As Summit County looks ahead to being part of the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment. The next decade will demand decisions that not only address our immediate challenges but serve as a rallying point to forward community priorities. Reflecting on my experience in Atlanta during its preparation for the 1996 Summer Games, I saw first hand how a city can harness the Olympics as a catalyst for transformative change.

When awarded the Summer Games In 1990, Atlanta was facing significant challenges. Public housing projects, like Techwood Homes, had become stigmatized and perpetuated cycles of poverty. Downtown Atlanta had deteriorated, with businesses moving to the suburbs and leaving the city center blighted. Traffic congestion was worsening, and the fledgling MARTA transportation system lacked the investment needed to adequately serve the growing community.

Enter Mayor Andy Young, who returned to his hometown after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives and as ambassador to the United Nations during the Carter administration. His vision was to use the Olympics as a rallying point to revitalize Atlanta.

Mayor Young knew that while the Olympics wouldn’t solve all the city’s problems, it could accelerate the changes he envisioned. He worked closely with city leaders and major corporations like Coca-Cola, Home Depot, Delta, and Turner Broadcasting to develop a bold plan to revitalize housing, improve transportation, and enhance the overall quality of life for Atlanta’s diverse population.

The result was nothing short of transformative. The Olympics provided the momentum needed to close Techwood Homes, dispersing residents throughout the community and breaking the cycle of concentrated poverty. The Olympic Village became much-needed student housing for Georgia Tech and Georgia State University.

Downtown Atlanta was revitalized with the creation of Centennial Olympic Park, and new attractions like the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium followed. The state-of-the-art aquatic center built for the games remains one of the premier venues for collegiate swimming. MARTA received the necessary funding to expand its rail service, which has continued to serve the community ever since.

I worked with the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games as a vendor during this six-year journey and witnessed how the vision of a city in need of change used the Olympics as a rallying point to achieve its priorities while preparing to take the world stage. Athens, Greece, learned a similar lesson when the 2004 Olympics spurred a dramatic overhaul of transportation infrastructure, airport upgrades, and downtown revitalization.

The parallels to Summit County today are striking. Like Atlanta, we face challenges that demand bold action: limiting growth, preserving our environment, addressing housing needs, and improving transportation. The return of the Olympics offers us a similar rallying point — a chance to unite local government, businesses and community members around a shared vision for our future.

But this opportunity will not fulfill itself. It requires proactive leadership, clear priorities, and strong partnerships. We must ask ourselves: How can we ensure that the benefits of the 2034 Olympics extend far beyond the event itself? What legacy do we want to leave for future generations in Summit County?

Our community’s future depends on decisions made today. We should build on the success and legacy left behind by the 2002 Winter Olympics and think about how to use this global event as a lever to address the issues that matter most to our residents. Be it creating sustainable housing solutions, investing in infrastructure, or preserving the natural beauty that makes Summit County unique.

We have a unique chance to shape our community’s future. By setting ambitious yet achievable goals, we can use the Olympics as a springboard to solve longstanding issues. This is our moment to invest in sustainable development, enhance public infrastructure, and create a vibrant, inclusive community that reflects the best of Summit County.

Ari Ioannides is a Republican candidate for the Summit County Council, running for Seat C vs. Democrat Megan McKenna.

The post Guest Editorial: Our challenge, opportunity with 2034 Olympics appeared first on Park Record.

Congratulations are in order for the Summit County Council and their remarkable achievement in securing the preservation of the 910 Ranch. This significant step, leveraging both public funds and federal grants, underscores our community’s dedication to protecting our invaluable open spaces. The 910 Ranch, a sprawling 8,576-acre property north of Jeremy Ranch, will stand for generations as a testament to our collective commitment to conservation.

The purchase of the 910 Ranch, made possible with an initial allocation of $15 million from the Open Space General Obligation Bond and an expected total cost of $55 million, reflects our community’s support of open space by our local leaders. This effort not only preserves a critical piece of our natural heritage but also provides a vital sanctuary for wildlife and a recreational haven for our residents. I applaud the foresight and dedication of our County Council in securing this land will benefit generations to come.

As someone who has personally contributed to the preservation of open spaces, I am inspired by the council’s accomplishments. My family and I created Rocky Point Preserve, a 260-acre area between the neighborhoods of Silver Creek, Red Hawk, Promontory and Tollgate Canyon. Setting aside the immense value of this prime development land, we chose to donate the development rights to Summit Land Conservancy, ensuring it remains protected and accessible as a recreational area. This decision, made without additional public or private funds, reflects our belief in the importance of preserving open lands for the community.

While the efforts of our local government are commendable, the preservation of our natural spaces is a responsibility that extends to each of us. I urge fellow community members to join me in taking personal action to protect more land in Summit County. Whether through donations, volunteering or advocating for conservation initiatives, or donating development rights to Summit Land Converancy — every contribution makes a difference.

Open spaces are more than just scenic landscapes. They are vital to our environmental health, community well-being, and quality of life. They provide habitats for wildlife, opportunities for recreation, and natural beauty that defines our region. By preserving these areas, we ensure that future generations can enjoy the same benefits and experiences that we cherish today.

The pending acquisition of the 910 Ranch is a shining example of what we can achieve when we come together with a shared vision for conservation. It is a call to all of us to step forward and contribute to the preservation of our beloved Summit County.

Let’s continue to work together, combining public efforts with personal commitments, to protect and enhance the natural beauty that makes our community so special.

Together, we can ensure that Summit County remains a place where nature thrives and where we, as residents, can enjoy the pristine landscapes and open spaces that define our home.

Ari Ioannides is a Republican candidate for the Summit County Council.

The post Guest Editorial: Summit County comes through with commitment to open space appeared first on Park Record.

The recent oversight by the Sundance Institute, which resulted in a missed grant application deadline, highlights a critical need for improvement in how Summit County manages its services.

Having navigated the complexities of grant management as the former executive director of the Park City Institute, I understand how such administrative challenges can significantly impact our community’s valuable programs.

Summit County disburses over $1.6 million through the RAP and restaurant tax grants to community partners. Despite this significant financial investment, the application and management processes rely on outdated methods, with manual submissions and tracking. This burdens applicants and places undue strain on county staff and committee members who administer and review these grants.

The weakness of this outdated system was illustrated when Sundance, amid staff changes and an adjusted deadline, failed to secure a grant that supports essential local community programs for our students.

This situation could have been prevented with a more streamlined and responsive grant management system.

Sundance is not alone in missing a deadline. Park City Institute missed a reporting deadline when the county neglected to send reporting reminders to grant recipients in a previous grant cycle. 

Summit County has an opportunity to embrace technological advancements in service management that could yield considerable benefits to all stakeholders. By implementing a web-based grant management software, the county can enhance efficiency, improve transparency, and save time and money.

Such platforms simplify the application process, making it easier for organizations to submit and track their applications in real time. They also provide a dashboard that offers clear visibility into the status of applications, deadlines, and reporting requirements.

By modernizing the grant application process, we can invest in the success of our nonprofits, ensuring a broader distribution of funds across community projects.

Automated alerts and reminders within these systems help prevent missed deadlines, secure funding for vital programs, and avoid unexpected financial shortfalls.

Moreover, easier application processes would foster stronger relationships between the county and grant recipients, creating a collaborative environment that supports community development.

The challenge faced by the Sundance Institute is an opportunity for Summit County to review the delivery of critical services.

By adopting proven best practices for services such as grant management, we can prevent future oversights and enhance the delivery of all county services.

Let’s equip Summit County with the tools it needs to manage public funds effectively, ensuring our community continues to thrive. This move toward modernization isn’t just about improving administrative efficiency; it’s an investment in the resilience and prosperity of our community, ensuring that Summit County remains a place where culture, recreation, and public welfare flourish.

Ari Ioannides is a candidate for the Summit County Council.

The post Guest Editorial: Outdated process contributes to Sundance grant issue appeared first on Park Record.

In 2019, Summit County had an opportunity that could have significantly altered our community’s approach to sustainability and waste management. An initiative to relocate and expand Recycle Utah’s facilities was on the table — an opportunity to enhance recycling and extend the lifespan of our rapidly filling landfill.

However, due to a decision by the then-chair of the Summit County Council, this plan was unexpectedly shelved.

As someone deeply involved in the efforts to find Recycle Utah a new home, I saw the potential benefits a new location would provide. The proposal was simple yet impactful: provide land for a new, expanded facility that could double Recycle Utah’s impact, reduce transportation costs, and make recycling more convenient for our community members. Like a similar facility in Jackson Hole, this public-private partnership would have been a beacon of community-driven environmental stewardship.

Recycle Utah and its board, alongside dedicated individuals from Park City and Summit County — including Sally Elliott, Pat Putt, Tom Fisher, Chris Cherniak, Andy Beerman, and myself — had worked for years to identify viable locations for this new facility. A site in Summit County was identified and fully supported by county staff. The plans were robust, backed by a commitment from Recycle Utah, which had set aside funds for construction pending land allocation by our local government.

However, at a pivotal meeting on Oct.21, 2019, at the Sheldon Richens Building, the then-chair of the Summit County Council dismissed the proposal. The decision was a blow to our environmental goals and the principle of forward-thinking leadership that balances growth with sustainability.

Fast-forward to today and the consequences of this decision are becoming increasingly apparent. Our main landfill, Three Mile Canyon, is nearing capacity much sooner than anticipated due to a spike in waste generation. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this situation, but we could have mitigated these effects significantly with the expanded waste diversion the new Recycle Utah facility would have provided.

We are now faced with the prospect of using an outdated, unlined cell for temporary waste disposal until a new cell is constructed — a stopgap solution that ultimately will cost taxpayers money and potentially contaminate our groundwater. 

As we look to future opportunities to enhance our community’s sustainability, we must learn from the past and support initiatives that not only solve immediate problems but also pave the way for a sustainable future.

I understand a proposal for a new Recycle Utah location is again before our council, and thankfully the member who led the effort to reject the idea in 2019 no longer holds public office.

I feel sure that our current council will remember the costs of missed opportunities and choose a path that aligns with our community’s values of preservation, sustainability and collective well-being.

It is time for Summit County to embrace its potential as a leader in environmental stewardship and ensure that decisions reflect the immediate and long-term interests of all its residents.

Ari Ioannides, of Wanship, is a Republican candidate for the Summit County Council.

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