From Deseret News archives:
Mapleton tiff over but not forgotten
Petitioners' aim is free speech 'without fear of reprisal'
Wendy Hendry, who lives in Mapleton, planned to ask for Councilman Ben Card's resignation when she gave the signed petitions to other city officials.
But she decided not to call for Card to step down after he backed off a previous threat of barring Leslie Cranmer, a volunteer emergency medical technician, from taking part in city emergency efforts after the two squared off at a city event.
The petition asks that the City Council allow residents, no matter their position, "to express their opinions without fear of reprisal."
City officials, aware of the brewing brouhaha, tried to quell any problems.
The tiff between Card, who declined to talk about the petitions with the Deseret Morning News, and Cranmer, who was unavailable for comment, was resolved amicably without removing her from the ambulance crew, City Manager Robert Bradshaw said.
However, residents are still angry. Hendry said she would continue with her petition just to let the City Council know that taxpayers are watching what they are doing. People should not have to fear reprisals from government leaders for being outspoken, Hendry said.
The tiff occurred May 26 during an open house when the city was presenting architectural renderings of its new City Hall to the public.
Cranmer, Fire Chief Dave Stewart and EMT Grace Nay were having a discussion when Card approached them. A discussion ensued over why Nay wasn't named to a committee overseeing the renovation of City Hall.
Nay, former ambulance director, supported fired police chief Mike Roberts when he was terminated suddenly by the council in January. Nay's stance against the council for firing Roberts was allegedly cited as the reason Nay was not named to the committee.
And that's when Cranmer and Card had their verbal altercation.
The next day Card wrote a letter to Mayor Dean Allen requesting her removal. Rather, Bradshaw sent Cranmer a letter on June 2 instructing her to send a letter of apology to Card with copies to Stewart and Nay.
She was also put on six month's probation.
City officials say Cranmer apologized.
E-mail: rodger@desnews.com
Comments
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 4:31 a.m.
- TCU 55, Utah 28 4:24 a.m.
- BYU 24, New Mexico 19 4:21 a.m.
- Jazz game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Stanford ends Y's soccer season 2:20 a.m.
- Jazz hope D-Will returns soon 2:19 a.m.
- Snow, SUU lose 2:18 a.m.
- Toone saves day for Wildcats 2:15 a.m.
- Win in New Mexico good for Y? 2:15 a.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- D-Will home for daughter
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Crash on snowy road kills woman
- BYU happy to escape with victory
- GameDay in Fort Worth
- Born of water and the spirit
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
358 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - BYU happy to escape with victory
194 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - TCU creams U.
134 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
106 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
So Great!!! So Proud - Love RSL - Bring Home The CUP!!!!!
mr cannon's bold assertation that the purpose of the first ammendemnt as...
Great great great game!!!! Nicky Rimando is a god! We're the most complete...
I had the game on DVR and just watched it. That was the most exciting game...
financially cannot this year, but I will watch loyally, how great to hear...
This is hardly surprising. Bennett has a remarkable arrogance which is also...
I guess that is why "they play the game" as Herman Edwards would say.. ...
What was the score of the LSU vs LA tech game? Alot closer than you'd like to...
Has Fedor not said that THIS IS OUR YEAR all year long? Go back and...
This is just a small glimpse of the future with Obamacare: corruption, waste...

You can be the first to comment on this story.