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Self-described cowboy Mike Noel, the Republican state representative from Kanab, has said he plans to introduce legislation next year that would have local cops, not the dreaded feds, enforce laws on public lands.
But David Simonson of Farmington, N.M., might be wondering if that is a good idea.
Simonson was driving on Highway 191 north of Monticello on June 6 when another motorist saw him pass a truck and called police dispatch, claiming he had passed the truck in a no-passing zone.
A highway patrol trooper responded to the call and pulled Simonson over in Monticello, giving him a citation.
The witness: San Juan County Administrator Rick Bailey, who is the supervisor of the county that employs the county attorney prosecuting the case and the judge who will hear the case in San Juan County's justice court today.
Simonson, who notes the fine money will go into San Juan County coffers, wonders if the deck might be stacked against him.
Bailey told me he could make the story even better. The county attorney, Craig Halls, is Bailey's brother-in-law.
But he notes that the county attorney is elected, so he is an independent official, and the judge, Lyon Hazelton, must stand for retention elections, so he too is independent.
Bailey, who has been subpoenaed as a witness in the case, thinks Simonson will get his fair day in court.
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Brother Bubba? » Google recently advertised
There are lines provided for the applicant's name and address, then an icon to hit that brings up all the states. The applicant then clicks his or her home state and types in the city.
One problem. The list has every state to choose from except Utah.
So one local applicant decided to hit Alabama, then typed in Salt Lake City, Alabama.
His application was accepted.
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How to impress the boss? » Marla Kennedy sent an electronic news release Friday alerting the media that her boss, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker would be "repelling" down the Grand America Hotel to promote the Special Olympics.
She quickly sent a correction letting everyone know she doesn't find her boss repelling. He would be "rappelling" down the hotel and, really, is quite charming.
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Double trouble » Between 7800 South and 9000 South on 700 West, police officers from two jurisdictions -- Midvale and Sandy -- lurk in the bushes awaiting clueless drivers going ever slightly over the 30 mph speed limits.
Folks say the Midvale cops pounce out of their bushes to write ticket after ticket, then when the unhappy drivers continue south and passes the border, the well-hidden Sandy cops pounce for a second bite of the apple.
But just a few hundred feet from the Sandy speed trap lies a dead skunk that has been in the road for some time, rotting and stinking, with nobody bothering to haul it away.
