- LuWayne Walker received a Certificate of Appreciation from Governor Gary Herbert
|
By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
LuWayne Walker, Juab County commissioner, was honored at his last regularly scheduled commission meeting on Monday.
Gary Richard Herbert, Utah Governor, sent an award to Walker honoring him for his work as a commissioner.
"This Certificate of Appreciation is hereby presented to LuWayne Walker for dedicated service to the residents of Juab County as a Juab County Commissioner," read the certificate which was signed by the governor and lieutenant governor and carried the official seal of the state. Herbert also sent Walker a personal card.
"The governor appointed me to the POST ( Peace Officers Standards and Training) council," said Walker. "I was the only county commissioner on that board."
Post Council Chairman is Bud E. Cox Chairman of POST Council and Sheriff, Davis County Sheriff's Office; Donna Dillingham-Evans, Vice President, Dixie State College, Representing Education; LuWayne Walker ,Juab County Commissioner, Representing County Commissioner; Mark Shurtleff, Utah Attorney General; and others on the board of 17 members.
"I will miss working with all of those on the board," said Walker.
Walker also received a plaque from the General Board of the Six County Association of Governments: "In recognition of the dedicated, tireless and diligent service you have rendered as a board member of the Six County Association of Governments, 2007-2010."
In addition, Brian Whipple, Executive Director of the Central Utah Counseling Center, and Nathan Strait, Central Utah Counseling Center, presented Walker with a framed copy of "Prayer At Valley Forge" by Arnold Friberg.
Whipple said that Central Utah Counseling owed a great deal to Walker who had served diligently and tirelessly to serve the people of the county. They owed him a debt of gratitude for the work he did to assure that the new counseling center was built in Nephi.
"We will miss you," said Strait.
Val Jones, commission chairman, presented Walker with a pair of camouflage sweat pants.
"I have really appreciated working with you," said Jones. "I am going to miss you. I appreciate your tireless service. We three (Jones, Walker and Chad Winn, commissioner) had done a lot. I have appreciated the teamwork."
Winn said the Walker had been a dedicated servant of the people and was especially thoughtful of the employees and elected officials.
Jones said he felt good about what had been accomplished by the three commissioners and said that Walker had taken on difficult projects and spent extra time in working for the good of county residents.
"LuWayne (Walker) has a lot on the table and many projects he was overseeing," said Jones.
The hardest part, he said, was the changing of the guard. It takes a while for a new commissioner to learn the ropes and then continue on to perform the job. Walker, he said, had caught on quickly and was a diligent worker.
"We have accomplished good things while you have been a commissioner," said Glenn Greenhalgh, county planning director. "I consider you a friend."
Walker was the commission representative on the county planning commission.
"I leave with a heavy heart," said Walker. "I had a lot on my plate and I would have liked to be here to see what was started completed."
"I do feel bad that I cannot finish preparing the county for the future. I have permits out for our road corridors and am involved deeply with the CUP issues."
Nevertheless, he said, he did appreciate the time he had been given to work as a county commissioner and had done his best to protect and prepare the county.
"I've enjoyed my time," he said.
Walker, a Democrat, lost the election in November to Rick Carlton, a Republican, in an election where Walker received 1,260 votes and Carlton received 1,547 votes. Chad Winn, Republican, ran uncontested for county commission B and had 2,162 votes.
|
