Proposed to lead Powder Mountain Town
Text 
By DI LEWIS
Standard-Examiner staff
Those on list hope to help community, resort plan for growth
POWDER MOUNTAIN -- Development at Powder Mountain ski resort is inevitable, so locals should be in control.
That's what a few of the proposed members of the Powder Mountain Town government say is their main motivation for wanting to serve.
"I live right on Powder Mountain Road. I'm going to be one of the ones most affected by traffic and development, and I want to be in control of that," said Lavar Lowther, a town council nominee.
"I think the development is going to go ahead whether it's through a town or a county, and I think the best way is to have the local people control what's going on rather than people that don't live in the valley and have no real concern for what's going on up here."
Under a state law allowing the incorporation of Powder Mountain as a town, developers have the right to submit nominees for the town council and mayor. The nominees must be approved by the Weber County Commission, which has balked at the proposed list, asking that it be more inclusive.
Lowther said he was surprised when developers approached him to be on the town council, but he agreed because he wanted to represent people like himself, especially those who are not financially well off.
Jamie Lythgoe, another potential council member, believes her experience and background with Powder Mountain would be an asset to the town, although it has also raised questions about a conflict of interest.
Lythgoe is the granddaughter of Alvin Cobabe, the man who started Powder Mountain and recently sold most of his land to developers. The Cobabe family has been involved in the management of the resort since its beginning.
Much of the controversy surrounding Lythgoe stems from her family ties to Powder Mountain and her former position on the Ogden Valley Planning Commission.
Lythgoe sees her involvement in a different light, though. She's worked for several years on the zoning ordinance for the resort and put in a lot of time looking at the issues surrounding it, she said. The knowledge from her family's involvement and working with the planning commission are what make her uniquely qualified, Lythgoe said.
Cobabe's grandson is also on the list. Having three people from he same family as appointees has been a concern for opponents of the town, but Lythgoe said the family brings to the table knowledge others do not have.
She does not foresee any problems with a conflict of interest.
"I don't think anyone has a hidden agenda."
Cobabe, the proposed mayor, said he wants to do what is best for the community, and the Powder Mountain resort has provided a good place for recreation. He said the resort cannot survive on only ticket sales, especially if old ski lifts are to be replaced.
"I've liked Powder Mountain. I still like it. I like the community," he said. "And as far as I'm concerned, I'd do what's fair and best for all concerned. That's the only reason I'd take the job."
Lowther said he does not feel like a conflict of interest would prevent him from serving on the council, nor does he think any of the other nominees would have a conflict.
He does see many potential benefits from the development, though, such as lower taxes and acquiring green space to compensate for development. Lowther said Powder Mountain is going to be taxed as a special district to provide for services at the resort and would pay additional tax revenue into the town.
Lythgoe said she understands people have concerns about water availability and traffic, but said the resort cannot outgrow the resources available and will thus self-limit growth.
Although some are afraid the council will ignore viewpoints that do not support development, Lowther said he would listen to everyone.
"I do have concerns about what's going on up there," he said. "It's not like I'm 100 percent in their pocket. I think I can look very objectively at the issues and take into consideration the feelings of the people that are not for, or are ambivalent about, the development."
As for the Weber County Commission's refusal to approve two lists of appointees submitted by developers, Lythgoe said she can see their frustration, but would like to see a council get appointed, whether she is on it or not.
Cobabe said he is 90 years old, and he's not concerned whether the commission appoints him -- he just wants to help the community and the resort.
He does feel that "the county is more sensitive to the people that do a lot of hollering. But if the county commission don't want me for a mayor, then that's fine."
Add Your Comment
Once again we have a small city council trying to set themselves up for gain. The Cobabe corruption only hurts the community. Just another example of small town politics trying to line their personal pockets.
Please read our posting guidelines before reporting a comment.