I am a 45-year resident of Summit County asking my fellow citizens to join me in my unconditional support for Thomas Cooke, candidate for County Council Seat C.
It was Commissioner Cooke who pushed county officials to fund the “Our Summit Community Visioning” project. Why? The rewrites of the Snyderville Basin and Eastern Summit County general plans are a big deal. We now have citizen-driven data to move forward with a cohesive vision and strategic plan.
Why believe me?
I was hired by the Basin Recreation Board in 1996 to foster the first Recreation and Trails Master Plan, the recreation element of the Snyderville Basin General Plan. I worked resolutely for 17 years to actualize parks, trails, recreation facilities and the preservation of open space in the Basin. Profit-driven developers often resisted community benefits, like trail easements needed for connectivity. Cheap developer tricks were not uncommon. Unwavering public officials (Bob Richer and Sally Elliott among them) stood strong to enforce our vision.
As a Summit County resident since 1993, Thomas has seen the way growth challenges have shaped the Basin. In 2016, he chose to act, garnering an appointment to the Basin Planning Commission. When Dakota Pacific’s 2019 land use change at Kimball Junction emerged, Thomas led the commission in a negative recommendation. I was there among community elders breathing a collective sigh of relief. Fortunately, what I view as Dakota’s ensuing cheap developer tricks galvanized community opposition before the County Council.
Council is not a training ground for a candidate with a lesser skill set.
Vote for Cooke’s proven depth of knowledge and unique ability to absorb and process vast amounts of information. When it comes to serving all Summit County residents, Thomas Cooke is our most capable and qualified advocate. Let’s advance him to face off with his Republican opponent in November.
Bonnie Park
Park Meadows