Utah County Convention – Photos

Thanks to Richard Shipp for these great photos of the Convention!

http://picasaweb.google.com/richardcshipp/UtahCountyConvention25Apr2009#

Utah County Convention Results

County Party Chair:

1. Taylor Oldroyd – 440 votes (52.9%)
2. Steven C. Diamond – 391 votes (47.1%)

County Party Vice-Chair:

1. Mark Cluff – 415 votes (50.6%)
2. Lowell Nelson – 405 votes (49.4%)

County Party Secretary:

1. Lisa Shepherd – 484 votes (58.8%)
2. Matt Thompson – 307 votes (37.3%)
3. Kieth Kudor – 32 votes (3.9%)

County Party Treasurer:

1. Lynn Taylor – 592 votes (71.5%)
2. Ben Smith – 236 votes (28.5%)

Congratulations to those who won, and thank you to those who ran.

Steven C. Diamond has decided not to answer our questionnaire

Here is an email that I have just received from Steven C. Diamond:

I decided that for the sake of time, I will have to pass on the invitation.  I have to many things to do before the convention.   Thank you for the invitation.  You can direct people to my website below.  It answers most of the questions you have asked.
 
Sincerely,
 
Steven Diamond

Utah County Convention Rules

I thought that it would be helpful for each of us who is planning on attending the County Convention on April 25, 2009 at Canyon View Jr. High, to read through the rules before we show up.  They can be found on the county party website. Here is a link. For your convenience, I have copied and pasted them here.

 

Utah County Republican Party

2009 County Organizing Convention Rules

Purpose

 

1. This Convention shall elect Utah County Republican Party Officers including Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer for a Two Year Term. This Convention shall elect 20 members to the State Central Committee each for a Two Year Term.

2. This convention may consider and adopt revisions to the County Party Platform, debate and adopt Resolutions, and shall adopt reports from Party Committees.

Call

 

1. The Utah County 2009 Organizing Convention convenes on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Canyon View Jr. High School in Orem, UT.

a. Delegate Credentials will be issued beginning at 6:30 am.

b. Candidate Briefing will begin at 7:00 am.

c. County Central Committee Meeting begins at 7:30 am.

d. Senate District Caucuses begin at 8:00 am.

e. House Caucuses begin at 8:40 am.

f. Convention general session and business begins at 9:30 am.

Rules of Order

 

1. These Rules, the Utah County Republican Party Constitution, Bylaws, and Robert’s Rules of Order, 10^th Edition, shall be the rules that govern this Convention. The purpose of this convention is to conduct the Business of the Utah County Republican Party. Misconduct and disruptions may be subject to the Disciplinary Procedures outlined in Chapter XX Robert’s Rules of Order, and may result in expulsion from the Convention. The Convention Chair, Parliamentarian, Security Staff, and Rules Committee shall constitute the Convention Disciplinary Committee and perform the duties of the Sergeant-at- Arms.

2. In the event of a dispute regarding the interpretation of any Convention rule, the decision of the Rules Chair, in consultation with the Rule Committee, shall prevail.

 

Order of Business

 

1. The Convention shall proceed in the order of business distributed by the Utah County Republican Party to the delegates. Any deviation from the agenda must be put in the form of a motion, seconded, and approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the delegates.

2. Committee reports accepted by the convention shall be part of the Convention Rules.

Suspension of Rules

 

1. The Convention Rules may be suspended only by proper motion, second, and a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the delegates present.

Seating and Admission

 

1. All county delegates wearing proper credentials will be admitted to the Convention floor.

2. Only County delegates may participate in the business of the Convention.

3. Credentialing will officially close 30 minutes after the start of the Convention General Session.

4. Members of the press wearing identifying credentials stating their name and press affiliation will be admitted to the Convention floor.

5. The public, including candidates’ non-immediate family member, will be admitted to the Convention floor at the rear of the room after the official starting time in order to allow official delegates priority seating. Non-delegates will only be asked to give up their seats of those seats are needed to seat delegates.

6. Delegates and the public may wear buttons or labels signifying support of candidates. Signs are not allowed in the Convention Hall.

7. A photo ID is required to obtain either delegate or visitor credentials.

Debate

 

1. A Delegate wishing to speak must be recognized by the convention Chair. Name and voting district must be given before speaking on the floor.

2. No delegate shall speak more than once, nor longer than two (2) minutes on each question, except that the sponsor of the motion shall be given summation of one minute.

3. Each topic or item to be discussed will be limited to a total of ten (10) minutes of debate. Copies of proposed Resolutions shall be provided by the sponsor. Each proposal requires 1300 copies. All material must be delivered to the Party Secretary on or before April 20, 2009.

4. When the Call for the Previous Question is sustained by a majority of the delegates in attendance, the question shall then be disposed of according to Robert’s Rules of Order after the one (1) minute summation by the sponsor.

5. The vote on the Convention Rules, Platform, and Resolutions shall be straight up or down. Amendments from the floor to these proposed documents will not be allowed from the floor.

 

 

Quorum

 

1. Fifty percent (50%) of credentialed Delegates shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting convention business.

Nominations

 

1. Only candidates who have properly filed for office as required by the Utah County Republican Party shall be considered as candidates of the party.

2. Each candidate for Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer shall be allowed three (3) minutes of convention time. Nominations, seconds, demonstrations, and the candidate’s speech must be confined to the time limit.

3. A time keeper will be appointed who will notify speakers so they know the time they have remaining. When a candidate’s allotted time has expired, the timekeeper will stand and applaud. The speaker will say “thank you” and stop immediately.

4. Voting for all candidates shall occur in the manner outlined in the agenda. In contested races, candidates shall be nominated in the order determined by a random drawing by the convention committee. The candidates shall appear on the ballot in the same order of nomination. Unopposed candidates for any office shall be declared by the Chair as the winner for that office.

Voting

 

1. Balloting will open and close according to the Convention agenda. The Convention Chair shall allow adequate time for all delegates present to cast their votes. Any ballot submitted after the last ballot box enters the vote counting room shall be voided.

2. Multiple ballots shall be taken for races where there are more than two candidates.

3. At any time that a candidate receives a majority of votes, voting shall cease and that candidate declared the winner.

4. If two or more candidates for the same office receive the same number of votes, the tie shall be broken by a flip of the coin by the Convention Chair, who will then declare the winner.

5. Each candidate may be represented by a County Delegate during the vote, as an observer only.

6. Final election results will be announced according to the convention agenda.

Physical Facilities and Campaigning

 

1. Each candidate and/or exhibitor shall abide by the Rules for Candidates and Exhibitors (as attached).

2. At the conclusion of the convention, all candidates are requested to assist in cleaning up campaign literature and other remaining items.

3. No food is allowed in the Convention Hall.

4. Campaign materials my not be displayed or distributed in the Convention Hall. Violations of this rule may be grounds for disqualification of a candidate.

 

 

Rules for Candidates and Exhibitors

Dates and Times

 

1. Saturday, April 25, 2009 Canyon View Jr. high School will be available beginning at 6:30am and continuing until the Convention is adjourned.

Participation

 

 

1. Only Party Officer Candidates who have appropriately filed for party office and met the requirements of the Utah County Republican Party will be considered as candidates by the Convention.

2. A candidate for State Party Office may participate in the convention as an exhibitor.

3. Special interest groups may participate in the Convention as exhibitors with the approval of the Convention Chair and after having complied with all required fees.

Literature

 

 

1. All printed material must have a disclaimer identifying the responsible person or organization with a current contact name and phone number clearly printed on the material. Literature must clearly state that it belongs to the candidate, individual, or organization. Any individual or group distributing literature only and not participating as a candidate or exhibitor must comply with the disclosure requirements. Failure to disclose responsible identification will result in disqualification from distribution.

Signage

 

1. Signs are permitted outside the building and in the Exhibitor Hall.

2. Tape must not be used on any painted surface, tape may be used on glass. Tape must be used to cover all electrical cords in order to prevent any accidents.

3. The Rules Committee shall decide any dispute on signage either outside or inside the Convention property.

4. Space above booths and exhibits is reserved for that candidate or organization.

5. Signs shall no be placed as to obstruct the view of other posted signs.

6. Advertising in the Convention Hall is restricted to apparel, pins, stickers, etc. and literature brought in by delegates, but not distributed in the Auditorium.

7. Outside the Convention building, sign location is based on a “first come, first served” basis. However, all activity is subject to Canyon View Jr. High procedures, policies, and enforcement. Signs and other items that are off Convention property must adhere to all city regulations. Any damage to the sprinkler system is the responsibility of the candidate and must be reported immediately to the Convention Chair.

 

Booths and Tables

 

1. Candidates who have elections at the Convention will be given first priority for campaign booths inside the Exhibitor Hall. Other exhibitors receive second priority.

2. Booths will be selected by drawing prior to the Convention. Other assignments will be based on the date of receipt of fees. Booth space will be large enough to accommodate one table which will be provided. Candidates may decorate their booth space as they see fit within the following guidelines:

a. Signs and other advertisements must be within the designated space.

b. Signs and decorations must not extend outside the allotted space in any way, but may go above the booth as long as there is no conflict with other Convention rules.

c. Candidates and helpers must not block aisles and walkways.

3. Those Candidates and Exhibitors desiring to have booth space must make application by contacting the Party Secretary. Notice must be given and fees paid by April 17, 2009.

4. A Cleaning and Exhibit fee of $50.00 dollars will be required to be submitted before booth space is granted and assigned.

Miscellaneous

 

 

1. Candidates are permitted to bring “free” food to pass out in the Exhibitor Hall. Red and purple punch, chewing gum and greasy foods are discouraged.

2. If electricity is needed in an exhibit or for any other reason, that request must be received prior to the convention by the Convention Chair.

3. All candidates are responsible to completely clean and remove all literature and other items from the Convention property.

4. All other rules not covered in this document will handled at the discretion of the Convention Chair or Rules Chair. Any question should be directed to Representative Becky Lockhart, Convention Rules Chair, at 801-369-6784.

Meet The Candidates – Highland City Hall

Here are my notes from the Highland City Hall – Meet the Candidates night, Wednesday April 8th.  I missed all of the candidate’s opening remarks but got there in time to get all of the questions and answers.  These notes are of what I thought to be the most important parts of each candidate’s answers, and were taken as fast as I could write them.  I also did not have a copy of the questions, so I tried to get the main issue being addressed.  I apologize if my notes don’t give a full view of the questions, the candidates, and their answers and hope to be able to get the accompanying video for as many of these as possible in the future.  Here is a list of those candidates who were there, along with the position they are running for (listed as found on the county party website):

• Taylor  Oldroyd – Chairman
• Steven Diamond – Chairman
• Paul Overson – Vice-Chairman
• Mark Cluff – Vice-Chairman
• Matt Thompson – Secretary
• Keith Kuder – Secretary
• Lisa Shepherd – Secretary
• Ben Smith – Treasurer
• Lynn Taylor – Treasurer
• Also – Corey Norman is running for Treasurer but did not attend.

Question #1 – All Candidates:  What is your position on automatic delegates?

• Ben Smith – Treasurer:  officially called “ex-officio” delegates, thinks that only those elected should be delegates
• Mark Cluff – Vice-Chair:  doesn’t like term “automatic delegates”, thinks all are actually elected or confirmed, doesn’t feel like Utah County has an automatic delegate problem
• Paul Overson – Vice-Chair:  doesn’t like auto-delegates, has never voted on appointed delegates at central committee meetings, doesn’t like people to be appointed
• Steve Diamond – Chair:  favors election over appointment based system, especially in regard to finances
• Taylor Oldroyd – Chair:  supports limited ex-officio delegates, wants to reign in at large appointed delegates
• Keith Kuber- Secretary:  they are not in party constitution, he is not OK with appointed delegates,  believes that it makes elected delegates matter less
• Matt Thompson – Secretary:  all are either elected of ratified, should be safeguards against their misuse
• Lisa Shepherd – Secretary:  wants more elections, wants the committee elected
• Ben Smith – Treasurer:  there are at least 100 auto delegates, believes that precincts earn their delegates, doesn’t agree with auto delegates
• Lynn Taylor – Treasurer:  not convinced that there is a need for auto delegates

Question #2 – Chair and Vice-Chair Candidates:  Which steering committee members should be elected, which should be appointed and who would you appoint?

• Mark Cluff – Vice-Chair:  there are 4 elected and 5 appointed, those appointed should be those who have proved that they are willing to help
• Paul Overson – Vice-Chair:  for electing not selecting and appointing, wants appointed positions to be elected, would only appoint those who really worked
• Steve Diamond – Chair:  all positions should be elected, different opinions are valuable, would fill appointed positions with innovative thinkers
• Taylor Oldroyd- Chair:  No problem with current process, unity is important in steering committee, central committee is a check and balance on steering committee

Question #3 – All Candidates:  What is your position on IRV or Instant Runoff Voting at Convention?

• Paul Overson- Vice-Chair:  IRV works well with large quorum
• Steve Diamond – Chair:  likes IRV, gives a more even opportunity, no candidate undercutting
• Taylor Oldroyd – Chair:  IRV works in certain instances, not afraid of full day convention, supports multiple ballots (current method)
• Keith Kudor – Secretary:  only supports IRV if party constitution amended to require larger quorum
• Matt Thompson – Secretary:  supports multiple balloting (current system)
• Lisa Shepherd – Secretary:  supports multiple balloting (current system)
• Ben Smith – Treasurer:  supports IRV, multiple balloting opens up for rule breaking
• Lynn Taylor – Treasurer:  supports multiple balloting (current system)
• Mark Cluff – Vice-Chair:  No firm opinion on one side or the other, thinks that it is for the central committee to decide

Question #4 - Secretary Candidates:  What is your position on delegate information being posted on the party website?

• Keith Kudor:  already an unofficial website that has delegate phone numbers and email addresses, current party website is not updated, the state party constitution says that this information must be public
• Matt Thompson:  should be enough public information for people to know their party representatives, doesn’t want to compromise delegate privacy, discussed keeping information in different layers
• Lisa Shepherd:  Does not support delegate changes until have a system to track delegate info, information should be public, will take the issue to the central committee, supports email visibility

Question #5 – All Candidates:  How would you deal with conflicts between county, state and national party rules?

• Steven Diamond – Chair:  we should follow rules, rules help us keep our liberties
• Taylor Oldroyd – Chair:  member of the republican party, we follow the rules
• Keith Kuder – Secretary:  follow party rules
• Matt Thompson – Secretary:  follow laws, can try to get them changed, keep state party from constraining counties
• Lisa Shepherd – Secretary:  follow rules, elect state delegates and national delegates
• Ben Smith – Treasurer:  follow rules
• Lynn Taylor – Treasurer:  we are a nation of laws, should properly govern ourselves
• Mark Cluff – Vice-Chair:  follow rules set by county, avoid restrictive state guidelines
• Paul Overson – Vice-Chair:  power to the people

Question #6 - Treasurer Candidates:  How much money should the party raise? from whom? and to whom should it be given?

• Ben Smith:  spend less than you take in, don’t need restriction on donations, doesn’t think that people are happy with what happens to donations
• Lynn Taylor:  treasurer duties include proposing budget and submitting quarterly reports more than fund raising, should be no upper limit on what party should raise, take money from anyone we can legally and morally solicit it from, goes to county candidates first, then used to help other counties

Question #7 - Chair & Vice-Chair Candidates:  What was your position regarding the vote to unbind Utah’s delegates from Mitt Romney?

• Taylor Oldroyd – Chair:  need to get behind party nominee, it was requested by Mitt Romney, supports a robust party primary
• Mark Cluff – Vice-Chair:  was a member of state central committee, voted for the release of the votes  if the winning candidate is no longer a candidate
• Paul Overson – Vice-Chair:  was a dicey situation, because our candidate pulled out we did the right thing
• Steven Diamond – Chair:  Romney had pulled out, it was his call to make

Question #8 - Secretary Candidates:  What will you do to ensure delegate education?

• Matt Thompson:  website needs to be updated, includes discussion forums
• Lisa Shepherd:  get delegates committee meeting minutes, publish meeting agendas
• Kieth Kuder:  update website, include meeting times and location

Question #9 – Chair & Vice-Chair Candidates:  What will you do to address there not being sufficient time to address controversial issues at meetings and convention?

• Mark Cluff – Vice-Chair:  should have time to discuss and talk about issues, should have this time at our meetings, change to platform committee should provide more opportunities, wants to use technology
• Paul Overson – Vice-Chair:  communication is his focus, email, forums, voice, blogs, should allocate more time at meetings
• Steven Diamond – Chair:  should have forums where delegates can debate and make a proposal to steering committee & move forward from their
• Taylor Oldroyd – Chair:  focus on an open transparent process, need a dependable process

Question #10 - Treasurer Candidates:  What is your positionon spending money with action committees?

• Lynn Taylor:  only chair and vice-chair approved entities should get funds, wise to have guidelines, comes down to a question of wisdom and experience
• Ben Smith:  governing body should control expenses, should not delegate funds

Question #11 – Chair & Vice-Chair Candidates:  Favoritism hurts the party, How will you maintain neutrality?

• Paul Overson – Vice-Chair:  leadership needs to be neutral, will ensure that rules are followed
• Steven Diamond – Chair:  every candidate should have opportunity, information should be open to public, wants to keep an equal playing field, candidates don’t mind losing if they feel it was fair
• Taylor Oldroyd – Chair:  party can improve communication, infighting comes because people feel that the process is unfair
• Mark Cluff – Vice-Chair:  heard about favoritism, some people choose not to give their email addresses out, need better education, supports a fair, open, and transparent process

Question #12 – Chair & Vice-Chair Candidates:  What is the #1 leadership improvement that can be made?

• Steven Diamond – Chair:  delegates need access to information, delegates are not respected as they should be, people feel marginalized
• Taylor Oldroyd – Chair:  internal tightening, will be an energetic voice, focus on recruiting, training and motivating
• Mark Cluff – Vice Chair:  communication is key, need to be more open to technology, more open process, let community know where we stand as Republicans
• Paul Overson – Vice Chair:  communication, neutrality, fairness

Closing Statements – All Candidates: 

• Lisa Shepherd – Secretary:  I will do the work, has arranged events, will be inclusive, people currently feel excluded
• Ben Smith – Treasurer:  we can disagree & still have a cohesive party, focus on transparency, accountability and universal fairness, spending will be above reproach
• Lynn Taylor – Treasurer:  wants to pull together and be part of the team
• Mark Cluff – Vice Chair:  enjoyed past 2 years, wants 2 more, believes he can make a difference, supports the party, focuses on getting the best ccandidates elected
• Paul Overson – Vice Chair:  let us reason together
• Steven Diamond – Chair:  campaign has shown what he will do, has had open houses, wants to increase opportunity to participate in government equally
• Taylor Oldroyd – Chair:  thank you, can tell how he will be by what he has done in the past
• Keith Kudor – Secretary:  took a while to decide to run, large time commitment, cares about getting involved
• Matt Thompson - Secretary:  we can figure out a better way, have vision

County Party Candidate Questionnaire

With help from several Precinct Chairs here is the final questionnaire in text format:

County Party Candidate

Questionnaire

While these questions ask for comparison and contrasts with how others have executed their office, please feel free to explain differences but we ask that you refrain from making disparaging comments about other candidates or previous incumbents.

1.       What office are you running for?

 

 

2.       Why would you like to be elected?

 

 

3.       What are your qualifications for this office?

 

 

4.       What is your background with Utah County?

 

 

5.       What would be your top 2-4 priorities if elected?

 

 

6.       If running as an incumbent:  What have you accomplished that warrants another term?  Otherwise, if you are running against an incumbent:  What has the incumbent done/not done that warrants a challenge?

 

 

7.       What will you do differently than has been done in the past?

 

 

8.       The county Democratic Party is becoming more active – how do you plan to counteract their efforts?

 

 

9.       How would you be similar to previous incumbents?

 

 

10.    What do you see as the biggest responsibilities of the office?

 

 

11.    Do you support all the planks of the Utah County Republican Party Platform?  If not, specifically what do you not support, and why?

 

 

12.    Do you have a website where people can learn more about your campaign?  If so, what is it?

 

Please email your answers to jared@crusaderhealth.com.  These answers, as well as a link to your campaign website, will be published on our Legislative District blog at www.UtahLegDistrict58.wordpress.com.  A printing of the answers may also be provided for County Delegates.  Thank you. 

-          Jared Jardine, Vice-Chair – Utah Leg. District 58

I will post the candidate responses as I receive them on the pages sidebar of this blog so that they can be easily accessed up through the convention.  Thank you to everyone for their input.

Delegate Replacement Deadline – April 10th

Precinct Chairs -

The deadline to submit replacement delegate names for the upcoming Utah County Republican Party Convention is April 10th.  Please contact each of the delegates in your precinct and confirm that they will be able to attend.  If you find that there are those who no longer wish to serve as County Delegates – Get a replacement.  Our Leg District needs as much representation as possible at the County Convention.  Thanks for your good work.

- Jared Jardine, Vice-Chair Leg District 58