(UNEDITED)Regarding the opinion "Godfrey seeks the voters' good will," the writer insists that Mayor Godfrey has clandestinely decided to run for re-election, and his statement regarding not accepting a pay raise is only to buy future votes. Here are a few facts: Fact #1: If a Mayor announces that he is NOT running for re-election, his effectiveness in office is under increased scrutiny. In Mayor Godfrey's case, such an announcement would weaken his ability to work with the City Council. They would
recognize that the Mayor would not be in office long enough to complete some of the programs he proposed.
Fact #2: In the spring of 2009, the Mayor insisted that each department in Ogden City implement specific budget cuts. In order to abide by his own directive, the Mayor immediately informed his Executive Assistant that the position would be limited to a part-time job for the foreseeable future. Since that time, the Mayor has had a part-time Assistant or has shared an Executive Assistant with John Patterson, the CAO. This is a remarkable concession. Most executives who work an average of 60+ hours per week demand their own full-time assistant.
Mayor Godfrey has demonstrated a political savvy that will allow him to remain as effective as possible, and has documentable evidence of fiscal responsibility. Speculation about "will he or won't he" seems an unproductive waste of time.
Danae Brown
Ogden
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