Provo official resigns to serve LDS mission

PROVO — Former Provo Mayor George Stewart submitted his letter of resignation from the City Council on Wednesday.

Stewart announced in August that he would resign to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with his wife, Joanna.

The letter declared Stewart would resign effective Jan. 7. The couple will enter the Missionary Training Center on Jan. 19 and serve in the Mexico Mexico City East Mission.

The City Council will appoint a replacement for Stewart, whose term will expire a year after his resignation. Anyone interested in filling Stewart's seat will be able to apply once the council finalizes the process.

The deadline for applications likely will be Jan. 8, with a decision about two weeks later, council executive director Terry Ann Harward said.

Stewart was Provo's 39th mayor, serving a single tumultuous term from 1994-97. He didn't run for re-election, opting instead to serve a mission with his wife.

He returned to public service in 2005, winning a seat on the City Council.

— Tad Walch