Prospective Hotel Developer Turns Out to be a Major Godfrey Campaign Donor

Taking a closer look at the proposed Midtown Development transaction

In yesterday's article we highlighted this Scott Schwebke story, announcing the percipient plan of Larry Myler, an Orem real estate developer, to contruct a $100 million highrise hotel on the downtown Junction property. Among the reported terms of the proposed transaction are a zero interest loan and a deferred purchase price payment, all favoring Mr. Myler. Whether tax increment financing would also be part of this deal... Boss Godfrey and his minions aren't yet saying.

Being the curious type, we did a quick google, and came up with some interesting information about Mr. Myler, contained within an earlier Standard-Examiner story. As it turns out, Mr. Myler was a major donor to Boss Godfrey's 2007 re-election campaign, according to this October 30, 2007 Ace Reporter Schwebke report. And from this report, we incorporate the following text:

"Much of Godfrey’s recent campaign contributions came from individuals. Some of his largest donors include Larry Myler, an Orem developer, who gave $9,000... ."

Whether this 2007 campaign donation is evidence of a quid pro quo we do not know; however , we believe the sequence and timing of the donation and post-election announcement could reasonably suggest that.

And what say our gentle readers about this? Is this campaign donation on the up and up -- or are there more sinister forces afoot? Any way you cut it, we'll volunteer, it certainly smells "fishy" to us.

The cyber-world awaits our readers' ever-savvy comments.