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Herriman might be a small city, but when it comes to dirty politics, someone is playing like the big boys.
This week many residents -- no one knows how many but it appears to be widespread -- received a copy of a DUI citation given to City Council candidate Mick Shannon containing a large caption "Drugged Driving IS Drunk Driving."
Each of Shannon's three opponents deny any connection with the mailer, and it does not endorse any one candidate. On Nov. 3, voters will choose two candidates from a four-person field for the city's two at-large city council seats.
Shannon, a co-founder of the Children's Miracle Network, fully admits to receiving the citation, but said the mailer doesn't tell the entire story.
On July 3, 2008, Shannon took half an Ambien sleeping pill, prescribed by his doctor after back surgery and soon after he took a call from his son asking for a ride home from work, and Shannon went to get him.
As soon as Shannon got on the road, he began driving erratically and pulled over. A passer-by saw Shannon and called police.
A Salt Lake County Sheriff's deputy arrived on the scene, as did Shannon's wife, Karen, who had been called by her husband. The deputy issued the citation, but Shannon requested a blood draw for a full toxicology screen, which came back negative for alcohol or controlled substances.
Shannon pleaded guilty last December to reckless driving and was given a suspended $1,000 fine
On his campaign's Web site -- www.mickshannon.org -- he had previously posted a statement acknowledging the incident, but since the mailer's dispersal this week, he has posted all related court documents.
Negative campaigning has slowly been creeping into Herriman since the 2007 election, said incumbent Michelle Facer Baguley. She is disappointed that a nonpartisan municipal election includes such tactics.
Jerry Walker, an incumbent seeking re-election, said he talked about the citation earlier in the campaign with Shannon and told him it reflected poorly on the challenger's judgement.
"My personal opinion is that it reflects on his decision-making mechanism," Walker said Wednesday, adding that voters must decide for themselves. "If it were me ... people would be calling for my resignation."
Both Baguley and Walker said they were unaware of the mailer until The Salt Lake Tribune contacted them Wednesday .
Candidate Craig Tischner heard about the mailer from several neighbors, but was not surprised. He said the campaign has become a battle between old guard incumbents and newcomers trying to change how Herriman operates.
Tischner expects to be the next target. He said someone used Utah's public records laws to request any disciplinary citations he has received in his job with the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office. Tischer said he has had no citations, but is still concerned.
Anonymity could mean trouble for whoever sent the mailer against Shannon.
Utah law states that any campaign material not authorized by a candidate or their campaign must clearly state the name of the person who paid for the advertisement.
Lt. Gov. Greg Bell's office has not received any complaints, said office administrator Mark Thomas, but could investigate if contacted.
It's unknown how the mailer will impact voters. Herriman resident Jon Titus received a copy Tuesday, but said if anything it makes him sympathetic toward Shannon and said the mailer was a waste of money. He has already cast his vote by mail.
