Yes, Bill Levitt is back - not as mayor, but as a newly appointed member of the Alta Town Council.

On Thursday, the council unanimously picked Levitt to fill the seat of Tom Pollard, who replaced Levitt as mayor just last week.

"It will be a perfect aid and transition," said John Guldner, the resort town's longtime city manager. "It's great."

So why would Levitt, an 88-year-old great-grandfather who decided not to seek re-election last year, want to return to Alta politics?

"My intention is to facilitate the transition from my long tenure as mayor," Levitt wrote in a two-paragraph letter to the council. "I will be able to be of real assistance to Tom as he takes on new duties, and intend, if appointed, to remain in that capacity as long as I can be helpful to the mayor."

The letter is signed "Bill."

Pollard, Levitt's handpicked successor, welcomes the help.

"He's got the connections, and he's got the history," the new mayor said.

Levitt's presence, Pollard added, can help "guide me through this first little bit of my term."

Guldner said Levitt's council appointment - which ends in 2007 - will allow the former mayor a "chance to ease out."

Levitt surprised many last August when he opted against seeking a 10th term.

"It's time," he said then. "Maybe I should spend more time with my family. Maybe I can even go skiing."

Still, Levitt wondered aloud if he would be able to remain on the political sidelines.

"I keep saying I will," he said. "But I know damn well I can't."

jsantini@sltrib.com