From Deseret News archives:

Politicians are feeling ripples from Jordanelle

By Gib Twyman
Deseret News staff writer

Published: Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2001 10:13 a.m. MDT

| E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + -

Page:
< Previous
1
2

"We wanted representation for all the people instead of a small elected clique," said Wren, an airline pilot who has lived 22 years in Heber Valley.

"We wanted to get away from the good-old-boy system that tends to influence issues when power is in the hands of only three people.

"That goes for the entire valley, not just Jordanelle. Jordanelle was an issue for us, but I don't think it was the issue. I think we have to find out how much people who own summer homes up there want to be involved and whether they care," Wren said.

Heber City Mayor Lynn Adams is pretty sure they'll care. And Jordanelle development is very much on his mind.

"If it grows as fast as they think it will — though I have my doubts — then the political center of the county will begin to shift north toward Jordanelle," said Adams, a Utah Valley State College business professor.

"The Jordanelle development obviously hopes to attract wealthy homeowners, and wealthy people tend to be politically active. All you have to do is look at who tries to run Summit County. They're all people in the rich suburbs of Park City," Adams said.

Story continues below

Keeping an eye on Jordanelle was at least part of Adams' motivation for jumping in with both feet on the side of the seven-member commission issue.

The expanded-commission matter continues to come into play as Adams runs for re-election this November. Opposing him is Mike Moulton, at the forefront of Wasatch County Citizens for Conservative Government, the main group that had advocated continuing the three-member commission.

"Mike has Ralph Duke (current commissioner) and Mike Spanos (Wasatch County sheriff) out talking for him. I'm still going against the good-old-boy system," Adams said.

Adams was on the leading edge of the Voters for a Representative Government petition drive for a seven-member commission.

"I didn't want any more deals done in cars on the way to meetings," Adams said. "When we started the petition, I was the second one to sign that puppy."

E-MAIL: gtwyman@desnews.com