Local municipal elections are approaching. That means the roughly 40% of Summit County residents who live within an incorporated city or town will have the opportunity to vote for their local representatives.
Local elections matter and are most often our best chance at shaping our communities. I urge Summit County voters to take seriously their fundamental American right and make an informed, thoughtful decision this November.
These are polarizing, divisive and anxious times in our nation and our county. I hear the frustration and exhaustion in the emails I receive, the articles I read, and the conversations I have with Summit County residents.
The weight of economic and planetary instability, in addition to the political rhetoric and violence, is taking a heavy toll. I heard this over and over in my campaign last year and it has only escalated since.
While I don’t think we can avoid partisan politics locally, I do think by voting for community builders we can resist it playing out like it is on the national stage.
Local government is charged with looking after our health and safety as well as providing our most basic public services. We’ve got too much to do to waste time fighting with one another. At the end of the day, we’re neighbors and have more shared values and interests than not.
Chaos at the state and federal levels will demand even more from our local government. We’ve got to work together if we want to address our greatest regional challenges. That is why I am joining my Summit County Council colleagues and every living former mayor in supporting Tana Toly and Diego Zegarra for Park City Council and Ryan Dickey for mayor.
I’ve known Tana since we were in Ms. Bacon’s fourth-grade class together at Treasure Mountain. Tana is rooted in Park City and brings an important perspective to City Council. As a local small-business owner, she is even more invested in our town. It has been a pleasure to watch her grow and find her voice in her first term.
Tana has not only become a mentor to me in my new role but a trusted colleague and friend. I am proud to endorse Tana for Park City Council. I admire her grit and perseverance and appreciate her sense of humor and openness to listen and learn.
She is determined and has demonstrated her commitment and leadership skills. I look forward to seeing what she will accomplish in a second term. Tana is a community builder.
I am also proud to endorse Diego Zegarra for Park City Council. Having worked alongside him in our schools, local nonprofits and as a Summit County Council member, I’ve witnessed his deep commitment to addressing our community’s most pressing needs.
Diego’s advocacy for educators, service workers, immigrants and young people in our community has been consistent and impactful. Diego and I share a deep understanding of the intersection of housing stability, education and mental health.
His compassion for working families, combined with his analytical approach, gives him unique insight into meaningful and comprehensive solutions. He brings both visionary thinking and practical skills; building coalitions, securing resources and navigating complex policy landscapes.
Park City needs more leaders like Diego who understand that our greatest challenges require collaborative solutions that transcend municipal boundaries. Diego is a community builder.
For Park City mayor, Ryan Dickey has my full support. I’ve gotten to know Ryan in his first term on City Council and appreciate his calm and collected demeanor, his logical and respectful approach, as well as his willingness to change his mind when the data requires. Ryan is thoughtful, intentional, pragmatic, and down to earth.
He has put in the time to get to know Park City, our history and our unique challenges. His service on the Snyderville Planning Commission and local business experience in real estate and property management bring an important skill set and demonstrate his commitment to our community.
Ryan has proven he’s qualified and has the leadership skills to be a strong and effective mayor. His voice as a young Park City parent also brings an important perspective to Marsac. Ryan is a community builder.
This election is an opportunity for municipal voters to choose leaders who will rise above the divisiveness and focus instead on what unites us. Tana, Diego, and Ryan embody the integrity, experience, and collaborative spirit needed to guide Park City through both its challenges and opportunities.
As members of our local workforce, they represent hard-working Parkites with authenticity and compassion. I trust their vision for the future and their commitment to building a stronger, more resilient community for generations to come. I encourage all Summit County voters to join me in supporting our local community builders this November.
Megan McKenna
Park City, Summit County Council