Deanna Rhodes for Park City Council

My journey to run for City Council started by helping coordinate our local Women’s March. Because of my role of coordinating parking and transportation, I attended my very first City Council meeting. That was three years ago!

My experience as a community organizer and passionate citizen has provided me with a clear picture of the collaboration and overlap that happens between the City, the County, and the State. For the past three years, I have been actively advocating for Parkites at the state legislature. I have visited our courts to observe the judicial branch and have attended many county board of health meetings. I’ve engaged in education opportunities put on by the Park City Police Department and even toured the water reclamation plant.

These experiences form my broad perspective of how we facilitate conversations, ask the right questions and ultimately inform good policy-making decisions.

Through my desire to bring change to the state of Utah, I have connected one-on-one with Parkites. I’ve knocked doors and I’ve had conversations. However, I’ve also lived the experiences of being a seasonal worker, of working in the service industry, and of having multiple jobs to make it all come together. I am so fortunate that these experiences have given me the opportunity to have real conversations with some of our population that often get forgotten or overlooked.

Park City is an amazing place to live. But the reality is that the Park City lifestyle is a struggle for many who live here. Affordable housing is so important to the mental health and stability of our community members. Traffic and congestion contribute to our stress level. Air quality, sustainability, and climate change continue to worry us. All of these issues affect the wellbeing of our town and our residents. These are big issues and they are complicated.

I’m also concerned about the day-to-day issues that make our home a community first and a resort town second. I’m concerned about the visibility of the crosswalks in our town and the safety of pedestrians who use them. I’m also inspired by our neighbors in Heber City who elevated the visibility of our LGBTQ+ friends by placing Pride Flags down Center Street. As a caring community, we can do more for each other.

I am running because I believe that as a community organizer, I bring a unique perspective that can bridge divides. By uniting together, we will continue to create a complete community and solidify a future that reflects our Park City values.

Park City only works when it works for everyone.