Play by rules we all follow
 
Opinion
The Spectrum
 
The residents of the towns of Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Ariz., have been given the opportunity to take private ownership of the properties they have been living on and taking care of their whole lives. However, they don't seem to be willing to take advantage of the situation.

Most of the properties in the twin border towns had previously been under the control of the United Effort Plan (UEP) of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Under that scenario, people who had spent their entire lives building up a home could be forced off their land at the whim of church leaders.

However, with the UEP facing lawsuits and leaders from the FLDS Church not responding, the state of Utah was able to step in and take over as trustee of the Plan. The state wanted to make sure that those who had kept up the homes and properties of the UEP would have their chance to rightfully claim them.

Despite this opportunity for property ownership, trustee Bruce R. Wisan reports that the response of FLDS members and their leaders has been "wholesale lack of cooperation and hostility." He also claims that police officers in Hildale and Colorado City have been uncooperative.

Residents of both towns practice polygamy and may therefore be unwilling to work with a state agency for fear that they may be prosecuted. However, Wisan has clearly stated that the practice of polygamy "is not something that would cause one to be evicted from UEP assets."

The state is giving property owners in Hildale and Colorado City a valuable opportunity to take legal possession of lands and homes that they have rightfully been entitled to all along without having someone higher up in the FLDS Church telling them they have to leave. They are also being given the opportunity to enter the larger civil society as full-fledged property owners with all of the rights that go with such ownership.

However, property rights also come with responsibilities, such as paying taxes, signing legal documents, and following the rules that allow our society to trade real estate and buildings in a fair and functional way.

If the people of Hildale and Colorado City are not prepared to play by the rules, Wisan has said that he will take legal action which may include eviction. He will also ask the states of Utah and Arizona to decertify police officers who refuse to assist him in helping execute his duties as the court-appointed fiduciary. We support Wisan in both cases but hope it will not have to come to that.

Property owners in the twin towns can avoid such difficulties, and in the process help to secure valuable assets for their families, by simply acting in a mature and responsible manner in their dealings with state authorities.

That's all we ask of any citizen - polygamist or not.
 
TheSpectrum.com
Originally published March 14, 2006
 
Back