Did ex-Leavitt aide help Kennecott on Daybreak's TRAX?

Some local union leaders are accusing Kennecott Land of flexing political muscle and throwing around cash to ensure that UTA builds the future Mid-Jordan TRAX line into Kennecott's future mammoth Daybreak subdivision.

The Kennecott Coordinated Bargaining Committee, a part of the United Steelworkers Union of Utah that represents Kennecott mine workers, accused Kennecott Land of using a former governor Leavitt spokeswoman to pull strings for the proposed development in its June newsletter.

Vicki Varela, a former spokeswoman and deputy chief of staff for Gov. Mike Leavitt, is Kennecott Land's vice president for public policy. After she joined Kennecott, Varela was appointed to UTA's board of directors, on which she served from April 23, 2003, to April 27, 2004, according to UTA spokesman Justin Jones.

According to the Copperhead News, sent to union members, Kennecott hired Varela to use her former ties to influence UTA and ensure that TRAX is built at Daybreak. Varela also served in the President Bush campaign in 2000 and on the campaign leadership team for Utah for the Bush/Cheney 2004 campaign.

Daybreak is Kennecott's big foray into the home development business. Using several thousand acres of former mining property, Kennecott Land plans to build a specially designed community of over 13,000 homes, including businesses, office space and parks. The development is being touted as a "walkable community," which is expected to include high-speed Internet access in every home and easy access to TRAX.

Last week, Kennecott joined the cities of Murray, Midvale, West Jordan and South Jordan in donating $1.5 million to UTA to complete the $3.2 million environmental impact study of the Mid-Jordan line. UTA officials said the combined donation could push the TRAX project ahead at least a year.

Meanwhile, West Valley officials say they are working on trying to match half of the estimated $3.2 million environmental study for the West Valley TRAX line.

"Kennecott will benefit if TRAX extends to Daybreak at minimal cost to the company," states the union article. Meanwhile, Kennecott officials have said TRAX is key to completing their vision for Daybreak.

Kelly Hansen, a local United Steelworkers representative who has negotiated with Kennecott, said his group's concern is that Kennecott pay what's fair for light rail to an estimated 13,000 news homes over the next 15 years.

"Are they paying their fair share, given the financial benefits that they will reap?" Hansen asked. "Or are they getting off easy and letting the taxpayer take up most of the burden?"