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Amanda Butterfield reportingThe Sons of Utah Pioneers has been planning for years to build a monument honoring pioneers, Indians and trappers who came through Emigration Canyon. They thought they had go-ahead from Salt Lake City, until now.
A representative of the Sons of Utah Pioneers told us city officials were excited and cooperative about the monument; then, just before construction was to begin, they pulled the plug.
The monument would be in a prominent spot, so any driver or biker going up Emigration Canyon wouldn't miss it. Members of the Sugarhouse Chapter of the Sons of Utah Pioneers say it's to honor the history of the canyon, but the city says the planned monument could set up a challenge over freedom of speech.
Stan Fishler, of the Sugar House Chapter of the Sons of Utah Pioneers, says he's been working with the city on the Historic Emigration Canyon Monument for a couple years. In fact, the design for it is complete. It's planned to be 18 feet tall. "There will be an eagle on it with an 11 ½ foot wing-span," he said. On each side are to be plaques representing historic events that have taken place there.
The site for the monument has already been staked out by the city, and Fishler says his group has raised $43,000 of the $50,000 to pay for it. And just when construction was to begin, Fishler says, "The problem is, today, I got a call a week ago from a fellow named Mr. Pope."
Val Pope is the Salt Lake City Parks Division Director, and he told Fishler the monument was not going to happen. "He, in essence, said, ‘You cannot build on that site.' And I asked him why, and he said, ‘Because of your group.' I said, ‘What do you mean our group?' He said, ‘Mormons.'"
Pope wasn't available to talk to us today, but the Salt Lake City Attorney was. Ed Rutan said, "It's a very complicated legal issue. The problem comes up is, if the city is going to allow any one group to erect a permanent structure on a traditional public forum, then the city may be obligated to allow any group."
Fishler says the Sons of Utah Pioneers is a historical organization, not affiliated with the LDS church, and the group met all other city requirements. He says he doesn't understand why this is just now coming up. "I feel like we've lost it, and it's a tragedy."
Despite what Fishler says he was told over the phone, we were told it's not over yet. Rutan told us, "The administration is reviewing it and will make a decision shortly." We learned that the Mayor, city attorney, and other city leaders are going to meet about the proposed monument next week, and perhaps make a decision.
Fishler says if the decision is to not allow it, the group will take the plans and money for the monument and try to find somewhere else to build.
E-mail: abutterfield@ksl.com
