Amelia Powers Gardner, Utah County Commissioner, took the oath of office on Thursday during a ceremony at the historic Utah County Courthouse in Provo.
Gardner, who resigned from her position as clerk / accountant after winning a special election to fill a position vacated by Tanner Ainge, was sworn in by Temporary Clerk / Chartered Accountant Josh Daniels.
Gardner is the first woman on the Utah County Commission to describe her as “honor” during a post-oath speech.
“But I’m hardly the first woman to run out of Utah County,” she said. “Utah County has led with distinction for generations. We have led all levels of government. “
Gardner referred to past and current Utah County lawmakers, including former House Speaker Becky Lockhart, former 4th District MP Mia Love, and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson and mayors and councilors. But she added that elected officials are “just the tip of the iceberg”.
“There are also volunteer students, community leaders, teachers, good neighbors, but above all the mothers. These are the real leaders in Utah County, and without them we would be lost, ”she said. “It is incredibly humbling to be able to work with thousands of women who are seldom known outside of their communities, classrooms, or families. These are the real leaders in Utah County, and they deserve our thanks. “
Gardner also spoke about the “challenges” faced by Utah County’s rapid population growth, including how to keep growing “without losing what makes Utah County the place everyone wants to be”.
She said the county can “face these challenges with energy, creativity and innovation while holding on to the timeless principles that brought us here.”
“Most of you know I took this to an office of the district clerk / accountant who struggled and fell behind,” said the new commissioner. “They know I will do my best to bring the same energy, creativity and innovation across the county. That’s why I ran, and I think that’s why I was chosen. “
Gardner told the audience that she knows Utah County “on many levels” and shared her experience as the youngest of five siblings with a single mother who was disabled. She said, “gives me special insight and compassion for those who are struggling.”
“We were literally homeless for a while, right here in Utah County,” she said. “Please stop and think about it. I have just taken the oath of office to be a county commissioner in the same county where I spent time as a homeless kid. “
The ceremony took place the day after Commissioners Bill Lee and Tom Sakievich voted 2-0 to approve Gardner’s nomination for the commission by the Utah County’s Republican Party. She replaces Ainge, who resigned in March after failing to file a notice upon arrival for his military training.
Also on Wednesday, the two commissioners voted to approve a letter to the Utah County Republican Party informing the party of the vacancy for the clerk / auditor position and asking the party to nominate someone to fill the vacancy.
Gardner was elected to the vacant commission seat by the Utah County Republican Party’s Central Committee during the county GOP’s fully virtual convention on Saturday. Gardner received 204 of 373 votes, about 54.7%.
Connor Richards covers government, environmental, and South Utah County for the Daily Herald. He can be reached at [email protected] and 801-344-2599.
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