New West Point mayor selected, city seeks council member

WEST POINT — The West Point City Council selected one of its own to fill the soon-to-be vacated post of mayor.

And the game of municipal musical chairs begins.

Erik Craythorne, 34, a lifelong resident of West Point and twice-elected councilman, was selected by unanimous vote Tuesday night to fill the remaining year of outgoing Mayor John Petroff Jr.'s term.

Petroff was elected to the Davis County commission in November to take the seat of Alan Hansen, who did not run for re-election.

Because Petroff had one year left in his term, the council was charged with selecting a replacement.

Only two people applied for the job, and both — Craythorne and Jerry Chatterton — are current council members.

Petroff and the other three council members interviewed the two candidates during Tuesday's City Council meeting. After a 15-minute closed session, the council returned with its decision.

As Gary Petersen made a motion to appoint Craythorne as mayor, Chatterton, who has run twice for mayor of West Point, extended a congratulatory handshake.

"I am humbled at the confidence the council has in me," Craythorne said afterward. "I have a great love for the city. I want what's best for it."

Craythorne praised Petroff's service to West Point and pledged to continue serving the residents. As mayor, Craythorne will set the agendas for the City Council and will represent West Point on various boards, including the Davis County Council of Governments.

Craythorne said he plans to run for mayor during the 2009 municipal election.

Craythorne's appointment as mayor means the city is now seeking someone to fill the remaining year in his term on the City Council. To qualify for the vacant position, an applicant must be a registered voter, have resided in West Point for the previous 12 consecutive months and must remain a resident through January 2010.

Qualified applicants should submit a letter of interest and a resume in person or by mail to the West Point recorder's office, 3200 W. 300 North, West Point, 84015, by Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. Or the information may be submitted by e-mail to tsuzuki@westpointcity.org.

Applicants should use the letter of interest and resume to highlight their qualifications for the position, and all information submitted will become part of the public record.

During the Dec. 23 City Council meeting, the council is expected to conduct interviews of the candidates, deliberate in a closed session and select a council member.

But Craythorne and the new council member likely won't be sworn in until the first City Council meeting of 2009, because Petroff will be sworn in as commissioner in Farmington on Jan. 5.

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E-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com