From Deseret News archives:

FLDS told to pay taxes or else

Published: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 1:56 p.m. MDT
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• Alvin Barlow, the former superintendent of the Colorado City Unified School District. The list obtained by the Deseret Morning News described him as "the last Barlow of any consequence left and was given Leroy Jeffs' (Warren's brother) mansion after he was kicked out."

• D. Robert Barlow, who is currently facing charges in Arizona related to a polygamous marriage to a teenage girl.

• Colorado City mayor pro tem Terrill Johnson, who was appointed to take over after Richard Allred abruptly and mysteriously quit.

"We think the mayor ought to pay it," Shields said of Johnson, who was sent a letter this week. If they do not pay property taxes on their homes by May 12, a notice to quit may be filed with the courts, which says they have five days to pay property taxes or get out.

"I'd love to see everybody pay their property taxes," Wisan said.

He has been facing an uphill battle trying to get members of the Hildale and Colorado City communities to listen to him. Recently, property taxes were paid on a compound being occupied by Lyle Jeffs, a younger brother of Warren Jeffs and presumably the FLDS Church's acting bishop. Wisan said FLDS members still did not know $14,000 was paid for Lyle Jeffs' property.

In the letters sent to the dozen names during the past week, Shields made them aware of Lyle Jeffs' actions.

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"Before expiration of the five-day deadline set forth in that letter, property taxes for the Louis Barlow compound (and all other property on that same tax parcel) were paid in full to the Washington County treasurer," the letter reads. "You may elect to follow the same procedure."

Shields said he hopes some will see what Lyle Jeffs did and follow suit. However, no one sees the property taxes being paid by FLDS faithful anytime soon. Warren Jeffs has reportedly told his followers not to pay the taxes.

"I'm hopeful that everyone will pay their property taxes and there will not be strife in the community," Wisan said. "Right now it appears that they still have not received an edict or mandate to pay their property taxes."

On Friday, four people began moving into homes in Hildale and Colorado City. They were reportedly booted out of their homes by Warren Jeffs, who let others move in. They petitioned Wisan to let them back in, have signed occupancy agreements and are willing to pay property taxes.

"I've been receiving a lot of letters of people asking about the possibility of moving in," he said.



E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com

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