As a member of the Park City Council, I’ve always believed the mountain communities in the Wasatch Back thrive when led by pragmatic, principled and future-focused leaders.
Additionally, as a frequent visitor to Heber (Karl Malone Jeep, Nomadic Barber, Chick’s Cafe, Dairy Keen, Chubby’s, AutoSpa, etc.) I understand the crossroads Heber is at and how many of you may feel that there is nothing you can do about it.
However, there is something you can do, and that is to vote. That’s why I’m honored to support Christen Thompson, a candidate whose clear vision, dedication to public service, and strong roots in Heber make him ideally suited for the Heber City Council.
While some may view this as an endorsement (from my vantage point it is), I am not here to tell you who to vote for. That is a decision you must make on your own. What I will share with you are some of the qualities that in my experience make for an effective council member. It is these qualities that you should consider when exercising your fundamental right to vote as proud Utahns.
1. Aligned Values and Civic Engagement: Christen is a devoted community member — a homeowner, civic volunteer, and public servant with lived experience in Heber. He is passionate about open space, smart growth, and inclusive community-building. As a software engineer, he has real-world experience solving complex problems and building consensus across diverse teams.
2. A Forward-Thinking and Fearless Approach to Managing Growth: Heber City is at an important juncture — balancing preservation with progress. Christen has emphasized that density thoughtfully planned can help manage housing costs while protecting our landscapes. He understands the importance of staying true to the city’s general plan by aligning zoning rules and exploring tools like open-space bonds and required trail infrastructure for new developments. We cannot ignore development pressures as they will not go away, we must engage and shape them.
3. Champion of Safe, Smart Infrastructure: Christen has highlighted the importance of street safety in Heber. He advocates for intersections with protected bike lanes, and well-designed crosswalks to reduce pedestrian risks. This kind of detail-oriented approach makes clear that he’s interested in more than rhetoric — he focuses on actionable improvements that preserve quality of life.
4. Committed to Strategic Affordability and Accessibility: Increasing housing supply is one strategy Christen champions to help alleviate rising costs in the valley. He also supports smart policies like accessory dwelling unit reform to further diversify housing options — demonstrating a willingness to experiment with practical solutions that serve all community members.
5. Inclusive and Collaborative Leadership Style: Christen understands that great leadership isn’t about loud voices — it’s about listening. He’s a proponent of broad community engagement — from developers and landowners to parents, youth, and the elderly. That inclusive mindset is key to building durable, supported policy in a city that continues to grow.
6. Vision, and the Courage to Share It: Christen, with a logic-driven approach gleaned from his work in software and technology, has the courage to consider what the future will bring and the commitment to meet it head on with practical yet bold ideas.
Christen Thompson embodies the thoughtful, grounded leadership Heber needs. He blends concern for preservation with a clear vision for innovation. As your Wasatch back neighbor and a frequent Heber visitor, he has my full endorsement. Please join me in supporting Christen Thompson this August and this November — for a Heber City that respects its past, responds to today’s needs, and plans boldly for the future.
Bill Ciraco
Park City