This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Embattled state Sen. Chris Buttars not only is in the habit of trying to usurp city governments that pass ordinances he doesn't like and making insensitive remarks that offend minorities, he also likes to threaten judges who rule against his friends.

After 4th District Judge Derek Pullan ruled against developer Wendell Gibby in a land dispute with the city of Mapleton, Buttars wrote the judge a scathing letter on his Senate stationery and pointed out that he is the chairman of the Senate Confirmation Committee.

Gibby, a radiologist, owns 120 acres in an "Environmentally Restricted Zoning District" in the foothills above Mapleton and has been in a lengthy legal dispute with the city for years over his attempts to develop the land.

Pullan had ruled that the city could force a right of way on Gibby's land under the theory of a "one-way emergency access road," which triggered Buttars' ire.

"As chair of the Senate Confirmation Committee," Buttars reminded the judge, "I was subject to some criticism for having supported your confirmation. Your critics expressed concern for your lack of legal experience, they were also concerned that your political participation on some issues would prejudice future decisions."

Buttars also wrote: "I had hoped that we had appointed a judge that would err on the side of individual rights, not a liberal activist judge who would champion government." He added that he was "embarrassed" that he had supported Pullan.

Gibby has been a campaign supporter and a fundraiser for Buttars, a West Jordan Republican. Buttars has sponsored several bills that benefit Gibby, and he has allowed Gibby to use his Senate office to do his own lobbying, which prompted complaints from some legislators.

Eating their own? You might remember LaVar Christensen, the Republican legislator from Draper who was elected to the Utah House after criticizing his opponents for not supporting "family values."

He left the Legislature to run against Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson because, he said, Matheson didn't represent "Utah values."

He lost, but his legislative seat was taken over by another conservative Republican, Sylvia Andersen.

Now, he's back. Christensen has been lurking around the House during the session soliciting support for another bid for his House seat against Andersen.

Because she's not strong enough on "family values."

Soil-flooding research? At the University of Utah's Research Park on Thursday, the building on the south side of Wakara Way, at the intersection with Foothill Boulevard, had its sprinklers going full blast - and the lawn was covered with snow.

Outsourcing jobs: Outdoors enthusiasts receiving in the mail their 365-day combination small-game hunting and fishing licenses from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources have noticed the return address is "Wildlife Administrative Services, P.O. Box 1515, Fallon, NV.