Mayors of Utah Valley: Property rights exist on both sides of the fence
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- Spanish Fork Mayor Mike Mendenhall, left, stands with his niece Lydia and brother Tyler during the Utah State Junior Livestock Show at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds.
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- A crowd watches the Utah State Junior Livestock Show at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds.
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- Youth participate in the Utah State Junior Livestock Show at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds.
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- Spanish Fork Mayor Mike Mendenhall
Courtesy photo
Spanish Fork Mayor Mike Mendenhall, left, stands with his niece Lydia and brother Tyler during the Utah State Junior Livestock Show at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds.
“This is a pen of killers.”
That’s not the sort of thing a mayor typically hears in their city – unless that city has hosted the Utah State Junior Livestock Show for over a century.
That was the comment made by judge Drake Hook from Humeston, Iowa, during the Championship Drive of Fitting and Showmanship. How many in Utah County even know what those words mean anymore?
He went on to say, “This is a great show, awesome setup, really clean livestock and excellent kids.” Once again, Spanish Fork’s identity was proudly on display — the home of Pride and Progress. We are the epicenter of agriculture and the western way of life. Our community hosts the state’s largest stock show and the largest rodeo.
While not everyone may recognize or appreciate it, for the families and kids involved, it’s not just a tradition — it’s a way of life.
Courtesy photo
A crowd watches the Utah State Junior Livestock Show at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds.
Last Saturday, I attended the Utah County Republican Convention in Salem, where several elected officials, including our county commissioners, spoke. Commissioner Gordon — who grew up on a farm west of Spanish Fork and still works it every summer — remarked that the county has responded to a variety of landowners. “We’ve approved agriculture protection areas and conservation easements when landowners have asked for it,” he said. Surprisingly, someone in the crowd of hundreds booed. I shook my head and wondered, where is that person from?
Fortunately, more applause followed his next line: “We’ve largely responded to what property owners and farmers have wanted to do with their ground.”
As I near 12 years in public service, I’ve seen that land use is one of the most sensitive topics for residents. And yet, in my experience, local government does its best to honor a core American value: the God-given, constitutionally protected right to own and use private property.
Good planning, thoughtful zoning, public safety, quality of life and service delivery are all essential parts of responsible governance. But the next time we feel uneasy about a neighbor’s land use — whether it involves livestock or new homes — let’s remember: property rights exist on both sides of the fence.
Youth participate in the Utah State Junior Livestock Show at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds.
