From Deseret News archives:
Goshen manager makes waves
Some residents object as he redoes outdated ordinances, seeks grants
Sutton, who is Goshen's first town manager, was hired in March at an annual salary of $37,000 plus benefits.
With change in the air, some residents are digging in their heels, saying tiny Goshen, with a population of less than 1,000, isn't a Santaquin, referring to the town of 6,500 a few miles east, and is too small to justify the hiring of a full-time manager.
Sutton currently spends most of his days going over antiquated city ordinances and bringing them into compliance with federal, state and county standards. Some of the updates are required before the town can receive federal funds.
He also has applied for several grants to generate more funding for needed projects.
Sutton says the folks who oppose his hiring are in the minority although they are very vocal.
"The others, who are happy with the way things are going, don't have anything to talk about," Sutton said.
Part of the opposition stems from the fact that Sutton doesn't live in Goshen, but 35 miles away in Orem. Opponents are also upset that he was hired over a couple of local residents who also applied for the job, Sutton said.
Postmaster for five years, Stevensen said she suffered similar small-town hostility when she first started. Like Sutton, she isn't a Goshen resident.
"Some of the people who were meanest to me are now my best friends because they know I follow the rules and everyone benefits," Stevensen said.
Prior to taking the job, Sutton was city manager of Brian Head in Iron County. In all, the New Zealand native has 27 years of auditing and administrative experience. He won't say how old he is but notes, "I've got grandchildren."
City officials said during the search that the town manager would be doing both office and outside work as necessary. While Sutton spends most of his time in the office, he's also spent time helping fence the cemetery and doing other manual labor.
Still, one vocal opponent, 76-year resident Bill White, complained, "He hasn't picked up a shovel yet."
"I told him enough is enough," Sutton said of White's complaining. "Not once has he asked if we're doing anything to fix the problems."
Comments
- 3A: Hurricane 24, Park City 19 2:29 a.m.
- GameDay back in the MWC 2:19 a.m.
- Westminster campus briefs 1:49 a.m.
- SUU campus briefs 1:48 a.m.
- Dixie campus briefs 1:47 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake gameday 1:33 a.m.
- 5A: Bingham rolls to title game 12:59 a.m.
- Aggies hope for Spartan cure 12:57 a.m.
- 5A: Miners pull tricks to win 12:56 a.m.
- 5A: Davis runs over Hunter 12:54 a.m.
- Williams leaves, won't play tonight
- Unga family is making its mark
- Selfishness to blame for Jazz woes?
- Study: Divorce likely when wife ill
- ESPN suddenly loves MWC
- Trial begins in toddler death
- Historically, Utes have owned TCU
- Two killed in Iron County crash
- 4A: Thunderbirds dynasty lives on
- Man killed during 3rd I-15 crash
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
348 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
199 - Senators want food tax restored
162 - Will state consider gay rights law?
145 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
113 - Celtics crush Jazz
103 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
102 - Hatch empathizes with Muslims
88
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...
True. It's not terribly funny and if it has any effect on society, it won't...
What else would you expect to find in a book called "The Founders on Religion"?
Ok not to be rude here, but check the stats, Hinds isnt first in yards and...
t-hinds = best player in utah
Anonymous: Was that English? I though conservatives believed if you are in...
Wow! Glad the Lord kept you safe. Separate comment: That was a horrible...
I have never been to a Utah high school game before as I am not from the...
It would behoove the above commenters to recall that religion, including our...
Only 8000 attendance? BYU had 16,000+ tonight. What is wrong with Ute fans?...
ian you are the 3A MVP If you win next week so just do it that would be nice....


You can be the first to comment on this story.