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Mitt Romney urges ethics, balanced budgets and citizen engagement for 2002 Games
Summary
Mitt Romney, newly named CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, told the Utah House he will enforce a code of ethics, seek private fundraising to avoid taxpayer shortfalls and pursue citizen outreach to make the 2002 Winter Olympics a local legacy.
Mitt Romney, introduced to the House as the new chief executive of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, said it is "an honor" to take the post and outlined two categories of objectives: absolutes and goals. Among his absolutes, he pledged higher ethical standards for SLOC staff and promised fiscal restraint.
"The highest standards of ethical conduct are going to be applied and lived by as we prepare for the games," Romney said, adding that SLOC would "draft a code of ethics that each of our employees...is going to be signing." He also said, "We will spend what we take in and no more," and described plans to form fundraising teams and Olympic ambassadors to seek private contributions rather than relying on taxpayer shortfalls.
Romney addressed concerns about growth and disruption tied to hosting the Olympics while emphasizing opportunities to modernize infrastructure and leave lasting sports facilities for Utah youth. He told representatives he intends to engage local elected officials and communities statewide, and suggested holding listening sessions in counties such as Ogden to hear residents' views.
House members thanked Romney for appearing and asked about outreach and involving youth; Romney said he and his team would pursue statewide engagement and school visits when schedules permit. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole to hear the presentation and later dissolved that Committee by unanimous voice to return to regular business.
