CAUCUSES 23 MARCH: YOU AND GRASS ROOTS POLITICS

On even-numbered years we have a chance to influence local government by attending local "caucuses," sometimes called "mass meetings" where we select candidates for state office and officers for each precinct.

Why should you attend? It's your chance to play a role in deciding the kind of education, environment, and economy where you and your family live. The main activities are selecting people who represent you best. Our unusual caucus system is easily captured by extremists or left to the careless, so if you don't attend and vote, others who think very differently from you will do it for you. Most of us spend our days taking care of our families, earning money, and filling church assignments, including family history and temple work. But the quality of the air we breathe, our schools, our transportation, and many other community issues depends greatly on who we select to represent us in our political parties and government. So do make a little time to attend and choose well. Volunteer to serve if you can.

In Utah, both Democrats and Republicans hold caucuses on the fourth Tuesday in March, which this year is the 23rd. In Utah County the major parties hold one or more caucuses in each Utah House district at 7 pm. For those of us who live in East Provo in House District 63, the Democratic Caucus will be held in the Provo City Library's Brimhall Room (302), and the Republican Caucus will be in Wasatch School gymnasium. You can find other Democratic Party locations by going to http://www.utahcountydems.com/ and Republican Party locations at http://utahcountygop.org/.

Democratic Party candidates will be announced for the US House, Utah County Commission and HD 63. Yours truly has been recruited again by supporters and Utah County leaders for HD 63. I will speak briefly and ask for your ideas on issues and strategies for the November election. At the same time, Republicans will choose among several candidates for the seat vacated when Steve Clark was called to serve as an LDS mission president. So far, this is the only Utah County house district where an experienced Democratic Party candidate will not face an incumbent, so this promises to be an interesting election year for HD 63.

The bottom line: Attend your caucus on 23 March at 7 pm and choose good people who represent your views and will consistently work for them.