Marion Hatch was appointed to the Taylor Town Council June 2, replacing David Smith, who resigned last month in order to enter the race for District III Navajo County Supervisor.
At the June 2, council meeting Smith read his letter of resignation to the council and said he had a suggestion for his replacement.
Mayor Fay Hatch thanked Smith for his service to the community, for his hard work, for attending events and for using his airplane to get to an event that they would not have been able to attend otherwise, and presented him with a plaque.
Smith noted that there were a long line of people in Taylor, but that he would like to submit the name of Marion Hatch to fill the remainder of his term. Smith said that he respects Hatch’s views and knew that he would work hard, noting that he made great sacrifice of his time and financially when they were going through the possibility of consolidating Taylor and Snowflake.
“I strongly ask that you consider Marion Hatch,” he said.
Vice Mayor Shawn Palmer said that with him it boils down to three things, which were how strongly they feel about our country and the town of Taylor, how willing they are to correct things that need correcting, and keep us on the right track, and that they work to keep the town going in the right direction for its betterment.
Palmer then moved to consider Marion Hatch, noting, “He’s got huge shoes to fill Dave’s vacancy.”
“Marion always worked in the background,” said Mayor Hatch, noting that he put “tireless efforts in opposing consolidation. This town council would not be meeting here tonight, there would not be a Taylor Town Council. I’m thankful for that effort.”
Councilman Gary Solomon said he was approached by a member of the community who asked Solomon to recommend he serve on the council.
Mayor Hatch called for a second to Palmer’s motion, explaining that before a vote was taken, Solomon could nominate another candidate. The mayor then seconded the motion.
Solomon then presented the name of Harold Meservey.
“I know Harold quite well, and I respect him. He’s a very good man,” said Palmer.
Councilman Jason Brubaker said he did not know him personally, but would love to have him here, but Meservey was not present.
Brubaker then began to comment, hesitated briefly, and commented on what was said about Marion Hatch with regards to consolidation.
“I hated the whole situation of consolidation, like the ugliness that came out during that time,” Brubaker said. “I feel like, I am pleased with the direction our town council has directed our town over the last couple of years. I feel like we’re going in the right direction.
“If I feel like I’m appointing somebody just for their position on consolidation, I’m not going to vote for that,” adding that Marion Hatch sold property to the town and he appreciated that he accepted the town’s offer noting, “I feel like financially he could have tried to get the price higher and higher. He was pleasant to work with and very fair. I look at that in a positive way,” said Brubaker.
“The only reason I brought up consolidation was to show his love and appreciation for the town,” said Mayor Hatch.
“Also that he was willing to step up,” Palmer added, noting that he loved the neighbors to the north and wanted to continue working with them.
Mayor Hatch called for a vote, which passed unanimously with Hatch, Palmer, Brubaker and Solomon voting in favor of Marion Hatch.
Former Taylor councilman David Smith (left) received a plaque for his service to the council and the town from Mayor Fay Hatch.
