However, Love is very protective of her downtime. She devotes herself to her husband (who is Caucasian), their 1-year-old blond, blue-eyed baby and her 4-year-old dark-haired, dark-eyed child.

She strives to keep a balance.

She's been helped along the way by a supportive mayor and council. She feels welcome in the community.

"I have people come up to me in the grocery store and say, 'I'm so glad you're here!' I think it goes to show people in Utah are perfectly open-minded," she said.

Mayor Timothy Parker said Love is not shy about asking questions or reticent about letting people know she needs more background on a particular issue.

"I think she's a very good councilwoman. She apologizes sometimes for not being up to speed, but she certainly doesn't hesitate to jump in. She's caught on very quickly and she contributes a great deal." Parker said.

Love said there have been a number of hot topics come before the council in the past year as the young city grapples with budget issues and growth issues. Sometimes she has voted no when it's been unpopular.

"I won't vote if I don't understand the information. I voted against the boys school because I don't think it should be in an agricultural zone. I've sometimes stood alone. On those nights, you just put on extra deodorant and do your best," Love said.

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E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com