It may seem odd to many that a man of 26 and a woman of 70 were friends, yet I counted Sandra Lloyd as one of my dear friends. I first met Sandra during her first campaign for mayor of Riverton in 1993. She spoke about her vision for Riverton to a class of ninth-graders. I doubt that was the best use of her time, politically speaking, but to Sandra there would have been no better use of time. Her vision for Riverton was as a mature woman who saw nothing but the bright future ahead of her, her children and grandchildren. She believed we could accomplish anything we wanted. And she was there to team up with us and make that happen.

Over the years I worked with Sandra in several capacities. She never saw me as a young teenage boy, but as a dedicated citizen trying to make the community better. To her, age, sex, wealth, talent or any other category made little difference. She cared about character, determination, heart and dedication.

Sandra was a patient woman when it came to people developing themselves. She'd help you; however, she was demanding and determined to not let anyone shirk or get away with doing anything less than their best. She helped people learn to reach a little higher, stretch a little farther, give a little more and care beyond what they knew they could.

Her best teaching method was by modeling the very skills and characteristics she attempted to instill in others. In 12 years, I never saw her take a "day off." Her thoughts about her beloved Riverton were foremost on her mind.

Sandra was a full-time mayor on a part-time salary. In my capacity as her youth mayor — which she considered a "Cabinet level" position — I was to lead by example. She was on the scene whenever there was a hint of necessity.

In 1998 Sandra cast a tie-breaking vote to make me the only teenage City Council member in the state of Utah. Many people thought her vote was an attempt at having a "lap-dog" or a sure vote on her issues. Those people didn't know Sandra Lloyd. Mayor Lloyd was as hard-headed and stubborn when it came to standing up for her beliefs, as was I. She once told me that the reason she cast the vote to put me on the council wasn't because we agreed but because she believed the future of Riverton required all generations to work together. We agreed more than we disagreed, but when we disagreed it was often very strongly. What some people didn't see was a mayor who would quietly have discussions in her office with council members to plead her case and fight for the residents and future of the city. She put the best interests of the city above any ambition of her own. I can honestly say that in nearly a decade of working with her, I never once knew her to put any interest above that of the future and well-being of the community she loved.

Mayor Lloyd was a faithful public servant. She would often be heard saying, "We are here to help citizens. Anything we do has to help citizens, and if we do any more or any less, then we have no right to be here."

Sandra never misused her public trust. She served the residents of Riverton well and faithfully. She was a role-model. She was my friend. She was also one of the leaders I have most admired in life. Riverton residents lost one of their most faithful and most genuinely good leaders. We will be lucky to see a leader of her capacity and quality ever again. Mayor Sandra Lloyd, thank you for your leadership, concern and love.

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Adam G. Bass was a member of the Riverton City Council, 1998-2000.