By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
A new era for Price City began on Monday, Jan. 5, as newly elected members of the city council, alongside new mayor Terry Willis, took the oath of office before a packed city hall crowd.
On the council side, Tina Urbanik and Richard Root both accepted the responsibility that comes with the position and filled the vacancies left by former council members Amy Knott-Jespersen and Joe Christman. Willis accepted the heavier responsibility associated with the role of mayor and, in the process, officially became the first female mayor of Price.
Administering the oath of office was Judge George Harmond, who had each candidate swear to support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States, Utah and the ordinances of Price.
Beginning with Urbanik, each new councilmember had the opportunity to address the public.
“I am grateful. Thank you for putting trust in me. For allowing me this opportunity to serve,” opened Urbanik. “I serve not for my convenience. I serve for Price City. I am here to serve you. I am here to serve our friends, our neighbors, everybody here in Price City. And I will do so fairly, equitably, and without hesitation.”
Following her remarks, Root took the spotlight and too accepted the oath of office. During his remarks, he shared his approach to problem-solving in the civic space: “I will warn you all. I’m not a social media person. I don’t think that place is the place to solve problems. A place to solve problems is right here, personally, on the phone, doing things where you can meet and stand and be in front of people.”
Root also shared appreciation for the voters,” I appreciate all of you for voting for us. I do want to make a difference. I’ll do my best. I know, I’ve got a lot to learn to fill the shoes of the ones that are leaving. So, we’re going to lean on them a little bit.”
Rounding things out was Willis, who accepted the oath of office and fought off tears as she addressed the crowd. “I’m a little overcome with the emotion of what you’ve given to me to try and accomplish in this city, what you’ve trusted me to do. And I will work with every fiber of my body to make it happen. To make Price City the place that we have grown to love, the place that we choose to live, the place that we call home.”
Speaking to Castle Country Radio following the ceremony, Willis shared her thoughts as she took the oath,” It’s really hard to say, but knowing the weight of what I’ve taken on and the importance of it and doing it right.”
Previously, Willis, alongside councilmember Layne Miller, has laid out the main goals for the beginning of her tenure as mayor. Willis addressed what the first item she would like to address is: ” It’s going to be communicating with everybody, getting the department heads all on the same page, getting us all knowing what the vision is so that we’re working together. Making sure if we’ve got any tears in the fabric, we look at trying to get those healed right away so that we can move forward together as an entire version.”
The first meeting of the new Price City administration will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 5:30 p.m., at Price City Hall. A livestream of the meeting will be available here.