The municipal elections, held on November 7th, 2017, brought big changes for Harrisville City and in the life of one particularly accomplished lady.
Michelle Tait, newly elected Harrisville Mayor says, “I felt like the whole day was dragging on and on—would it ever get here?”
Finally, the day did end and the results were in Tait’s favor: she had won the election over Gary L. Robinson.
Tait tells us, “I don’t want to sit over in the corner and watch life happen…so if I keep pushing myself I can do other things that fall into place naturally.”
As a city council member for 9 total years, Tait had plenty of experience working with the people of Harrisville. For example, she was largely involved with the Heritage Days Festivities, including Little Miss Harrisville.
Also, three years ago, Tait and her son, Brody, helped start the Harrisville Farmer’s Market. At the time, Brody, was working on a Senior project at Weber State and the two of them collaborated on the idea of starting up the Farmer’s Market. After being approved for the project and receiving a nod from the City Council, the Farmer’s Market was put into action. Tait and her son ran this for the first year and Harrisville City has run it the last two years.
Tait and her family moved into Harrisville in 1994 and have made it their home ever since. Tait’s husband, Arnold, is very supportive of her decision to become mayor; and, in fact, he encouraged the idea two years ago.
Never before has there been a female mayor for Harrisville so Tait is certainly making history!
Although, she says, “If you do the job it doesn’t matter in regards to being female.”
Tait has been a Rural Letter Carrier for the past 33 years. She has also been very active in the National Rural Letter Carrier’s Association. Two years ago, she was involved on an even larger scale in the NRLCA and was elected Vice President of the Western States (which is comprised of 11 states, with Utah having a board of 7 members) for 1 year.
The following year, she became President. Tait then finished her term for secretary/treasurer and didn’t run for office in the Union, but ran for mayor of Harrisville instead.
Tait is looking forward to working closely with Harrisville City and says, “We have a great staff here. They are amazing! I know them all. I know them on a personal basis. I know what they are capable of…they know their jobs and they work for more of the small-town atmosphere versus the money and you got to admire that.”
When asked if she had a goal or a vision while serving as mayor, she thoughtfully declared, “I don’t want to limit myself by saying- ‘This is what I’m going to do’—the only thing I can really promise is that: I’ll DO MY BEST!”
Tait would also like to see if she can help people care for each other. “If you know your neighbors—you know who lives around you-- and you’re more likely to take care of them.”
Also, Tait would like to see Harrisville have some growth. “If we can have some shops here, then we won’t always have to go to Riverdale. “Why can’t we have our tax base grow right here?”
As the new Harrisville mayor, beginning in January, Tait knows her role is mainly emphasized on taking care of the staff and the workings of the City of Harrisville. The City Council will help make decisions for the City.
“I want to make sure there’s a lot of communication with the new council members coming in.
Recently, Tait had the LDS missionaries living with her. They have since moved on. Now, she is hosting a foreign exchange student until May. In her words she says, “My door is always open!”
