LETTER: Morse knows USU’s needs

Editor,

This letter is to strongly support the candidacy of Wendell Morse for the Utah House of Representatives, District 4 (including USU and the surrounding area).

In more than 30 years working at USU, in areas related to his background in landscape architecture and environmental planning, Wendell has been both a teacher and an administrator. He knows the rigors and the pleasures of teaching; he knows the needs of a major research university; he knows the realities and responsibilities of planning for current needs and future development. As director of Campus Planning for more than 15 years, he left his mark on the campus we know today. This has involved careful planning, creating opportunities, and extensive work with the Board of Regents and Governor’s Office, and extensive lobbying of the legislature. Wendell knows his way around the Utah government. He has the backing of many former USU administrators.

In looking forward, Wendell has the background for thoughtful planning for what is important to Cache Valley – protecting our environment, including our air, water, open spaces, and farm and ranch lands. But Wendell knows that protecting our quality of life also involves promoting sustained economic growth to provide better jobs for all and to provide for the services we desire.

As a Utah Democrat, Wendell stands for open, responsive government. This is something we have too little of in our state. The business of the other party and, consequently, of much of the government is, unfortunately, not open to interested citizens or the press. The normal checks and balances cannot operate; giving special interests undue influence.

On Election Day, join me in voting for Wendell Morse – the candidate with the experience and the attitude that will positively affect our lives, those of our children and grandchildren and the future of the university.

Vincent Wickwar