John Williams’ very first meeting as an official member of the city council coincided with a hospital meeting, so his first time with the “whole experience” took place this week.   

We recently spoke with Larry Thomas, who decided not to run again for this cycle after serving on the council for almost three decades.  As the torch has now been passed, we sat down with Williams to get his thoughts as he heads into his first year on the city council.  “I’m happy to be on it,” he said.  “It’s very interesting to me—the process.  Both the heavy stuff and the minutiae. People don’t realize, I think, that in the same conversation that they are talking about making large changes to the city, and the impact is going to have on it, are also having discussions about watering the plants in front of the city building.  It’s all part of the process.”

Like all those who have served before him, Williams is conscious of the fact that no one in a leadership role can make everyone happy.  “It’s interesting, the inevitability that no matter what decision you make, somebody is going to be unhappy with it.”  

Undaunted, though, Williams noted, “There is an excellent quote that goes that whoever steps into the role of leadership, they should be prepared to be excoriated,” Williams said.  “But it doesn’t end there.  It goes on to say ‘be prepared to be excoriated, but then move on and make it better.’  City Council, I think presents an opportunity there.  We have people on the council and with the city who have served for a long time.  And I certainly appreciate everything that Larry Thomas has done.”

In addition to his role on city council, Williams has also served as the Fire Chief, and has been the CEO of the hospital for a number of years.  We asked him whether that experience would provide him a unique take on city issues. “I would hope so.  At the same time, it probably limits me somewhat too, or my process of thinking, anyway.  My experience with the hospital, and also with the Fire Department, does come from a position of regulatory compliance.  I’ve always jokingly said that the number one rule is that John doesn’t go to prison,” he laughed.

“I’m excited.  And one of the things I worry about is that I’ll make decisions based on the information that I have, and people may not see why.  And I may not have all the information at the time.  And it does worry me a little bit, since I want to be sure to do the right thing.  I mean, I love Malad—it’s my hometown.”

As a resident of that town, he has some entertaining memories wrapped up in it.  “I remember when I was a kid, there was a mayor who had a big house on Main Street [Seth Thomas].  And I always thought that was the mayor’s house—like the White House,” he laughed.  “When Spence became the mayor, I remember asking Brad if they were going to have to move!”

He shared the following: “The other thing I do believe about this town is that there are people out there who don’t like each other.  Who really don’t.  But I also believe that if push came to shove and one of them said to the other ‘I need help’ they would come right over and help.  Freely, and without issue.  I think we’re tied together differently here.  And that’s one reason why I’m excited to do this.  And plus, the leadership is great.  I’ve admired Joan [Mayor Hawkins] for a long time.”

Looking forward, Williams sees infrastructure as one of the most important things on the horizon.  “Of course, the Bannock Street project is going to be huge.”  As the hospital CEO, Williams has spoken with mayor Hawkins about what the facility can do to help make parking along the road easier for everyone.  So far, it’s just an idea, but there is no doubt that parking along Bannock Street will be a real issue once the project starts moving forward.”

“One of the biggest things I’m interested in is infrastructure.  I’m a proponent of the right kind of growth.”  Williams spoke a bit about bringing businesses into Malad to fill some of the needs that town has, though not anything specific just yet.  “It would be awesome if we were able to bring in the kind of work that pays well for people to stay here in town.”

A recent council discussion with developer Casey Jones about possibly looking at planning and building single-level homes designed for residents who would rather not have to deal with the issues that go along with stairs caught his attention.  “I know with my mom, that was a game-changer,” Williams said.  “When she moved into that house, she would tell me repeatedly ‘it’s so nice to have that laundry right there—so nice.”

As John Williams joins the council and starts making those decisions—both the big ones and the minutiae—we wish him well, and will keep an eye on how it’s going.