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Parkrag in Park City, Summit County
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Summit County Council Candidate Colin DeFord’s Use of Social Media is Encouraging

For years, information in Summit County has been disseminated through the Park Record and KPCW. Both do a great job but they have their limitations. Both only have a limited staff, both are mainly one way communication mechanisms, the Park Record has only so much space to print upon, and KPCW local news has less than an hour a day to talk to guests.

The impact of this is that people may miss important stories and events. People also haven’t been provided with a way for two-way conversation about topics of interest. Yes, you could call your school board representative but the conversation you had ended with you and the board member. Any knowledge gained, typically wasn’t shared with the community at large.

Enter social media.

First, please don’t roll your eyes and stop reading. All social media means is, “websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.” It means both providing and getting information from non-traditional sources and/or in non-traditional ways. In our community it means Facebook posts, tweets on Twitter, and messages on Next Door.

A great example of this during the past election season was about the Park City School bond. Messages were posted by citizens on NextDoor for and against the school bond. In some cases, school board representatives chimed in with their views. It was a free-for-all discussion, in all its imperfection, yet ideas were disseminated — and typically with civility. Unfortunately, when the bond died, so did a lot of the discussion.

Then recently I noticed that current Snyderville Basin Planning Commissioner and candidate for the Summit County Council, Colin DeFord, was posting on Next Door and Twitter. His most recent post is about the new proposed Skull Candy building at the Boyer Tech Park. Mr DeFord wanted to inform the community about an upcoming meeting regarding the new Skull Candy building. Then a neighbor replied that they may not get great turnout at the meeting because it was caucus night. Mr DeFord replied to the neighbor with an update on what happened at the meeting and when the next discussion will be. Frankly it was perfect. Within a few hours of the meeting ending, citizens knew what had happened and what the next steps were. Sure, we could have listened to KPCW this morning and probably received an overview, but because Mr DeFord chose to use social media, we got it straight from someone who understands the issue in great depth and within a few hours of the meeting’s conclusion.

I reached out to Mr DeFord and asked how he felt social media could benefit the citizens of Summit County. He replied:

“My goal is to help to inform our community on the public processes in government, and to do that in such a way that people will have access to the information. Currently, the state requirement for ‘noticing’ citizens about public hearings is via the county and state noticing website, with an ad that is placed in The Park Record. It’s been my experience that those ads go largely unnoticed. I have come to understand, during my time on the Planning Commission, that most people in our community find out about these projects only when the dirt movers show up, and at that point, it is far too late for public comment. Ideally, the active use of social media will further bring together our community, as more and more of our neighbors find a way to be included in the process of local government. Social media is far-reaching and it’s instant, and it can be tailored to give each individual what they are searching for, quickly, and at their fingertips.” 

Mr DeFord’s final sentence says it perfectly… social media is instant, it’s tailored, and it gets people the information they are interested in. Yet, I still don’t think most elected officials understand the power of the medium. In the wake of the bond defeat, some school board members were saying things like, “we can’t be responsible for watching what happens on social media and responding!” Perhaps instead elected officials should be creating the message on social media and then listening to the responses. It’s as if some people don’t understand how many people are encompassed by social media. In Jeremy Ranch, alone, over 800 people are on NextDoor. That represents about 45% of the households in Jeremy Ranch. If you want to reach Jeremy Ranch people, is there a better way?

And it’s not just Jeremy Ranch. What percentage of people around Park City use Facebook? Nationwide, 71% of adults use Facebook. It’s likely as high or higher here. I’ve heard that if you want to know where the traffic problems are, you check the Park City Garage Sale Facebook account. Really.

While I’m sure it is more work for our elected leaders to not only attend meetings but to post updates on social media, and answer responses, isn’t that what we should expect? Perhaps it’s an age thing. Perhaps Mr DeFord represents a younger generation who believes in constant, open communication. If so, I celebrate that. It makes me wonder what other ideas the younger generation may have regarding our critical issues like traffic.

The beauty of this is that it’s not only Mr DeFord who can take this first step. It’s open to any candidate or person in government. It just takes a willingness to do so. Perhaps one’s civic duty is no longer just serving one’s community but also openly communicating about what is happening.

We hope that Mr DeFord will continue to use social media in the run up to the election, and if elected, throughout his tenure on the Summit County Council. We asked him about that and he said:

“I have a Twitter account (@colind) that I use to send out notices, in addition to the Nextdoor website, which I have come to find has been a good place for posting neighborhood communications, although the reach of it is limited, at least for right now, to only a few neighborhoods. I will continue to do my best to help to adapt the services that our community uses the most, to assist in getting the word out. Access to the goings-on in our community should be freely available for all, and social media has shown to be a wonderful way to share information.”

I couldn’t say it better myself.

I really hope two things happen out of this election cycle. I hope our elected officials learn to embrace and use social media, even though it is more effort. I hope that if they do, our citizens take full advantage of that and we find a good mix of communication that provides constant feedback and ultimately better outcomes for our community.

Parkrag in Planning
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Do We Need a Better Way of Notifying Citizens of Potential Development Changes?

Recently on social media, people began asking what the new development by Ruby Tuesdays was. Many people seemed shocked that a Whole Foods was being put there and the lament began over all the issues that were discussed months ago when the development was being approved.

During the approval process, the topic was covered extensively on KPCW and in the Park Record. The county publicized the planning meetings as required by law. Everything happened as it technically should have. Yet, it appears this is the first time some people had heard of this. I would like to say I’m shocked that people didn’t know, but I’m not. People around Park City are busy and often don’t pay attention until the ground moves. This is unfortunate because then it is too late.

So, what could be done? We need to find a way to notify citizens of changes that may be happening, even if they don’t read public notices in the Park Record, listen to KPCW, or live within a 1,000 feet of a proposed development (where a notice is mailed). In the Whole Foods example, we missed an opportunity for input and education with all the parents driving their kids to Ecker Hill, people visiting the outlet mall, and citizens using the trails near Landmark Drive. If there was only a way for all these people to be notified that a change is potentially coming.

Thankfully, there is and we don’t need to reinvent the wheel. This is what is posted in Toronto when a development change may occur:

toronto-sign

Imagine if a similar sign to this, that was readable from a car (maybe 8-10 feet wide or larger), was posted on the new Whole Foods lot when this discussion was taking place months ago. It has all the information a person would need to understand that something was happening:

  • It tells them there is a potential change coming
  • It tells them what the change is in simple terms
  • It tells them where and when the meeting is
  • It tell them who to contact
  • There is a QR code that makes it easy to be directed to a website about the issue
  • It asks for community feedback
  • It shows a picture of the change
  • It uses icons to make it quick and easy to understand

I believe Park City Municipal does post a small sign indicating a potential change may be coming and perhaps the county does for the Snyderville Basin, too. However, I’ve never seen any sign as clear as this and of a significant size to garner the public’s attention.

A sign like this would not guarantee that everyone would know about potential changes to land use but it has a much better shot at informing the public than what seems to be happening today. It may not be exactly what we need, and I’m sure our current planners would have some better ideas on how to make it work, but I think something like it would be a great start.

The good news is that Summit County is currently working on updating the development code for the Snyderville Basin. It’s the perfect time to talk about the idea and see if it has legs. If it does, and signage requirements could be added to the development code, we’d be on our way to better educating and informing the public. Hopefully that would lead to greater public engagement and sharing of opinions, before the ground is moved, and when those opinions can actually impact action.

Parkrag in Schools
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Updated: Tania Knauer Has Decided Not to Run for Park City School Board

Current School Board President, Tania Knauer, has decided not to run for reelection this November. Originally she had filed for Park City District 3. Four candidates remain vying for that seat:

  • Art Brothers
  • Moe Hickey
  • Kevin Kennedy
  • Petra Butler

Ms Knauer provided this comment about her decision:

“I’ve been a volunteer in the district for 15 years, my youngest graduates this June and I’ve always said I’d graduate along with her. I’m ready to do some traveling and get involved in non-profits I’m passionate about.

In the last couple of years the board has:

  • negotiated the licensed, classified and administrative contracts in a few months (compared to 18 months last time)
  • had no additional tax increases and created a sustainable budget vs. two tax increases and expenses higher than revenue in the previous few years
  • improved governance and transparency by cleaning up the policy committee, creating a board handbook to guide board operations and getting video meetings and other info online
  • created a master plan and will come up with Plan B on implementation this year
  • gone on a listening tour after the bond, improving community engagement thru different initiatives and hiring a communications specialist to help improve outreach.

There is still a ton of work to do, but we have a strong, knowledgeable board. We also have a full slate of candidates which offers choices for voters. It’s great to see new blood getting involved.“

 

Parkrag in Development
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The New Whole Foods Will Be a Good Litmus Test

There’s buzz brewing on social media about the new Whole Foods on Landmark Drive, across from the Ruby Tuesdays. People started by asking “what’s that new development I see from I-80?” and it has become the common argument, “the traffic is going to be terrible on the frontage road once they build that Whole Foods.” While I often defend social media, this issue was decided months ago, and complaining now doesn’t do a lot of good now. The opportunity for the public to comment has passed, but please don’t take me wrong, I always feel horrible when someone first learns of an issue when the construction trucks arrive. I feel like I’ve failed, as should KPCW and the Park Record.

Yet, that doesn’t change the fact that a bigger and better Whole Foods is coming to Park City — but with more impact to traffic on Landmark Drive. The positive is that your experience shopping at Whole Foods will be much better. The potential negative is that driving there could be much worse.

When this came before the Snyderville Basin Planning Commission, they vetted the idea fully. There were hours of discussion about traffic, and left turns versus right turns, and access roads, and well pretty much everything.

Yet, did they get it right? The Planning Commission didn’t have to give them the right to change the development plans from what was decided years before (i.e. small retail) to one that supported the new Whole Foods. If the Planning Commission had denied the changes it is more than likely the land would still be sitting vacant. There would definitely be less traffic on the road for the foreseeable future.

Sometimes I wonder if the forest is lost for the trees. A million i’s and t’s are crossed and eventually a development is approved; however, when looking at the big picture, many people would say that this specific location does not serve the community good. Traffic on Landmark Drive will surely be negatively impacted. People going to Ecker Hill School will likely be impacted. Does it also negatively impact tax revenues from the outlet mall and Walmart?

This is likely the most significant change, impacting the average joe, in the Snyderville Basin, since the Village at Kimball was completed a few years ago. While we will have to wait a few years for completion, it will likely provide a good litmus test to understand whether the powers that be are making good planning decisions.

I personally hope that we both get a fabulous, new Whole Foods and that any traffic issues are a non-issue… but I have a hard time seeing how both happen.

Update: Thanks to the citizen who pointed out I have confused Red Robin for Ruby Tuesdays. That has been updated.

Parkrag in Schools
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Office Hours With Ember Conley (3/18/2016)

This morning, Park City School District Superintendent Dr Ember Conley hosted her second “Office Hours” at Hugo Coffee. Office Hours provides an opportunity for citizens to sit down with Dr Conley (and other concerned community members) and discuss current issues. While last week’s meeting was good, this week’s meeting showed it is starting to find it’s groove.

While I wasn’t able to attend the full hour, the first 40 minutes were very interesting. Here is an overview:

  • A citizen asked about when grade realignment was going to occur. Dr Conley said the district could probably do it sooner with trailers but it was more likely 2018-2019 before it could be implemented through construction at buildings.
  • A citizen asked what do we do with 6th grade? Dr Conley answered that she is a proponent of 5th/6th school but is flexible. Dr Conley said she grew up with a K-6 school, so that probably also influences her viewpoint. A citizen said that she has a fifth grade student and that student is ready to move on out of their current school.
  • A citizen asked what a 5th/6th school should look like. Dr Conley responded that it needs to look like elementary type school. It needs to be comfortable and nurturing. A citizen asked what that meant. Dr Conley said that it typically wouldn’t contain a block schedule (i.e. elementary students wouldn’t have say 4 classes on one day and 4 others on a different day), there would be lots of teacher teaming, lots of collaboration, and kids wouldn’t have far to walk between classes (if the moved at all). The citizen then followed up with a question about what a 7th/8th grade school would look like. Dr Conley said Ecker Hill is a perfect example of what a 7th/8th should look like. A new 7th/8th school would also likely have block classes (TMJH does have a block schedule now… and that would likely also be the case if the 7th/8th moved to a building like Ecker Hill) . She noted that Dual Immersion and block classes don’t work so well together.
  • A Citizen asked what data show on K-4, 5th/6th, 7th/8th, 9-12 transitions (i.e. students having to change schools as they get older)? Dr Conley replied that transitions are always tough but that there are ways to bridge those changes by doing thing like having schools in close proximity to each other (like the Master Planning Committee recommended). The citizen asked the question again and emphasized “WHAT DO THE STUDIES SAY.” Dr Conley said that one of the most important factors in success regarding transitions is the community’s feelings. She said positive outcomes were linked to what the community felt made sense for them. A different Citizen said she had 8th grader and the transitions between schools caused her student some stress. Also her kids don’t like block schedule and having to walk to high school for some classes, but that having to go to the high school could make the students more familiar with the high school building. Dr Conley says that a majority of students drop out between 6th and 8th grade. Proper transitions can help prevent that. Park City has a low dropout rate but we should do everything we can. Dr Conley says she is not trying to push anything though.
  • The topic of other factors influencing our kids came up and Dr. Conley said that a survey called SHARPS is showing higher drug use problems in younger grades in Park City (and nationwide). It is also showing growing mental illness, including suicide. The district is working with the county and city on this.
  • Citizen says that with all the activities her kids sometimes don’t go to bed until midnight. So, the citizen wanted to know what is happening with later start times. Dr Conley says they are looking at that thanks to the citizens who have brought up the issue… but it really comes down to money for buses. It is also a ripple effect. She says we don’t have enough bus drivers.
    • She says it is tough when local fast food restaurants pay $15 per hour, to get a bus driver at $12… who has to be to work at 5AM.
    • Another citizen commented that some districts pay bus drivers year round.
    • Another citizen asks if they have looked at outsourcing bus drivers.
      • Dr Conley says she is not sure but they have looked at things like that for maintenance.
  • A Citizen asked what times are being considered for changing start times? Dr Conley replied that:
    • They were looking at anything after 8:30 for students 13 years old and older.
    • However, that reduces hours for bus drivers, which can make it hard to find drivers.
    • There is also the concern that younger students would be at the bus stops in the dark, if older students had later start times (due to bus schedule requirements)
  • A citizen asked how later start times may impact sports. Dr Conley said that it greatly impacts after school sports and activities. She said, that if sports started at 4PM, it condenses the time for fields and makes it much harder to have space for everyone.
  • A Citizen asked whether school start times will be changed for sure. Dr Conley said that it was still under discussion. Molly Miller, the school district’s communications person said that there will be a meeting next week, hosted by concerned citizens, regarding the topic.
  • A citizen asks if there are objections to later start times from working parents?
    • Dr Conley said there are pluses and minuses from working parents. She said some studies show that kids would be at home less by themselves which can reduce risky behavior and that later start times could mean kids being at home less by themselves.
  • A citizens said she has never been in district with half days. She asked if our district could due full days but have each day be a little shorter. Dr Conley said she has experience as principal and found that many teachers like having 90 minute classes, versus 60 minutes classes as proposed by the citizen. She said that two of hardest things are scheduling of classes and creating the school calendar.
  • A citizen asked what the plan was for forging a path forward after the WhatCounts sessions (one of the pieces of community input to better understand issues performed after the bond failure by the district)? Dr Conley said they wanted to narrow down the values expressed, and delve into the details. She said we heard a lot about community engagement and that people like our programs like AP classes. So, it is really having more conversations with people.

The meeting was scheduled for an additional 20 minutes. I’m sure other topics of interest were discussed after I left.

I would encourage you, if you have questions or concerns about schools, to attend next Friday’s “Office Hours” meeting at 8:30AM at Hugo Coffee. Even more, I would encourage both Summit County and Park City to figure out how to do something similar. It’s one thing to think you’ve answered most citizens’ questions through media interviews or email. It’s another to sit down face to face, answer questions, and then be pressed for more information.

This is definitely one area where the school board is pushing the envelope and succeeding.

Update: Thanks to the citizen who attended this meeting and clarified that TMJH currently has block classes but Ecker Hill does not! That has been noted in the article.

Parkrag in Schools
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Taxation Without Representation…

During today’s school board retreat, LightHouse, a company that was paid to do surveys for the school district in the wake of their bond defeat, noted that one of the survey participants said that the district needed to reach out to second home owners more. The majority of the people at the retreat were representatives of the school… Administrators Principals, School Board members, and others gathered to better understand why last November’s school bond failed.

AND THEY LAUGHED AT THE COMMENT.

“Doesn’t that person know that second home owners don’t vote!” came the mocking cry from the attendees… as if they were deriding Forest Gump who had just uttered “Sometimes life is like a box of chocolates.” The tone was 100% “What an idiot.”

The main problem with mocking second home owners is that they pay our bills. Second home owners don’t get a discount on their property taxes like you and I do. They pay the full amount, and there are many of them funding our lifestyle.

So, although they don’t get to vote (since this isn’t their primary residence), they do deserve a say. We shouldn’t ignore those people that bankroll our schools. They may have different goals, methods, or ideas but they have a legitimate interest in our community, even if they can’t vote.

It’s unfortunate that they are laughed off. If their opinions, and therefore tax dollars, don’t matter we should just find a way to remove those taxes from our base. If their opinions don’t matter, let’s give away their tax dollars and make do with what we get from locals. That probably means a significant cut to every government employee’s salary but I guess second home owners don’t really matter.

Or do they?

I think they do.

We take their money and therefore we should take their thoughts and ideas.

Just because you can’t vote doesn’t mean your ideas are worthless…especially when you are paying more than your fair share.

 

 

Parkrag in Schools
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What’s Coming up With the School District

The school district provided an overview of public meetings in the near future. If you are in interested in what’s going on with our schools, I guarantee you can get some answers at one of the following meetings.

Again, if you can attend Friday’s “Office Hours With Superintendent Ember Conley” I would highly recommend it.

Board of Education Work Session
Tomorrow (3/15), the Board will gather to learn more about community feedback collected over the last couple of months – and to make a few decisions about next steps for the district. The work session will include a presentation on takeaways from the “What Counts” meetings. Results from the post-bond telephone survey will also be shared. The day begins at 9AM, and there is a regular session scheduled at 4PM.

Tuesday 3/15, 9AM
District Office

_________

Coffee with Friends

McPolin parents are taking a page out of the DLI book and meeting to work on language skills! This event (started by parent Nikki Keye) has been well-attended (about 20 people or so) in each of the three weeks since its inception! We hope you’ll join us soon!

Every Wednesday at 8:10AM
Meet in the McPolin lobby
Plus, FREE COFFEE 🙂

_________

Office Hours with Dr. Ember Conley 

Every Friday, at the Visitor Center (conference table area in Hugo Coffee), anyone in the community is welcome to drop in to talk with Dr. Conley. Last Friday, our first meeting, we had about 10 people show up to talk – in a VERY constructive environment. The community is welcome to pop in at any time through the hour to ask questions and chat – it’s VERY informal!

Every Friday through May 27
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Hugo Coffee

_________
Start Times Information Night

Please join us on March 24 to learn more about how you could be affected by start times. Our community-led Start Times Committee will present information and research, and we need YOU to present your thoughts on the potential change. (This meeting will be posted online, as well as a survey for people to fill out after!)

Thursday, March 24
6 – 7:30 p.m.
Park City High School Lecture Hall

​_________
​
Student Safety Forum

At 6PM on Thursday, April 21st, parents, students (recommended for 6th grade and up), teachers and staff are invited to attend a student safety forum – outlining the steps PCSD is taking to make sure our students stay safe online at school – and the steps parents must take to keep them safe online at home.

The evening will also include presentations from KSL Investigative Reporter Debbie Dujanovic and Christina Sally, Investigator for the Summit County Attorney’s Office.
6PM on Thursday, April 21, 2016
Lecture Hall in the Park City High School

Parkrag in WTF Is He Talking About?
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Want to Eat Anything from Kellogg’s Ever Again?

Normally, the Park Rag sticks to local issues…but sometimes things are so bad that you have to stretch outside normal boundaries. Such is the case with Kellogg’s… yes the cereal you have probably ate when you were a kid and maybe (hopefully not given this issue) fed to your kid. Think of  Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes, etc.

Oh, that wholesome company.

With employees that pee on the production line.

Just another reason to shop at Whole Foods, I guess… Disgraceful.

Oh, and yes, Kellogg’s responded and said this only impacted Rice Krispies (and treats). Hopefully your school hasn’t made any rice krispie treats recently. Mine had (UGHHH).

New Update:  Kellogg’s made Youtube take the video down but a reader sent in another version where it is confirmed that Kellogg’s acknowledged that this really happened… and that the cereal was sold and eaten (MMMM). Here is that video (h/t to the reader sending this in).

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