Seth Muller
Lake Powell Chronicle
Page Mayor Dean Slavens with Congressman Renzi
While a student at Northern Arizona
University, U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi spent portions of his summers at Lake Powell, either
visiting the lake or working at the marina.
But he made his first official visit to Page and Lake Powell in his capacity as its U.S.
congressman on April 13, kicking off a two-day visit with a Friends of Lake Powell-hosted
evening reception on Wahweap’s paddle-wheel boat, the Canyon King.
At the reception, Renzi, R-Arizona, spoke to about 30 people — mostly Page city and
National Park Service officials and Friends of Lake Powell members — and shared the
experiences of his first 100 days in office. He also covered a range of topics, from the
war in Iraq to the battle to return personal watercraft to Lake Powell.
The latter being a great concern to local businesses, Renzi said he helped draft a piece
of legislation to lift the personal watercraft ban at Lake Powell, submitted April 11, in
hopes of allowing their use this summer.
Renzi said he understands the legislation joins a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court
attempting to achieve the same end.
“I recognize the courts may move it faster,” Renzi said. “But I welcome the
two-prong approach.”
Renzi told the group that if the legislation is pushed, they could have the ban lifted by
Congress in late May or early June. If passed, the removal of the ban would last until
October, giving the National Park Service time to complete the rule-making process,
according to Renzi.
As for the war in Iraq, Renzi brought a certain insight to the topic, as he grew up in a
military family and his father is a decorated serviceman. He spoke positively of the U.S.
war efforts in Iraq.
“In 22 days, we took Baghdad. It’s absolutely fantastic,” Renzi said.
Renzi said the war against Iraq was a justifiable one because, following Sept. 11,
intelligence agents picked up some “back-channel communications” between
al-Qaeda and Baghdad.
“Al-Qaeda was looking for a new home,” Renzi said, noting that if that home
became Baghdad, we would endure attacks “worse than Sept. 11.”
As for his involvement in examining the war and related issues, Renzi is currently serving
on a congressional committee that is investigating where Iraqi President Saddam
Hussein’s money has gone.
“A good portion of it appears to be in France,” Renzi said in reference to
Hussein’s money. “Right now that’s speculation, but we’re finding
France’s role is much deeper than anticipated.”
Renzi talked about the economy, and the importance of the government focusing on homeland
security to prevent future terrorist attacks. He also talked of how the economy impacts
communities, and how he intends to support the small-business owners.
“I’m an Arizona small-business owner,” he said. “I have a real
affinity for the small businessman.”
He said that played a part in the proposed PWC legislation. And, in answering a question
posed by Page City Council member Tom Puckett, said he would meet with Glen Canyon
Superintendent Kitty Roberts, in part, to discuss the small businesses and their role in
providing services on Lake Powell.
Renzi also talked about supporting and working on a bill to bring $1.8 billion to support
the nation’s veterans and work to bring more federal-impact aid to Coconino
County’s education system. He answered questions about border security in Arizona,
creating a unified PWC licensing program, bringing technology to the state’s rural
community through federal funding and rural versus urban representation in Arizona.
Renzi’s schedule for the visit included a tour of Page Unified School District and
appearance at Canyonlands Health Center. He told the group gathered for the Friends of
Lake Powell reception that he expected return to Page sometime in mid-May, as a spur from
a scheduled visit to Black Mesa and Peabody Coal Mine.
