I picked up The Park Record article voicing support for House Bill 356 passed in the last three minutes of the last legislative session. Sound familiar?
The legislation mandates implementing geographical seats districts for county council seats. Think about this from the vast area of Summit County with some 80 percent of the current population living in what might be Park City and Snyderville Basin.
When I moved here 52 years ago, we had that system and it was OK as population was more even around the county. The southern part of the county now contains 80 percent or so of the population and unbelievable growth with two major ski resorts employing over 8,000 people, not even counting all of the other businesses.
The building trades alone employ thousands and with second-home and hotel tax base and tourism one of the premier drivers of the Utah economy. All or most is in the southern part of Summit County, in Park City and the Snyderville basin. We need more representation, not less.
It’s a false narrative coming from the East Side that they are underrepresented and have rural and family values. They are receiving mass benefits in schools, roads and high employment througout Summit County, as well as Wasatch and Salt Lake County.
There seems to be a common theme in the Utah Legislature as members pass unwanted and partisan-driven progams such as Hideout, Dakota Pacific and now House Bill 356. Let’s get rid of gerrymandering and Republican overreach and their power grab.
Having lived with my family for 52 years here, I have never voted for a state legislator, U.S. representative or senator who has won. I think I’m underrepresented, have good values, and have been reasonably successful in life.
Let’s come together in Summit County and stop power grabs and gerrymandering — join Better Boundaries
Ken Martz
Park City