I first met Ryan Dickey over a cup of coffee soon after being appointed to the Snyderville Basin Planning Commission. At the time, he was the chair of the commission and I was certainly wondering how the leader of the group would react to the new guy.
I didn’t have to wait long before I knew he was the real deal and that he genuinely cared about the members of the commission and appreciated the contributions and service all the members gave to our community. It was apparent that he was the kind of leader anyone would be lucky to serve.
Joining us was the Summit County community development director at the time, and it was similarly clear that Ryan valued and respected the county staff and the professional support they gave the commissioners in the performance of their duties.
As the conversation progressed, it was also easy to see that Ryan had earned the staff’s respect through his demonstrated character and competence. He valued each of us and knows that there is value added by soliciting the good ideas from varied outlooks.
As we talked, Ryan anticipated the questions I asked, took on a mentor role and showed his experience and depth of understanding of the nuances of the role I had assumed. He asked me questions and challenged me to convey the “why” of my answers as that was critical in establishing trust with those we served.
He also conveyed the expectations he had of the commissioners. He let us know that he valued our contributions and the key role we played in charting the future of the county and I knew he expected us to own that responsibility, to come prepared and always show respect to those we worked with and to the citizens, applicants and the County Council on whose behalf we worked.
Ryan channels the best from members, staff, neighbors, businesses and complementary organizations, be they civil, public or non-profit, by the example he sets. He listens, he digs into the details, and he draws out the underlying issues that so often make it difficult to reach consensus.
And when the tough choices need to be made, he acts. When he makes those tough decisions, they are based on his guiding principle to do what’s right for the community he loves.
Ryan Dickey will bring a vision for the future of Park City by recognizing that as we stand firm to protect the special nature of the things that most of us agree brought us here, we also look forward to a future in which the inevitable challenges and changes that we face are dealt with, not only as a city, but also with a regional view with neighbors in our own and neighboring counties, together and with a spirit of cooperation, for the betterment of all.
I give my highest endorsement to Ryan Dickey and encourage you to vote for him to continue his service to his community in a new role as Park City’s next mayor. He will make you proud that you did.
Bruce Carmichael
Former Snyderville Basin Planning Commission Chair