Jill Remington-Love, Councilmember, Salt Lake City
Jill Remington-Love, current vice-chair of the Salt Lake City Council and allegedly born with an overactive public service gland. Jill’s big time public service career started in 2001 when she defeated a rather popular incumbent city councilman for the District 5 seat. She ran unopposed when her term expired in 2005. Jill and her husband Perrin are raising three young children. It should also be noted that she’s currently the ULCT 1st Vice President, which means next September, she’ll be the boss.
1. Do you recall the event or instance that made you realize that public office was in your future? I grew up in Cottonwood Heights, when it was a neighborhood, not an incorporated city. There were not many Democrats, so when I attended my neighborhood mass meeting, I was elected as a delegate to the State Democratic convention. I was not even old enough to vote. It was the first election in my life when I ran unopposed. At the convention I attended a caucus of young Democrats. They were interesting, colorful, and passionate. It was exciting to listen to them and join the discussion. I’ve never looked back.
2. Let’s be honest, you’re a Democrat and living in maybe of one of three Utah cities where it’s safe to admit that in public. If you happened to move to say, southern Davis County, do you pretty much think your political career would be over? Absolutely. I represent what may be one of the most liberal districts in the State. My liberal credentials helped me get elected. I often feel a responsibility to be that liberal voice. I love living in a neighborhood where John Kerry won the straw vote at my kids elementary school. Our neighborhood is so liberal that my kids don’t understand why Republicans win; they hardly ever see Republican signs in our neck of the woods.
3. Why did you choose to become involved in city politics? Why not school board, the PTA, Junior League or county government? I love local government; the issues are practical, not theoretical, and make a difference in our lives every single day. The scale of local government is so close to home that I feel that I have an impact. There are just seven of us on our City Council; we work remarkably well together given our political differences, and we can get things done quickly and effectively when we want to
1. Do you recall the event or instance that made you realize that public office was in your future? I grew up in Cottonwood Heights, when it was a neighborhood, not an incorporated city. There were not many Democrats, so when I attended my neighborhood mass meeting, I was elected as a delegate to the State Democratic convention. I was not even old enough to vote. It was the first election in my life when I ran unopposed. At the convention I attended a caucus of young Democrats. They were interesting, colorful, and passionate. It was exciting to listen to them and join the discussion. I’ve never looked back.
2. Let’s be honest, you’re a Democrat and living in maybe of one of three Utah cities where it’s safe to admit that in public. If you happened to move to say, southern Davis County, do you pretty much think your political career would be over? Absolutely. I represent what may be one of the most liberal districts in the State. My liberal credentials helped me get elected. I often feel a responsibility to be that liberal voice. I love living in a neighborhood where John Kerry won the straw vote at my kids elementary school. Our neighborhood is so liberal that my kids don’t understand why Republicans win; they hardly ever see Republican signs in our neck of the woods.
3. Why did you choose to become involved in city politics? Why not school board, the PTA, Junior League or county government? I love local government; the issues are practical, not theoretical, and make a difference in our lives every single day. The scale of local government is so close to home that I feel that I have an impact. There are just seven of us on our City Council; we work remarkably well together given our political differences, and we can get things done quickly and effectively when we want to
4. For some reason when a woman with children at home takes on a high profile position, they are commonly asked how they juggle home and work. Unlike men in a similar situation who rarely, if ever, get asked the same question. So to perpetuate this practice, how do you juggle your demands between home and city hall? Most city council members throughout the state have other full time jobs. My full time job is raising my kids, because I am a stay-at-home-mom. Sometimes I find myself apologizing if my kids’ schedule conflicts my council schedule. I have to remind myself that my schedule conflicts are as significant as those of any professional or business executive on the council. I tell my colleagues or our staff that my child’s doctor’s appointment is “my deposition or my partners’ meeting.” None of us could juggle our schedules without supportive spouses and family members.
5. Admit it, some issues on the city council agenda are more interesting than others. Which topics keep your interest and which ones do just the opposite?
I will never forget my first council meeting after I was sworn in. I endured a three hour discussion of our fleet audit. Dale Lambert, who had just been elected to represent the Sugarhouse area, leaned over and whispered, “What have we gotten ourselves into?” I really don’t enjoy all the speeches that we sometimes feel compelled to give as politicians. I do enjoy good discussion, and learning new things. Audit reports to this day are low on my list of favorite things.
6. CD in your player? High School Musical (it's my daughter's)
I will never forget my first council meeting after I was sworn in. I endured a three hour discussion of our fleet audit. Dale Lambert, who had just been elected to represent the Sugarhouse area, leaned over and whispered, “What have we gotten ourselves into?” I really don’t enjoy all the speeches that we sometimes feel compelled to give as politicians. I do enjoy good discussion, and learning new things. Audit reports to this day are low on my list of favorite things.
6. CD in your player? High School Musical (it's my daughter's)
7. Book on your nightstand? A stack of unread novels that I want to get to—Gilead is at the top.
8. Radio station set on your dial? KCPW and KUER—having a quiet moment to listen to
NPR is the highlight of my day.
9 Political hero? My political heroes are elected officials who vote their conscience or make tough decisions despite the risk to their political standing. I can think of two good local examples—Karen Shepard, who voted for Clinton’s budget knowing it could cost her the next congressional election, and Joel Briscoe, who, as a member of the Salt Lake school board, cast the deciding vote to close his neighborhood school, knowing it could cost him his seat.
10. Presidential candidate in ’08? I like all the Democratic candidates, I think we have a strong and exciting field. At the end of the day I don’t know how I would tell my daughter that I didn’t vote for Hillary Clinton.