If residents attending Tuesday's special meeting to select a new mayor blinked, they would have missed the whole thing.
In less than 20 minutes, the City Council nominated, elected and swore in Don Christiansen to fill the vacant mayoral position. Christiansen, who works for the Central Utah Water Project in Orem, will serve the remaining one year and 10 months of former Mayor Elaine Barnes who resigned earlier this month.Christiansen is not stranger to the Alpine mayor's chair. He served as Alpine mayor from 1974 to 1986, fulfilling three terms.
"I moved into this community 20 years ago, and 18 years ago, the citizens took a chance on me."
"I'll do my best not to let you down," Christiansen said.
Christiansen's position will be up for election in November 1993, but he said he will not seek the seat.
Christiansen returns to Alpine City government at a time when the city is involved in two lawsuits. The first involves the High Mountain Oaks development and the second involves former police chief Brent Leseberg. Christiansen said he would like to see the city resolve the lawsuits without wasting more time or money.
On Tuesday, he told the residents, "I will work with the City Council to further the causes of Alpine City. We've got a great community, and we have a lot to do."
In the first few moments of the meeting, the City Council contemplated opening up the floor to a community discussion. After consulting with City Attorney Ray Harding Jr., the council decided to go directly to a vote.
Christiansen received three votes and Councilwoman Barbara Williams received two votes.
Christiansen was sworn in moments after Janis Williams was sworn in as city recorder. It was Williams's first official duty to swear in the new mayor.