A Good Harvest
The Clawson community gathered for their annual Harvest Celebration on Sept. 20 and despite an afternoon rain storm, or perhaps because of it, the mood was festive as children tried their homemade boats down the suddenly active drains of the town, while others sat patiently for face painting. A yard and bake sale was held later in the afternoon, and the evening ended with a community dinner as the town celebrated the season and the way of life that is Clawson.
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Tempers Flare in Commission
James L. Davis
Commissioner Gary Kofford made a public, impassioned call for Commissioner Drew Sitterud to resign during the public comments portion of the Sept. 16 meeting of the Emery County Commission.
The meeting began with the official notification of Sitterud’s reinstatement to the commission after he pled guilty to two misdemeanor counts of wrongful appropriation. Sitterud was originally charged with three felony counts of misuse of public monies, but the charges were reduced following a plea agreement.
The original charges were filed against the two-term commissioner on June 17 by Assistant Attorney General Pat Nolan and Sitterud was placed on administrative leave while the case was pending.
According to a news release from the Emery County Attorney’s office, in the Sept. 2 plea bargain struck with the attorney general’s office, Sitterud pled guilty to two counts of wrongful appropriation, both Class A Misdemeanors. He was specifically allowed to plead guilty under a statute which does not automatically disqualify him from office. Upon his pleas of guilty, the original felony charges were dismissed by the court which, by operation of law, allowed him to return to office. He did so on Sept. 2, and that fact was officially recognized during the Sept. 16 meeting.
Sitterud’s reinstatement was the first item on the agenda for the commission during the meeting and during the citizen concerns portion of the meeting Kofford minced few words when voicing his opinion about the fellow commissioner’s legal troubles.
“I don’t know of a more appropriate place to do this than right here. We have a situation where we have a commissioner that got into a little bit of trouble. I think it’s interesting that the gravity of the situation has been swept under the carpet, if you will. Nobody wants to address it, nobody wants to talk about it. It’s been implied that it’s a smear campaign. I think the only smear that has been done is on the employees of Emery County, on the population of Emery County. When you get into smear tactics in my mind it’s one party against the other. In this case you have here a Republican commissioner, a Republican county attorney; you have a Republican attorney generals office. I fail to see the tactics of a smear campaign,” Kofford said.
Kofford went on to address a letter that Sitterud had published in both The Emery County Review and the Emery County Progress where he stated that the county had no policy when it came to travel reimbursements, which is what led to the problems he faced. Kofford stated that there was a policy that had been put together in 1984 by the county, but then indicated that the policy applied to employees of the county only, not elected officials. Elected officials are governed by legislative statute.
“This doesn’t apply to elected officials. For some reason we have a double standard. I don’t buy this. We’ve been reviewing it for a year and none of your elected officials will address that issue,” Kofford said. “In talking to people they have said, well, it’s only a little bit. Does it take a dollar amount to become a thief?”
Commissioner Jeff Horrocks eventually asked Kofford where he was headed with his statement.
“What I’m asking for and I think it’s appropriate, is that Commissioner Sitterud submit a letter of resignation,” Kofford said. “I think it’s very appropriate.”
Following Kofford’s statement Horrocks said that Sitterud has been through the legal system and pled guilty to the two misdemeanors and that elected officials were not automatically removed from office for misdemeanors. Horrocks asked if Sitterud had a statement and the commissioner made none at that time.
Horrocks asked if anyone else had a comment and Sheriff Lamar Guymon took a moment to address how the situation had impacted his office.
“I guess my biggest frustration is that I am a Democrat and whether that is a good thing or a bad thing, that’s a personal choice. What I am frustrated is about is how black me and my department are being painted for doing what we are paid to do. This is not something we went out and tried to find on our own. This was brought to us in the form a complaint and now the rumor mill is that we initiated this all on our own. That is about as far from the truth that you can get. Had we a choice in this we would have run away from this just as fast as we could just because of what is going on right now,” the sheriff said.
Emery County Clerk/Auditor Brenda Dugmore said that she did not feel the conversation was appropriate for a commission meeting and Horrocks said he had let the conversation continue to allow opinions to be expressed openly and that the voters would decide in November whether to reelect Sitterud or not. Until that time the commission would work together.
Later in the week in a conversation with The Emery County Review, Kofford again addressed the letter Sitterud had published in both county newspapers, focusing specifically on Sitterud’s contention that did not know what he was supposed to do with the travel reimbursement payments. According to Kofford, when he came into office Sitterud was one of the commissioners to explain how he was supposed to handle situations such as that.
“They explained when I came into office that you can collect pay from one agency, but not from both. Somewhere down the line Drew forgot that,” Kofford said.
The wrongful appropriation charges that Sitterud pled guilty to arose out of repayment of travel expenses and stipends paid by other boards which he sat on.
According to Kofford the problem that arose around Sitterud is an example of a larger problem that clouds all political offices in the state.
“There’s a double standard as far as employees and elected officials are concerned. Elected officials should be held to a higher standard and they’re not. It’s the same thing we argue about with the state legislature every year,” Kofford said.
When it comes to Commissioner Sitterud, Commissioner Kofford admitted that there was no love lost between the two and there has been a personality conflict between them from the very beginning of his time on the commission. He said that when the first complaints were made about Sitterud’s actions he was determined that something be done about it.
With the November elections a little more than a month away, the issue has become a political hot potato, and with the election so close it has been one of the reasons why Sitterud has wanted to get the issue resolved before the elections so that voters can have enough information to make a decision.
Laurie Pitchforth, who is running against Sitterud in the upcoming election, said she was leaving the decision up to voters regarding the commissioner’s actions.
“I am not in a position to make a judgment about Mr. Sitterud’s case. I have the faith that our justice system will handle this matter properly, and I trust the good people of Emery County to make an informed choice in this election,” Pitchforth said.
For Sitterud’s part, during the commissioner meeting he said only that he appreciated the support he had been given and that he was not interested in making an enemy of anyone. After the meeting he declined to comment, deferring to his attorney, Sonny Olsen.
Olsen, while not present during the Sept. 16 meeting, had a comment regarding Kofford’s outburst.
“Commissioner Kofford’s view of what happened is not accurate. This wasn’t a case of theft, the court could have pushed for theft but they didn’t. It’s in the best interest of the county to move forward and let the voters decide based on the facts, not the ranting of Commissioner Kofford. If anyone has a question about what happened, Commissioner Sitterud will be happy to answer it,” Sonny Olsen.
Sentencing for Sitterud is set for Sept. 30.
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Commissioner Blasts Review for not
Sensationalizing Story
James L. Davis
The Emery County Review was taken to task by Emery County Commissioner Gary Kofford on Sept. 16 for not sensationalizing the story about Commissioner Drew Sitterud’s legal troubles.
“Why are the papers afraid to print such a thing? I don’t think you’ve covered it very good. I don’t think the citizens of Emery County know what is going on. Commissioner Sitterud signed an affidavit that said he is guilty of two Class A misdemeanors. The Review had him reinstated before he ever came through to the commission meeting, and I realize it is a technicality of the law,” Kofford said.
Commissioner Kofford was referring to the Sept. 9 issue of The Emery County Review that headlined the fact that Commissioner Sitterud had been reinstated following the dismissal of the felony charges against him and his guilty plea to two misdemeanors. With the felony charges dismissed, the commissioner was permitted to resume his duties on Sept. 2, even though he wasn’t officially recognized as being reinstated by the commission until Sept. 16.
When asked how either The Emery County Review or the Emery County Progress had misrepresented the facts, Kofford said that the papers did not misrepresent the facts, but took issue with how they ran the stories.
“I think you failed to report accurately what was going on. I think as I watch other papers they tend to sensationalize it a little bit, if you will. Nobody down here thinks there’s a problem so nobody up state thinks there’s a problem,” Kofford said.
The commissioner referred to an incident in Salt Lake County several years ago where an official had been accused of misusing public funds and how the newspapers had reacted to the story.
“The papers actually kicked him out of office in my mind. There was enough pressure that justice was done,” he said.
The editors of both newspapers, present during the meeting, said that it was not their policy to sensationalize any story.
“I do take a bit of exception that we didn’t sensationalize it enough because I don’t think that’s our job,” said Patsy Stoddard, editor of the Emery County Progress.
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Forest Service Concerned
Over OHV Abuse
Josie Luke
As more and more hunters turn to ATVs for transportation, the Forest Service is under more and more pressure to keep operators on designated trails in order to preserve delicate scenic areas.
According to Forest Ranger Don Riddle, it seems “as soon as hunting season starts, all reason is gone. The most important thing to them is harvesting whatever animal they’re licensed for,” he related.
The Forest Service was surprised earlier during the archery hunt, when rangers patrolled trails which were posted as closed. They reported that nearly 50 percent of ATV users looked at the sign and drove around if there was no barrier. Many were stopped by rangers, and some were cited. The Forest Service is very concerned about the problem, especially the issue of user-created trails.
“It is amazing how many archers are on motorized equipment this year. I thought most of the problem with illegal routes was during the regular season, but it is as big a problem during archery season,” revealed Ferron District Ranger Mesia Nyman at the public lands meeting Sept. 9. She encouraged all those who use ATVs to get a free travel map for the area, produced by the Forest Service.
Riddle firmly expressed that he is not against proper ATV use on the forest. He simply asks that those who use motorized vehicles be responsible. “It all falls back on what’s important to them. Do we really want an ATV trail in every canyon on every ridge?” he asked.
According to a study on the Forest Service website, the state of Utah has the fifth highest ATV use in the country at 32.5 percent, with Wyoming having the highest and Rhode Island the lowest. Though hunting is not the highest reported use for ATV’s, Riddle reported that most of the problems are seen during hunting season.
“I don’t want to put it all on hunters,” Riddle said. “I’m sure before the season there are those who are out recreating on the trails, but during the hunting season is when we see the worst of it all.”
He offered a simple formula for those who may be confused or ignorant of the rules. “All trails are closed unless posted open. Most of the user-created trails will not be on the travel map. The best thing is if it’s not on the map, don’t go on it. If you have any questions, contact one of us and we can tell you.”
The U.S. Forest Service published a Travel Management Rule, covering such issues in November of 2005. It states, “The final rule will prohibit the use of motor vehicles off the designated system, as well as use of motor vehicles on routes and in areas that is not consistent with the designations.
“The clear identification of roads, trails, and areas for motor vehicle use on each National Forest will enhance management of National Forest System lands; sustain natural resource values through more effective management of motor vehicle use; enhance opportunities for motorized recreation experiences on National Forest System lands; address needs for access to National Forest System lands; and preserve areas of opportunity on each National Forest for non-motorized travel and experiences.”
Riddle is especially concerned that ATV users are traveling in areas which they haven’t been in for years. He said that for the last two years he has received reports from concerned hunters of motorized traffic on Black Canyon Trail, which has been closed for 12 years. He bristles at the thought of the area being used by ATVs.
“That area is closed for a reason,” he said. “Our roadless areas give the animals a sanctuary. They are hunted in so many areas. I tell people it’s just like a human. Once you get home from work, your home is your sanctuary. It’s a place to relax. That’s how I look at it.”
The local office is also encouraging citizens to get involved in helping to solve the problem. “The general public needs to get involved and help us the best they can,” said Riddle. “With our limited resources, we can’t be everywhere.”
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Huntington Council Reports on
Beautification Projects
Josie Luke
Even after the dedication of the Crandall Canyon Miners’ Memorial, the Huntington City Council had a full plate of city business to address during their city council meeting.
During the meeting, held Sept. 17, the council and mayor each in turn took time to express their gratitude to all those who assisted in completing the memorial.
Mayor Hilary Gordon thanked the council and volunteers for their work on the monument. She especially praised Councilmember Julie Jones, saying, “Her aspirations are a lot higher than mine would have been, and the whole place looks beautiful. I’m really glad we went the extra mile.”
Jones also expressed gratitude to all of the volunteers and businesses who contributed “endless hours” to the project. These comments were echoed by the other council members, including Travis Larsen who issued “a special ‘thanks’ to Julie and everyone else that was involved.”
The council also announced that the city beautification project to cement neglected park strips along Main Street was finished Sept. 15. Larsen, who is over city beautification expressed that he believes the results were “worth every penny.” Jerry Livingston also complimented the construction company on their work.
The next step in the process coordinated by the beautification committee will be installing benches along Main Street. Larsen reported that the benches would be delivered soon.
Mindee Nicholson, from Four Corners Community Behavioral Health approached the council to request the assistance of a Huntington community member in gathering information to apply for a state incentive grant from the Strategic Prevention Framework to address the problem of illegal prescription drug use in the community.
Nicholson has already traveled to many council meetings in the county to bring together volunteers from each town. Huntington council members Kathy Cowley and Jones volunteered to represent the city.
Kent Wilson, owner of Emery County Sanitation also addressed the council. Wilson expressed his appreciation to Huntington City for “taking a big gamble” in choosing to approve his garbage service bid four years before. He said the recent problems in Ferron had “reminded me how grateful I am for Huntington, how much faith you put in us.”
He explained that the contract is scheduled to end next September and asked the council to consider continuing the contract for two to three more years at the same price. Wilson was careful to say he did not want the contract changed, because that would be illegal.
Councilmember Bob Mills stated that he believed the contract in fact included an “automatic renewal,” but suggested the council look closely at the contract along with asking the county attorney to review the proposal before moving forward. Wilson agreed, and the council elected to address the issue again later.
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Students get to Work on New
Children’s Justice Center
Kathy Ockey
The official groundbreaking of the new Emery County Children’s Justice Center was held Sept. 19 at its new address, 900 North Center Street in Castle Dale.
Shelley Wright, director of the Emery County Children’s Justice Center, said this project started two years ago when Emery County lost their justice center. The center at that time was a residence the county was renting and the owners of the property sold the home. Wright approached the Emery County commissioners about finding a home to rent or lease to relocate the justice center and they decided to get something new.
There has been a great deal of cooperation between different agencies to find a place for the center. The land the new justice center is being built on was donated by the Emery County School District, along with two water shares. Castle Dale City waived fees for the utilities and also cooperated to meet special conditions for the center to be in a residential area. The Emery High School building class students, under the direction of instructor Jim Keele, is constructing the center. “The kids are building a building for the kids,” he said.
Those involved in the groundbreaking were: Shelley Wright, Justice Center Director; Candace Jensen, Kelly Larsen, Christy Fredrickson, Kizzie Ellington, Commissioners Gary Kofford and Jeff Horrocks, Leslie Bolinder, David Blackwell, Ed Clark, and Jim Keele and his students. Return to Top
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