Geddes sees Reberg's departure as a chance for Huntsman to "step up to the plate and appoint someone who is truly an advocate for the public."

"The public has really lost faith with the committee after the way they handled Roger Ball's firing," Geddes said.

Dee Jay Hammon, committee chairman and one of two members who voted against Reberg's nomination, praised her performance.

"She's done a great job for us," Hammon said. "She did the best job we've ever done with respect to the Legislature. . . . She is going to be missed when she leaves."

Hammon added that ratepayers would not be set back by yet another change to the executive director position.

"It's going to slow us up, and I don't think we will be quite as prepared as we would otherwise," Hammon said. "But you've got the committee and the staff. I don't think it's a major issue. The core is still there."

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E-mail: danderton@desnews.com