After all the finessing, fast-talking and fist-pumping of the campaign, Salt Lake County's newly elected officials faced their baptism before the County Council on Tuesday. And true to that body's nature, rhetoric was reduced to frank talk. County Mayor-elect Peter Corroon was first to come clean, reporting to the council that the county was actually run quite well. "I can say that now," he joked. "Already endearing himself to the bureaucracy," retorted Democratic Councilman Joe Hatch, in a sure harbinger of exchanges to come. Though Democrats Corroon and at-large Councilwoman Jenny Wilson - along with Republican Auditor Sean Thomas - do not begin their formal terms until January, they used Tuesday's meeting for a formal introduction. The mood among council members appeared upbeat, if not eager for healing from a spate of scandals that has rocked the county this year. Several members, for example, told Corroon he had run a "classy campaign." "We're going to come together," said outgoing Republican Councilman Russell Skousen. "Ninety-nine percent of what we do is nonpartisan around here. I hope we'll continue to keep it that way." While the new officials were welcomed, Democratic Councilman Jim Bradley also took the opportunity to praise outgoing council Chairman Steve Harmsen, a Republican who was defeated by Wilson. "I don't think there has been anyone more strong in terms of protecting the taxpayer dollar," Bradley said. "I hope that legacy will continue." - Derek P. Jensen