Importance of Oath of Office; Keeping Your Word - Evidently Some Do and Some Don't

Washington County Republican Primary Race: Two strong, ethical republican candidates for the office of County Attorney. Both, Brock Belnap and Nathan Caplin were able to present desirable qualities…..Honesty and Trustworthy Attributes…..A reflection on how they live their private and public lives……Without a tinge of QUESTIONABLE private business practices.

I could not help but compare the County Political Climate with Municipal Political Antics…..Made known by the CITY ATTORNEY’S support of a Motion to Dismiss the Class Action Law Suit filed against the City….. Which as expected brought forth…..“Opposition to Motion to Dismiss”.  I will (with my limited abilities) attempt to contrast the behavior and performance of individuals that represent the two government agencies…..That revealed to us cause for concern as to how the City of St. George allegedly approves and implements  Code Enforcement Practices. (Kind of like IRS. Who is to be targeted and why? Abuse of power?)

The Character Differences of County and Municipal Politicians.

First, I wish to apologize for the unintended similarities that appear between U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder and City Attorney, Sean Guzman, as they both seem to have a propensity for deciding on which laws they chose to enforce.....Depending on the Political Climate and on who they may be trying to protect and serve. (Maybe, just maybe this could be cleared up with a clear and candid discussion on WHAT is going on with Code Enforcement or an explanation of Vacillation Practices on Enforcement).    

Since we have just recently been exposed to County Politics and gotten the measure of their Character, I will draw your attention to Municipal Politics.

SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND WHY CITY OPTED TO KEEP CITIZENS IN THE DARK AND UNINFORMED begs the question. Is failure to correct a wrong the RIGHT course of action or should the City “Buck  Up, and Do What is Right”?

I can best do this by bringing to your attention the Memorandum In Opposition To Motion To Dismiss…..*Hearing Requested* filed by Aaron J. Prisbrey and Trevor C. Sanders, Attorneys for Plaintiffs. (Dated June 11, 2014).

STATEMENT OF ALLEGED & INFERRED FACTS (REFER PAGE xii AND xiii)

V. Fourteenth Amendment Violations: Equal Protection, (Class of One).

56. The named plaintiffs are St. George residents, as are unnamed Plaintiffs they represent. Likewise Mayor Daniel Mc Arthur and St. George City Councilman Gil Almquist are St. George City residents.

57. Plaintiff John Rowley has been charged in the City’s ACE court with “Unlawful Commercial Activity in Residential Zone.

58. Mc Arthur is allowed to operate a recycling business in a downtown area of Defendant City that prohibits this business operation by zoning ordinances. See Pls.’ Am. Compl., at 70(e).

59. The City never investigated McArthur’s recycling business even though it operates in violation of the City’s ordinances, until a citizen organization made such a request for an investigation. Id.

60. The City never enforced its ACE ordinances against McArthur’s recycling business and has instead classified this business as a non-conforming use. Id. 70,116.

61. Councilman Gil Almquist is allowed to operate a landscaping business in a downtown area of the City that prohibits this business operation by zoning ordinances. Id. 70(d) 117.

62. The City never investigated Almquist’s landscaping business even though it operates in violation of the City’s ordinances, until a citizen organization made such a request for an investigation. Id.

63. The City never enforced its ACE ordinances against Almquist’s landscaping business even though it operates in violation of the City’s ordinances. Id.

I feel it important to have provided you with a brief view of what has been presented to the Court as this process moves painfully and slowly through the legal system. It is necessary because the City continues to experience the unintended consequences of inaction and confusion as to what the City should be doing in the area of Code Enforcement…..It impacts us each and every day….. Not to mention property values and concerns for those buying and selling property. 

Mayor, City Manager, City Attorney…..You can run, but you can’t hide………… DO YOUR DUTY! ……Keep your word to enforce all laws equally and fairly. (Who gets fined and who’s fines are waived? At least tell us how the game is to be played).

To the Citizens of St. George: Hold City Officials Accountable. It’s you duty to do so.

Thank you, Ed Baca