Nineteen vie for mayor’s seat in South Jordan
Along with three new city council members, South Jordan started the year needing to name a new mayor.
“We have three new city council members joining us tonight and three leaving,” Mayor Kent Money said as the Jan. 3 city council meeting began. “But our purpose here tonight is to choose a new mayor.”
The new mayor was appointed to serve until the next election, and to finish the last two years of Money’s term, since he will be out of the country on an assignment for the L.D.S. church.
Nineteen people applied for the position. They (in the order they spoke) were Mark Woolley, Linda Auger, James Nelson, former City Councilmember Aleta A. Taylor, Thomas Christensen, Larry Theron Hutchins, Dale Farr Gardner , Scott Lee Osborne, Gregory Wise, former City Councilmember Leona Winger, Kevin Matthew Beck, Stanley Postma, David Wood, former City Councilmember Kathie Johnson, Jay Wimmer, Edwin E. Blaney, Robert Arthur Bolduc, Robert Willardson and Bradley Marlor.
The process began when each applicant picked a ping pong ball out of a container with a number on it, determining the order in which they would have opportunity to speak; then they were all escorted out of the full chamber.
Each candidate returned, one at a time, and spoke for three minutes introducing him or herself and expressing the vision he or she has for the city. Then the city council went into a closed session to discuss the applicants and their qualifications. They returned after a two and a half hour closed session and invited Scott Osborne to step to the microphone.
After the council asked a few questions, Chuck Newton, South Jordan’s new council member representing the second district, called for a vote to accept Osborne as the city’s new mayor, which was followed by a yes vote by each council member.
While none of the council indicated why they chose Osborne, several expressed their appreciation to the 19 applicants.
“I want to thank the applicants who applied for the position of mayor,” new City Councilmember Steve Barnes said
Others expressed their sentiments as well.
“We have three new city council members this evening and a new mayor,” Councilmember Brian Butters said. “I pledge my friendship to them and to the mayor as we go into the future.”
“We had great candidates come out,” City Councilmember Larry Short said. “They are people we count as neighbors and friends.”
After a film clip highlighting Money’s time of service, he spoke and expressed his appreciation for the privilege of serving South Jordan for the last 10 years. He commended the council for the professional manner in which their meetings were conducted in that period of time.
“We appreciate the interest of so many being involved in the affairs of this city and being interested in the appointment of a new mayor. And you have made a great decision in Scott,” Money said. “It’s with regret I’m leaving. I have a new work assignment and it’s not next door, it’s in New Zealand.”
Osborn was then sworn in and, as his first item of business, adjourned the meeting.
