Page native, Levi Tappan will be Page’s new mayor. Tappan will take the oath Monday Nov. 26 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall, along with the newly elected city council members.
Tappan is Page’s first mayor who was born and raised in Page.

The Coconino County Recorder’s office closed counting Friday, Nov. 16. Tappan received 1,172 votes (54.5 percent) to incumbent Mayor bill Diak’s 978 votes (45.5 percent). Mayor Diak held a press conference Monday afternoon to announce the news. After hearing the final vote count, Diak said he and mayor-elect Tappan met and talked for about an hour to help insure a smooth transition.

“We talked about things coming up for him in his new office that he should be aware of,” said mayor Diak. “We had a very good discussion and I think it was well received. I think he will do well.”

Tappan said Monday that he’s looking forward to his first term as mayor.

One of his big goals as mayor will higher community input and involvement,” he said.

“I want to get a lot more people involved with the city,” he said.  “I want to get the community feeling back in Page.”

“I don’t know if it’s just nostalgia, but growing up I remember everyone played little league, and when the CAB had a concert everyone went to it,” he said. “I don’t see that as much any more.”

Part of his plan for increased community involvement and input is doing a better job with its various community advisement boards.

“The city used to have several people trying to get one available seat on a board, but now we have several boards with multiple openings and few people filling the seats,” Tappan said. “I want to put a lot for more emphasis on the boards, and consider their input, so the people serving on them will feel appreciated and that they’re not wasting their time.”
 As mayor Tappan says he’s already encouraging the citizens to be pro-active and take a part in the future of Page.

“People like to say, `Why aren’t we like Moab or Sedona?’ Its not going to be the city that does it by itself. It will be the citizens and the businesses coming together that will make it happen.

“For instance, wouldn’t it be great if all the businesses down main street put up Christmas lights, so when people drive in town for the month of December we look  like the amazing Christmas town that we are?”

 “Page has all these great assets that people look at as liabilities, such as the amphitheater and the horse corrals at Vermillion Cliffs,” said Tappan. “These are some great assets I think we should be using more.”

 Tappan served as city council member for five years and said it was an important education preparing him for mayor.

“My time on council showed me how a city government works and how we have to work together to get things done, how our boards work, how it all comes together.”
Tappan ran on a platform of “A Bold New Direction,” and now that he’s been elected people want to know the details of what that will be. Tappan plans to share his vision and goals with the city when he holds a State of City address on January 23.  “I’m currently getting all my pieces organized and then, during the State of the City, I’ll roll out my bold new plan.”
Tappan is appreciative of the service Mayor Diak gave to the community.

“The mayor did a great job,” said Tappan.  “He ushered the city through a terrible time, and helped carry it where it is today, and now I’m going to try to carry it to the next level. It’s time to turn the page and start our new chapter.”
The public is invited to meet the new mayor and the new members of the city council this Monday at 6:30 p.m. during a meet and greet, which will be held at city hall.