Goshen manager makes waves
Some residents object as he redoes outdated ordinances, seeks grants
Sutton, who is Goshen's first town manager, was hired in March at an annual salary of $37,000 plus benefits.
With change in the air, some residents are digging in their heels, saying tiny Goshen, with a population of less than 1,000, isn't a Santaquin, referring to the town of 6,500 a few miles east, and is too small to justify the hiring of a full-time manager.
Sutton currently spends most of his days going over antiquated city ordinances and bringing them into compliance with federal, state and county standards. Some of the updates are required before the town can receive federal funds.
He also has applied for several grants to generate more funding for needed projects.
Sutton says the folks who oppose his hiring are in the minority — although they are very vocal.
"The others, who are happy with the way things are going, don't have anything to talk about," Sutton said.
Part of the opposition stems from the fact that Sutton doesn't live in Goshen, but 35 miles away in Orem. Opponents are also upset that he was hired over a couple of local residents who also applied for the job, Sutton said.
Postmaster for five years, Stevensen said she suffered similar small-town hostility when she first started. Like Sutton, she isn't a Goshen resident.
"Some of the people who were meanest to me are now my best friends because they know I follow the rules and everyone benefits," Stevensen said.
Prior to taking the job, Sutton was city manager of Brian Head in Iron County. In all, the New Zealand native has 27 years of auditing and administrative experience. He won't say how old he is but notes, "I've got grandchildren."
City officials said during the search that the town manager would be doing both office and outside work as necessary. While Sutton spends most of his time in the office, he's also spent time helping fence the cemetery and doing other manual labor.
Still, one vocal opponent, 76-year resident Bill White, complained, "He hasn't picked up a shovel yet."
"I told him enough is enough," Sutton said of White's complaining. "Not once has he asked if we're doing anything to fix the problems."
Sutton says he has indeed gotten his hands dirty. He and a public works employee put up 1,500 feet of white vinyl fencing around the city cemetery and plan on putting up another 1,200 feet next year, he said.
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