Reader comments
Eagle Mtn. mayoral hopeful accused of real estate fraud

Brandley Roses | 6:30 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007

I've lived in Eagle Mountain for 8 years and I can attest to the fact that this town is controlled by developers who hand pick their candidates and destroy any opposition. If you simply look at the voting records of the city council members you will see how they have systematically taken away our open space, increased housing density and approved a mass a low quality starter homes for the benefit of the developer who couldn't get those things past any city official that wasn't bought and paid for.

Stephen | 7:22 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007

What is it about this city? Does it just attract the lowest life forms or what?

WHAT? | 8:05 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007

Is it Eagle Mountain or Point of the Mountain?? How about getting some of the probation officers to run instead of the criminals!

Comments continue below

kbute | 8:44 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007

Sounds like it's Trash Mountain.

Drew Tomlinson | 9:43 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007

I lived in Eagle Mountain for about 4 years, I knew most of these people. All of them are good people making questionable decisions.

To Brandley | 10:03 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007

Do you have any evidence? Let's see it. It is clear the residents DO NOT understand what Master Plans mean. They are often revised every few years. It isn't "black and white" or all inclusive. PLans change over time.

What IS NOT known is that John Walden and others have bailed this city out time and time again. Are you aware he forked over $14M (million) of his own dough?

If there is any shred of truth of your claims, produce it.

Anonymous | 10:47 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007

The developers aren't causing these people to commit acts of fraud.

To Brandley's Responder | 10:58 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007

The evidence your seeking is the fact that there is a contract that John Walden created with Eagle Mountain City that states he can do and change any ordinance he chooses that is to his benefit. He changed zoning (1000 acres worth) that was to be for residents benefit and value (golf courses and open space). But he figured his pocket book wasn't deep enough. In the 7 yrs I've lived here there has been promise after promise that has not come to fruition (parks, trails, etc). Mark Madsen said himself that the developers have a vested interest in this city and you can't tell me that they don't put in office who they want. As far as John Walden giving the City money. He was suppose to pay for much of the infrastructure and didn't(especially the sewer in the City Center). So if he did give the City money he finally paid for some of what he was suppose to in the first place. Are we all suppose to give him kodos? Take a look at the "stack-n-shack homes" in the City Center. Do ALL City Residents benefit from them or just developers pockets?

Brad Roses | 11:54 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007

Thanks for that response for me. That's right, we don't understand how you guys work the master plan. You show me a master plan with open space and golf courses and walking trails and buffers so that I will buy your homes, then you take it all away and turn the place into a tenement slum and when you're thru you leave town. The only way you can change the plan and development code is to buy politicians to make those changes and that is what you do. John Walden bought a bankrupt ranch for pennies and made a massive fortune by Eagle Mountain becoming a town. He put in infrastructure so he could turn his massive profits. He is owed nothing. Why is Eagle Mountain in the news? Because the land speculator and his cronies create dirt and feed sewage to the willing media. Every negative story in the press has been fed to the media by those people and they alone are the source of the bad press about this city.

IM | 12:03 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007

I am going to have to offer a prayer up for Eagle mountain. I know many residents there and thing that they are good people but this is beyond ridiculous.

DBG | 12:06 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007

In the mist of all this, I have learned that the City hasn't been keeping their promises to the developers either. That's why the CC looks the way it is and progresses slowly.

If you really cared about anything, you'd be involved, not moving away. But something tells me there is nothing you can dig up to sustain your rhetoric.

The builders are afraid to build because of the City failing on their promises. The Impact Fees are ridiculous for starters.

But you are right about one thing, the whole thing was a bad apple from day one. Unfortunately, there isn't much we can do about this.

But I would love to see any evidence against the developers. No one can produce it.

Scott A. | 12:07 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007

What color is the sky over Eagle Mountain? Seems like everyone is in their own world there. Just goes to show you - in a blind mans world, a one eyed man is king. "Completely legal and ethical at the time" Richard Culbertson says. Bad move and you got caught with no remorse. Must be something in the well water out there.

Connect the Dots DJones | 3:29 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007

I would be immensely interested in any proof that the City Center Developer gave $14 Million of his own money out of the goodness of his heart... Or was that something he did upfront and then threatened the city to bond him out of it?

You say that Master Plans are fluid to be changed at whim with no advanced notice and at the fancy of the developer... but they are also contracts with the city and its residents and with any contract renegotiation there is a key word NEGOTIATION. There is no option, in the Eagle Mountain Properties world for such a thing...

It is also obvious you have not been in public office when Walden came to force his position upon you... clear you haven't talked with those who have sought to do right by the residents and not the developer.

Proof indeed...just wonder how much he gives you to own your soul?

DBG | 4:09 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007

DCJones

You are an overzealot and have been from day one. I've lived here much longer than you. I know you have moved around and have not such a "squeeky clean" background yourself. But you are not on trial, Culbertson is.

If you want the proof, GRAMA the papers and get it and look at it objectively and you will see it. Oh wait, you've got Strouse tangled in her web too. Ah, never mind, you couldn't think rationaly about this anyway.

human | 8:53 a.m. Oct. 22, 2007

So Culbertson wants us to believe he was forced by the developers to commit fraud? Hmmmm. Has he lost his mind too?

The real Brad Rose of EMC | 5:50 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Whoever is signing in as Brandley Roses or Brad Roses and trying to hide behind my name, you better get your facts straight..You mention that I've lived here in EMC for 8 years, then you say 7. Which is it? The real fact is I've lived here since June of 05. Before you try to hide behind someone's name you better get your facts straight. This just makes you look foolish. If you are so passionate about your about EMC city government, be straight up about it and stop trying to weave me into your web. Makes me and others wonder if any of the other stated info has any credibility.

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