PROVO — To some observers, Provo Mayor Lewis K. Billings acts at times like a fledgling engineer tinkering with a giant-size erector set.

If his three years as the leader of Utah's second-largest city are any indication, the man likes to build.

Since Billings became Provo's top elected official, his administration has overseen the construction of an Olympic ice arena and the renovation of Academy Square, pitched plans for a baseball stadium for minor-league baseball and forged ahead with a proposal to fund a fiber-optics system.

With the exception of Academy Square, which will serve as the city's library, the projects launched by the Billings administration have placed the government in roles that are traditionally filled by the private sector.

His critics say he has expanded the city's role beyond its proper boundaries. They also wonder why Billings, a stalwart Republican with ties to Texas Gov. George W. Bush, embraces ideas that would create bigger government.

The answer lies in a tattered blue brochure Billings keeps on his desk. It is a campaign flier — and Billings refers to it often to remember what he promised to do if elected mayor.

If that brochure were a checklist, Billings says he'd be doing quite well. He promised to build the tax base and not increase taxes, to decrease traffic through technology and to protect Provo's investment in its power company.

Billings insists that both the ice arena and baseball stadium will build the city's tax base, and the proposed fiber optics system has the potential to protect the future of the city's power company.

Billings says he will keep his promises, even if that means introducing some bold initiatives. Billings admits he's venturing into new political and governmental frontiers but doesn't see himself as a new kind of Republican.

"Some elected officials are scared to do what their citizens need them to do. They're worried someone will wave a flag in front of them and call them a socialist," Billings says. "I hope we will never be timid to do things that are right for the community."

Of all the mayor's construction projects, the proposed telecom system is the most controversial. He wants to build a $40 million system to provide homes and businesses with Internet, cable and phone services.

The Utah Taxpayers Association and some state Republican leaders are opposed to the project and say the city could not fairly regulate companies with which it competes.

Billings says the city is building the system because the private sector won't. His latest telecom proposal — which came after high-ranking GOP legislators didn't offer him support in the initiative — would allow the city to contract with private companies to provide the services.

"I believe the less government the better, but I'm a big fan of local government," he said. "Local government is such a powerful instrument."

Billings says AT&T — which heads the group opposed to the fiber optics project — has unfairly smeared his efforts.

No decisions have been made on the project, he insists, and he is open to any proposal. As controversial as the telecom system is, it has yet to generate public furor like the remodeling of Academy Square caused. The $16 million library is on schedule and promises to be what many call "a jewel in Provo's crown."

"I feel like as a team we accomplish a lot," Billings said. "I don't really take credit for any of these projects."

But there is no doubt who heads the team. Billing's mere presence demands respect: he stands 6 feet 3 inches tall, weighs 230 pounds and has Goliath-sized hands.

While his staff may work like a well-oiled machine, there are grumblings on Provo's City Council, which is an elected panel of residents that serves as the check and balance with the mayor's office in city government.

More than one member of the council has said Billings is noncommunicative, eroding the trust of some council members.

"We're not team players anymore," said Councilman Dennis Poulsen. "One person is calling the shots. This administration has been very authoritative."

Billings says Poulsen is an anomaly on the council. Judging by the way the council usually votes with the mayor, that may be true.

Councilman Mark Hathaway, who has worked with three other mayors, says Billings ranks among the best. "He's as good as any of them. He's very open, very knowledgeable. He's more interested in listening to the council than some past mayors."

Billings won't admit it, but those around him say he is an ambitious politician who is held in high regard by Gov. Mike Leavitt. "(Billings) is definitely a rising star in the Utah public sector. He has a lot of options," said Vicki Varela, the governor's deputy chief of staff.

Ray Christensen, Wasatch neighborhood chairman and professor of political science at Brigham Young University, also thinks Billings could hold higher office. So far, Christensen is impressed with Billings' administration.

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"It's not like he just became mayor and sat around," he said. "He became mayor and attacked different problems."

Regardless of Billings' motivations, Christensen thinks the mayor has been beneficial to the city. For Billings there is only one motivation, and it's why he keeps a 3-year-old campaign flier. He wants to keep his promises.

"If you're going to sit in the mayor's chair, you're going to have a lot of critics," Billings says. "At the end of the day I have to walk out of that door satisfied I worked hard to do what the city needs me to do. And every day I try to do that."


E-MAIL: jhyde@desnews.com

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