February 2018 | Vol. 5 Iss. 02
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COCHRAN ELECTED BY TAYLORSVILLE CITY COUNCIL TO FILL VACANT SEAT By Carl Fauver | carlf@mycityjournals.com
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ongtime Taylorsville City volunteer also a Taylorsville resident.” Curt Cochran told council memWhen the candidates were asked bers flat out, “I believe I am the best how they had served the city previouscandidate for this position,” as he comly, Cochran had one particular project peted with eight others to fill the city to point out, in addition to his work on council District 2 seat left vacant when various city committees. Councilwoman Kristie Overson was “I was very active in helping to elected mayor. get the bass fishing pond operating at A couple of hours later, when the Millrace Park (5300 South, west of the lengthy special election process was Jordan River), knocking on doors and completed, council members agreed, speaking with people,” said the former voting 3-1 to have Cochran join their competitive bass fisherman. “I then ranks. helped hundreds of kids learn to love “This has been a long process,” fishing through clubs and tournaments. Cochran told the council, shortly before Altogether that was a nine-year project, his final election. “I considered running start to finish.” six years ago (when Overson was first Cochran told the council he moved elected to the council seat). But I finally to Taylorsville, from Idaho, in 1988. His decided to try to gain a little more expewife Wendy is a 1984 Taylorsville High rience. I feel qualified now and still haSchool graduate. ven’t taken running for mayor someday “Marrying that beautiful lady back off the table.” there,” Cochran said, motioning toward Cochran is currently the city’s planhis wife in the council chambers, “is ning commission chairman. He’s also my biggest accomplishment, along with previously served on the city’s budget raising our two sons and one daughter. and economic development committees. Our roots run deep in this community, The special Jan. 10 meeting began and I want to continue to do all I can to with nine candidates for the District 2 make Taylorsville an even better place.” position. A random draw determined In terms of recent economic growth their speaking order, and after opening accomplishments in the city, Cochran statements, the field of nine was cut to added, “Taylorsville has made great four when the shorthanded four-person strides, but we can’t slow down or rest council cast the first of several ballots on our laurels.” on the night. Cochran also told the council he Candidates Scott Cold, Dan Fazzi- New city Councilman Curt Cochran says marrying his wife Wendy is his greatest accomplishment. (Carl Fauver/City Journals) hopes to do even more to curb panhanni, Jennifer Kester, Jeanaea Lorton and dling in the city and he would like to Greg Vanderwerff were eliminated in increase the effort to improve unsightly After a few more rounds of questioning, McElreath was the first round of voting. eliminated next, followed by Torres. The final vote had Cochran neighborhoods. Cochran was joined in the second round by Eric Behunin, defeating Behunin 3-1, with Council Chairman Brad Chris“The council had a tough decision because there were a lot Marc McElreath and David Torres. topherson casting the lone vote for Behunin. Earlier in the ballot- of great, qualified candidates,” Overson said after the final vote. “This is really tough,” Council Vice Chairman Dan Arm- ing — when the council members were asked to write down their “I have known Curt since I was first elected (to the city council strong said at one point during the two-and-a-half hour process. top two selections — Behunin was named on all four ballots, six years ago) and know he will do a great job.” “These are all strong candidates, and I don’t feel qualified to while Cochran and Torres each got two votes. Wendy Cochran added, “We’re both very excited. He’s choose someone from District 2. But here we are. Residents (of Cochran told the council he is an employee of eBay, and worked very hard for this, and I know he’ll do a good job bethe district) will get their say in the next election.” his employers had already assured him he would be allowed to cause he’s dedicated to everything he does.” Just a week after being sworn into her own council seat, devote whatever time is necessary to council duties. Cochran will fill the remaining two years in the city council newcomer Meredith Harker added, “Here I am making my first “They are very supportive of the communities they work District 2 term. To retain the position, he will have to be elected big decision, and they are all such qualified applicants.” in,” he said. “And it helps that my immediate eBay supervisor is by residents of his district in November 2019. l
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