Park City: I love you now even more than before. I am so deeply moved by your kindness. Thank you.
When I entered the race for City Council, I expected to meet people, have meaningful conversations, and learn more about issues. I could never have anticipated how profoundly this journey would strengthen my affection for Park City and the people who make it such a magical place to live.
I’ve connected with hundreds of Parkites: in cafes, on benches, at community gatherings and roundtables, in living rooms, on back porches and front porches, and during scenic chairlifts. I answered barrages of questions and admitted (many times) when I didn’t have answers. I addressed challenges directly and respectfully, and told lots of jokes that didn’t land (plus a couple that did).
I also completed all of the above while speaking into a microphone in rooms full of people. All of it an exercise in courage for me, a writer who prefers to take notes while I hide in the back of a crowd. And all of it, an exercise in expanding my heart.
Person after person granted me time amid busy days to impart wisdom, insight and nuance. They shared stories that made me cry. Many that made me laugh. Details that made me think differently, and concerns that reminded me why an engaged community and a collaborative, respectful city council matters so much.
To city staff; mayors, city and county leaders past and present; non-profit leaders and business owners; heads of resort and educators; engaged community members and volunteers; and elders — thank you for making time to talk with me and educate me.
To those who wrote letters on my behalf, kept asking what needed to be done, donated to support the campaign, put up yard signs and wore stickers, enthusiastically hosted beautiful events — even after just meeting me! — and made time to show up at those events, thank you.
To the many kind acquaintances; fellow candidates Beth Armstrong, Danny Glasser, Ian Hartley, Tana Toly, Diego Zegarra; and perfect strangers who stood by my side and reached out to support me — thank you. Just FYI, we’re now friends for life.
To my husband and our daughter: you are the best. I’m the luckiest to get to love you — thank you.
Thanks to those who took time with me and for me, shared thoughts, expressed gratitude, and wished me good luck — I have already won the true prize: the honor of being a part of this conversation. I love you, Park City. Thank you.
Molly Miller
Park City