Professor for mayor
According to Randy Simmons everyone has a role in the political process and students and citizens need to take advantage of that opportunity.
Randy Simmons, currently the department head of the USU political science department said he is planning on stepping down to focus on running for mayor of Providence.
Having taught for many years, he said the decision will take his life in a different direction.
Raised in Providence, Simmons graduated from Utah State University with his bachelors and then moved to the West Coast. Simmons finished his masters and PhD at the University of Oregon, he has made his home in Cache Valley.
In the process, he was married and has three children – all three whom graduated from USU with degrees in economics.
After graduate school, Simmons was offered chances to teach courses at variety of schools, one of which being USU.
“I didn’t expect to ever come back and live here. It just turned out that out of the six jobs I was offered, this was one of those choices,” he said.
Politically speaking, Simmons said he has some very distinctive ideas.
“Current government now is very focused on planning and the envisioning process. I don’t know about you, but I don’t expect government to be having the visions and making plans for me. I expect that citizens will be having those for the government,” he said. “Communism didn’t fail because they (the leaders) didn’t plan. The problem sits with people being people and thinking more of themselves then they should when placed in authority.”
Simmons also spoke of his concerns about personal and political liberty, referring to Hong Kong and other countries. Simmons said that although these places have great economic freedoms, they lack the private liberties of the people.
He has other concerns for the American people and students as well. In reference to a quote from George Washington, in which the importance of the public studying and practicing politics is emphasized, he said this concept was “hopelessly romantic.”
“Many people don’t see their function in the (political) process. The likelihood of one person changing the outcome of the election for a president seems so small that it’s hard to care. That perception needs to change,” he said.
To apply his teaching and use his previous experience in the political process, Simmons has been campaigning to become the mayor of Providence.
From his Web site, randysimmons.org, comes an explanation for running.
“Providence has changed a lot in the last few years and more changes are on the horizon,” Simmons stated. “Providence needs a mayor who will guide us through these changes in a way that will preserve and enhance the lifestyle that brought us here in the first place.”
One idea he has used to promote his candidacy is being a part-time mayor and taking a part-time salary for it.
His Web site states, “The time I was spending as department head is time I can dedicate to Providence City.
“I will get everything done that needs (getting) done because I delegate and expect accountability. I multi-task very well, I am able to distinguish the important from the immediate, and I have a strong work ethic. I will get everything done and still be a citizen mayor.”
-nebutler@cc.uu.edu
Randy Simmons, political science department head and professor is currently running for mayor of Providence.