Political leaders sworn in

PROVO — The winners of the 2005 campaigns in Provo and Orem kicked off the 2006 political season by taking their oaths of office, but the ceremonies in both cities included moments of retrospection.

Orem's event was bittersweet as the City Council and Mayor Jerry Washburn reflected on the loss of councilman Doug Forsyth, who died in office on Dec. 21 after a long battle with leukemia.

"I know Doug is in a better place but . . . I miss him," councilwoman Shiree Thurston said through tears. "I hope when my time comes, I will have achieved some good things for the people in Orem."

In Provo, Mayor Lewis Billings was sworn in for a third time and then said good-bye to two former councilmen, awarding Dave Knecht and Paul Warner the Mayor's Award of Excellence.

Former Provo Mayor George Stewart, known for his plainspokenness during his administration from 1994-97, dove right into the city's zoning battles on his first day as a city councilman. He attacked a "me-first syndrome" he sees among residents who don't comply with the law.

"Zoning is a legal method to protect all individuals' property rights," Stewart said. "What we might want to do with our property, for our benefit and our gain, no matter the consequences to our neighbors and community, is a classic example of 'me first.' "

Stewart suggested the city require real-estate documents to clearly state the zoning requirements for all property sold so buyers understand how it can be developed.

Stewart replaced Knecht, who did not run for re-election. Provo's other new council member, Cindy Clark, defeated Warner and called for council members to stand as kind and fair sentinels who help and protect residents.

Cindy Richards began her third term on the Provo City Council by cautioning against "Complain Drain," saying complainers drain energy from those who want to help.

"To become great," she said, "this city must speak to the nobility of its citizens to sacrifice, to serve and to support efforts that will leave a legacy of greatness to the future generations who will live here."

In Orem, Washburn and council members Thurston, Karen McCandless and Dean Dickerson repeated the oath of office to "support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States, the constitution of the state of Utah and the laws and ordinances of the city of Orem."

(In Provo, the last clause was replaced with "discharging the duties of my office with fidelity.")

Washburn compared the city officials to runners participating in a relay race. Each member had been passed a "baton" from former civil participants and were responsible to run as best they could, then pass it on, keeping Orem's legacy alive.

"The whole world is influenced by the good that emanates from this small community, relatively speaking," Washburn said.

As well as thanking voters, each elected official expressed gratitude to city staff and supportive families.

"I'd like to thank my family for putting up with the rock-and-roll life of politics in Orem City," said Dickerson with a smile. "Serving has been one of the single greatest honors of my life. I look forward to four more great years."

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