WEST VALLEY CITY — Dennis Nordfelt, former West Valley City police chief and the city's one-time Olympic coordinator, beat out 11 applicants Tuesday for the mayor post.
He fills the vacancy left by the death last month of Mayor Gearld Wright.
Nordfelt, who will be sworn in next week, will keep the post at least through November 2003, when he would have to run for mayor in order to serve out the remaining two years of Wright's term. He said Tuesday he plans to run.
A father of nine, Nordfelt, 59, said that while in the City Council chambers he'll focus on how decisions made there affect families and emphasize whenever possible the importance of a traditional family.
Nordfelt was appointed by a four-member City Council — two members threw their hat in the ring and could not vote. Acting mayor and Council Chairwoman Margaret Peterson said Nordfelt was chosen because of his abilities as a communicator.