Cottonwood Heights June 2017 by The City Journals

June 2017 | Vol. 14 Iss. 06

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MAYOR CULLIMORE AND COUNCILMAN TYLER NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION By Cassie Goff | cassie@mycityjournals.com ottonwood Heights will soon experience a big change. On March 30, Councilman Tee Tyler and Mayor Kelvyn Cullimore Jr. announced they will not be seeking re-election this year. After 19 years of combined service on the Cottonwood Heights City Council, this comes as quite a shock to the community. Tyler has served on the council since 2010 and has decided he “wants to give someone else a chance to serve.” Tyler will be missed by the city council, staff members and many members of the multiple boards he currently sits on as the city representative. “Tee Tyler is truly one of my favorite people in this world. Next to the love and commitment he has for his family and golf, Tee has shown an immense commitment in serving the residents of Cottonwood Heights. Tee just plain loves our city and wants the best for its residents,” Councilman Mike Peterson said. “When there’s an issue in his district needing attention, he always takes the time to gather all the facts before taking a position. He can regularly be found driving the neighborhoods, knocking on doors, or contacting those personally who have raised a concern or question needing his attention. ” Finance Director Dean Lundell echoed Peterson’s comments. “It’s obvious Tee has a great love for the community and is invested in its success,” Lundell said. “I’ve enjoyed my association with Tee over the past two years. I admire his consistent thoughtfulness in every area in which he has some responsibility.” Cullimore has been with Cottonwood Heights since before its incorporation. Even though he has been working for the city for an immense period of time, his primary source of income comes from his CEO position with Dynatronics. After many months of contemplation, Cullimore said he realized the demands of being a CEO have grown signiﬁcantly and require his full attention. Technically, Cullimore’s position of mayor has always been part-time. That didn’t stop him from quickly developing a habit of working full-

time hours for the city after his election. “Kelvyn works all hours of the day for this city. It’s not uncommon for the city council members, city attorney, or city manager to get an email at 2 a.m., or any time in the night,” Petersen said. “He’s a tireless worker for our city, and bottom line we are much further along as a young city than we would have been without his leadership,” Peterson said. “We’re not sure if he ever sleeps.” Many of the city staff members were in shock after this announcement. No one knows what the city’s future has in store and many are disheartened by the news of his future absence. “When I heard about the mayor’s announcement, I was truly saddened,” Assistant Emergency Manager Mike Halligan said. “I joined the emergency preparedness program three years ago. The support from the mayor has been tremendous. He’s been there to support and to partner with residents, to make sure we are prepared. We are in a better spot because of his vision and his role.” Police Chief Robby Russo has worked with It is not uncommon to see Scouts at city council meetings, earning one of various badges. Every time, Mayor Cullimore Cullimore since the city’s incorporation 12 years introduces himself to every single one. (Dan Metcalf/Cottonwood Heights City) ago. “Kelvyn is a uniter,” Russo said. “He is able to bring all faces together. He is able to make the engaged citizenry and one of the most rewarding time mayor if you have 26-hour days.” For the 2017 municipal election, the compromises, and change the concepts or points parts of the job has been meeting and engaging with many wonderful citizens who share the positions of mayor, District 3 council member to where they are acceptable to everybody.” Even the newer city staff members will feel objective of making Cottonwood Heights a great and District 4 council member will be voted on. Each position is a four-year term. the loss of Mayor Cullimore. Lundell has been city.” For the future, Cullimore plans to spend his The primary election will be held on with Cottonwood Heights for almost two years time working and with his family. Tuesday, August 15 (if necessary) and the general now. “I have 11 grandchildren and number 12 on election will be held on Tuesday, November 7. “I’ve never worked with an elected official Ballots will be mailed during the middle who pays such great attention to detail as does the way. There’s nothing I like more than being with the grandchildren. It is one of the blessings of July for the primary election and the second Mayor Cullimore,” Lundell said. week of October for general election. Underlying these stories shared by some of of growing older,” Cullimore said. Cullimore wished the future mayor the best During the summer, residents can find out the people who work closely with Cullimore on a who will be running for these positions, as the daily basis are some strong emotions, which are of luck. “Whoever is elected, I hope they enjoy the candidate-filing period is scheduled between June not unidirectional. “I have worked hard to establish credibility same support from elected officials, staff and 1 and June 7. Additionally, announcements may of the city with other bodies and in that process citizens that I have enjoyed. I hope they have a be made on various social media sites, including developed many relationships that I value that strong passion for making Cottonwood Heights the city’s pages. One of these announcements will likely diminish when I am out of office. It the best city in the state,” Cullimore said. “And came from the current Councilman Peterson, is the interaction with the citizens, other elected finally, I wish them an extra two hours in every who has formally announced his candidacy for  officials and city staff that I will miss the most,” day to address the multiple duties associated mayor. Cullimore said. “We are very fortunate to have an with being mayor. It is much easier to be a part-

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