​June 25, 2020  •  Nelson Phillips  •  Staff Writer

   Candidates for Box Elder County Commission Seat C have disclosed their campaign contribution and expenditure reports for the current election cycle.
   By law the reports needed to be disclosed to the county one week prior to the June 30th primary election, but with “vote by mail” Box Elder residents have actually been casting their ballots since June 9th, calling the current filing requirement timelines into question.
   Commissioner Stan Summers, the two-term incumbent, led all candidates in total fundraising, listing contributions of $16,645 and spending of $16,589 since April 1st. The majority of Summers’ fundraising consisted of personal contributions of $500 or less, coming from individuals living in or near Box Elder County. 
   Notable contributions include $5,500 from Summers himself; $2,000 from TNU Properties, a company associated with the True North medical marijuana growing operation in Box Elder County; $1,500 from Kyle Roberts, associated with Salt Lake-based commercial real estate developer Newmark Grubb Acres; $1,500 from Gather, a political signature-gathering company; $1.000 from LW Miller Trucking; $1,000 from Blue Ox Development, a company wanting to put a gravel mining operation followed by a housing development in South Willard; $545 from a group associated with Utah House Representative Lee Perry; $500 from Congressman Rob Bishop’s campaign and another $250 contribution from Bishop as an individual; $500 from the Foxley and Pignanelli law firm, which has lobbied on behalf of the Promontory Point landfill, but also whose owner, according to Summers, has been a long-time family friend; and $500 from Enyo, a company building two solar energy farms in the county.
   Candidate Kris Udy is close behind Summers in fundraising, disclosing $14,120 in contributions since March 20, while spending the entire amount of $14,120, mostly on Udy’s ubiquitous campaign signs seen all over the county.
   As with Summers, the majority of Udy’s contributions were amounts of $500 or less from individuals, mostly living in Box Elder County.
    Udy herself was her biggest donor, listing $5,075 coming out of her own pocket. Other noteworthy contributions include $2,000 from Rupps Trucking, a Tremonton-based company associated with excavation, gravel mining and waste disposal; $1,200 from Tremonton resident Hugh Clark; $1,000 from the Bar M Ranch in Bothwell, owned by the Moulding family, which has been trying to get approvals to construct a 220-acre landfill in Hansel Valley; $1,000 from Northshore Rock in Honeyville, owned by  Brent Kenley, who also owns a mining operation near the Promontory Point landfill and stood with Udy to oppose the opening of that landfill; $500 from T&M Manufacturing, a steel fabrication company in Tremonton; $500 from Garn Cattle Company in Fielding; $500 from JJ Land and Livestock in Harper Ward; and $500 from Misrasi Concrete in Garland.
   Mitch Zundel listed a total of $1,667 in campaign contributions, all of which came from private donors in amounts of $200 or less.
    Alden Farr listed $4,494 in contributions, all of which came out of his own pocket.

June 24, 2020  •  Nelson Phillips  •  Staff Writer

   With the 4th of July just around the corner and fireworks stands going up in retail parking lots around the county, both Brigham City and Perry have implemented fire and fireworks restrictions in their respective cities.
   Perry’s ordinance is ongoing every year, and defers to the judgment of the city’s fire marshal to set fire and fireworks restrictions where and when deemed appropriate. Currently the city contracts with Brigham City to provide fire services, and thus shares its fire marshal and fire chief with Brigham City.
   Brigham City currently passes a new ordinance every year, though that may change as discussions considering adopting an ordinance similar to Perry’s are being held. 
  At Thursday’s meeting of the Brigham City Council, an ordinance was adopted issuing fire and fireworks restrictions in certain parts of the city. Those restrictions passed by a four to one vote, with Councilmember Tom Peterson voting against as he has for several years, feeling that some of the restrictions on the east side of the city are too restrictive.
   Brigham City’s restricted area encompasses areas east of Hwy 38 from 900 North to 1500 North; east of Highland Blvd from 100 North to 900 North; east of 700 East from Forest St to 100 North; east of 700 East from 1100 South to Forest St; and all areas east of Michelle Drive to 1100 South. Additional restriction areas include all areas south of Forest St West of Interstate 15, and north of Hwy 13 east of Airport Road.
   Perry’s fire restrictions encompass all areas to the west of the Union Pacific railroad tracks; all areas east of Highway89 south from 3000 South; all areas south and west of Peach Street (South 450 West) to 2500 South; areas west of Elk Grove Drive between 2400 South and 2500 South; areas west of 385 West between 2500 South and 2100 South; areas west of Sunridge Drive (225/250 West) from 2000 South to approximately 1800 South; areas south and east of 1750 South and 165 West; all areas east of 25 East from 1750 South to 1500 South, and all areas east of Dentwood Drive between 1500 South and the city limit. An additional restriction zone has been established west of Perry Street between 3275 South and 3400 South, extending to Bing Avenue on the west;
   In restricted areas, both cities prohibit all open fires, except campfires in facilities built for them in approved campgrounds, picnic areas or permanently improved places of habitation. Smoking has also been prohibited unless in a vehicle, building, or area that is free from vegetation at least 3 feet in diameter. Fireworks of any kind and tracer ammunition, as well as any other type of pyrotechnic device are banned, as are chainsaws without spark arrestors, off road travel in any motor vehicle, blasting, welding, or any other activity which generates sparks and flame.
   The restrictions go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 1st, and will remain in effect until rescinded by the fire chief or fire mashal.
   Willard City has not yet passed fire and fireworks restrictions this year, but typically does so before the 4th of July, prohibiting fires and fireworks east of Hwy 89.