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West Jordan Journal

New City Councilmembers Take Oath of Office

Jan 28, 2016 01:59PM ● By Bryan Scott

By Taylor Stevens | [email protected]

West Jordan - Four city council members took their oaths of office before a full audience in the City Council Chambers on Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. 

“I solemnly swear that I will support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of the State of Utah and the laws and ordinances of the City of West Jordan, and I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity,” repeated each council member. 

The newly instated council members are Chris McConnehey from District 1, Dirk Burton from District 2, Zach Jacob from District 3 and Sophie Rice from District 4.

Each council member was sworn in individually and gave remarks to the audience afterward, thanking both their supporters and their families and considering the democratic process.

“It is an honor to stand here and pledge to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, because that is something that I love,” Jacobs said during his remarks.  

Jacobs and others also used their time at the podium to urge the assembled residents to either remain or become active in the West Jordan community. 

“However you choose to be involved, the fact that we get to be involved is something that a lot of the world doesn’t have the privilege of saying they [have],” Jacobs said.

This is the first time the city has ever done a swearing in ceremony this way. According to state code, new council members should be sworn in at noon on the first Monday in January—but City Recorder Melanie Briggs wanted something different. 

“I took it upon myself just to decide that we were going to make it special for the people who were elected,” Briggs said, noting that having an evening ceremony allowed for more community involvement. After the ceremony, the city hosted a reception to give residents the opportunity to mingle with their new council members.

Two of the four council members sworn in have never before had a seat at the dais—new blood that some hope will bring new direction to the politically tense environment at city hall over the past year. 

“I haven’t felt this good about the direction the city is heading since 2008,” Mayor Kim Rolfe said. “I truly believe that, and I’m really excited.”