Enrollment at Mohave Community College's campus in a polygamous community at the Utah-Arizona state line has dropped more than 50 percent over the past five years -- a decrease a top official attributes to a government center located on its property.
Now, the college is asking the county to cease use of the Multi-Use Facility that houses law enforcement and social service agency offices.
Chancellor Michael J. Kearns has informed Mohave County Manager Ron Walker the college will not renew a property lease set to expire April 1. The county may option monthly extensions for up to six months, when two modular trailers must be moved and the property restored to its original condition.
Darryle Purcell, Mohave County spokesman, said no decisions have been made about moving to a new location or consolidating services elsewhere because the college's notice has not yet been presented to the Board of County Supervisors.
Mohave County moved portable trailers onto the property, located on Central Street, in 2004 -- the first state government presence in the town and a strong indicator of the attention being paid to the polygamous community by Utah and Arizona authorities.
The town, which adjoins Hildale, Utah, is primarily occupied by members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Some residents belong to a separate polygamous group primarily based in Centennial Park, Ariz., or are not affiliated with either faith.
The facility has been used by a victim advocate, a caseworker for the Department of Economic Security, and Gary Engles, the Mohave County investigator who developed criminal cases involving FLDS leader Warren S. Jeffs and other sect members. Purcell said other county departments periodically used the office space, too.
The county also subleased space last June to Defenders of Children, a nonprofit associated with former FLDS member Flora Jessop. Arizona state legislator David Lujan, backer of a bill to limit custody rights of parents involved in child bigamy, is the nonprofit organization's staff attorney.
Jessop and other anti-polygamy activists predicted few residents would venture into the facility. With the exception of the assistance office, that turned out to be largely true, even for non-FLDS members.
"There were people in our community who felt uncomfortable going into the facility and discussing their needs when Gary Engles was there," said Marlyne Hammon, a member of the Centennial Park Action Committee.
She said the center's location was not an issue when it came to use of the college, which employs a number of Centennial Park members.
But Kearns said he believes the center definitely contributed to the north campus' falling enrollment.
"We've had many, many people tell us they will not come to the college because of that," Kearns said.
Kearns said the Colorado City campus had an enrollment of more than 800 students before the government center's creation. Last year, enrollment dipped to 350, he said.
"There are other factors that make us feel this would be a good move on our part," he added. "By staying away from the politics, it can be a safe, non-judgmental place to be educated."
FLDS spokesman Willie Jessop said the facility was "as welcome as a skunk at a picnic.
"It is a central hub for any anti-polygamy program," he said, and was a major reason FLDS members began attending colleges outside the community.
"That is why they have to go to Cedar [City] when they could go right there in the community," he said.
