Even before Mayor Joe Jenkins announced he was heading for the state Capitol, mayoral hopefuls were discreetly jockeying for position.
Now, any Provo resident interested in the job can make it known by turning in a letter or resume to the City Council office by noon Dec. 3. The council will appoint a mayor to fulfill the remaining year on Jenkins' term. Starting salary is $48,514 a year.Among those considering an application are current council members Mark Hathaway, Shari Holweg and David Rail, state Rep. Jeff Alexander, R-Provo, Utah County Republican Party Chairman Lewis Billings, former council member Steve Clark and Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce President Steve Densley.
The new mayor will have the opportunity to name a replacement for Jenkins' administrative assistant, Raylene Ireland. Jenkins and Ireland have worked together since he took office seven years ago. There are also 31 positions, including department heads, who work at the mayor's discretion.
Asked if she would seek the job, Holweg said, "I will really not say no." She ran an unsuccessful mayoral campaign in 1989. She has been one of Jenkins' most vocal critics.
"It think it's a good time for a change," she said.
Holweg said she'll wait to see who applies before deciding. "I don't want this to turn into a dogfight," she said.
Clark, who lost his council seat to Holweg in 1991, said he has been approached by "prominent citizens" in the valley about trying for the job. He's taking a wait-and-see attitude. "It's a council decision," he said.
Densley said he's not "hotly pursuing" the job, but if enough people wanted to him to give it a shot, he'd think about it. "You have to keep all your options open," he said. Since losing a bid for the lieutenant governor's office in September, dozens of people have asked him whether he'd like to be mayor, Densley said.
Dissension has permeated the council most of the year. Densley said if he felt he could bring some unity to the city, he'd consider applying for mayor.
Jenkins hopes the council acts quickly to allow time for a smooth transition. He said the new mayor should have vision, be willing to stand up and make difficult decisions and love Provo. Jenkins didn't recommend a successor Wednesday morning and said he wouldn't be involved in the selection process.
Holweg said she hopes that means informally as well as formally.
"My only concern is that the council act independently on their own and not allow the mayor's office a hand in choosing the replacement," she said.
Council Chairman Dennis Hall said he's looking for candidates with business experience and the ability to run an organization the size of Provo City.
Jenkins will be the second city official the council has had to replace this year. Former Council Chairman Don Butler resigned in September. Jane Carlile was named to take his seat.