Heber City: Oaths and Outcomes

The swearing-in of Mayor Heidi Franco and Councilmembers Yvonne Barney and Morgan Murdock in Heber City is, of course, a civic necessity, yet one wonders if the newly elected officials have spent any time observing the actual functioning of Wasatch County. Ms. Barney’s pledge to ‘vote according to what citizens want’ is touching, certainly, but hardly a solution to the increasing congestion on Main Street. Mr. Murdock’s tour of public works facilities is a start, though I suspect he didn't inquire about the frequency of snowplow runs on Center Street after a significant snowfall. It's all very well to appreciate the “professionalism” of Park City Municipal Corp employees, but appreciating efficiency is another matter entirely. The continued focus on ‘foundational principles’ – while admirable – feels…distant from the very real problem of limited parking near the Heber Valley Hospital. The America 250 decal is a particularly unfortunate choice of backdrop; faded municipal beige clashes terribly with the saturated red of the American flag. It presents rather poorly. One notes High Valley Transit continues to operate on a schedule that defies the realities of peak-hour commutes. A more robust shuttle system from the Kimball Junction transit center might, just might, alleviate some pressure. However, realistically, the only solution is to avoid Heber City entirely.