Latest news article on the sutherlands

[Evan Jamison]

The meeting on Wednesday didn't go as smoothly as hoped. One Lady even stormed out of the meeting after saying the snakes would only come to Mapleton "over her dead body". This whole thing just irks me so bad!

http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_4235467

-Evan

[elevatethis]

Playing the devil's advocate...I think that the Sutherlands should have gotten their permits straight before investing so much capital into the buildings/barns that they had already constructed. I'm also confused as to how they got the proper building permits to construct the buildings themselves prior to obtaining approval on a conditional use permit for the business to operate on.

Either way, that really sucks for them. The council is making the issue out to be about zoning regulations and no more, meanwhile the interpretation of the commercial limits on the land usage is going to be affected by public opinion based on fear of snakes.

Those council members would probably have a hard time getting re-elected if they approved a permit for a snake breeding facility within a mile of an elementary school. That sounds rediculous and perfectly acceptable to us, but to a layperson who can't tell a ball python from a king cobra, that's certainly got to be a frightening proposition.

I wish them the best of luck with this...

[Waldorf_301]

Sounds like a little town...it'll be hard to getanything done.

Because you have to get into community politics and work from there...
small minds are hard to change keep up the good fight!

[Waldorf_301]

elevatethis brings up a good point. why not research a little more before they put in all that capital.... either way, I hopeit works out

[benhamtroll]

Especially difficult in small towns in Utah. Having lived in the area, I can attest to the power that certain members of the community can hold over the decision making process. I'd like to think that they'll get their approval, but I'm thinking that they're pretty much out of luck.

[elevatethis]

I can see Utah small town people protesting the snake farm and picketing the council meeting chanting, "Multiple wives OK multiple snakes NO WAY!"

[cassandra]

I can see Utah small town people protesting the snake farm and picketing the council meeting chanting, "Multiple wives OK multiple snakes NO WAY!"

Weeelll...that's really a gross generalization about people who live in Utah, the multiple spouse thing. From what I understand from local friend who are LDS, that is very taboo and way outside the faith...

[shhhli]

LOL pythons so close to an elementary school. well of course the first place the snakes will go is after children 400 times their size and not the 'feed' barn right next door.

[Waldorf_301]

It was a joke used to get a point across... get a sense of humor

[benhamtroll]

Yes. Say what you will about the LDS church, the polygamists are in isolated little communities (mostly), and have all been excommunicated by the mainstream church, which aids the FBI in their efforts to prosecute. (Check out Jon Krakauer's 'Under the Banner of Heaven' more info than you've ever wanted . . .)

However, especially in small towns in Utah, if a powerful member of the local Stake takes a stand on something, you can bet that it will have a serious impact on what happens. Not that this is a religious issue, but it doesn't have to be . . .