Utah city pulls name of new mayor from basket draw

HELPER, Utah (AP) — The new mayor of the Utah city of Helper got a little help from Lady Luck for his job.

Ed Chavez Jr. and Councilman Kirk Mascaro each received two votes from the council to fill the vacant position Thursday night. KSL reports (http://bit.ly/Yj5P8s ) that when it became clear the tie would not be broken, slips of paper bearing council members' votes were placed in a wicker basket.

City Attorney Gene Strate then drew Chavez's name from the basket, making him Helper's mayor.

Chavez is filling the rest of Dean Armstrong's term, which expires in January 2014. Armstrong resigned Feb. 23, one day after he was arrested for investigation of his third DUI.

Chavez retired from the Carbon County Sheriff's Office two weeks ago after 25 years on the job.

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Information from: KSL-TV, http://www.ksl.com/