Election 2009: Orem mayor wins a 4th term

OREM — Mayor Jerry Washburn was well on his way to a fourth term Tuesday night as of press time with 90 percent of precincts reporting and a lead of nearly 4,000 votes.

Washburn said he was honored to be elected again.

"It is a significant vote of confidence for what we are doing and a vote of confidence for the way the city is being run," he said.

Washburn was first elected as mayor in 1999 for a two-year term after former Orem Mayor Joe Nelson died of cancer earlier that year.

Washburn said the big issue right now is the budget. City leaders are looking at some cuts. He wants to make sure these cuts are done strategically and tactfully while looking toward the future.

Looking back at the last 10 years, he said he has been pleasantly surprised by how well the City Council and citizens work together.

"Working with our citizens has been a very, very gratifying experience," Washburn said.

The City Council race was too close to call. Brent Sumner, who ran two years ago and lost by a slim margin had the most votes among six candidates for three seats.

Sumner said he would be "thrilled to death" to take a seat on the City Council after he was encouraged by many to run again this year.

"This is not about me," Sumner said. "This is about serving Orem."

He also said he knows the current City Council members well and would look forward to working with them.

As of press time, incumbent City Councilwoman Karen McCandless also looked like she would keep her seat, but the third City Council seat was still up for grabs between Mary Street and incumbents Dean Dickerson and Shiree Thurston.

"I wanted to bring my ideas and energy," Street said. "I felt like it was something I needed to do and I had the skill set to do it."

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