Court hearing today to appoint new UEP trustees
 
By Patrice St. Germain
patrices@thespectrum.com
 
COLORADO CITY - Pennie Rae Petersen left her Mesa, Ariz., home Wednesday evening to catch a flight to Salt Lake City to attend a court hearing today in 3rd District Court before Judge Denise Lindberg to appoint new trustees to the United Effort Plan.

"Some of the names proposed are not law-abiding citizens," Petersen said. "I think whoever is chosen as trustees should have their background checked out."

The United Effort Plan, the financial arm of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is made up of land and other assets amassed by church members primarily living in the Hildale and Colorado City area.

Petersen was born and raised in the polygamist community, which was formerly known as Short Creek. Although she no longer resides there, she has family that does. Over the years, they have contributed land and money to the trust.

Petersen said some of the proposed trustees are apostates - those who are no longer part of the FLDS church - and would not be accepted by people still living in the twin cities.

Instead, Petersen wants to propose to the judge that well-educated people outside of the FLDS church and without ties to the area should be selected. She also doesn't want the court to rush the issue.

"I think we need to take a deep breath and step back and take it slow and look at doing what is in the best interest of all the people who are beneficiaries of the trust," she said.

"We need to know the intentions of the trustees," Utah Assistant Attorney General, Tim Bodily, said. "We don't want someone who is going to go in there and liquidate the trust."

Until trustees are appointed, Bodily said the judge could expand court-appointed special fiduciary Bruce Wisan's role to administrative functions on a temporary basis until permanent trustees are in place.

Petersen said she doesn't want anything from the trust. She said she just wants to be sure it will be administered properly, not only for her family members, but other trust beneficiaries as well.

The exact assets of the trust are unknown, however land values are estimated at $100 million. Petersen said she believes the appointed trustees should be paid for their services.

"Whoever is appointed is going to have to clean up a large mess and they should be paid something," Petersen said. "Even with a small paycheck, it will be nothing compared to what Warren (Jeffs) was doing when they (the court) took the trust away from him."
 
TheSpectrum.com
Originally published August 4, 2005
 
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