CEDAR HILLS — With the appointment of Mike McGee as the new mayor of Cedar Hills, city officials hope the community can get past the divisiveness that continues to exist.

"There are trust issues that exist between the City Council and the community of Cedar Hills," said Councilman Rob Fotheringham at the recent special meeting where McGee was interviewed along with former councilman Doug LeDoux and real estate investor David Lone.

"I think the best course is to choose someone not involved in the decisions that caused that mistrust," Fotheringham said.

Councilman Jim Perry said that reasoning may sound unfair but believes it is important for the community to get beyond the tensions of the past.

Mayor Pro Tem Melissa Willie said it would be unfair to penalize LeDoux for decisions made during his tenure, especially those for which he had no responsibility. She urged the council to select LeDoux as the new mayor — to replace Brad Sears who resigned last month for personal reasons — because he has lived in Cedar Hills for 13 years and served on the Planning Commission, city committees and on the City Council.

After extensive discussion and questioning that revolved largely around integrity, the city's golf course and commercial development involving the Wal-Mart superstore, the council in the end voted unanimously for McGee.

McGee has lived in Cedar Hills for five years. He is a private home inspector and ran for the City Council in the 2003 election. He withdrew from the election over concerns votes would be split between him and Darin Lowder. He asked his constituency to vote for Lowder, who won election.

McGee told The Deseret Morning News he feels compatible with the current council.

He said the golf course ownership and management is the biggest issue facing him and the council. Many in the community are concerned about the city's financial responsibility to repay nearly $7 million in revenue bonds and about Sunday play on the golf course.

"I know we have to do what we're obligated to do, which is to pay the debt," McGee said.

Lone and LeDoux agreed that the community is most concerned about getting accurate information about the lease/ownership agreement and about making sure the council is more forthcoming about significant issues.

LeDoux said if he had it to do over during his term on the council, he would have gotten information out sooner.

Lowder said he is anxious to have a mayor who will build bridges with the neighboring communities while protecting the interests of Cedar Hills.

"You're going to be in a hot seat," he told McGee.

McGee said he is used to managing tricky situations in his business, and he is absolutely dedicated to maintaining personal integrity.

"We should trust them (the residents), and they should trust us (the governing officials)," McGee said. "I realize there are some very difficult decisions to be made, and our decisions may be unpopular. It is important that we act with honor."

---

E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com