Big News: Utah Capitol renovation director quits!!!!

By Lisa Riley Roche
Deseret News



David Hart, who oversaw the $250 million renovation of the Utah Capitol during his decade with the state, announced his resignation Tuesday.
Hart, executive director and architect of the Capitol Preservation Board, said he joining MOCA Systems, a Boston-based project management company, as a vice president and regional manager.
The company is opening a Salt Lake office and reportedly will help with construction of the federal government's nearly $2 billion spy center planned for Camp Williams.
"I realized all the goals I had set had been achieved," Hart said. The Capitol renovation, which took four years, included a massive earthquake retrofit of the granite building.
Tuesday, he told board members, including leaders of all three branches of government, that they have reached an "important milestone," moving from renovators to preservationists.
After a closed session, the board appointed its spokeswoman, Allyson Gamble, to be interim director during a review of how the statehouse complex is run.
"We realize this is a change in direction, and we want to make sure we get it right," said the board's chairman, Lt. Gov. Greg Bell. The review could take several months, he said.
Although there has been some talk of changing the structure of the board, Bell said he doubted that would be recommended. Instead, he said, the review will focus on the role of the executive director and other staff.

Read more of the story HERE!!

The Utah State Capitol Commission by Richard Tholen

In 1909, acting as president of the duly authorized Capitol Commission, Utah’s
Governor William Spry issued the proclamation naming the commission members who
would ultimately preside at the 1916 ceremonies opening the Utah State Capitol.

The proclamation began: “WHEREAS, Under the provisions of Section 1, of
Chapter 64, Laws of Utah, 1909, the Governor is directed to appoint a Commission to
be known as the Capitol Commission . . . ” With that preamble, the governor announced
the other members of the seven-man Commission:
• Secretary of State C.S. Tingey
• Attorney General A.R. Barnes
• Apostle John Henry Smith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints and president of the Utah Constitutional Convention in 1895
• Mr. John Dern, banker and leading Salt Lake businessman
• Mr. C.E. Loose, Provo banker and a owner of mining and industrial
companies
• Mr. M.S. Browning, vice president of Ogden’s Browning Arms Company

The Commission appointed John K. Hardy, the governor's secretary, as "Acting
Secretary." David Mattson, the newly elected Secretary of State, succeeded C.D. Tingey,
and Anthon H. Lund was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of John Henry
Smith. Upon his release as a member of the Commission Mr. Tingey was named its
secretary Acting Secretary John K. Hardy.

Beginning in May of 1911, the Commission met regularly for the next seven years
to oversee numberless studies and proposals, the selection of an architect and other
contractors, the contracts for all participants, and enough acrimonious disputes to satisfy
even the most feisty politico. For example, only four months after the first meeting the
Commission published a Program of Competition for the selection of an architect.
The Commission served at its own expense with the exception of their secretary,
who received a modest $100.0T0 per month stipend. That amount was later increased to
$150.00 per month. Secretary Tingey kept meticulous minutes of the meetings. The record
provides a fascinating glimpse into history.

Just two and one half years from laying the cornerstone the Commission was ready
for a formal grand opening on October 9, 1916. In the evening a general public reception
was held – the guests being received by the governor and members of the Commission in
the State Reception Room. Estimates of attendance at the festivities put the number at thirty
thousand guests were received.

The Capitol Commission met for the last time on December 29, 1916, and Secretary
Tingey, presented its biennial report." Copies of the last annual report, dated January 4
1917, (when the Legislature convened) were to be bound, prepared and delivered to the
members. The minutes of that late December meeting are the last entry in more than 545
pages of commission minutes. They illustrate how diligently the Commission had worked.
They were and were faithful overseers of every aspect of Utah’s beautiful, new State
Capitol.

Capitol Preservation Board meeting

The Capitol Preservation Board meeting will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the Utah State Capitol complex Board Room located on the East side of the Rotunda.
The Board, created in 1998 by Utah’s Legislature and Governor Leavitt, is headed by all three branches of government. Namely, the Governor, the Chief Justice, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House (or their appointees), the Attorney General, the State Treasurer, the State Historic Preservation Officer and a number of legislators. Each member of the Board currently serves for the length of their term in office.

Learn more about CPB HERE!!

Volunteer to be a Capitol Docent

The Visitor Services Center at the Utah State Capitol would love your help! Volunteer docents lead visitors through the Capitol on exciting, creative tours. Volunteering as a docent is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the Capitol and the activities that occur on Capitol Hill. Volunteers also provide a wonderful service to the community. To find out more about volunteering at the Capitol please call 538-1800 or send an e-mail to mailto:utahstatecaptioltours@utah.gov.

Click HERE for more info.

In the News: Utahns asked to help neighbors this weekend

KSL.COM
SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Food Bank launched a massive food drive Friday aimed at helping your neighbor.
At a news conference in Salt Lake, speakers talked about how great the need is this year. One volunteer said things have become so bad, some people who donated a year ago are standing in the food line this year.
That's why Gov. Gary Herbert designated Saturday, Dec 5, as "Help Your Neighbor Day."
All people who are able are asked to donate a sack of canned food at any Smith's Food store or directly to the Utah Food Bank everybody in Utah will be able to have something to eat.

Read more HERE!

News From the Governors Office.

Governor, Lt. Governor Encourage Utahns to Participate in 'Help Your Neighbor Day'

SALT LAKE CITY - The Governor's Office is joining forces with religious and civic leaders across the State to encourage all Utahns to help their neighbors by donating a grocery bag of canned food to support those in need this holiday season.
Governor Gary R. Herbert has formally designated Saturday, Dec. 5, as "Help Your Neighbor Day." Lt. Governor Greg Bell will read the declaration, which cites an increasing demand for services during the winter months, at a Friday news conference at the Utah State Capitol.
Items can be delivered to any Smith's location statewide, the Utah Food Bank (3150 South 900 West) and regional food banks and emergency food banks throughout Utah.
"As Utahns, we truly are blessed this holiday season," Governor Herbert said. "But there are still those among us who are facing challenges. Lt. Governor Bell and I ask that all Utahns think of their neighbors during this season of giving and reach out to them this Saturday."

WHO: Lt. Governor Greg Bell, the Utah Food Bank and religious and civic leaders from the Alliance for Unity
WHAT: Will announce "Help Your Neighbor Day" in Utah and ask that all Utahns donate a bag of canned food to those in need on Saturday, Dec. 5
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m.
WHERE: South steps of the Utah State Capitol

Read more HERE!!

In the News: State Senator Scott McCoy resigns

ABC 4 News
Reported by: Chris Vanocur

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Scott McCoy is resigning his position in the Utah State Senate.ABC4.com was the first to break this story early Tuesday afternoon.His resignation is effective Friday, December 4th. McCoy is the state senate's only openly gay member.In a statement released to ABC 4 News, McCoy said:
“I’ve been honored to serve the citizens of Utah and of District 2 for the last four years. My time in the Senate has been profoundly rewarding, but also an enormous personal sacrifice. The senators and representatives of Utah really make a terrific commitment of their time for the benefit of this state. It’s not just during the 45 days of the session. It’s every day and night. It’s during interims and constituent phone calls. My hat is off to my 103 colleagues who make this sacrifice day in and day out, every year.
“I’ve personally come to a crossroads in my career where I need to devote my full time and energy to the practice of law. To do any less is a disservice to my firm and my family. Unfortunately, I simply cannot find the necessary time to be a successful attorney and give the time and energy to fully represent the residents of my district.
“I’m very proud of the work I was able to accomplish as a Senator. We changed important policies, opened many minds, and broke down many barriers. Certainly, there is much more to be done. But for now, I need to leave that work in other capable hands.”
Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker expressed his appreciation to Senator McCoy, saying he has been a strong, articulate force in the State Senate. Becker also gives his full support to senior staff member Ben McAdams who shows interest in seeking to fill Scott McCoy's senate seat.

Read it HERE!!

More about U.S.S. Utah!!

U.S.S. Utah Exhibit Opens at the Capitol

A special exhibit about the U.S.S. Utah opened on March 9, 2009 at the Capitol and will remain there until December 7, 2009. The exhibit is the first of its type since the re-opening of the Capitol in January of 2008. It is an effort of the Capitol Preservation Board staff, the Fort Douglas Military Museum, and interested individuals. Its opening marks the U.S.S. Utah’s 100th anniversary year. The production of the exhibit was sponsored by a generous contribution from Ancestry.com, a part of the Generations Network.

The original design of the Capitol included gallery space for exhibitions mounted by the Utah Art Institute. The law governing the Institute was a bill referred to simply as the Art Bill of 1899. Written and sponsored by Alice Merrill Horne, the bill created a mechanism, the first in the country, for sponsoring arts education in schools. It also made provision for sponsoring artists in Utah by purchasing and exhibiting the visual arts. The galleries on the Fourth Floor were designed, together with a Board Room, for the Art Institute. As part of the renovation of the Capitol, the Fourth Floor Galleries will feature rotating exhibits, some curated by the Capitol Preservation Board Office staff, some by visiting and collaborating museums and individuals. All exhibits will feature educator materials for pre- and post-visit (as well as classroom) activities for 4th and 7th graders whose curricula includes Utah History and Civics. This exhibit opens that program.

Find out more HERE!!