Polygamy Safety Net booted from college campus

Published: Thursday, April 2, 2009 2:40 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 

ST. GEORGE — A committee to help victims of abuse and neglect within a closed polygamous society won't be allowed to meet at a community college in Colorado City, Ariz.

"In an attempt to serve all populations of our communities, (Mohave Community College) administration has taken a stand to maintain a neutral, safe zone for all who wish to seek an education," Susan Hammon, the dean of the school, wrote in a letter made public at Thursday's meeting of the Safety Net Committee here.

"Many organizations such as the Safety Net provide valuable services to the area; however, Safety Net does land under the category of a political organization. To this end we are asking Safety Net and other committees with political ties to seek another location for their local meetings."

The decision has left the Safety Net seeking a new place to meet.

"I have to respect that the Safety Net does have a political connotation, and if it is keeping certain students from attending … we don't want to get in the way of education," said Pat Merkeley, the committee coordinator.

Story continues below

Members of the committee are considering other buildings within Colorado City, including public schools. The school recently opted not to renew the leases of county, state and federal offices that were housed in a trailer on its property. The community is home to members of the Fundamentalist LDS Church.

The Safety Net Committee is a coalition of government agencies, social welfare groups, polygamists and activists seeking to combat abuse and neglect in isolated communities.

— Ben Winslow

Recent comments

FLDS are lowlifes.

No morals | April 2, 2009 at 6:04 p.m.

They want services like food stamps to be available in the Colorado...

hypocrites | April 2, 2009 at 5:52 p.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

How about a campaign for drinking in general. Maybe, "Drinking...it doesn't...

Health insurance is evil. The system either needs to be completely socialized...

Most Utahns unhappy with Obama

So, you're just going to rely on good nature to fund roads, hospitals, etc.?...

Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore

Not that I care. ????????????????

Oil settles above $78

In 2000: "High natural gas prices are a short term phenomenon." In 2003...

Its simple, if you are rich its good times (half full), if you have nothing...

Sounds great but I wish they could of found someone for Ty Lee to fight, I...

Why is this news? The only thing that would make the delegation support...

He's been doing so well though. Just look at...............?

Find joy in life, Bishop Burton says

the laws of attraction work both ways. the universe brings you what you...

Advertisements