By now you have likely heard the outcome of the Park City Council vote to fill the seat vacated by Ryan Dickey following his seven-vote victory over me in the mayoral race. In a 2–2 split, with Ryan Dickey as mayor casting the deciding vote, the council appointed Molly Miller to serve the remaini ng two years of his term. I want to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude. I was deeply moved by the volume and thoughtfulness of the letters to The Park Record, as well as the written and oral public comments offered to the council in support of my appointment. Many of you articulated, clearly and respectfully, a point that also resonated with me: Had Utah law provided for a runoff election for the council vacancy, I’d likely have won the seat. That argument did not resonate with the majority. Councilors Tana Toly and Diego Zegarra supported Molly Miller, and Dickey broke the tie in her favor. In explaining his decision, Dickey stated that the election results did not factor into his thinking. For many residents who participated in record numbers and split nearly evenly at the ballot box, that was difficult to hear. The takeaway, fair or not, is that the views of roughly half of Park City voters were set aside in favor of continuity and expediency. The meeting, only the second conducted under the new administration, raised additional concerns. Following the appointment, the council considered a consent agreement related to a controversial development overlooking Old Town. In both matters, residents provided thoughtful, fact-based and respectful input. In both cases, that input did not influence the outcome in any way. Throughout the campaign, hundreds of residents shared with me a common frustration: a feeling of being unheard and undervalued by their local government. Last week’s council meeting did little to dispel that sentiment. When public participation is met with indifference, it understandably raises questions about why engaged and pragmatic residents should continue to show up, speak up, and offer constructive ideas. While I am disappointed, I am not discouraged. My commitment to this community, and to the nearly half of Park City voters who supported my candidacy, remains strong. I intend to take a short pause to reflect and determine where my efforts can be most effective in the months ahead. In the meantime, I hope everyone finds a way to enjoy the final Sundance Film Festival in Park City. Whether you are attending screenings, supporting local businesses, or steering clear altogether, it is worth acknowledging the cultural and economic impact the festival has had on our town. Its absence will be felt, particularly by small businesses, for years to come. Thank you again to everyone who engaged, volunteered, wrote, spoke, and supported this effort to keep local government grounded in the voices of local residents. While we did not prevail in this election or in the appointment process, we did elevate important conversations about representation, accountability, and the future of Park City. Those conversations are not going away. With deep gratitude, Jack Rubin Park City The post Election results didn’t matter appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less