This petition is to urge the Lt. Governor's office and the Attorney General of Utah to investigate the ethics of a quid-pro-quo agreement between a developer and 5 candidates running for office in Orem, Utah. Recent coverage in the Salt Lake Tribune and on the Rod Arquette Show highlighted Woodbury Corporation's requirement of quid-pro-quo from candidates who want to place a sign on the prominent corners of 800 N. and State St. and the corner of 800 S. and 800 E. in Orem, UT.
In his interview, Jim Evans claimed he signed this CONTRACT because it was "already agreed to." That doesn't make any sense. While the city does have current commitments, why would there be a need for this contract to be signed again, if a prior contract between Mr. Jim Evans, as Orem's former mayor and Woodbury Corp. had already been signed and "agreed to?"
Candidates are elected to represent all of their constituents. They cannot do that if they sign side agreements with special interests in advance.
This negates the people's voice…period!
Tom Macdonald, in his interview stated that he signed, because not agreeing would be the same as "not be[ing] an honorable person." The opposite should be true.
WE BELIEVE IT IS WRONG TO SIGN A LEGALLY BINDING CONTRACT REGARDING DECISIONS TO BE CONSIDERED AND VOTED ON WHILE SOMEONE IS A CANDIDATE IN EXCHANGE FOR ANYTHING OF VALUE.
We believe that candidates cannot make legal commitments on behalf of the city before they are elected. Compromising his/her future service in this manner is WRONG.
We applaud the candidates that DID NOT SIGN this quid pro quo Woodbury Corp contract: DAVE YOUNG, LANAE MILLETT, and DAVID SPENCER.
To the five candidates that signed the Woodbury Corp. contract: JIM YOUNG, TOM MACDONALD, QUINN MEACHAM, SHAUNTEE ZUNDEL, and NICHELLE JENSEN, ask yourselves, "Why should the people in Orem want you as their leaders when you already compromised your representation of them by signing a legally binding contract with Orem's largest developer?"
Please sign the petition today to let Utah and Orem city government leaders know your concern for this troubling issue and urge them to investigate.
