Posted on 04/19/2009 5:21:13 AM PDT by csvset
Former Congressman Bill Orton, a political maverick who served three terms as a Democrat in one of Utah's most conservative districts, has died.
The 60-year-old died in an all-terrain vehicle accident Saturday afternoon at the Little Sahara Sand Dunes, the Juab County sheriff said.
"He was riding out on the sand and went off a very steep sand dune, and when he impacted the bottom, the front end of the four-wheeler flipped on top of him, injuring him," Sheriff Alden Orme told the Deseret News late Saturday. "He was alone at the time of the accident. Another ATV rider passed by a short time later and found him."
Ambulance crews and a medical helicopter were dispatched to the scene but arrived too late.
"He succumbed to his injuries," Orme said.
Orton was wearing a helmet, the sheriff said.
Orton served the 3rd District from 1991 to 1997. He was an anomaly as a Democratic congressman representing one of the nation's most conservative districts.
When it came to party loyalty, it was more like party disloyalty for Orton. A 1994 Congressional Quarterly study showed Orton voted against then-President Bill Clinton's stands so often that 27 House Republicans were more loyal to Clinton than he was. He voted with a majority of his party only 58 percent of the time — ninth lowest among House Democrats.
Holland said in recent years, the party tried to persuade Orton to return to politics to run for either Congress or state treasurer. He resisted, in part because of lingering back problems he suffered in 1996 when he was randomly attacked at the Capitol by a man who later pleaded guilty to assault on a congressman.
(Excerpt) Read more at deseretnews.com ...
Be careful out there folks.
Sounds to me like a democrat with a brain. An extremely rare commodity in todays world. Too many brainless dems and republicans in elected positions today.
Being careful is no way to live your life to the fullest. I have no desire to jump sand dunes in an ATV, but snap the skis on me and I get a little nuts. I can relate to his apparent love for risky outdoor things. And I still run the b’ball court as hard as thirty years ago, though Mrs. JimRed says it’ll kill me.
Only sixty, though; way too young to go like that.
Too bad there are not a lot more “DINOs” like him in congress!
It depends on the meaning of “careful”...
Ignoring risk doesn’t exactly lead to “life to the fullest” either.
And yet - the msm never gave him the title "Maverick Democrat". I'm shocked!
And pointlessly risking your life for adrenalin surges is “living life to the fullest”?
“He voted with a majority of his party only 58 percent of the time — ninth lowest among House Democrats. Some Democrats derisively joked that meant Utah had 4 1/2 Republicans in its delegation — instead of four Republicans and a Democrat.”
” He was alone at the time of the accident”.
Ok..we know “Why”...we know “When” ...Now we need to know “How” he really died.
Helmets are a help if you hit your head. They are no protection against a broken neck.
http://www.utah.com/playgrounds/little_sahara.htm
Nice area to play. My FIL mounted the giant power pole on the dune area to help folks from getting lost.
Not that helps at night. Once spent 7 hours driving sround until I got smart enfu to wait for daylight....
RIP.
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