Legislative leaders and southern Utah county commissioners are demanding an apology from 3rd District Rep. Bill Orton, D-Utah.
"In Garfield County, we are deeply offended by what he said," said Commissioner Louise Liston.What has rural Utahns up in arms are comments made by Orton that Garfield County commissioners had "lost touch with reality" and were demonstrating "partisan political stupidity" for refusing to accept $100,000 in federal money to help develop a management plan for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
"It is partisan political stupidity displayed by some radical Republicans who take political-party loyalty to a new extreme in an obvious decision that is to the detriment of their own constituency," Orton said.
Commissioners and legislators called a press conference Tuesday afternoon to lambaste Orton, although all admitted they had not called Orton to verify the published comments. And they all admitted they are Republicans who actively support the candidacy of Orton's Republican opponent, Chris Cannon.
"I stand by my statements," Orton said Wednesday, claiming the county'sty's refusal to accept the money is just part of a Cannon campaign ploy.
"I'm not going to apologize to anybody. They have lost touch with reality," Orton said, adding that whether he is re-elected or not, the monument will still be there and Garfield County will be out $100,000.
"We're not attacking Bill Orton," said Rep. Tom Hatch, R-Panguitch. "We are reacting to an attack he made that was highly improper. It is a slap in the face, and we demand an apology."
Senate Majority Whip Leonard Blackham, R-Moroni, called Orton's comments insensitive to local concerns, claiming county commissioners are the most dedicated and common-sense people in the political process.
The feud stems from the county's refusal to accept the federal money, which the commissioners believe comes with too many strings. Those commissioners adamantly opposed the designation of the national monument, and they say acceptance of the money could be construed as an implied consent to terms and conditions they continue to oppose.
In a prepared statement, the commissioners wrote, "Garfield County will not be party to an attempt by a cruel, insensitive administration, obviously void of integrity, to smooth over this maliciously orchestrated land grab with their token of blood money."
The commissioners maintain they did not attack Orton personally, even though their written statement says, "Likewise, we cannot be party to Rep. Bill Orton's attempt to use this issue to gain votes for re-election."
The commissioners promise the refusal to accept the federal money will not preclude them from participating in the management plan development.
"There is a difference between participating in the public process and being coerced into compromising values by acceptance of federal dollars," they wrote.
Orton's office worked with the Interior Department to obtain a $200,000 grant. Half was earmarked for Garfield County and half for Kane County. Orton staffers said Kane County has agreed to accept its share with certain conditions.