So it makes sense that Cullimore, who was present at the creation, would seek to become the new city's first mayor. We believe that the corporate executive is well-suited to the task, which he appropriately compares to starting up a small business.

Cullimore is president and chief executive officer of Dynatronics Corp., a manufacturer of medical devices based in Cottonwood Heights. The publicly traded company he manages has annual revenues roughly twice what the new city would start out with, and we believe he has demonstrated the executive skills that will be helpful in getting the new city off the ground.

Those skills will be particularly critical in the city's first year, when the City Council must recruit and hire a city manager (who will hire other key personnel), and make a successful transition to running its own municipal services. Even though the city likely will make contracts with Salt Lake County, the current service provider, to continue in that role, it cannot hurt to have an experienced businessman on the city's team.

Cullimore's opponent in the mayor's race, Suzanne Bitter, is, like him, a public-spirited person with long, deep roots in the city. She also volunteered in behalf of the incorporation drive. In addition, she has served on a community council. What she lacks, however, is Cullimore's depth as a business executive, the factor that we believe, in these circumstances, recommends him over her to the voters.

Under the council-manager form of government that voters chose when they decided to form a city last May, the mayor will sit on the council and have a vote, so there will not be the separation of powers that occurs under the federal system. The mayor's role will be largely ceremonial. Nevertheless, we believe the mayor, as presiding officer of the council, will assume an executive role in the city's formative months until a manager is hired and can assume day-to-day operations leadership of the city.

In Bitter's platform, we applaud her inclusive approach to city government, which Cullimore echoes. She made a strong point of recognizing that her community is rich in talent, and that many people should be tapped to lend their time and expertise on advisory boards to help shape the new city and its policies. She also proposes to enhance Crestwood Park and beautify the city, no doubt a reflection of her own career expertise as a professional gardener.

On balance, though, we give our nod to Cullimore.