GOP Boots out Commissioners, Attorney
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www.tooeletranscript.com TUESDAY TOOELE RANSCRIPT Ghost towns T draw bikers to county for 100-mile ride. See B1 BULLETIN April 25, 2006 SERVING TOOELE COUNTY SINCE 1894 VOL. 112 NO. 96 50 cents GOP boots out commissioners, attorney Fed sting by Jesse Fruhwirth STAFF WRITER catches Republicans tossed out three incumbents who sought re-election at the county convention Friday. illegals Eyes widened and jaws dropped, even from some of the delegates, as the results were read. None of the top county positions will be con- in Tooele tested during the June Republican primary season due to the over- by Karen Hunt whelming convention results. STAFF WRITER In his address to conven- Federal agents seized 12 undocu- tion-goers, county commissioner mented workers at Pallet Industries Matthew Lawrence said “a commis- in Tooele City last Wednesday. sioner is the voice and face, we are The arrests were part of a national the person that represents Tooele.” sting involving a 14-month investiga- Later in his speech, referring to the tion of IFCO Systems, which owns county’s unfair and negative reputa- Pallet Industries. Agents arrested tion, he added, “we have to change seven managers and 1,187 undocu- the image of this county.” mented workers in 26 states. Apparently delegates agreed, per- Sid Siders, Special Agent haps more than anyone could have with Immigration and Customs predicted. Enforcement (ICE), said agents Two-term county commissioner have found no evidence managers Dennis Rockwell was ousted in favor at the Utah Industrial Depot site of newcomer Bruce Clegg. Clegg were involved in the conspiracy. received a whopping 85 percent Local agents had been notified of of the delegates’ votes. Free from the investigation about two weeks the hassle of a primary challenger, prior to the raid. Clegg can focus on the November Managers face penalties of up election where he will face either of to 10 years in prison and a fine of two Democrats, Kendall Thomas or up to $250,000 for each undocu- Walt Shubert. mented worker they assisted. They First-term commissioner were charged with conspiring to Lawrence was likewise snubbed by transport, harbor and encourage the party. Jerry Hurst received 70 and induce illegal aliens to reside percent of the delegates’ votes and in the United States for commer- will be placed on the ballot against cial advantage and private financial Democrat Michael Johnson. gain. A seat on the county commission The arrests come in the face of pays $60,000 per year. The commis- national criticism that while undoc- sion position is a part-time respon- umented workers are maligned, sibility, but Hurst said he would businesses are rarely penalized for be “dedicated on a full-time basis” harboring undocumented workers. while Clegg said he would be a “full- Sider acknowledges in the past, time commissioner.” photography / Jesse Fruhwirth ICE’s main priority has been moni- A convention worker collects ballots after Friday’s surprising Republican County Convention, which ousted long-time incumbent County Attorney toring threats to society, like gang Doug Ahlstrom (seated far right) as well as County Commissioners Dennis Rockwell and Matt Lawrence. There will be no Republican primary as members or drug dealers, also here SEE CONVENTION ON A2 a result of the unprecedented outcomes of the convention held inside the Utah Firefighters’ Museum at the Deseret Peak Recreation Complex. illegally. “[But,] when you have a compa- ny that is knowingly hiring illegals, that’s benefiting from it we’re going On-track volunteers will view races up close, personal to crack down on that,” Sider said. As the Department of Homeland by Mark Watson who have worked at other racing next to Deseret Peak Complex. general meeting will be held Friday Motorsports Park still wants your Security unveils its Comprehensive STAFF WRITER venues are quick to point out that Miller Motorsports Park wants from 6-9 p.m. at the park. Then, on name if you are interested in becom- Immigration Reform Enforcement If you’re not quite ready to com- working on the track is almost as to build its database of people from Friday and Saturday extensive train- ing a volunteer. Information can be Strategy, some see the arrests as a mandeer your own race car or motor- thrilling as being in the driver’s seat. Tooele County who are interested ing sessions will be held from 8 a.m. obtained by visiting millermotors- sign of things to come. cycle during one of the major events “Working in the corner is the sec- in working on racing weekends as to 5 p.m. portspark.com. “Employers and workers alike coming up at Miller Motorsports ond-best seat at a race. The first is either off-track or on-track volun- “We need a pool of several hun- “Volunteering makes the race should be on notice that the status Park this year, there are other ways being in the driver’s seat,” said Ron teers. The facility will need more dred volunteers,” said Carolyn happen,” Stewart said. He and his quo has changed,” said Homeland to get close to the action. Stewart who will help train future than 100 volunteers during some of Ashburn, assistant general manag- wife Shauna know all about it. They Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. Seasoned on-track volunteers corner marshalls this weekend at the events. er. For those who cannot attend “These enforcement actions dem- the new Tooele County race track Now is the time to sign up. A the sessions this weekend, Miller SEE VOLUNTEERS ON A5 onstrate that this department has no patience for employers who tolerate or perpetuate a shadow economy. We intend to find employ- ers who knowingly or recklessly USU grads urged hire unauthorized workers and we will use every authority within our power to shut down businesses that exploit an illegal workforce to turn to impact world a profit.” ICE contests 53.4 percent of the Tooele Class of ’06 reflects college trend Social Security numbers contained on the IFCO Systems North America by Alleen Lang Tooele is growing, and is pro- Inc. payroll of roughly 5,800 work- jected to become a community CORRESPONDENT ers during 2005 were either inval- “What will they see in Tooele?” of over 150,000 people by 2050, id, did not match the true name Douglas S. Foxley, a member of he said. Technology is also grow- registered with the Social Security the Utah State University board ing, he added. Before the advent Administration for that number, or of trustees, said he saw this head- of the railroad it took months to belonged to children or deceased line in a copy of the propaganda go across the county. Now, he persons. The Social Security newspaper Pravda while tour- said, it is almost impossible to go Administration sent at least 13 writ- ing the U.S.S.R. almost 20 years someplace where the cell phone ten notifications to IFCO headquar- ago. At the time, the Soviet Union doesn’t work. ters about such discrepancies on its was sending missile inspectors to “The world is truly flat,” he payroll records in 2004 and 2005. Tooele County. said, noting Tooele is no longer an Tony Yapias, an activist with As the keynote speaker of the isolated place. Proyecto Latino de Utah, thinks it Utah State University — Tooele Addressing the 55 graduates, is unfortunate the company did not graduation Saturday, Foxley used he told them ‘many of you will notify the workers to disband after this headline as an illustration of serve on city councils and school receiving notice from the Social the impact Tooele and its resi- boards,” he advised them to Security Administration the num- dents have on the world. “make those who come here act bers were bad. “A lot of people come to and responsibly.” “Now, we have families separat- through Tooele for various rea- Encouraging the graduates to ed, kids without their father; that’s sons,” he said. Recanting a brief “be good stewards for the future,” why now more than ever we are history of the county, Foxley he said. “Don’t trade what you looking for immigration reform and said Tooele had attracted a wide have here for a few jobs.” notice I didn’t say amnesty, because range of people from Kit Carson He urged the graduates to do I think a lot of the guest worker to international visitors drawn to their part to make sure the answer photography / Aleen Lang program Pres. Bush has been ask- the county by Dugway Proving Guest speaker Douglas S. Foxley watches as Utah State University Pres. Stan Albrecht hands Justin Ground and the bombing range. SEE USU ON A5 Wingfield his associate’s of science degree during Saturday’s graduation ceremony in Tooele. SEE STING ON A2 WEATHER OPEN FORUM A6 OBITUARIES B5 INSIDE Partly cloudy tonight and SPORTS A7 TV LISTINGS B6 Tooele High Track & Field Wednesday. Lows in the mid 40s. pull off sweep at Juab Invite. Highs in the 70s. HOMETOWN B1 DOINGS B7 See A7 Complete Forecast: A2 CROSSWORD B3 CLASSIFIEDS B9 A2 TUESDAY April 25, 2006 ETCETERA ... Convention News Briefs Valley Weather Forecast continued from page A1 Tooele Federal Credit Union Local Weather The Republican purge went Wed beyond the commission, however. opens new branch by Macey’s 70/46 The GOP revolt ousted County 4/26 Tooele Federal Credit Union Attorney Doug Alhstrom as well. opened its new branch next to Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High around 70F. Winds NE at 5 to Ahlstrom was elected to the post Macey’s on 1000 North Monday.