Did Paul Cutler prevent Centerville citizens from voting on whether or not to participate in Utopia?
The Verdict: Yes
In 2004, the Utah State Senate proposed a bill (SB 66) that would require a vote by the people on long-term telecommunications. In order to circumvent this bill, Centerville City Council members Paul Cutler and Jack Dellastatious voted to prevent the people of Centerville from voting on whether or not to approve UTOPIA. They then voted to approve UTOPIA before SB 66 could be signed in to law. Paul Cutler and Jack Dellastatious prevented the people of Centerville from voting on becoming involved in UTOPIA.
Here are the documented facts:
Information on SB 66 which would have allowed Centerville to vote on UTOPIA:
City Council minutes of Paul Cutler and Jack Dellastatious taking away Centerville’s people the opportunity for a ballot vote on UTOPIA:
http://www.centervilleut.net/displayarticle1032.html
Did Paul Cutler work for Utopia while also a member of the Centerville City Council?
The Verdict: Yes
Paul Cutler served on the Centerville City Council from January 2004 until January 2012. He was hired by Utopia as their deputy director, and also served as their second vice chair. Paul Cutler had a choice whether or not to participate- he could have declined. No law compelled only Paul Cutler to work for UTOPIA. If Paul Cutler says he never “worked” for Utopia because he did not receive compensation, then he is not being honest about the meaning of “work”. This is a red flag.
PLEASE NOTE: Paul has chosen to not list his positions working for UTOPIA on his website.
Here are the facts:
Here is an archived article in the Standard Examiner quoting Paul Cutler as the UTOPIA interim deputy director. It is dated April 26, 2008.
Click to access itn04280822.pdf
Here is an article from the Davis Clipper quoting Paul Cutler as the Second Vice Chair of UTOPIA, dated March 13, 2006:
http://davisclipper.com/view/full_story/128455/article-UTOPIA-to-start-work-in-Centerville-this-summer
Here is an article from the David Clipper quoting Paul Cutler as vice chair of UTOPIA. He says that UTOPIA will reduce traffic in Centerville, which he also has restated on his website.
http://davisclipper.com/bookmark/161384-UTOPIA-Is-the-grand-vision-worth-the-wait
Does Paul Cutler want to raise Centerville property taxes in 2014?
The Verdict: YES
The Facts: This question also involves connecting the dots. Paul Cutler endorses the city manager, and the city manager wants to raise city taxes. Both the city manager and Paul Cutler support bonding more money to UTOPIA, and have already saddled Centerville with a tremendous tax burden. Based on this line of facts, when the city manager recommends to raise property taxes, I submit Paul Cutler will agree.
Here is a link to the Davis County Clipper article quoting the Centerville City Manager that property taxes need to be raised anywhere between 10 and 35%; the article cites UTOPIA debt as a factor:
Here is a link to an article in the Centerville Budget Newsletter for Fiscal Year 2014, where it states that the Utopia debt repayment for FY 2014 is $436,251, in addition to Centerville’s share of $163,000.
Click to access budget_newsletter_2014.pdf
I am sure that Paul Cutler will deny wanting to raise property taxes.
Did Paul Cutler recuse himself from votes concerning Utopia while simultaneously working for Utopia and serving on the Centerville City Council?
The Verdict: No
The Facts: It is evident in many of the above links. Recusing himself would have avoided even the perception of duality. However, this is not the case.
Does Paul Cutler want to put Light Rail on Main?
The Verdict: Yes
This issue required some investigation. During his tenure as a member of the Centerville City Council, Paul Cutler supported putting light rail on Main Street. If Paul Cutler says he never supported light rail on Main Street, then he is not being honest. This is a red flag.
Here are the documented facts:
This link goes to a pdf of 2008-09, showing Paul Cutler’s vote to put light rail on Main Street on March 18, 2008:
Here is a link to the Centerville City Council Minutes dated March 18, 2009, showing Paul Cutler’s support of light rail on Main Street:
http://www.centervilleut.net/displayarticle2031.html
Here is a link to Centerville City Council Minutes dated November 3, 2010. Please note that Paul Cutler was present, and reverses his position and states he is now against light rail on Main Street:
http://www.centervilleut.net/agendasminutes.cc11032010m.html
Wright acknowledges that Cutler may have had a change of heart, however in my opinion light rail on Main Street is not a dead issue. Based on Cutler’s documented support of light rail on Main Street, and the support of sitting City Council members who have voted for light rail on Main Street, the verdict is that he does want light rail on Main Street. Look at the facts and let me know what you think.
On Paul Cutler’s website, he says he is opposed to putting light rail on Main Street.
Centerville Election Fact Check 