Genola grudge? Someone cuts down official's trees

GENOLA — Some say vandalism on a Genola town councilman's property in this relatively crime-free area could be a vindictive act for his opposition to a controversial subdivision.

Councilman Chris Greenwood stepped outside his home near 700 South Main early Friday to find all the shade trees in front of his house and along a 300-foot circular drive — 11 in total — had been cut down, leaving thin, 3-to-4-foot tall stumps protruding from the ground. Police suspect the person or persons responsible struck sometime between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Greenwood said he's lived in Genola for seven years without experiencing an incident like this. He finds it remarkable vandals did this to his property just days after he spoke out against a measure to lift a temporary injunction banning building on a subdivision that's been a divisive issue for the community for quite some time.

"I don't know if this is a message that someone is trying to send to us," Greenwood said, "but if it is, the response is, 'This shall not stand."'

While Greenwood said he doesn't like to speculate, he wonders if the midnight marauders took exception to his outspoken opposition to the joint venture between Genola and Planning Commission Chairman Marty Larson because of perceived noncompliance and town officials' conflict of interests in the project.

"It's strangely coincidental," he said.

Santaquin Police Sgt. Kris Johnson said law enforcement agents have investigated the scene and have no suspects at this time. He said the incident qualifies as a third-degree felony and could be punishable by as much as five years in prison.

On Wednesday, the council revisited a May 28 vote to lift a temporary injunction on the Genola Meadows subdivision at 350 E. 800 North. The injunction was set on the development because some residents said it was out of compliance with town code that mandates a minimum lot size of 2.5 acres — eight of the 10 lots range from 2.08 to 2.31 acres.

The council voted 3-2 to lift the injunction, but Greenwood said his colleague, Councilman Bryan Draper, failed to disclose that he holds trust deeds on three of the lots in that subdivision when he voted to lift the injunction along with Mayor Eric Hazelet and Councilman Michael Vail. Genola resident Emily Clinger filed a formal complaint with Hazelet, stating she thinks the nondisclosure violated Utah code.