| OCR Text |
Show A4 The Emery County Review, Tuesday, September 23, 2008 Kofford calls for Sitterud’s resignation during tense meeting Continued from Page A1. 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 ad- dress 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 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 of 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. He said emphatically that 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 he 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 who explained 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 was one of the reasons why Sitterud 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 commission 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. Commissioner blasts Review for not sensationalizing story Continued from Page A1. 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 of- ficially 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. him in the matter. Disposition is scheduled for Oct. 7. Jamie Andrew Robertson. Robertson faces 16 Third Degree Felony counts of Burglary, two Class A Misdemeanor counts of Theft, one Class A Misdemeanor count of Burglary of a Vehicle and, one Class B Misdemeanor count of Theft and three 2nd Degree Felony counts of Theft. In his initial appearance before the court he was provided a copy of the information against him and advised of his rights and penalties. The court appointed Mark H. Tanner to represent him. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 18. John Allen Schade. Schade faces a misdemeanor count of Issue Bad Check / Presumption. He submitted an affidavit of indigency but the court found that he was not indigent. Arraignment was continued to Oct. 21. Midge Nelson Sherman. Sherman faces a misdemeanor count of Issue Bad Check / Draft / Presumption. She pled guilty to the charge on Sept. 16. She was sentenced to one year in jail and the sentence is to run concurrently with the prison sentence she is currently serving. She was ordered to pay restitution of $663.98 as well as restitution for property of her son’s that she pawned. Casey Ray Tuttle. Tuttle faces two felony counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription, a misdemeanor count of the same charge, a misdemeanor count of Use or Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a misdemeanor count of Driving on a Denied License, a misdemeanor count of Operating a Vehicle without Insurance, and a misdemeanor count of Driving without Registration or with Expired Registration. In his initial appearance he was advised of the charges and penalties and David M. Allred was appointed to represent him. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 21. Dayle A. Wooden. Wooden pled guilty in January to a misdemeanor count of Use or Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs. Wooden did not appear before the court as ordered and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. Michael David Sadler. Sadler faces a felony charge of Purchase or Possess a Dangerous Weapon. Sadler waived a preliminary hearing and the case was bound over for trial. Arraignment is set for Oct. 7. Eric B. Sitterud. Sitterud faces a felony count of Forgery and a misdemeanor count of Theft. The case was continued upon stipulation of counsel until after the hearing in the defendant’s case in Weber County. Disposition is scheduled for Oct. 21. Joseph Daniel Barney. Barney faces one felony count of Unlawful Personal Possession / Purchase of a Handgun and three felony counts of Illegal Possession / Use of a Controlled Substance. He also faces misdemeanor charges of Labeling/ Packaging-Controlled Substance; Illegal Possession/ Use of a Controlled Substance and Use or Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. In arraignment proceedings he was advised of his rights and the penalties and he advised the court that he would be hiring his own counsel. Bail was set for $5,000 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 24. COURT REPORTER Appearing in Seventh District Court Sept. 16 before Judge Douglas B. Thomas was: Julian Lyle Bowman. Bowman is charged with two felony counts of Criminal Mischief and misdemeanor charges of Reckless Burning and Electronic Communication Harassment. The preliminary hearing was continued upon stipulation of counsel. The preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 21. Jose Domingo AguilarCastro. Aguilar-Castro pled guilty on Aug. 5 to a felony count of Possess Forgery Writing/ Device and a misdemeanor charge of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs. Counsel advised the court that the defendant had been picked up by INS. Dick R. Allred. Allred faces a misdemeanor charge of Stalking. Deputy County Attorney Brent Langston advised the court that the parties may be able to settle the matter but they need some time to talk. The court confirmed the trial date of Oct. 1-2, but the jury notices would not be sent out until Sept. 22 if the parties can settle the case. Ryan Nicholas Barker. Barker faces 16 Third Degree Felony counts of Burglary, two Class A Misdemeanor counts of Theft, one Class A Misdemeanor count of Burglary of a Vehicle and, one Class B Misdemeanor count of Theft and three 2nd Degree Felony counts of Theft. In his initial appearance before the court he was provided a copy of the information against him and advised of his rights and penalties. Barker waived the statutory time for holding a preliminary hearing and he was appointed David M. Allred to represent him. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 18. Mark Livingston. Livingston faces 16 Third Degree Felony counts of Burglary, two Class A Misdemeanor counts of Theft, one Class A Misdemeanor count of Burglary of a Vehicle and, one Class B Misdemeanor count of Theft and three 2nd Degree Felony counts of Theft. In his initial appearance before the court he was provided a copy of the information against him and advised of his rights and penalties. In his initial appearance Livingston’s attorney, Gregory V. Stewart, could not be Public Notice Community Development Block Grant Second Public Hearing Notice Clawson Town will hold a public hearing to discuss the project determined to be applied for in the CDBG Small Cities Program, year 2008. Comments will be solicited on project scope, implementation, and its effects on residents. The hearings will begin at 6:00 pm on September 24, 2008 and will be held at Clawson Town Hall located at 200 South Main Street, Clawson, Utah. Further information can be obtained by contacting Connie Allen, Clawson town clerk, at 384-2724. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during these hearings should notify Connie Allen, at the Clawson Town Hall, 200 South Main or at 384-2724 at least three days prior to the hearing to be attended. Thank you. - Connie Allen Clawson Town Clerk Published in the Emery County Review September 23, 2008. present but he had contacted the court regarding the preliminary hearing, which is scheduled for Nov. 18. Christopher A. Seaton. Seaton pled guilty in December of 2007 to a felony count of Theft. In an order to show cause hearing Seaton said he had been instructed to appear before the court by his probation officer. Seaton’s case had not been placed on the court calendar and his probation officer was not available. The court read the allegations in the order to show cause and Seaton filled out and submitted an affidavit of indigency. The court appointed David Allred to represent him. An order to show cause evidentiary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 21. Jonathan Wayne Baxter. Baxter pled guilty in June of 2007 to an amended misdemeanor charge of Lewdness Involving a Child. In sentence, judgment and commitment proceedings Baxter was sentenced to a suspended jail term, fined $925, and placed on 36 months probation. Marty Hayward Heaps. Heaps faces a misdemeanor count of an amended Accept Bribe to Prevent Prosecution. He had pled guilty to the charge in June of 2007. In an order to show cause hearing Heaps waived his right to be represented by counsel and advised that he wished to represent himself. The court ordered his informal probation to be terminated and that he be palced on formal probation for 24 months, with the probation to run concurrently with his probation from the Fifth District Court and under the same terms. Conrad Hilton. Hilton pled guilty in May to misdemeanor charges of Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance; Possession of a Controlled Substance; and Use or Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. In sentencing proceedings Hilton was sentenced to a suspended jail term, fined $2,500, placed on probation for 12 months and ordered to serve 30 days in the Emery County Detention Center. Cameron Leo Miller. Miler was charged of a felony county of Unlawful Acquisition / Possession / Transfer Car and Property Obtained by Unlawful Conduct. He entered a plea in abeyance agreement on both charges on Sept. 16. A review hearing is scheduled for September of 2009. Corey Shane Price. Price entered a plea in abeyance agreement in February for misdemeanor charges of Reckless Endangerment and Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs. In an order to show cause hearing the court read the allegation against him and appointed David Allred to represent S Christy’s alon ensations Walk-Ins Welcome or call for an Appointment Tuesday - Friday “Service With A Smile” Christy Collard Katie Brady Lewis Jewelry Company, Inc. Forever Est. 1921 190 So. Main, Huntington 435-687-9766 435-637-2176 46 East Main Price |
