S.L. losing liaison with Legislature

SALT LAKE CITY — Over the past two years, Ben McAdams has gotten comfortable on Capitol Hill, working as Salt Lake City's top legislative liaison.

McAdams will return to the Legislature in 2010, this time as the state's newest senator, a change that has left city leaders with a "big hole to fill."

"He's done a remarkable job with the Legislature," said McAdams' boss, Mayor Ralph Becker. "We're not going to be able to replace Ben, but we're certainly going to work hard for the city."

With McAdams on an unpaid leave of absence from the city for the 2010 session, city attorney Lynn Pace and planning director Wilf Sommerkorn will be the capital's voice as the city looks to advance myriad issues, including landing a partnership with the state to build an emergency operations center and escaping with its newly passed nondiscrimination ordinance and alcohol reforms intact.

"I think the city is in good hands," McAdams said. "The mayor has a fantastic relationship at the Legislature, and it really has always been about his partnerships in the past."

— Aaron Falk