During a very busy first week of January in cities along the Wasatch Front, South Jordan held its Oath of Office Ceremony on Jan. 6. Mayor Dawn Ramsey and city council members Don Shelton and Jason McGuire, all of whom were reelected in November, took their oaths before a standing room only crowd of family and residents in council chambers.

Several other cities held similar ceremonies the week of Jan. 5.

In South Jordan, Gov. Spencer Cox administered the Oath of Office to Ramsey, who is beginning her third term at the city’s helm. In his opening comments, Utah’s governor said the nation’s Founding Fathers “knew that if this system of self-government was going to work, they needed a citizenry that was educated, first of all, and that was moral. As I look out here tonight, I see a citizenry that is educated—that is here to learn and to contribute to those who have voted and those who’ve received the votes of the people and are going to be sworn in tonight. I see a moral people who care deeply about who we are as a nation and a state, and who are willing to sacrifice their time to come to a public meeting. I’m glad it’s standing room only this evening.”

Cox said he has felt a strong personal connection with Ramsey, pointing out that before he served as a governor or lieutenant governor, “I was mayor of a small town. I understand a little bit what it means to be a mayor. I am asked all the time if it’s hard to be a governor, and at times it is. But I always say it's much harder to be a mayor or to serve on a city council. The reason it’s harder is because you are where it all comes together. Local government is the most important kind of government because it is closer to the people. Thomas Jefferson said the government that is closest to the people is the most responsive.”

He also drew a laugh when he said that community elections are non-partisan for a reason—because potholes aren’t partisan. 

“We have to get stuff done,” he said, “and that’s what mayors and city councils do.” He listed just a few of the organizations that Ramsey is involved with in leadership and as a member, including the Utah League of Cities and Towns, the Jordan Education Association, the Wasatch Front Regional Council, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, Point of the Mountain state land authority, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District and South Valley Sewer.

“And I haven’t even got through half of them,” he said. “Now that takes a very talented person, but it also takes a very dedicated person…and a person with an incredible family around them.”

“We’re so blessed to live here, to have what we have and to be surrounded by this incredible community,” Ramsey said in her remarks. “We need to remember as we’re making plans now about the future of our children and grandchildren, and the quality of life for those who will outlive us. Strong schools where kids are safe and become educated. It is the honor of a lifetime to serve as mayor of South Jordan.”

She praised the city council, “hard working civic servants. They’re not drama, they’re not ego, they’re here to serve, which is why we’re getting so much done. Thank you to our staff. It is one of the greatest blessings of my life to be surrounded by such good, smart, hardworking people. Thank you for helping create a place where people want to live.”

Shelton and McGuire made similar comments, thanking their families for support as they serve on the council, which involves a lot of time away from home at meetings or other public events. They received their Oaths of Office from city recorder Anna Crookston.

The evening began with a color guard with bagpipes from the South Jordan Fire Department, the National Anthem performed by the Bingham High Madrigals and the Pledge of Allegiance from students at Aspen Elementary. A patriotic song was also performed by fifth grade students at South Jordan Elementary.