NORTH OGDEN -- City Councilman Brent Taylor will be deployed to Afghanistan with the Army National Guard, so the council will appoint a temporary council member at its Oct. 11 meeting.
Taylor will be gone for up to one year, possibly only nine months. An interim replacement is now allowed because of a new state law passed in the last legislative session. The law states that when servicemen are deployed who serve in an elected position, their seat can be temporarily filled until the deployment is complete, as long as it is not longer than 400 days.
The council is seeking applications from those interested in the temporary council seat. The council will interview all applicants in the Sept. 27 city council meeting and will vote on the appointment at the Oct. 11 meeting.
The requirements are the same as the requirements for those running for council.
This is Taylor's third deployment since 2007. His last two deployments were in Iraq. Taylor said he found out several months ago he may be going, but officially got his orders a few weeks ago. He is grateful that he can legally take a leave from his elected office.
"It enables me to go and serve my country and come back and serve my city," Taylor said. He thinks he may be the first person in the state to use the new law.
Taylor will not serve in a line unit, but will work on a unique team that will train the Afghan military.
"We will help them get on their feet," he said. "It's an honor to serve, and I'm excited for the opportunity," Taylor said.
While he knows that no one would choose to be away from their family for one year, he knows it's a good growing opportunity for everyone in his family.
"It's a sacrifice for everyone, but I am proud of my family," he said.
He has four young children. Deployments are not new for his family, though. Since his wedding in 2003, he has been gone on military service nearly as much as he has been home.
Those interested in applying for the temporary council position can visit the city website, www.northogdencity.com, or pick up an application at the city offices, 505 E. 2600 North, North Ogden.
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