Hello, my name is Max Doilney, and I made mistakes in my time at City Hall.
Serving on the Park City Council was one of the greatest privileges — and greatest challenges — of my life. The pace, the pressure, and the sheer volume of decisions can blur your perspective. I look back now at moments I misread, times I let my trust in people outpace my judgment. I own those mistakes and have deep sympathy for the challenge each council member faces in this role.
But there’s a mistake I want to help our community avoid. And it’s urgent.
We have a leadership problem at City Hall. It’s not just about a bad policy here or there — it’s a pattern of destruction of public trust. That pattern is being led by Jeremy Rubell and now actively supported and facilitated by Bill Ciraco and Ed Parigian.
Monday evening, the City Council showed its true colors. Let’s be very clear: This was not about whether ranked-choice voting is good or bad. It was about power — and the lengths some are willing to go to keep it. Jeremy Rubell, Bill Ciraco, and Ed Parigian have taken control of City Hall. With just three votes, they’ve cast aside longstanding norms of process and public transparency. They called a special meeting to rescind a legitimate vote, changed their justification multiple times, and, by the end, offered no reason at all.
It’s a complete betrayal of public trust.
This move helps Jeremy more than anyone. Ranked-choice voting would have forced real coalition-building. It rewards consensus, not division. Bill Ciraco wouldn’t be on the council today if ranked-choice voting had been enacted in the previous cycle — something many of us tried to do but couldn’t get across the line. So now they’re moving the goalposts, not to serve the people, but to protect their own power.
Let’s name what this is: election manipulation.
They’re undermining democratic reforms not because the community asked for it, but because they’re afraid of losing control. The candidate filing window was clear. The rules were clear. The community was told this decision was settled. Now, at the last moment, they’ve rewritten the rules — apparently on guidance from a Utah County election denier — to influence who runs and how the November election plays out.
This is about rigging the game before it starts. And it’s disgraceful.
Unfortunately, this convenient backtracking and double-speak is not new. Jeremy’s leadership has consistently produced more drama than direction. Leadership isn’t just about policy — it’s about how we treat people along the way.
Since Jeremy joined the council, we’ve seen a steady exodus of staff — disproportionately women — who I saw sidelined, targeted, or driven out. I’ve had staff members call me in tears after meetings. I’ve watched peers and professionals be subjected to scrutiny that crosses into harassment — and in many cases, bullying.
Jeremy has suggested these departures are the result of him “holding people accountable.” But when perception is reality, the reality is this behavior looks and feels like bullying — and that’s how it’s being experienced.
Jeremy began this new council term demanding we have “shovels in the ground” by April at Bonanza Park. He blamed the delays on staff. Now, instead of moving forward, he advocated for a new RFP. So if efficiency was the goal, why are we starting over?
Meanwhile, I believe Jeremy applies the law inconsistently. Whether it’s parking enforcement near his home or leniency for specific developers, the rules seem to shift based on who benefits.
This isn’t normal. This isn’t healthy. And this sure as hell isn’t good governance.
And let’s not let Bill or Ed off the hook. Bill, who was elected with a minority of public support, has become Jeremy’s enabler — a linchpin in this power grab. Ed, who once positioned himself as a progressive thinker, has either been tricked or bullied into pushing Jeremy and Bill’s agenda in Park City.
This is not who we are.
Jeremy, when you’re not in the room, there’s a palpable difference. Conversations flow more freely. Staff and council breathe easier. Actual joy — the kind that fosters creativity and progress — finds its way back into the building. That tells you everything you need to know.
There’s a quote I keep returning to: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them.”
Park City deserves leaders who listen — not manipulate. Who build consensus — not chaos. Who prioritize community — not control.
Jeremy Rubell’s seat is up. It is time for good candidates to step up and run. I am confident some of you will!
And this is our opportunity to send a clear message: we see what’s happening, and we won’t stand for it. Anyone but Jeremy! Because Park City deserves better.
Max Doilney
Park City