NEW?
COUNCILMAN • The Nephi City Council appointed
former councilman Richard Paxman to fill the vacancy
of Darin Peterson who resigned to become the District
67 representative to the Utah Legislature. Paxman
served on the council until last year when he decided
not to run again. He was one of 16 who applied for the
opening
By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Richard Paxman was selected as the city council member to
replace Darin Peterson.
"Sixteen residents of Nephi submitted their names to be
considered to fill the unexpired council term," said Chad
Brough, mayor. "Every one of the applicants had excellent
qualifications."
Peterson was elected to the State Legislature in November
and resigned from his position on the council the first of
January.
The council went into a short executive session to review
the applications before returning to open session. There,
Paxman was nominated. Following a unanimous vote, he was
notified by telephone and asked to come to the council
chambers.
Upon arrival, he was sworn in as a council member by
Blair Painter, city recorder.
"I am happy that you selected me for this position," said
Paxman. "I am pleased to be back."
Paxman, a local rancher, is a former city council member
who did not seek re-election. Since that time, he said, he
had a change of heart and decided to seek the appointment.
He will replace Peterson on the council for one year until
the council appointment expires in January 2002.
In order to retain the position, Paxman will need to run
for the post in the November election.
"All the council members had the names of all the
applicants by a week ago Tuesday," said Brough. "That gave
them time to review the applications and study the
qualifications of the 16 applicants."
"We appreciate all of the interest shown," Brough said.
"I hope in the coming election all those who submitted
applications for the position will maintain this high level
of interest and will seek public office."
Peterson's office would have been up for re-election in
November. Only if an office is vacated within the first two
years of the term is a candidate elected to a two-year
position in order to keep the proper cycle.
Positions on the council are staggered so that three
council members are elected for a four-year term and two
years later two council members are elected for a four-year
term.
This is done to keep some continuity to the council.
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