Perhaps as a peace offering, Becker offered the resources and expertise of Salt Lake City's 3,000-member staff to assist Davis County and its cities when needed.

"One of the benefits of a bigger city like Salt Lake City is we have staff with expertise in a variety of areas," he said. "If there are things we can do to be of assistance, I really hope you'll call on us to help you."

Becker plans to attend the Davis County COG's next meeting in February in West Bountiful to discuss issues of regional interest that will be addressed at the upcoming state legislative session.

"I think there will be some items that we will very much have in common to work on," he said.

Becker also told Davis leaders that he's no stranger to Davis County. His environmental planning firm Bear West merged with The Shipley Group Inc. of Woods Cross, and he commuted from Salt Lake City to Woods Cross for his final year there. In addition, Becker's son was a gymnast and trained in Woods Cross.

"For 10 years, I was going up there twice a day," he said. "I know what that commute is like."

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E-mail: jpage@desnews.com