LAYTON -- It's projected that within the next decade Layton will acquire 50,000 more residents, bringing the city's population to roughly 120,000.
The anticipated surge, city leaders expect, will push Layton -- currently Utah's ninth-largest city, based on population -- further up the state's population ranking chart.
Mayor Steve Curtis talked about that growth at the city's 30-minute swearing-in ceremony Monday at Layton City Hall.
Curtis was joined by Councilman Michael Bouwhuis and newly elected Barry Flitton. The trio were administered the oath of office by City Recorder Theida Wellman before 60 onlookers.
"Success and prosperity always precipitate growth, a double-edged challenge," said Curtis, who captured a second four-year term as mayor.
"Although growth will happen, it can be managed responsibly and planned ingeniously to serve the highest good of all concerned," Curtis said.
Layton has a lot going for it, including "restaurant row," an array of hotels, and "numerous retail outlets to keep even die-hard shoppers happy," Curtis said.
Building on those amenities will address the city's future.
"Building on those strengths, the horizon has brought into view the construction of the south Layton interchange to Interstate 15, the redevelopment of the Fort Lane shopping area, the establishment of an intermodal hub that will coincide with the revitalization of old downtown, and the establishment of a business manufacturing park at the east gate of Hill Air Force Base," Curtis said.
Bouwhuis and Flitton also provided some remarks.
Flitton said he appreciates the moment and is grateful that voters saw in him the potential to be of service.
"I hope to be what I think I should be -- a public servant," the 78-year-old Flitton said, vowing to listen to the silent majority who, he believes, often go unheard.
Bouwhuis, entering his seventh year in office, said he would like to see some economic goals achieved over the next four years, including filling the high-profile commercial buildings currently sitting vacant in the city.
Other new Davis mayors being sworn in Monday were Kaysville Mayor Steve Hiatt and Syracuse Mayor Jamie Nagle.
Nagle, the first woman to be elected mayor of Syracuse, said she received a call on Monday from a newspaper reporter from the Syracuse Post Standard in New York. The reporter informed Nagle she was to be included in a story the reporter was doing about Stephanie Miner, the first female mayor being sworn in Monday in Syracuse, N.Y., she said.
In addition to Nagle, Councilman Larry Shingleton and newly elected Councilman Matt Kimmel were administered their oath of office.
"The oath of office is a short and concise statement that is the sum and heart of the campaign that ultimately ended in my election," Kimmel said.
"As I repeated the words, 'I solemnly swear that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States,' I felt the seriousness and responsibility I have to dutifully execute said oath."
Hiatt had the honor of being administered the oath of office by Gov. Gary R. Herbert.
Herbert admitted it was unusual for the governor to swear in a local official. "My heart is with local government, because the heavy lifting gets done there."
On New Year's Day, new West Bountiful Mayor Ken Romney took the oath of office along with new councilmen George Biada and Mark Preece.
North Salt Lake Mayor-elect Len Arave, along with councilmen-elect Matt Jensen and Stuart Harmon, will be administered their oath of office today prior to the city council's 6 p.m. meeting.
North Salt Lake is also taking applications for a council position through the close of business Thursday in naming a replacement for Councilman Ron Gordon, who resigned from his position effective Jan. 31.
Comments