A new state law has brought a new office to Manti and along with it the return of a native son to his hometown.
The new law, approved by the last Legislature, is the Child Welfare Reform Act. It changes the state's method of dealing with abused, neglected and dependent children and the way the rights of parents can be terminated.The act also requires that the attorney general's office handle all civil actions brought on behalf of abused, neglected and dependent children or the seeking of termination of parental rights.
These were responsibilities formerly handled by county attorneys.
In carrying out its new assignments in connection with Division of Family Services, the attorney general's office has established several regional offices that correspond with the judicial districts.
The Sixth District office has been established in Manti and its administrator is David Tibbs, an assistant attorney general, who grew up in Manti, attended local schools, was student body president at Snow College and then went on to gain his law degree at the University of Utah.
"It's good to be home," Tibbs says. He and his wife, the former Susan Erickson of Ephraim, who was cultural affairs chairman at Snow while her future husband was student body president, found a lot in common while attending the same English classes. They and their two small children are now living in Manti.
He has a temporary office in the Sanpete County courthouse while Manti City finds more adequate quarters. "We're really crowded here and need room for consultations and other activities," Tibbs explains.