Boyd Thaxton and other area residents said in an e-mail to news reporters that they opposed the incorporation of Aspen because Sellers would have had the ability to choose the mayor and town council for the first two years of incorporation.

Thaxton's group said proposed developments would have been regulated by people chosen by Sellers.

"(This) is not a grass-roots effort to stop all development," the group stated. "If Mr. Sellers wishes to develop his property, the majority of the existing residents are supportive of planned, controlled and regulated growth."

But Thaxton said residents don't want the same individual to have power to control property, taxes and zoning, and condemn people's homes.

Thaxton lambasted HB466, which the Utah Legislature passed during the 2007 general session. The bill relaxed the requirements for towns to incorporate.

Recently, Sen. Dennis Stowell, R-Parowan, submitted a draft bill to strengthen HB466 by requiring a vote of the residents in an area proposed for incorporation as a town.

The Political Subdivisions Interim Committee unanimously passed the draft bill as a committee bill, which will be given priority for consideration during the 2008 Legislature.

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E-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com