Honor, trust and responsibility were the watchwords used by Orem City Council members who took the oath of office in a short ceremony at noon Monday.
Mayor Stella Welsh said she'd enjoyed the past two years in office. She pledged to continue her open-door policy with staff and residents and expressed appreciation for "people coming and talking to me."Welsh said the next four years would be "interesting." Her administration will deal with several large infrastructure projects, including construction of a new children's library, reconstruction of the senior citizens center and renovation of State Street.
Council members Tim Christensen, Stephen Eric Sandstrom and Chris Yandow each said it was an honor to serve Orem's residents.
Christensen said his goal is to do as good a job as outgoing council members Jim Evans and Keith Hunt did.
"If I do, the city of Orem will be well-served," Christensen said.
Sandstrom also called his new responsibilities as an elected official an honor, saying he'd strive to deserve the residents' trust. He also encouraged residents to talk with him.
"I'm new at this, and I'm going to need direction and support,"
he said.
Yandow asked residents to "continue with your patience with me and give me input - good, bad or indifferent - and I'll do my best as a City Council member."
Welsh presented Evans and Hunt with gifts as a token of appreciation for their service on the council. Evans served six years on the council; Hunt served eight years.