CEDAR CITY — In City Council Chambers Monday the two newest members of City Council vowed to serve the public faithfully in regard to both state and federal constitutions before an audience of state, county and city officials, community leaders, family and friends.
Both Councilman Craig Isom and Councilwoman Terri Hartley were sworn in by 5th District Juvenile Court Judge Thomas M. Higbee. Returning Councilman Paul Cozzens was attending a funeral Monday and will be sworn in at Wednesday night’s City Council meeting.
Cedar City Mayor Maile Wilson opened the inaugural occasion with a few words of appreciation and advice to the newly-elected council members.
“Thank you all for coming … ,” she said, adding that there would be time for the new council members to say a few words after they were sworn in. “By the way,” she told the new council members, “get used to speaking with no notice.”
As Higbee took his place at the front of the room, he took a moment to share a few words with those in attendance.
“I am very confident that this will be a great council,” Higbee said. “Things will continue to go well in the best city in the state, and you guys will represent us well.”
Higbee took turns swearing in each new council member and then each of them took a moment to address the room.
Though she admitted to feeling inadequate as a public speaker, Hartley expressed her gratitude for the support shown to her throughout the campaign process and said she looked forward to diving into her new role, even if she was a little apprehensive.
“I hope that I will do a good job for everyone and the vote of confidence that they put into me,” Hartley said.
Reminding those in the crowd that Cedar City is on the verge of new and exciting ventures, Isom told onlookers that his goal was to serve the community, community partners and local businesses to the best of his abilities while on the council.
“What a great opportunity to, one: to make that commitment,” he said. “But two: to represent such a wonderful community and to have the opportunity to serve.”
After the official stuff was over, guests were invited to mix and mingle with the new council members over refreshments.
Some of those in attendance included Sens. Evan Vickers and John Westwood, Iron County Commissioners Dale Brinkerhoff and David Miller, Southern Utah University president Scott L. Wyatt and former Cedar City Council members Nina Barnes and Georgia-Beth Thompson.
Though members of the Cedar City Fire Department had shown up to show their support, they were called away on an emergency call to the Mattress Store, 114 N. Main Street, just before the inauguration began.
The emergency turned out to be a frozen sprinkler system for fire suppression, Fire Chief Mike Phillips said, but, by the time they were finished at the Mattress Store, it was too late to return to the swearing-in.
There was a nice-sized crowd in the council chambers Monday afternoon, Cedar City Recorder Renon Savage said. While she said she was unable to stick around for refreshments herself, those who did were there for nearly an hour visiting and celebrating the new council members.
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