He believes in listening and in doing his homework, is not afraid to admit it when he's wrong. "I expect it's just like being the mayor of a city. It really doesn't begin and end," he said. "It's an ongoing process."

Retired from an executive position with PacifiCorp, a husband and father of five, grandfather of six, he has the time and energy.

He also has a couple of mantras he relies upon: "Seek first to understand, then to be understood," "Your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins," and "I'm not about taxes, I'm about making informed decisions."

He's come a long ways from the day he told those urging him to be Lindon's mayor that he just wasn't interested.

Ott Dameron, Lindon's city administrator, says the city will lose a fair, articulate and compassionate leader, one who has led quietly without a lot of fanfare.

"One of the greatest attributes I see in him is he is such a great negotiator," he said. "He works well with developers and with property owners. He is excellent. He is so respectful of people and they feel that."

Ellertson's secret?

"I've always tried to be fair with people, to be a good listener and to treat people with respect. You can't always give them what they want but you can let them know they've been heard. Its both a challenge and a real opportunity."

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E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com