I’ve got mine, you stay out
I’m not even sure where to start after reading the article entitled “Our Future: Aspen On Steroids?” Are we really trying to blame the high cost of housing in Park City on future Olympics that may, or may not come back to Utah? That seems rather disingenuous.
Prices exceeded what a working class person is able to afford quite some time ago. Deer Valley and Sundance have added a high-end flair since the ’80s, but there are two things that have a major influence on current pricing: short term rentals and lack of development. According to a U of U study, nearly 43% of housing units in Park City were short term rentals in 2020. Indications show that number has gone up since.
The second reason is a little anecdotal, but every time I drive down Old Ranch Road or through the Home Depot parking lot, there’s a new sign opposing the latest proposed development. I get it, careful planning needs to go into development, but all the opposition leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It screams “I’ve got my home, now you stay out”. It’s the same mentality that stopped the lift upgrades at Park City Mountain.
Park City is not this busy because of the Olympics or because Vail came to town. It’s busy because it’s a beautiful place to be during any season and the word is out! It seems silly to try to stop the Olympics due to rising housing prices, that ship has sailed.
Matt Larson
Heber City
No need for Harmons here
I was reading this week about the move by the Outlets’ owner to request a variance to bring a fourth grocery, a Harmons store, to Kimball Junction, which is not needed, adds further to congestion, etc. (A tip for Harmons: There are hundreds of residents over by the north end of Jordanelle who would really like a grocery store, and there is no competition over there!) This move and the move by Dakota Pacific have parallels. Both the group owning the Outlets and Dakota Pacific made investment purchases knowing the zoning and the rules. Both are pushing hard with the County Commission to subvert previous decisions and in the case of Dakota Pacific, the majority of the people evidenced by public involvement in their community. Both entities made questionable investments.
Outlets are thriving in other parts of the county because the owners invest in the appearance and are aggressive in bringing in interesting merchants. Coming out of one of the largest growth periods of tech office development, Dakota Pacific distinguished themselves by not being able to do any development, and one can argue, if they would disclose their investment memo when making the land purchase from The Boyer Company as requested by the Summit County Commission, they had designs on more lucrative development to justify to their investors this purchase. The point is it is not our County commission’s job to help bail out the out-of-town investors who seek to profit from our community. Enforce the existing approved zoning and have the backbone to stand up to out-of-town developers who have one objective: to profit from a community where we all live.
Vic Method
Pinebrook
She’s been there, done that
Hello Park City! I am writing to endorse candidate Mandy Pomeroy for Park City school board!
Mandy’s resume speaks volumes. Mandy taught elementary school for 12 years and currently steps in as a substitute teacher for PCSD when needed. She also chairs the Red Apple Gala which has raised over $1 MILLION for PCSD. Mandy gets things done. She visualizes a plan and takes the steps to make it happen.
Her special expertise of implementing group cooperation in creating and executing plans is essential for a school board to thrive. She’s been there, she’s done that, literally. She’s bonafide.
Mandy is my candidate of choice because she focuses on all students regardless of race, religion, creed or politics.
Mandy was there when I took my first tour of Jeremy Ranch Elementary School. Mandy was there holding signs when it was time to raise awareness for PCEF. Mandy was there when the lunch room needed a volunteer. Mandy was there at the PTO meeting getting important information out to parents.
Mandy is there for all children; no child is more important than another.
I appreciate Mandy’s nonpartisan approach during this campaign. Mandy will represent the community, not a single constituency. Mandy’s service on the school board will not be guided by any one interest. Mandy knows that the work is to listen, agree, disagree and sometimes accept a group decision even if it’s not her personal choice. She isn’t intimidated by dissent. One of the attributes I like best about Mandy is her honesty. She has the backbone to speak her mind in an effective, kind manner when opinions differ. Mandy will represent our community responsibly.
Mandy is a mother to three children in the PCSD. She’s seen both sides of the coin — as a parent and an educator. Mandy would be an effective and invaluable school board member of our PCSD and I am proud to support her in this campaign.
Rachel Persson
Jeremy Ranch
I did the math
So at the end of last season I signed up for the PCMR automatic pass renewal and made my down payment. No problem.
Back in August, PCMR rolled out their new paid parking program. I did the math. I ski three days a week, I travel alone and this new wrinkle made my head spin.
I decided that a mid-week pass at Deer Valley would be a better value for my money, actually less expensive (after the $25 per day fee at PCMR).
So, I bought my Deer Valley pass, and wrote off the down payment to PC. But, PC thinks I ought to have to buy their pass anyway, and will attempt to collect!
Good luck with that! And, great public relations decision, don’t you think?
Bruce Travis
Heber City
The newest propaganda lord
This election we are witnessing Utah’s version of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
Burgess Owens acts like an aloof monarch, carrying on as if his public job were a private fief, leaning on his good looks, his football background, the correct religion, and not much else.
Mike Lee represents the Book of Mormon, Captain Moroni, and lots of LDS folks, but lacks intent to represent anyone else outside this tightly closed circle.
Christ Stewart has an exaggerated sense of importance to nation and state. My grandmother used to say about a man with such a boundless ego, “If I could buy him for what he’s worth, and sell him for what he thinks he’s worth, I’d be rich.”
Blake Moore is the state’s newest propaganda lord, so misstating the Inflation Reduction Act’s intent that he has solidified himself as a certified minion of the 1% class.
Kimball Shinkoskey
Woods Cross
If elected, I make this promise
I am Mandy Pomeroy, Park City School Board, District 4 candidate. In April, board member Kara Hendrickson sadly passed away. I was unanimously voted to complete the term by the school board. My opponents chose not to apply. I’m now running for the next four years.
I’m a parent, an educator, an advocate. A former elementary school teacher and teacher of the year. A mother of three girls in the Park City School District. I served three years as PTO president for Jeremy Ranch Elementary. I chair the Red Apple Gala, the Park City Education Foundation’s flagship fundraiser, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, directly used in Park City for hundreds of programs. I have worked in higher education and volunteer at school weekly. I am experienced, passionate AND the only candidate with demonstrated commitment to Park City schools’ children, teachers, and administrators.
It’s been a privilege to serve on the board. Our district is not perfect. Improvements can be made. We have a tough community. There has been justifiable criticism of the board’s past actions. I promise with my continued board service, we will correct our course when we need to and double down on what we do well.
Parents have expressed a lack of transparency between the school board and parents. I want to work to ensure their voices are heard. I want to work with fellow board members to involve parents. We are elected officials, and work FOR our parents and students. Parents should know we are working for and with them in the best interests of their children. If elected, I make this promise to our community — I will bring all of my experience, dedication and commitment to the job, every single day, so our children can achieve their potential in a happy, safe environment.
Mandy Pomeroy
Park City
Hire the vet
This letter is in support of Canice Harte for the vacant County Council seat. I have known Canice personally and professionally for many years. We met through Park City Rotary, where he promptly rose to a leadership position. There is a common myth that in the military you never volunteer, that certainly does not apply to Canice, a former Recon Marine. Whenever there is a job or project he will always be on the front lines. For example, I was working with Sheriff Martinez to set up a non-profit org to support our search and rescue team, Canice heard about it and immediately stepped in to help. With his past experience as marketing expert for several of the leading outdoor equipment companies, he was the ideal resource. Obviously respected, his calls to these companies were answered straight away with fantastic offers of huge discounts. We worked with the team to ascertain their needs, lined up providers and then Canice says, let me find us some donors. While doing all this as well as his day job for an international boot company and taking great care of his wife and two daughters he decided that to truly support SAR he needed to also join the team.
From the high scale environs of Park City, to the rural East Side, out into the trackless wilderness of Summit County, Canice is deeply committed to our collective well being and that of our lost or injured wilderness explorers. He has triggered amazing support in donations of both cash and in-kind. Just this month, the SAR team is now equipped with the latest radio communications gear that will keep them safe and functional in the mountainous backcountry. The team has received new vehicles and support to acquire the best snowmobiles available, new uniform cold weather gear and safety devices — literally hundreds of thousand of dollars that was just not available through the sheriff’s or county budget.
Glen Wright, whose seat is vacant, was the only veteran on the Council, our county manager was also a veteran; both have left us to pursue other opportunities. When you need a hard job done, ask a busy person; when you want it done well, hire a veteran. And when you also want it done enthusiastically, get a Marine.
Kevin McCarthy
Park City
Meredith Reed is rare
We are fortunate in our community to have Meredith Reed as a candidate for the Park City School Board. She is intelligent, compassionate, and energetic. Meredith is raising four children, one PC High graduate and three in the district. She is deeply committed to working for our students, and supporting our educators and staff.
Meredith is a community leader and volunteer. She was a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force and a post commander in the American Legion. She served on the board of the League of Women Voters, is an active member of Park City Rotary, and is a member of the current Leadership Park City class. It is rare to have a candidate as organized and professionally qualified as Meredith on the ballot this November. Wouldn’t it be great to have her on our Board of Education as well?
Terri Smith
Deer Valley
The same five concerns
I am writing in support of Holly McClure and John “Jack” Murphy as Summit County Council candidates.
The reasons for my support are pretty simple. Holly and Jack have common sense! They each believe that as a council member, their sole purpose is to represent the people of Summit County. This responsibility seems to have been forgotten in the past few years.
Holly and Jack have spent countless hours talking to people all over Summit County in recent months. Regardless of political affiliation, everyone has the same FIVE CONCERNS! There is no room for politics in local issues. We can all agree that we chose to make our homes in Summit County for similar reasons. Let’s get back to what makes Summit County a special place. Holly and Jack are the refreshing, honest, and hardworking individuals that we need working for us — the residents of Summit County.
Jennifer Bevilacqua
Park City
Erin Grady is perfect for School Board
I’ve known Erin Grady since my earlier days in Park City, circa 2003. Then just as she is now, Erin was a passionate and dedicated community member, with an amazing (and vital in her political role) sense of humor. Erin cares deeply about Park City and each and every student in our school district. She is a true leader and offers a legitimately fair and balanced viewpoint when making decisions, whether those that are critical and will extend a huge impact, like keeping our schools open during a pandemic, or those that might be smaller to the whole, but are extremely important to specific individuals. (Thank you for this true service, Erin!) She also cares deeply about students and families that don’t have a loud voice but equally deserve to be heard as those that know how to attract and command attention.
Our community is so fortunate to have Erin on our School Board. We will benefit from another four years of her selfless service. I urge you to vote and reelect Erin this November, and to tell your friends in Pinebrook and Summit Park to do the same.
Courtney Caplan
Old Ranch Road