I’ve spent my life in Summit County — raised here, worked here, served here — and one thing I’ve learned is that this community doesn’t shy away from hard issues, nor should we. Growth, housing, land use, quality of life — we care deeply, and we’re not quiet about it. That’s not a bad thing. But it does mean you find out pretty quickly who is willing to sit in the middle of it and do the work. I worked alongside Malena Stevens on the Summit County Council during some of those moments. She never hesitated to take on issues. Not when they were easy, and not when they were controversial. And not when people were upset. I’ve seen her walk into rooms where she knew she wouldn’t have support, listen anyway, and stay in the conversation longer than most people would. That doesn’t mean everyone agreed with her — they didn’t. But she didn’t avoid it, and she didn’t pretend it was simpler than it was. And sometimes, because she was willing to listen and consider another point of view, she researched and did the work, she changed her opinion. And I respect that. What I also appreciate about Malena — and this is something that matters to me — is that she works to understand this county as a whole. Not just Park City, not just one part of the Basin, but the East Side, the rural communities, the families who have been here for generations. That perspective comes from experience and from actually showing up across the county. That matters in the clerk’s role. This is a position that serves everyone — every resident, every voter, every business. It requires someone who understands that different parts of this county experience government differently. She is willing to make sure the system works for everyone, not just the loudest voices. It also requires someone who can stay steady. The Clerk’s Office doesn’t get to pick the easy days. It’s responsible for processes that have to be right every time. You need someone who can handle pressure, manage details, and keep things moving without losing sight of the bigger picture. Malena has done that. You may not always agree with her decisions. I haven’t always. But I’ve seen how she approaches the work, and I trust her to do it with consistency and with respect for this county. That’s what matters to me. And that’s why I support Malena Stevens for Summit County clerk. Tonja B. Hanson Coalville The post Someone who listens appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less