LAYTON — In a move seen as a bit unusual by the head of the Davis County Republican Women and GOP party officials, Republican leaders voted overwhelmingly to recognize county clerk/auditor Steve Rawlings as the top elected public official in the county, rather than a county commissioner.

During the Elephants on Parade Awards Banquet and fund-raiser in the new county-owned conference center earlier this month, Rawlings took the top award — much to the surprise of Jana Truman, president of the Davis County Republican Women, and others.

"Why did Steve get it? I've been asking myself the same question," Truman said. "In years past there has been somewhat of a divide between the Republican officials once they have been elected and those who are members of the party. Once candidates are elected, they sometimes wash their hands of the party. I think Steve has been good at reaching out to the party and bridging that divide.

"I think the County Commission has to take notice of what's happened in the county and it has not escaped them how long the public's memory is. We have a very strong anti-tax sentiment in Davis County and unless officials can justify a tax increase, it won't go through."

Commissioner Michael Cragun was defeated at the county's primary convention last April, largely due to the commission's proposal in December 2002 to raise the county's share of property taxes by 138 percent.

Truman said it's one thing to be elected to office but another thing to receive the top elected official award "from peers who know what's going on and see your work."

---

E-mail: lweist@desnews.com