Comments about ‘Utah Gov. Gary Herbert given $10K by Alton Coal Development’

Of course, the Guv. pleads ignorance on the whole thing--typical politician. "What money? Who? For how much?" Blatantly disgusting.

Wow! I have never been impressed with the current Governor, but this is blatant corruption. My Governor is for sale, and apparently $10,000 is the going rate. This is why he is opposed to ethics reform.
Even if he didn't know about the donation, it appears very suspicious at the least. If he wants to claim true innocence, he will return the money.
Sad part of the story, he will probably get re-elected by a 60-40 margin and this won't even affect voter decision.

This permit had been in the works for more than 11 months with a 12 month deadline.

There is no indication that Herbert told anyone to do anything illegal, immoral, unethical or fattening. Since coal mining (of various types) is a BIG industry in this state, he is expected to meet with representatives, and most big firms (including lawyers, education, etc)make big donations to various politicians, Republican, Democrat, or both.

What we have here is a bunch of locals, some justly concerned about traffic, but much of the fuss is from transplants and out of state activists opposed to any industry at all. Let them go out and play in the vast wilderness already set aside as such while the rest of us try to eke out a living, and provide goods and services for the rest of the population.

Bye Herbert

The claim, by Herbert's office, that they knew nothing of the 10,000 donation,is totally laughable. Either they're lying,or they're incompetant concerning the management, or knowledge of the management of their own money. The best explanation for what occurred here, is that, as a result of the contribution, Herbert pressured the state regulators to speed up the approval of the coal company. Unless herbert can provide a plausible alternative explanation for this unfortunate series of ''coincidences'' he won't be getting my vote.

No evidence Herbert did anything wrong.
This was in the works for sometime, and as far as even the press can find out, Herbert didn't tell them to permit it.

I like and trust Herbert.
The media is just going after a story.

Love how this story on this website is buried while on other sites it is up front. Hmmm . . . wonder why?

Whether or not the governor knew about the donation is in some ways irrelevant. An ethical politician seeks not only to avoid impropriety, but even the appearance of impropriety.

I'm sure the governor is against cap and trade and thinks global warming is a lie. I wonder if there is a relationship with his ideas and taking Alton money.

I just can't understand how people here in Utah can talk about how big government is and how corrupt it is when we so clearly see how big industry and money really pull the strings. If our government is as corrupt as many here in Utah think it is, it's because our government is built upon the greed of corporations. The worshipping of "free enterprise" and money means we our building our society on a house of cards.

This whole mess with the governor and Alton and all the accusations between him, his staff and Peter Caroon just emphasize the point.