Ken Ballantyne
– As reported to Meredith Mirrington
One of our Grand County Councilmen, Ken Ballantyne, lives to serve and help others – whether they be perfect strangers, his four wonderful children or many grandchildren. And, when he’s not helping, he’s riding…his bike. More from Ken, below.
1) What initially brought you to Moab?
I was hired as a trooper with the Utah Highway Patrol in 1979 and Moab was my first duty area. My wife Karen and I moved to Moab in 1980 with our two children Jennifer and Spencer. We never left.
2) What do you love most about living in Moab?
The people that live here are the best.
3) What do you dislike about living in Moab?
Two things – the cost of living and the fact that so many issues seem to polarize people so badly.
4) What is your occupation?
After 29 years of service, I retired from the highway patrol and went to work for the Department of Transportation. I get to plow snow (when we get it).
5) If you could have any job in the world, what would you most like to do?
I would love to be in a job where I could alleviate some of the pain and suffering in this world.
6) Describe a typical day in your life.
During the week I leave for work at 6:30 a.m., ten hours later I arrive home and either go for a bike ride or to a meeting. (I prefer the bike ride.)
7) Some people have bumper stickers on their car that reads: I’d Rather be Sailing. What would your bumper sticker read? I’d Rather Be…
…With my grandchildren.
8) Tell us one thing people don’t usually know about you.
Really I am kind of shy.
9) In high school, you would have been considered the person most likely to…
…To not make an impact in the world.
10) What is your favorite Moab activity?
Outside of finding someone to help, my favorite activity is bike riding and visiting my favorite eating establishments.
11) Tell us your favorite non-Moab place to visit.
Pittsburgh, Penn.; Soda Springs, Idaho; St. George, Utah…I have grandchildren there. Oh, and I have kids there also.
12) What do you consider your greatest achievement in life?
Being the father of four wonderful children is my greatest achievement in life.
13) If you were President, what’s the first thing you’d do to make life better in America?
Find a way to stop the divisiveness that is so rampant in the country.
14) What superhero power would you most like to have?
Always liked Captain America.
15) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?
I would be a royal bull elk. A smart one – I have no desire to be a wall hanging.
16) What is your all time favorite movie?
“Shawshank Redemption.” To me, it showed that no matter what circumstances or injustices happen, one can rise above and be a better person.
17) And, your all time favorite book?
“The Lone Survivor” by Marcus Luttrell. This is an excellent and touching book about the loss of a Navy Seal Team in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan.
18) If you were stranded on a desert island, which three CDs would you want to have with you?
“The Best of CCR”; “1812 Overture” by The Boston Pops Orchestra; and “Brazilian Nights” by Jack Jezzro
19) If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Why? I would love to sit down to dinner with my Savior, Jesus Christ. I would love to hear his teachings and words of advice directly from him.
20) What is your life philosophy?
I try to live my life with the philosophy – Number One: Do the best that you can always.; Number Two: No one is perfect. Don’t judge harshly or rashly.; Number Three: Be willing to forgive and then move on…really, I mean move on.
