... Amy isn't the only one besides Saftsen in the race ...
js
BB
Bingo, Danny. I do believe you've totally nailed it.
Amy Wicks outshone every one of the other candidates at the Council Candidate Forum and would certainly have made Rick Stafsen look like the dupe that he is. I suppose that's one advantage of dodging the bullets as a write-in.
Speaking of write-ins, posers and dupes, it must be awful to have a dark cloud hanging over your administration, your reputation and image in the Ogden community once involvement with FNURE and Envision Ogden is exposed. The crime blimp would be a relief for these perps in comparison to the guilt they must be experiencing with the complete and pure knowledge of their absolute deceptions and lies. Time will not provide relief for their guilt of wrong doing. Satan loves contention, lies, deception and thrives on cover up. Hiding from the legal ramifications of the short term will allow no reprieve from future consequences. Don't come forward for me, WCF readers, business purposes or for Ogden. Do it for you and your family. Blain Johnson, Royal Eccles, Mayor Godfrey and others who have been mentioned as possible co-conspirators with these alleged schemes would be better off to come clean before the release of the documents. Does an appointed position with the city, more clients to represent or a more favorable business environment outweigh the truth? The truth will set you free!
Here's something else to watch:
A godfreyite, Rick Saftsen, files as a write in for city council. He gets a nice article, with a picture, and lots of self-flattering quotes. His opponents who actually ran in the primary and won it, receive only passing mention, and have never had much coverage otherwise. What makes Saftsen so special to the writer, Scott Schwebke, and to the paper for so much coverage, other than that he is a godfreyite?
Meanwhile, another person we know little about files as a write in for MAYOR. Let's see if he gets written up.
It's another example of the crap that Scott Schwebke puts out. He uses his job as a political platform to advance his own pro-godfreyite positions and views, even when it is something as meaningless as a write in candidate appearing on a city council ballot.
I don't think its quite so simple as that, Danny. Mr. Schwebke probably has no particularly strong personal views about Ogden City politics, inasmuch as he doesn't reside in Ogden. What's important to know about Mr. Schwebke however, with regard to the stories he writes, is this:
He works for the Suits from Sanduskey; and he'll write whatever his Masters from Sunduskey tell him to write.
Don't be confused Danny, Schwebke knows exactly which masters he''ll serve.
Sorry, guys. Safsten pulling a Rosie Ruiz is news because he is a former councilman, and so [presumably] a more viable candidate as a write-in than if, say, his name had been Huston Phenackertiben or Joe Smith. Had the candidate been named either of the latter two, it would have been reported but not as prominently. I see nothing wrong with the SE's news judgement on this.
If the SE had not reported Safsten's 11th hour sudden discovery of his overwhelming desire to serve, you guys would be complaining that Mr. Schwebke missed an important story.
Now, if y'all keep treating Mr. Safsten as a serious candidate at WCF, and keep pounding on him, keeping his name in the limelight, you may in fact help make him one.
Sorry to burst your bubble, Dr. B, but if a "Joe Smith" were to announce his running of an Ogden City write0in campaign, I guarantee that lokal voters would definitely perk up and take note.
It's a local cultural thing that you don't yet seem to yet quite understand , Dr. Becker.
;-)
It'll be very interesting to see if either or both of the write-in candidates is invited to participate in the upcoming city-sponsored debates. Just one more ethical pitfall that would be avoided if the city would quit sponsoring debates.
Ah, of course. Should have said "Fred Mertz." My mistake. [grin]
Neither should be for the simple reason that they have not earned a seat at that table by winning it in the primary election campaign.
If they demand one, they'll asking for a handout, something they have not earned. They shouldn't get it.
They both paid the filing fee and have to report financial disclosures. That makes them candidates. They chose to avoid the primary know good and well that they don't even get on the ballot.
However, I bet you $100 Amy Wicks never lets either one of them into a "council" sponsored debate.
Candidates who paid their dues and earned their place on the ballot by running first or second in the primary should refuse to appear at any Godfrey Channel forum, or any other forum for that matter, that seats an "I want something I didn't earn! Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie!" candidate like Mr. Safsten or Mr. Conlin.
This is why the government should not be sponsoring debates. It's a lose-lose for Wicks. If Safsten doesn't participate, some people will infer that Wicks acted to prevent him from doing so (unlikely though I think this is). But if he does participate, it will give him a legitimacy that he's not entitled to, as a write-in candidate who didn't participate in the primary (as Bob points out).
Of course she is blocking it! Open your eyes. Its a tactical move that makes strategic sense.
Wow, that's really compelling evidence you have there: "Of course!"
Replying to Tom-I doubt that Ms. Wickes has the power to dictate who is invited to a Ogden City sponsored debate. It is far more likely that Godfrey or one of his cronies makes that decision. The last minute entrance of Mr. Safsten is typical of a favorite Godfrey tactic. Waiting until the last minute and then springing a surprise on the city council. It is just another ploy to cost Ms. Wickes additional resources to defend her seat. The shorter time frame will aid Mr. Sasften in not allowing a more complete examination of his voting record while on the council.
My exact take too, BR. The suggestion that one council member could dictate debate attendees is preposterous. And when push comes to shove, of course, everyone knows Boss Godfrey will have the last word.
There's an easy way virtually any citizen can solve this quandary: register as an additional write-in candidate. While the council may agonize over whether to invite their former comrade Safsten to the debate, they'll never invite an unknown write-in candidate, and they'll have to treat all write-in candidates equally.
The scenario that you describe has been playing out in legislative battle in Maricopa County, AZ. Given the players who are lusting after the 'big chair' it is certainly not beyond the realm of possibility right here under our noses. Skullduggery knows no bounds.
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