| Council gives trust appointee chilly reception | |
|
By Patrice St. Germain patrices@thespectrum.com | |
COLORADO CITY, Ariz. - Bruce Wisan, the court-appointed special fiduciary for the United Effort Plan Trust, the financial arm of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, received a chilly reception at the Colorado City Council meeting Monday night. Last month, a representative asking in Wisan's behalf requested time on the council agenda to discuss the surveys being done on properties in the twin cities of Colorado City and Hildale to determine actual lot lines in the polygamous communities. The request was ignored so Wisan and Clinton Peatross, with Bush & Gudgell, Inc., an engineering firm doing the survey, were only allowed to discuss the plans during the public comment section of the meeting, which is limited to three minutes. Wisan, asking for another minute, told the council that the reason for the surveys is to give accountability for the property taxes and have exact assessments. The buzzer went off and while Wisan demanded that the property taxes be paid and that he hoped the city council representatives would be in compliance with property taxes as well he was cut short by Mayor Pro Tem Terrill Johnson. "We have been more than fair with your time," Johnson said to Wisan. Wisan was appointed by a Salt Lake City 3rd District Court Judge last year as the special fiduciary to the UEP trust, which is made up of land and other assets amassed by followers of Warren Jeffs, the self-proclaimed prophet of the FLDS church. Jeffs is wanted by police in both Arizona and Utah for sexual crimes against young girls. A federal warrant has also been issued in his name for unlawful flight from prosecution. Wisan is currently trying to collect property tax money from members of the community living in homes on trust land. Shields commented during his three minutes that while the surveys are being done, it was noticed that there are fences in violation of the city's building code. Shields said the city guidelines were pretty good but people were not complying. "There appears to be numerous violations," Shields said. "As legal counsel to the fiduciary, I'm concerned about the liability that could result." Shields also commented that the fiduciary has not signed any building permits, which is required, yet building is going on in the communities. He asked for enforcement on that issue as well as the fence issue. As soon as the meeting adjourned, the city council quickly left the building, leaving the plat plans and a copy of the fiduciary's response to the court's memorandum decision regarding reformation of the trust on the table. Also left behind was a subpoena served to council member Bygnal Dutson for a deposition. Wisan said he will attend the Hildale meeting today to present the intentions of the survey to that council. "We got the cold shoulder here tonight and I hope we have a little more professional reception Tuesday," Wisan said. | |
|
TheSpectrum.com Originally published April 11, 2006 | |
| Back | |
| For more information email: | |
