Denise Smith, the wife of former Coalville city attorney Sheldon Smith, has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge stemming from an altercation over political signs during last year’s mayoral race.

Smith entered a plea in abeyance on Jan. 13 for one count of disorderly conduct, according to court documents. Pleading in abeyance means Smith has one year to complete the court’s requirements, including an anger management class and paying a $715 fee, to wipe the conviction from her record.

If she were to fail to meet the terms of her plea or be charged with an additional crime before the yearlong period ends, then Smith’s conviction would be reinstated and she would receive a more traditional sentencing, such as jail time.

The monitoring period for Smith’s plea ends on Jan. 13, 2027.

Smith was charged with disorderly conduct, a class B misdemeanor, and stalking, a class A misdemeanor, last fall. However, the stalking case was ultimately dismissed as negotiations for the disorderly conduct case unfolded. Troy Gonzalez, the other individual involved in the altercation, also filed paperwork to obtain a civil stalking injunction, which was granted temporarily as proceedings are ongoing.

Gonzalez, a local contractor specializing in granite countertops, told The Park Record in September that he had installed political signs supporting Coalville City Councilor Lynn Wood’s mayoral campaign on his property because of his friendship with Wood and her husband.

Within a week, Gonzalez claimed he had received four unwanted visits in less than 24 hours from his neighbors, Sheldon and Denise Smith, who allegedly harassed Gonzalez for refusing to put up a similar sign supporting Wood’s opponent, Rory Swensen, who ultimately won the race and was sworn in as mayor earlier this month.

Gonzalez shared dozens of photos and video recordings of his interactions with the Smiths to The Park Record shortly after the altercation. The footage showed the couple visiting Gonzalez’s property multiple times to insult Wood, calling her “dishonest” and “unprofessional.”

In one video, Sheldon is seen apologizing to Gonzalez before claiming Wood had done “more damage” to him and his family than “anybody in this community.” Gonzalez is repeatedly heard asking the Smiths to calm down and reaffirming his support of Wood is the result of his personal friendship with her, not because of any specific political motivations.

The Smiths confronted Gonzalez on his property three times in one afternoon before returning a fourth time the following morning. Despite Sheldon’s apology the previous day, he is shown in a video claiming that Gonzalez illegally placed equipment and construction materials on city property. Gonzalez told Sheldon he’d already spoken to the city about it, but Sheldon accused him of lying.

Gonzalez then lost his temper and told the Smiths he’d documented their behavior over the past 24 hours and demanded they leave his property. In a video taken by Gonzalez’s wife from the window of their house, Denise approached Gonzalez and appeared to slap him.

Sheldon seemingly mocked Gonzalez while Denise cheered, calling him a “wuss” as her husband physically restrained her from getting closer. Sheldon also insulted Gonzalez’s business, saying the garage attachment he was building on the property was a “monstrosity.”

“Everyone in Coalville is saying it, and everyone in Coalville hates her,” Denise yelled while gesturing to Wood’s campaign sign.

Sheldon retired from his position as the city attorney in June after more than 20 years on the job. The last few months of his tenure were shadowed by a long-rumored tension between Wood and Sheldon, which came to a head when Wood and former Coalville City Councilor Louise Willoughby proposed an ordinance changing the city attorney position’s appointment from a mayoral responsibility to a decision made by the City Council.

Residents pushed back against the proposal, citing concerns about the perceived power struggle and the separation of duties between the legislative and executive branches of the municipality. The move was also seen as a way to oust the city attorney from his position because of personal conflicts between Sheldon and a few city councilors, including Wood and Willoughby.

Eventually, the City Council modified the ordinance to leave appointment power with the mayor while still giving the City Council an opportunity to provide input.

Wood and Swensen condemned what they saw as a growing political divide between city residents at the time of the altercation between the Smiths and Gonzalez.

Swensen published what he called a plea “for some sanity” on his website shortly after Gonzalez’s videos were posted in local Facebook groups, decrying the polarization of local politics. He said there was no doubt in his mind that Wood loved Coalville, even if they didn’t have the same vision for the city’s future, and he was looking forward to working with her if elected.

“We must reject the temptation to villainize,” Swensen said. “We can debate forcefully and advocate passionately — but at the end of the day, we must remember that our differences make us stronger. They contribute to this tapestry that is America.”

Wood posted a similar call for unity the same weekend, asking her supporters to approach differing opinions with questions and conversations rather than anger and arguments.

“It’s concerning to see that kind of rage directed at you,” Wood said in a previous interview with The Park Record. “I’m hoping this is an incident that’s not going to repeat itself. I hope (the Smiths) have realized that behavior is just not acceptable.”

The post Wife of former Coalville city attorney pleads guilty to disorderly conduct charge stemming from political altercation appeared first on Park Record.

A Coalville resident is accusing the city’s former attorney and his wife of stalking after the couple allegedly harassed him for displaying a sign supporting a mayoral candidate’s election campaign on private property.

Troy Gonzalez, a local contractor who specializes in granite countertops, said he befriended Coalville City Councilor Lynn Wood’s husband around 10 years ago when they worked together on a construction project. Gonzalez’s home later flooded, and Wood offered to let his family use her rental property on Coalville’s Main Street for two months while they were displaced. 

Gonzalez recalled what a relief it was for his family. Wood would then hire Gonzalez for a contracting job, which is how he developed a friendship with her.

Wood, who was elected to the City Council in 2023, launched her campaign for the city’s mayoral seat earlier this year, and Gonzalez agreed to install a sign supporting her political bid on his property.

“It’s not like I was voting for her because she was a Republican or a Democrat,” he said. The Coalville mayoral and City Council elections are nonpartisan.

Less than a week later, Gonzalez said he received four unwanted visits in less than 24 hours from his neighbors, Sheldon and Denise Smith. The Smiths allegedly harassed and physically assaulted Gonzalez for refusing to put up a similar sign supporting Wood’s opponent, Rory Swensen.

Sheldon retired from his position as the city attorney of Coalville in June, a job he’d held for more than 20 years. The city is actively searching for his replacement. He did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The long-rumored tension between Wood and Sheldon came to a head earlier this year when Wood and fellow Coalville City Councilor Louise Willoughby proposed an ordinance changing the city attorney position’s appointment from a mayoral responsibility to a decision made by the City Council.

Residents immediately pushed back against the proposal, citing concerns about the perceived power struggle and the separation of duties between the legislative and executive branches of the municipality. The move was also seen as a way to oust the city attorney from his position because of personal conflicts between Sheldon and a few city councilors.

After a few heated council meetings, Wood and Willoughby eventually modified the ordinance to leave appointment power with the mayor while still giving the City Council an opportunity to provide input.

Gonzalez submitted dozens of photos and video recordings of his interactions with the Smiths to The Park Record in addition to agreeing to an interview detailing the timeline of events and subsequent legal action, including criminal charges.

The alleged incident

On Friday, Sept. 19, Gonzalez said he and an employee were finishing work on a garage attachment at his home, which Gonzalez plans to use as a future business space. Surveillance footage then shows Denise driving past the property and backing up, presumably once she notices the campaign sign in support of Wood.

Denise asked Gonzalez if he would mind putting up a sign for Swensen’s campaign, too. Gonzalez said he declined, and that Denise then questioned him about whether he liked Wood. According to Gonzalez, Denise said she had a “real problem with her,” emphasizing her point with an expletive while punching her hand.

“She drives off, and I’m like, ‘OK, that was really odd,’” Gonzalez said in an interview. “I’m chatting with my wife about it, and all of a sudden I hear Sheldon pull up with his bike, and I’m just like, ‘OK, this is not good. This guy’s powerful.’”

Gonzalez said he had been “leery” and “intimidated” by Sheldon for years because of his reputation in the community as a well-known attorney. Despite that, though, Gonzalez said he and the Smiths were friendly before the incident, and he would often wave to the couple if he saw them around the neighborhood.

The Sept. 19 conversation with Sheldon is documented in a quick two-minute video, in which Gonzalez shakes his neighbor’s hand before Sheldon asks if he would be “willing to take a sign from (Wood’s) competitor.”

Gonzalez then tells Sheldon he’d already spoken to Denise and was under the impression that she “didn’t really care” for Wood. Sheldon replies by saying he hates Wood, calling her expletives and claiming she’s “dishonest” and “unprofessional.”

“If we get her back in there, the people of Coalville deserve what they get,” Sheldon says to Gonzalez before asking him to reconsider displaying Swensen’s sign.

Gonzalez refuses again, and Sheldon leaves on his motorcycle.

About 20 minutes later, Sheldon returned. Gonzalez recorded the interaction, which shows Coalville’s former city attorney apologizing for his earlier behavior. Sheldon then claimed Wood has done “more damage” to him and his family than “anybody in this community.”

“Well, you have me a little shaky because that’s not cool, man. Like, I’m just trying to run my business and work for people,” Gonzalez responds, recalling that Sheldon was “staring (him) down”.

Sheldon then asks if Gonzalez can forgive him before saying he thought Wood had put the sign on the property specifically so he would see it when he drove through the neighborhood. Gonzalez pointed out other pro-Wood signs around Coalville after a bit of back and forth, and Sheldon apologizes again.

Gonzalez appears obviously confused by the interaction in the video, and hesitantly accepts Sheldon’s apology to end the conversation.

The next morning, the Smiths returned to Gonzalez’s property.

In one of the recordings, Sheldon is heard claiming that Gonzalez illegally placed equipment and construction materials on city property. Gonzalez tells Sheldon he’s already talked to the city about it, but Sheldon accuses him of lying.

Gonzalez then lost his temper. 

In between curses, he yells at the Smiths that he’s documented their recent behavior over the past 24 hours and demands they leave his property. He approaches the couple, and Denise is briefly seen behind Sheldon before she fully enters the frame.

In another video taken by Gonzalez’s wife from the window of their house, Denise then approaches Gonzalez and appears to slap him.

Gonzalez tells the Smiths that Denise’s actions could be considered assault and says that he’s still recording. Sheldon then appears to mock Gonzalez as Denise cheers. She later calls Gonzalez a “wuss” while Sheldon physically restrains her from getting closer.

Sheldon also starts insulting Gonzalez’s business, saying the garage attachment is a “monstrosity.”

“Everyone in Coalville is saying it, and everyone in Coalville hates her,” Denise yells while gesturing to Wood’s campaign sign.

Gonzalez turns to go back to his house, but Denise and Sheldon can be heard heckling him from the street until the recording ends.

The Summit County Attorney’s Office charged Denise with a class B misdemeanor for assault on Sept. 23, according to court documents. Her pretrial conference is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Nov. 18.

Gonzalez additionally sought individual civil stalking injunctions against the couple, but Third District Court Judge Richard Mrazik determined there was not enough evidence against Sheldon.

However, Mrazik did grant a temporary injunction for the petition involving Denise, which means she is not allowed to contact or be near Gonzalez as the case proceeds. Court records indicate Denise is fighting the injunction, and a hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

If Mrazik sides with Gonzalez, then the temporary injunction will become permanent and remain in effect for another three years. Violating a civil stalking injunction can lead to criminal charges.

A call for ‘some sanity’

Both Wood and Swensen have condemned what they see as a growing political divide among Coalville residents as the city inches closer to Election Day. Neither candidate has specifically mentioned the confrontation between Gonzalez and the Smiths despite the story’s widespread circulation on social media.

Swensen over the weekend published what he called a plea “for some sanity” on his website, decrying the polarization of local politics. He said that while he may not agree with Wood’s vision for the city, he did not doubt that she loves Coalville and hopes to work with her in the future.

“We must reject the temptation to villainize,” Swensen said. “We can debate forcefully and advocate passionately — but at the end of the day, we must remember that our differences make us stronger. They contribute to this tapestry that is America.”

Wood posted a similar call for unity on Sunday, Sept. 21, the day after Denise allegedly slapped Gonzalez. She asked her supporters to approach differing opinions with questions and conversations rather than anger and arguments.

“You might be surprised at what you learn and how much we actually share in our hopes for Coalville,” Wood said on Facebook. “At the end of the day, elections come and go, but we will still be neighbors. Let’s seek to listen first and look for common ground — because it’s on that common ground where our community will truly thrive.”

In an interview with The Park Record, Wood said she hopes city residents won’t dwell on the altercation, adding she would prefer to leave the negativity behind.

“It’s concerning to see that kind of rage directed at you,” Wood said. “I’m hoping this is an incident that’s not going to repeat itself. I hope (the Smiths) have realized that behavior is just not acceptable.”

Wood said she could think of two incidents that caused tension between her and Sheldon in recent years, both of which she said were “well documented” by local media outlets: the ordinance introduced earlier this year, and a request from City Council to obtain a second legal opinion regarding a development agreement.

The second opinion ultimately disagreed with Sheldon’s advice, according to Wood.

But Coalville has a few key items to consider over the next few months, namely the ongoing Wohali bankruptcy proceedings and a potential annexation agreement with Larry H. Miller if the company decides to propose the Hidden Meadow subdivision for a second time. For that reason, the City Council is working to expand its legal team, which may have caused an additional strain on Wood’s relationship with the Smiths, she said.

“I think there are really only two people who can answer what was in their minds to cause that kind of rage,” Wood added. “It seems like none of those things would have caused that much rage, so I don’t know.”

Wood said she’s getting more requests for campaign signs than she was before the altercation, despite her fears that the situation would deter voters from wanting to support her publicly.

“What that says more than anything is that we’re not going to be intimidated by this kind of behavior,” she said. “We’re going to state our voice, whether you’re voting for me or my opponent. We should be free to express those First Amendment rights in the ways we see fit.”

The post Former Coalville city attorney, wife accused of stalking over campaign sign appeared first on Park Record.

Four Coalville City Council candidates will advance to the general election after Tuesday’s primary. Three hold commanding leads, while the last spot remains a close contest.

Voters narrowed down the field of six to the four who will advance to the November ballot. Then, only two candidates will be chosen for the seats opening in 2026.

Candidates Matthew Boyer, Jeff Peterson and Colleen Goodman emerged as the top vote-getters as of Wednesday afternoon, according to preliminary results from the Summit County Clerk’s Office.

Sixth-generation resident Boyer, a planning commissioner, appeared to be a favorite among voters. He earned 223 votes, or 30%.

“I was deeply moved when I saw the election results last night. In the lead-up to election day, I felt that I had a solid base of support judging by feedback I had gotten from diverse members of the community, but it was humbling to realize just how many of those friends and neighbors trust me to represent the best interests of Coalville,” Boyer said in an interview.

He said his experience growing up in Coalville, coupled with his employment and educational background, makes him the ideal choice to help the community navigate the challenges “we are facing now and will face in the near future.” Boyer plans to speak with as many voters as possible leading up to the general election and is working to organize a Meet the Candidate forum-style event.

Not far behind Boyer was business owner Jeff Peterson, who also spent time on the Coalville Planning Commission. Peterson received 196 votes, or 26%.

Goodman, a 23-year resident, seems to have claimed third place with 123 votes, or about 17%. Goodman said in an interview that she was surprised by the preliminary results and wasn’t sure how she would do in the election, as she’s never run for office before. Goodman previously served eight years on the Summit County Library Board and helped secure the Coalville branch.

The wife, mother of six and grandmother of 22, said her top priorities are creating a long-term infrastructure improvement plan in Coalville, prioritizing the community when considering growth and development opportunities, and improving public engagement.

Newcomer Andrew Nelson appears to be the likely winner of the final ballot slot. He earned 85 votes, or around 11%. Former Coalville City Councilor Steve Richins trailed behind with 71 votes, or just under 10%. The candidates are separated by 14 votes, or 1.88%.

A close finish between the candidates could trigger a recount that would extend the primary election, under the right circumstances. State election law says a losing candidate may request a recount if the difference is 0.25% or less of the vote total across the candidate field. Richins did not meet that threshold as of midweek.

The totals won’t be certified until the Aug. 26 canvass finalizes the results soon after the election. The losing candidate would then need to seek a recount within days after the verification.

Clerk Eve Furse said staff have counted everything in their possession that qualifies for counting as of Wednesday afternoon. There were 22 ballots that couldn’t be counted because the person didn’t provide the necessary information or there was some other defect with the ballot that could be resolved between now and noon the day before the canvass. Each municipality that participated in a primary election will hold a canvass.

Chris Tomczyk, a retired project manager, was also in the running for Coalville City Council. He will not advance after coming in at the bottom with 45 votes, or 6%. 

Peterson could not be reached for comment by the time of publication. 

Countywide voter turnout was 45%.

The election results are still preliminary. Formal results remain pending certification. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

The post Coalville City Council race has clear front-runners, final spot is close appeared first on Park Record.

Andrew Nelson speaks about Coalville with the passion of a lifelong resident despite having only called the city home since 2022.

Nelson grew up in Brigham City, but settled in Coalville with his wife because it’s where she grew up and where her parents still live. The couple is raising their own family here, and Nelson’s eager to bring a fresh outlook to the Coalville City Council to shape the community where their children will grow up.

“Sometimes having an outside perspective is not necessarily a bad thing,” he said. “If we can bring those two sides together … we can grow, become stronger, better.”

Nelson earned a bachelor’s degree in operations management from Utah State University, and is completing his master of business administration while working as a buyer for an automotive company based in Ogden. His wife is a teacher at North Summit Elementary School. 

Her family has a background in farming, and Nelson was inspired to run for City Council because of the potential for new development in a historically agricultural community. He recognized that things are changing in Coalville, and Nelson wants to work to “mend the fences” and collaborate.

He recognized a tension in the current city government and advocated for more constructive, less personal discussions. Nelson said his outside perspective would be useful in providing a neutral analysis of the ongoing issues.

Coalville is “old school but changing,” according to Nelson. He wants to maintain the community’s rural roots and family feel while thoughtfully managing growth. Nelson said he isn’t opposed to development but feels projects need to fit in with the landscape of the community. 

He said there are a lot of large ideas without the right level of community involvement. Nelson was in favor of keeping the character of Coalville, but improving elements of it as time moves on.

“Remembering where we’re coming from, and my hope is to keep that,” he said. “Development is going to come. If we can keep that and incorporate it into how we develop, I think that would be the best route. Sure, I want to keep a small town. … But if we do have to develop, let’s do it the right way.”

Nelson referenced the possibilities of the Hidden Meadow annexation project from Larry H. Miller Real Estate, which would have built 75 homes and a new community park on 316 acres if the City Council had approved it last week. Nelson had his concerns about the proposal, but said it would be nice to see affordable housing for young families in the area or opportunities for the community to otherwise benefit from development.

If elected, Nelson vowed to prioritize balanced development, support young families, and be the voice of constructive dialogue on the City Council.

“I want Coalville to succeed,” Nelson said. “Now granted, not everybody gets what they want, but if we can work together to come to a consensus, I think that’s the best we can do.”

Nelson is among several candidates seeking one of two Coalville City Council seats on the November ballot. The other individuals who declared their candidacy are Steven Richins, Matthew Boyer, Jeff Peterson, Colleen Goodman and Chris Tomczyk. 

A primary election will be held on Aug. 12 to cut the candidate field in half before the general election. Ballots were mailed on July 22.

The post Andrew Nelson would bring a fresh perspective to the Coalville City Council appeared first on Park Record.

Jeff Peterson knows Coalville is a friendly, family-values kind of town built on legacies — his own family ties going back at least four generations.

Peterson sees a lifetime of personal history when he looks around, including the electrical business he started half a decade ago and a stint as chairman of the Coalville Planning Commission around 2013, as well as a community on the cusp of change. 

The lifelong resident is running for an open seat on the Coalville City Council with the hope of protecting the small-town spirit he’s grown up with by guiding growth without letting it define the area. Peterson wants to bring a “common sense” approach to city government and would ensure Coalville’s residents are the ones benefiting.

“I’ve been blue collar pretty much all my life, and I know what it’s like to get my hands dirty,” he said. “I’ve been here for 50 years roughly. I was kind of born and raised here, went to school here. My mom went to school here. My grandma went to school here.”

Peterson served on the Planning Commission before large development projects like Wohali came up. He mainly focused on updating city codes, giving him a keen understanding of the rules, as well as property subdivisions. 

The then-planning commissioner eventually stepped down due to work obligations, though his interest in local politics never waned. With the potential for so much new growth, Peterson was keeping tabs on the City Council meetings to keep up to date with what’s happening in the city. 

He described what he witnessed as a “circus.”

Peterson felt like there were a lot of topics the City Council was bringing to the table that weren’t helping the community, or issues that generated internal animosity. 

For example, the City Council spent weeks debating whether to approve an ordinance outlining the responsibilities of councilors in comparison to the mayor, particularly regarding the distribution of appointment powers and operating procedures. The mayor retained the authority in the end.

Instead, Peterson said he wants to focus on things that matter. Like growth. If elected, he would be committed to keeping the character of Coalville while allowing for growth that’s done in a way that benefits residents rather than developers.

“I just want to try to keep it as small and rural, but still allowing it to grow. Because it’s going to grow. We’re too close to Park City for it not to,” Peterson said. 

His platform is rooted in focusing on what’s best for the community and its residents, and allowing them to have a voice through their elected representatives. Peterson’s background in construction would also be an asset for the City Council with the amount of new development coming up, he said. 

Being a business owner also means having thick skin and knowing how to communicate with a variety of people, according to Peterson. He said he’s able to stay level-headed through disagreements rather than taking things personally, has the ability to see both sides, and would look at issues with a forward-thinking approach. 

Managing growth and working with developers would be Peterson’s No. 1 priority if elected. He wants to ensure there’s infrastructure in place before new homes are built. 

“What’s going to benefit Coalville? What’s going to may not benefit Coalville now, but it’ll benefit it in the future,” Peterson said. “I’m trying to help kind of put the city’s money where it’s best going to be used, and not towards something that we’re not going to use for 40 years.”

Additionally, Peterson wants Coalville to invest in improving its sidewalks, particularly to the south of its boundaries. Updates on Main Street are needed, too. Peterson said he wants people coming to Coalville to have a great impression of the community.

Collaborating with the new mayor is also important. Peterson said city officials need to determine what topics they want to focus on and how best to spend money. One area he said officials need to consider more is affordable and senior housing as well as rentals, so locals aren’t priced out of the area when new development comes in. 

Peterson said North Summit County hasn’t been as impacted by new growth as Park City or even South Summit, but it’s on the horizon. He’s in favor of slow, planned development that longtime residents can become accustomed to, rather than an influx of new homes all at once.

“When people stop talking is when a community goes downhill,” Peterson said. “That’s really what I’d like to keep. It’s just where people are just neighborly. … Be neighborly towards each other, versus standoffish.”

Peterson is among several candidates seeking one of two Coalville City Council seats on the November ballot. The other individuals who declared their candidacy are Steven Richins, Andrew Nelson, Matthew Boyer, Colleen Goodman and Chris Tomczyk.

A primary election will be held on Aug. 12 to cut the candidate field in half before the general election. Ballots were mailed on July 22.

The post City Council candidate Jeff Peterson wants to keep Coalville ‘neighborly’ appeared first on Park Record.

Lynn Wood is a “move-in.” 

She married her husband in 2007 and began splitting her time between Salt Lake City and Coalville, where he raised his family, and quickly became enamored with the eastern Summit County community.

The couple moved to Coalville full-time about five years ago during the coronavirus pandemic. Wood’s background is in finance, but her profound love for Coalville led her to help form North Summit Unite, a nonprofit committed to preserving the arts and culture of the area through a community-driven approach, the following year. 

Wood hoped to embody the spirit of community-driven leadership when she ran for Coalville City Council in 2023, ultimately earning a seat after a successful campaign. Now halfway through her first term, Wood has entered the race as a mayoral candidate aspiring to put local voices at the center of local government.

“My big motivation for running or being involved in politics at all has always been to just draw in and get public involvement,” she said. “There should be nowhere that the public feels is more heard, where they have more influence, than local government, and I didn’t see that happening.”

Wood said her experience on the City Council has given her a great understanding of how the government works and what the role of the mayor should be. She sees the person holding that office as a sixth member of the City Council, and someone who should be collaborating with the councilors’ decision-making. 

If elected, Wood’s goal is for the City Council to become more involved in the administrative responsibilities of government through committees while being supportive of the council’s role as policy makers. She recognized that the mayor has specialized responsibilities, but she wants to ensure everyone at City Hall is working together more productively rather than from the top down.

Wood also acknowledged some tension and difficulties for the existing City Council in getting things done, saying the group needs to listen to each other better. She felt a strong, collaborative leader would be able to guide the group. Wood also wants residents to become more comfortable sharing their opinions at City Council meetings without feeling intimidated, and wants to improve the accessibility of public hearings. 

Wood said she’s improved City Council engagement by advocating for open houses for the Main Street revitalization project and an overview of the annexation process. That’s something she plans to continue if chosen for mayor.

Wood said her work as a certified public accountant is also an asset because Coalville needs a detail-oriented person with budgeting experience to lead the city, which will be beneficial when officials consider capital improvement projects or budgeting for the city’s long-term plans.

In addition to increasing citizen engagement and collaboration, one of Wood’s priorities would be to better manage the annexation process. She said the city needs to partner with professional advisors, such as a strategic planner, who can help officials through the process by crafting ordinances and working with developers to ensure all projects benefit the community.

Wood said in an interview that she’s interested in exploring the Larry H. Miller annexation petition, characterizing it as different, innovative and aligned with the “vibe” of Coalville. However, she was critical of the project’s timeline, which ultimately led her to deny the proposal during a City Council vote a few weeks later. 

“We will do it when the timing is right for Coalville City. That means getting the right advisors in place,” Wood said. “But I definitely feel that we do need to grow our city to some level. We need to be smart about it. We need to make sure that it’s sustainable and that it’s in the best interest of the citizens there.”

If elected mayor, Wood would also be focused on revitalizing Main Street. She wants to create a more vibrant downtown area, restore historic buildings and support local businesses. In five years, she’d like to see Coalville develop a Chamber of Commerce. 

This would help preserve Coalville’s unique, rural small-town character while encouraging strategic growth, according to Wood.

While she’s had a positive experience with the County Courthouse and feels the Summit County Council has been supportive of Coalville, Wood recognized that others don’t feel that way. She was supportive of creating districted County Council seats because she sees it as a necessary way to ensure Coalville’s interests are represented at the county level.

“What is threatening our quality of life? I think if we were to go out on the street and ask people, they would say, ‘New people coming in and changing the way we are,’” Wood said. “I think the way that we deal with that is we direct that growth. … And I think people understand that if we can create programs and events and things that attract those kinds of people who are going to support the values that this community has, I think people will be less afraid of it.”

Wood is among a handful of candidates seeking the mayor’s office this November. The other people who declared candidacy are Tyler Rowser, Rory Swensen and Walter Brock. 

A primary election will be held on Aug. 12 to cut the candidate field in half before the general election. Ballots were mailed on July 22.

The post Lynn Wood wants to bring collaboration, community to Coalville mayor’s office appeared first on Park Record.

Matthew Boyer was born and raised in Coalville, so it’s no surprise the small eastern Summit County town feels like home. 

The sixth-generation resident grew up working on a farm about nine miles east of town in Upton, and he is well acquainted with the community. Boyer said he understands the town’s agricultural roots, but he also recognizes that times are changing. In part, that’s why he joined the Coalville Planning Commission last fall, and what’s now inspiring his run for the Coalville City Council.

“I want everybody to feel like this is their hometown. This is for them. You know that this is a place they can always call home, whether they stay here their whole life, or they grow up here and they leave, or they come here later in life. I want them to feel like this is home,” he said.

After graduating from North Summit High School, Boyer attended Utah State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in statistics with minors in math and finance, as well as a master’s degree in financial economics. 

Boyer discovered there was a new position opening up at the County Courthouse around the same time he was finishing his master’s degree. The Summit County Council in 2022 approved a data analyst position for the assessor’s office due to a backlog in commercial properties that hadn’t been reevaluated for several years, and Boyer was hired. 

When he returned to Coalville about three years ago, Boyer began paying attention to how issues were being handled at City Hall. 

He noticed there was a massive emphasis on growth, yet not much long-term perspective. Boyer also felt like officials were neglecting more immediate issues that keep the city running, such as improving the sidewalks on Main Street, and giving too much attention to issues that don’t benefit residents. 

“We need to carefully plan that out so that we don’t turn into a community that we don’t recognize in 10 years,” Boyer said. “We need to be looking at the whole picture of Coalville.”

Last fall, city officials were looking to appoint someone to an open Coalville City Council seat, and Boyer was one of five candidates who applied. His grandfather and father both served on the council for years, and so it was natural for him to want to serve.

Although he wasn’t chosen for the seat, Boyer’s name came up again when the mayor needed to fill a vacancy on the Coalville Planning Commission. Boyer happily agreed. 

“I want to be involved. The way Coalville grows, I want to be here the rest of my life, and so I feel like I need to take an active role, and can’t just expect other people to do everything for me,” he said. “My predecessors set the city up in a way that it was a place I wanted to come back to. Now, I have to do that for my kids and their grandchildren and generations to come.”

Boyer noted a big shift at the state level in the way developers interact with municipalities, and characterized the Planning Commission as a kind of “subdivision approval committee.” Commissioners ensure the project meets the city’s development code and debate whether it fits into the vision for Coalville and how it should grow.

He noted the importance of taking on an active role in planning and development, emphasizing the value of open spaces to preserve the agricultural feel of the community and recognizing the need for connections and infrastructure like trails or sidewalks — something he plans to do if elected to the City Council.

Serving on the Planning Commission exposed Boyer to the planning process and the responsibility the city has in taking a mindful, future-forward approach to do what’s best for the community.

Smart, purposeful growth is a key component of Boyer’s platform. He said he wants to help facilitate development that preserves the community’s agricultural character without overwhelming the city, while creating opportunities for young families. 

Improving city infrastructure by focusing on the revitalization of Main Street, continuing to connect community spaces and making Coalville more accessible is also a top priority for Boyer. 

He also noted the importance of restoring civility to the City Council. Boyer wants to reduce personal emotions, promote collaborative problem-solving, ensure all community groups feel represented, create a more transparent, accountable government and provide clear, articulate reasoning for decisions.

“To me, that’s what Coalville really is,” Boyer said. “Anytime somebody needs something in this community, there is always a line of hands ready to help. It’s friendly, because half of us are related to one another, but we’ve known each other all our lives, and so we want everybody else to succeed.”

Boyer is among several candidates seeking one of two Coalville City Council seats on the November ballot. The other individuals who declared their candidacy are Steven Richins, Andrew Nelson, Jeff Peterson, Colleen Goodman and Chris Tomczyk. 

A primary election will be held on Aug. 12 to cut the candidate field in half before the general election. Ballots were mailed on Tuesday.

The post Matthew Boyer wants to continue legacy of public service on Coalville City Council appeared first on Park Record.

Lifelong resident Steven B. Richins is hoping to return to his seat on the Coalville City Council after stepping down in January 2024, concluding almost 20 years of service.

Richins resigned midway through his sixth term, at the time believing it was the right moment to step away. However, he says the past year and a half has given him a renewed sense of purpose to address the work that still needs to be done to help Coalville stay on the right path. Now, he’s looking to reclaim his City Council seat and use his experience to help guide the city’s future.

“I’ve had 18 years of experience,” Richins said. “I pretty much know how things should run, and how they are running.”

Richins was born in the old Summit County Hospital, which closed in 1982, and after renovations, now houses a branch of the Summit County Health Department. He recalled experiencing a simple, small-town life — one he was fond of. Richins grew up in a house right by North Summit High School, north of the swimming pool.

After graduating in a class of about 45 seniors, Richins attended a trade tech program to study construction. He helped erect the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building on Main Street. Then, he traveled around building churches in places like Eureka and Granby, Colorado. Richins also worked on commercial buildings like gas plants and oil fields. 

He’s been retired for about 12 years, now focused on caring for horses, operating a small feed store and pretty much doing whatever he wants to do.

Richins was first elected to the Coalville City Council in 1978 and served until 1982. He ran again in 2004, serving until 2016, and again from 2022 to 2024. Richins would have been up for reelection this year had he not resigned from his seat.

“I decided to run again because I just think that there are some things in Coalville that need to be improved on, and I’d like to try and do that,” he said.

When he first took office, Richins said there wasn’t much happening in Coalville. But that’s not true anymore.

Richins recognized that the community is changing. He noted the number of new houses and new people in Coalville since he’s been here, particularly the increase in subdivisions. However, Richins was adamant that officials need to manage development so taxpayers aren’t stuck paying for fixing potential issues that may arise.

“I think we need to weigh the options of what’s going on, make the best decision for the residents of Coalville and make sure that the infrastructure is going to handle everything,” he said. “I’d say the bigger (Coalville) gets, the more there’s going to be a challenge.”

Richins said he wouldn’t have voted in favor of the Hidden Meadow Village annexation proposal from Larry H. Miller Real Estate — which was recently denied by the City Council — because the existing roads and services wouldn’t be able to handle the project right now. He said if the developer were to pay for the improvements, the council would likely have to approve the project, but Richins didn’t want to see residents footing the bill.

The candidate also described changes he’s observed at the city level over the past two decades, including a shift away from committees in 2017 and a lack of involvement from the City Council. Richins said he fears members have become alienated, and he wants to see them more involved because they’re the city’s decision makers. 

If elected, Richins said he didn’t have any specific priorities. However, he’d focus on growth: making sure everyone is ready for it and that everything is in place to manage it. He’d also like to see the return of committees, such as streets, water and sewer, personnel and events.

“(Coalville) was a nice, quiet place, and I’d like to keep it as much as possible that way,” Richins said.

Richins is among several candidates seeking one of two Coalville City Council seats on the November ballot. The other individuals who declared their candidacy are Matthew Boyer, Andrew Nelson, Jeff Peterson, Colleen Goodman and Chris Tomczyk. 

A primary election will be held on Aug. 12 to cut the candidate field in half before the general election. Ballots were mailed on Tuesday.

The post Steve Richins seeks to guide Coalville’s growth by returning to city council appeared first on Park Record.

The Coalville City Council has denied Larry H. Miller Real Estate’s request to explore annexing 316 acres as part of the company’s proposed Hidden Meadow Village project.

Hidden Meadow Village is a downsized version of the 1,000-acre Cedar Crest Village development, a joint venture between Larry H. Miller Real Estate and Ivory Homes. The two companies originally hoped to build Cedar Crest Village near Hoytsville in unincorporated Summit County, but the application with Summit County expired earlier this year.

Kelsey Berg, vice president of government relations for Larry H. Miller Real Estate, told the City Council in April the expiration was deliberate because the Cedar Crest proposal became too unruly. In its place, the company created the 316-acre Hidden Meadow Village project and approached Coalville about annexation, expressing a desire to partner with a municipality to control and encourage growth rather than competing for infrastructure and economic prosperity.

Cameron Jackson, Larry H. Miller Real Estate senior vice president of operations, last month shared information with the City Council about the development’s projected revenue, estimating the 75 homes slated for the Hidden Meadow Village subdivision would bring in $90,000 of surplus tax funds annually for the city.

During the City Council meeting last week, he said the feasibility study determined Hidden Meadow Village would create a 14% revenue increase for the city with only a 7% increase in expenses.

The proposed homes would have values between $700,000 and $2 million, and Jackson said he believed 90% of the homes would be occupied by primary, full-time residents.

City Councilor Louise Willoughby opposed the idea, however, and last month made a motion to deny the annexation petition, which is the first step in the process followed by a protest period and public hearing before an official decision by the City Council.

At the time, no other city councilors seconded Willoughby’s motion, and they instead decided to postpone the conversation until the next meeting on July 14.

Jackson again presented information about the finances and timeline of the project to the City Council last week ahead of the councilors’ vote, and Coalville Community Development Director Don Sargent reminded councilors of their obligation to review the annexation petition as a standalone project separate from any past or future proposals, including the now expired Cedar Crest VIllage application.

Jackson said most of the City Council’s questions regarding the project, such as community benefits and specific details on infrastructure, would be answered once the annexation petition was accepted, as that step would open a dialogue between the council and developers to collaborate on what Jackson called “local calibration.”

The City Council told Jackson it wasn’t opposed to the annexation overall, but councilors felt the city needed more resources and a larger analysis of the project from the city’s perspective before they would be comfortable moving forward.

City Councilor Lynn Wood in particular mentioned the city’s search for a strategic planner and said it may be something the city is more ready for in a year once it’s built up staffing.

She added that she thought Hidden Meadow Village “ultimately will happen,” saying Coalville is fortunate to have Larry H. Miller Real Estate as interested developers.

City Councilor Brandon Brady made a motion to accept the petition, which died on the floor after other councilors didn’t second it.

Willoughby then made a motion to deny the application, seconded by City Councilor John Hansen, which passed in a 3-1 vote.

City Councilor Shaun Powis was absent at the time of the vote, and Brady was the lone vote in opposition.

Larry H. Miller Real Estate has the option of coming back to the City Council at a future date with a new proposal, but the process would start over from the beginning. The developers have not yet indicated whether they intend to keep pursuing the project.

The post Coalville says no to bid for Hidden Meadow Village annexation appeared first on Park Record.

With just over three weeks until the primary election, voters in Park City and some parts of the East Side who want a say in who appears on the November ballot should prepare to make their decisions soon.

A large number of candidates are campaigning for the Park City Council, Francis City Council, Henefer mayor and Coalville City Council and mayoral elections. So voters living in those municipalities will help narrow the field by voting for the candidate of their choice on Aug. 12. 

City council elections allow voters to choose up to two candidates — the number of open seats — while only one pick is allowed for mayor. The top vote-getters will appear on the general election ballot. Four candidates will keep campaigning on for the city council seats, and two will advance in the race for the mayor’s office. 

Primary ballots will be mailed out on Tuesday, meaning they could start arriving in mailboxes as early as next week. 

Ballots must then be returned to the Clerk’s Office or a drop box before 8 p.m. on Aug. 12. Drop boxes are located at the Summit County Courthouse, the Coalville and Kamas branches of the Summit County Library, the Park City Library, The Market at Park City, Francis City Hall and Henefer Town Hall.

Early in-person voting is also permitted in the week leading up to the primary as well as the day of. Early voting will be available from Wednesday, Aug. 6, to Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Summit County Clerk’s Office and the Marsac Building. The Clerk’s Office will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Park City Hall will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Election Day voting locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Aug. 12 at Coalville City Hall, the Kamas branch of the Summit County Library and the Marsac Building.

The Park Record and KPCW will host a primary election forum on Tuesday, the same day that ballots go out introducing the eight Park City Council candidates: Park City Community Foundation Vice President of Impact Diego Zegarra; incumbent Park City Councilor Jeremy Rubell; former People’s Health Clinic Executive Director Beth Armstrong; former communications firm owner Molly Miller; former Park City Planning Commissioner John “J.K.” Kenworthy; former National Ability Center CEO Danny Glasser; incumbent Park City Councilor Tana Toly; and Mountain Trails Foundation Resource Manager Ian Hartley. 

The primary forum will start at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the Jim Santy Auditorium in the Park City Library on 1255 Park Ave. Candidates will have limited time to provide opening statements, answer lightning, general and audience questions, and issue closing statements. There is a prompt 8 p.m. end time. KPCW will livestream the candidate forum at kpcw.org.

The Park Record continues to publish candidate profiles highlighting those who are appearing on the primary ballot. A voter guide featuring the candidates will be published before the primary. 

Editor and Publisher Don Rogers said questionnaires have been emailed to candidates in primary municipal elections in Summit and Wasatch counties, and he hopes the candidates will complete their forms by Monday so that the guide can be published with the Saturday, July 26, edition of The Park Record as well as sent to every resident’s post office box address.

The Francis City Council candidates:

• Scott Ian Buchanan
• Justin Ciampi
• Riley J. Atkinson
• Lynsi Stone
• Shana Jai Fryer, incumbent
• Clayton Wilson Querry, incumbent

The Henefer Town Mayor candidates:

• James Alfred Rees
• Kay H. Richins, incumbent
• Dawn M. Langston

The Coalville candidates:

• Walter William Brock, mayor
• Lynn Wood, mayor
• Tyler J. Rowser, mayor
• Rory Thomas Swensen, mayor
• Matthew Boyer, city council
• Steven Bingham Richins, city council
• Andrew Edward Nelson, city council
• Colleen C. Goodman, city council
• Chris Tomczyk, city council
• Jeff M. Peterson, city council

The Heber City candidates:

• Heidi Franco, incumbent mayor
• D. Scott Phillips, mayor
• Mike Hewlett, mayor
• Yvonne M Barney, incumbent city councilor
• Lori Wikert Rutland, city council
• Gregory D Royall, city council
• Corey Noyes, city council
• Morgan Murdock, city council
• Nick Lopez, city council
• Christen Thompson, city council
• Jami Hewlett, city council
• Ken Davis, city council

The Midway City Council candidates:

• Craig Knight, city council
• Starr Stratford, city council
• Jared (JC) Simonsen, incumbent city councilor
• Andy Garland, city council
• Randy Lundin, city council
• Genene Probst-Miles, city council

The Summit County Clerk’s Office will conduct a logic and accuracy test of the equipment that will be used during the primary election at 10 a.m. on Monday in the County Courthouse, 60 N. Main Street in Coalville. It is open to the public.

In October, The Park Record and KPCW will host another forum with the mayoral and final council candidates appearing on the general election ballot. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Individuals must be registered to vote no later than 11 days before an election to receive a mail-in ballot. Contact the Clerk’s Office with any questions by calling 435-336-3040.

An earlier version of this article stated ballots could be postmarked by Monday, Aug. 11, to be counted. A new state law removed the postmark deadline, and the only standard is that ballots are returned to the Clerk’s Office by 8 p.m. on election day. The article has been updated.

The post Primary election ballots to be mailed Tuesday; candidate forum that evening appeared first on Park Record.