Cedar Hills Mayor Gary Gygi, and eight current and previous Cedar Hills Councilmembers attended the Preserve and Protect American Fork Canyon (PPAFC & www.americanforkcanyon.com ) public meeting at American Fork H.S., moderated by Mark Allen and County Commissioner Bill Lee.
Remarkably, a total nine current and former CH Council members were in the audience. Former Council members Joel Wright, Ken Cromar and Marisa Wright also made comment and asked questions. Sitting Mayor Gary Gygi and Council members Daniel Zappala, Trent Augustus, and Rob Crawley also commented. (Former CH council member Darin Lowder and current council member Jenney Rees were also in attendance, but did not speak.)
The Meeting
When former CH Joel Wright took the microphone he challenged the transparency of those on the American Fork Canyon Vision (AFCV) committee. Wright said he felt anyone who had received any sort of consideration from Snowbird shouldn’t be representing the interests of the citizens and should not be representing Utah County citizen interest on the American Fork Canyon Vision committee.
Ken Cromar – researcher for CHCRG and former elected Councilman thanked Utah County Commissioner Bill Lee and P&PAFC leader Mark Allen for alerting and fighting in behalf of Utah County citizen representation on this important issue, to which the audience applauded them with approval.
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Cromar reported that at Monday’s AFCV committee meeting he asked during public comment if anyone at the table had received any considerations from Snowbird or related entities. Utah County Commissioner Larry Ellertson had acknowledged a $3,500 campaign contribution connected to Snowbird, but no one else responded admitting Snowbird connections, including Cedar Hills Mayor Gary Gygi.
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Cromar added that he surprised Tuesday to find a PPAFC FaceBook post of GRAMA requested email chain between Snowbird owners Dick Bass and Ian Cummings with Mayor Gygi, demonstrating a connection at least as far back as November of 2013. (see related CHCRG post… http://www.cedarhillscitizens.org/snowbird-seeks-gondola-up-af-canyon-with-mayor-gygis-help/ .) Cromar wanted to know if there would be any other conflict of interest surprises.
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Cromar then asked Utah State Auditor John Dougal to address state law requirement for written conflict of interest statements from public officials. Dougal explained details of when they were required, but said that he was aware of many who didn’t file the statements because their supporters claim, “It’s not necessary, because everybody knows he’s a good guy and doesn’t need to.” Dougal said being a good guy doesn’t matter, and that the conflict of interest statement filings were still required by state law.
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Alpine Mayor Don Hadfield stood and publicly declared that he had received nothing from Snowbird, and was sympathetic to citizen concerns that the process be open and transparent, because he felt the same way.
CH Mayor Gygi
Mark Allen offered Mayor Gary Gygi the microphone and opportunity to share his perspective. 
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Mayor Gygi came to the front for the next number of minutes explained that he had been to a banquet honoring Robert Redford with tickets provided by Snowbird, but claimed no other conflict of interest except that he has a house in Cedar Hills.
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CH Councilman Trent Augustus spoke pointing out the Gygi had failed to mention city-owned residential lots near the mouth of the canyon and that the CH Council had preliminary consideration a potential zone change to commercial. This morning Augustus followed up his comments by posting an email document Gygi sent to “27 various mayors and city council members in Utah County” just prior to the last night’s meeting, lobbying for “private property” rights (Snowbird’s), demonstrating additional contradictions regarding his claim being transparent and without conflict of interest. (see separate post today with details at http://www.cedarhillscitizens.org/councilman-augustus-mayor-gygi-ignoring-council-ch-af-and-county-residents/ )
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Then, CH Councilman Rob Crawley stood and added that he was aware of another item omitted by Gygi at least one helicopter trip given Gygi by Snowbird, and wondered if there would be any other surprises.
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An audience member then asked Gygi if in the interest of public trust if he would himself from the AFCV committee. Gygi claimed that he had no conflict of interest, that he was representing the will of the CH residents, but did not directly answer whether or not he would step down. The question was reiterated requesting that he answer. He didn’t, but maintained that “everyone on the Committee would tell you” that he is fair and above board.
Alpine Mayor Don Watkin – former CH Councilman Ken Cromar
– Eagle Mountain Mayor Chris Pengra
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After the meeting Alpine Mayor Hadfield & Eagle Mountain Mayor Chris Pengra came away from meeting expressing question regarding Mayor Gygi’s transparency and full disclosure.
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Based on the questions and comments throughout the evening, the subject of trust and credibility appeared foremost on the minds of most audience members.
Mark Allen of Preserve & Protect AF Canyon with Alpine Mayor Don Watkins
americanforkcanyon.com & https://www.facebook.com/ProtectAmericanForkCanyon
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