FARMINGTON -- Surrounded by family, elected officials and department heads, Davis County's new commissioner Alan Hansen took the oath of office in the commission chambers on Monday morning. Hansen, who replaces outgoing Commissioner Michael Cragun, was already getting settled in his office Monday afternoon, as he reflected on the day and his upcoming term of office.

"It was an interesting day. It was fun and exciting to have all my family, friends and elected officials, present," he said. The oath was administered by Davis County Clerk\Auditor Steve Rawlings who told the new commissioner "welcome aboard," as they signed the oath of office.

Among Hansen's new assignments will be oversight of Aging Services, Animal Control, indigent burial, Justice Court, Planning Commission and the USU Extension Ser-vices. With the aging population growing in Davis County, Aging Services has become one of the County's largest departments. Hansen will also be involved with the Davis Cham-ber of Commerce, where he has already been serving, along with several other boards.

He said he is looking forward to putting a five-year plan for the county up and running as soon as possible. "We're building a jail, and I'd like to get the five-year plan up and running so projects like that will not be a surprise to residents."

Hansen, who has been involved with public service since the early 1970s, has served on the Clearfield City Council, but most of his work has been behind the scenes, he said. Just a year ago, Hansen was approached to run for county commissioner, and he decided to go for it.

In addition to his new title as county commissioner, in March, Hansen will take on the title of grandfather with the birth of his first grandchild. There was speculation that the ceremonies might need to be interrupted if Hansen's daughter Alisha called. Alisha was flying to Russia as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Siberia. But the inauguration took place as planned.