October 2026 | Vol. 22 Iss. 10
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Holladay Hills housing
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Upgrades to include security cameras
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What housing will look like at the evolving development Page 22
Council adopts design plan for Spring Lane Park By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com Next steps include hiring a landscape architect and finalizing project details.
S
pring Lane Park took another step toward completion as the Holladay City Council adopted a design plan for the concept. The 12-acre neighborhood park will be built on the former site of Spring Lane Elementary (5315 S. 1700 East) and will include elements from the school that have been retained for reuse in the park. The project’s overall goal is to create an accessible park for people of all ages while preserving the site’s educational heritage. It will offer a range of recreational activities while supporting water conservation by using drought-tolerant and native plants. Park features will include a historical marker, a pavilion with a view of Mount Olympus, four pickleball courts, a
playground, walking trails, a 13,000-squarefoot plaza that will house public art and a fully enclosed dog park. With a budget of $9.1 million, the Spring Lane project managers will hire a landscape architect in September, with a preliminary park design expected to be completed by November 2026. The project will be sent out for bid in January 2027, with construction starting in April of that year. The goal is to have construction substantially completed by November 2027. “I anticipate construction will last about eight to nine months next year,” said Holladay Public Services Director Jared Bunch. “If we don’t get this design taken care of sooner rather than later, we’re going to miss that construction season next year… you can’t deal with concrete as well in the winter.” Under Bunch’s direction, city staff will The Spring Lane Park design was approved by the Holladay City Council in August, opening Continued on page 6 the way for the project to advance. (Photo courtesy Holladay City)
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The #1 Retirement Mistake That Could Cost You Thousands in Unnecessary Taxes Utah retirement experts warn that the #1 retirement mistake could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars – and no one is talking about it. “It’s the #1 mistake with retirement planning today… and it’s causing hard-working Americans to needlessly overpay their taxes by tens of thousands of dollars every year.” This is a recent warning from Utah retirement experts, Tyson Thacker and Ryan Thacker of B.O.S.S. Retirement Solutions, who have helped over 50,000 families plan for a better retirement. “What makes matters even worse is nobody talks about this. Not your accountant. Not your CPA. Not even most financial advisors,” said Ryan. The #1 Retirement Planning Mistake So what is this costly mistake? It’s withdrawing money in retirement without a coordinated plan. According to the New York Times, roughly half of American retirees don’t take any systematic approach to withdrawing their retirement savings. But the order and timing of your withdrawals from your IRA, 401(k), Roth account, or after-tax savings – matters immensely. It could determine how much you’ll pay in taxes, how much of your Social Security gets taxed, your Medicare premiums and more. And when retirees don’t have a plan, they usually overpay. Every year. For decades. The expensive domino effect When most people retire, they begin withdrawing from their traditional IRA or 401(k). But every dollar you pull from these accounts gets taxed as ordinary income — the same rate as your paycheck when you
were working. Add the income from Social Security and any interest payments, dividends or other investment income, and suddenly your taxable income is much higher than you expected. This is when the dominos start to fall. First, higher income could push you into a higher tax bracket. Second, if your income crosses certain thresholds, up to 85% of your Social Security benefits can be taxed. Third, Medicare premiums are calculated based on your income from two years prior. So a large withdrawal today could trigger an IRMAA surcharge, which could double or triple your Medicare premiums later. And finally, when you turn 73, the government forces you to begin taking required minimum distributions. These are mandatory, taxable withdrawals from your IRA or 401(k) – and they could push your income even higher, triggering even more taxes. “You can feel middle-class in real life, but look wealthy on paper to the IRS,” says Tyson Thacker. “That disconnect is what
surprises so many families.” How to prevent this mistake The good news is there’s a way you could avoid this. And the earlier you address it, the more options you may have to significantly reduce your taxes. The solution doesn’t involve tax loopholes, investment risks or offshore bank accounts. It’s simply coordination: determining which accounts to withdraw from and when, while considering how those decisions could affect your Social Security, Medicare premiums and other investment income. The goal is to reduce the total taxes you’ll pay throughout retirement – not just for one year. “Retirement planning is often done one piece at a time,” says Tyson. “Your CPA focuses on last year. Your financial advisor focuses on investment returns. Medicare and Social Security decisions are made in isolation. Most people don’t understand that all of these things are connected.” But according to the Thackers, a coordinated withdrawal strategy could save a family tens of thousands of dollars in a single year. And over a 20 or 30 year re-
tirement, it could add up to 6-figures in tax savings in retirement. Free tax savings analysis for Utah families To help Utah families avoid this mistake, B.O.S.S. Retirement Solutions offers a free, customized Retirement Tax Savings Analysis. This is a personalized, side-byside comparison of what you’re projected to pay in taxes in retirement now, versus what you could pay with a coordinated tax planning strategy. Some advisors charge thousands of dollars for an analysis like this. B.O.S.S. is offering it at no cost, even if you’re not a client. The strategies are best suited for families who have saved at least $300,000 for retirement. To schedule your free Retirement Tax-Savings Analysis, simply call (801) 405-1311. ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Tyson Thacker and Ryan Thacker are the CEO and President of B.O.S.S. Retirement Solutions. They are published authors of the Amazon best-selling book, “The B.O.S.S. Retirement Blueprint, Your Guide to a Secure and Independent Retirement.” Their award-winning firm has seven offices located throughout the Wasatch Front, and a new office in St. George. This is for illustrative purposes only, results may vary. Advisory services offered through B.O.S.S. Retirement Advisors, an SEC Registered Investment Advisory firm. Insurance products and services offered through B.O.S.S. Retirement Solutions. The information contained in this material is given for informational purposes only, and no statement contained herein shall constitute tax, legal or investment advice. The information is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual’s situation. You should seek advice on legal and tax questions from an independent attorney or tax advisor. SPONSORED CONTENT
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October 2026 | Page 3
COMMON GROUND
A Vote of Confidence
Common Ground will be a column of rotating viewpoints that highlight specific feelings across the political spectrum, and it will always end with possible ways to come together. For two years, I’ve worried that the president will interfere with, postpone or even cancel the midterm elections, although that’s never happened in the history of our country. But before we go all Y2K on this election and panic-buy underground bunkers, let’s talk about how Utah is handling this situation. Contrary to what cable news would have you believe, the president does not oversee America’s elections. State officials handle that, and Utah has done a phenomenal job. Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson serves as the state’s chief election officer, earning a badge of courage as she stands against an administration demanding our voting rolls. It’s been refreshing to see someone in Utah’s leadership tell the president “No.” While the president continues to bang the “Stolen Election” drum (which is ironic since his administration was in charge during 2020), he says election integrity is a thing of the past. So what is election integrity?
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Peri Kinder
Common Ground
Has it gone the way of the pterodactyl? Here’s the Election Integrity Checklist. • Eligible voters cast a vote. • Ineligible votes are disregarded. • Ballots are secured. • Votes are accurately counted in a transparent process. This leads to an outcome we have to abide by, even if the results don’t turn out the way we’d like. Election integrity is NOT about making the voting process so cumbersome that it limits how many people can cast a ballot. There are some people who love going to their local polling place, casting a vote and getting their “I Voted” sticker. There are also people who can’t make it to a polling location. Maybe because of work schedules, maybe they’re caring for family members, maybe they’ve lived in an underground bunker since the Y2K scare.
PUBLISHER
Bryan Scott | bryan.s@thecityjournals.com
EDITOR
Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com
The point is, Utah’s vote-bymail process has gone swimmingly well. Mail-in voting doesn’t favor any one party; in fact, it gives more people a voice. Isn’t that what we want? I’d rather have an election with massive participation, even if my candidate loses. Isn’t that better than one side that wins because people couldn’t vote? But the federal government is acting like we’re handing out voting ballots willy-nilly, like Oprah giving away pajama sets at Costco. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act would require voters to show proof of citizenship when voting, which you can’t do with a mail-in ballot. A federal judge blocked the president’s executive order that created a plan to regulate mail-in ballots. Now the administration, the U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. Supreme Court are in a race against time to change the mail-in ballot system. What could possibly go wrong? All of the president’s policies have gone off without a hitch. Right? Republican leaders make it
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sound like elections are being bombarded by illegal votes, but a Utah audit found nearly 100% of voters were U.S. citizens. Out of 2,069,640 voter records reviewed, 27 alleged noncitizen voters were found. That’s 0.0013%, for all you math nerds. Elections don’t belong to the president. They don’t belong to Republicans or Democrats. They don’t belong to cable news, TikTok influencers or the guy on Facebook who shares questionable memes. Elections belong to us: We the People. Election integrity boils down to this: protect the right to vote and ensure ballot security. We don’t want ineligible people to vote, but we also don’t want to make the process impossible for eligible voters. The system has worked for 250 years. Throughout this country’s history, no U.S. election has been postponed or cancelled nationwide. But the president’s interference implies you don’t have to cancel an election if you get to choose the voters.
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Continued from front page take over the construction management role due to their experience with capital improvements, including the $10 million stormwater project. Once the landscape architect is hired, the design plans can be finalized, remaining consistent with the vision of the park project. The council discussed the project’s name, as Spring Lane Park had always been a placeholder, not an official designation. It
was decided to make the name official, as it pays tribute to the neighborhood and the former school. “I think Spring Lane lets people know where it is. They already refer to it by that name throughout the community, not just here,” said Councilmember Natalie Bradley. “I think it’s a good name. I can’t think of a better one.” Assistant City Manager and Project Manager Holly Smith said once a landscape architect is hired, they can move
into detailed designs and plans for the park that will be finalized before the bid process opens in January. With completion expected in November, the city won’t do a ribbon-cutting event until spring of 2028. “We’ll do a celebration with our residents later,” Smith said. “We are anticipating a number of community updates through the process. Right now we’re intending to do six different updates at key milestones, just so residents know where we’re at in the process.” l
SPRING LANE PROJECT TIMELINE September 2026: Project Launch and Design Kickoff December 2027: Design Completion Update April 2027: Construction Kickoff July 2027: Mid-Construction Update November 2027: Project Completion Spring 2028: Community Celebration/Ribbon Cutting Event
Headstone designer finds life, laughter and stories among the stones Utah Headstone Design’s Ned Murphy has made a career out of turning granite into deeply personal, and occasionally very unusual, memorials. By Shaun Delliskave s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
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or a man who spends his working days thinking about headstones, Ned Murphy has a surprisingly lively occupation. There are football teams, comic book heroes, private jokes and unusual epitaphs. He has designed a monument featuring a cruise ship, wine glasses and a slot machine. Someone even wanted Pennywise, the terrifying clown from “It,” immortalized on a headstone. And then there was the dog. “One guy bought a headstone for his dog, and it was like five times the cost of an average human headstone,” Murphy said. Welcome to the working world of Murphy, manager at Utah Headstone Design, where Halloween’s familiar symbols of graveyards and tombstones are considerably less spooky when you spend every day discovering the human stories carved into them. Utah Headstone Design (850 E. 5600 South) has been serving Utah families since 1997. The family-owned company operates locations in Layton and in Murray. Murphy, whose sister Ilesha and brother-in-law Donny operate the Layton location, opened the Murray store in 2016. The company designs, engraves and installs monuments and memorials,
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including traditional upright headstones, flat markers, benches, bronze markers and highly customized designs. It wasn’t exactly the career Murphy imagined as a child. He loved sports and playing with friends and remembers being particularly sensitive to other people’s feelings. Career-wise, he pictured himself becoming a police officer or firefighter. Headstones entered the picture almost accidentally. “My brother-in-law owned a headstone company in Layton,” Murphy said. “I worked for him just to help get me through college.” Initially doing what he describes as “grunt work,” Murphy eventually was asked to help with designs. “I started designing and loved it,” Murphy said. “The days would go fast because I liked it a lot.” When business slowed, Murphy moved into construction and eventually relocated to Las Vegas. But headstones followed him. He built a small website and began selling monuments on the side, meeting customers during lunch breaks and periodically driving a trailer to Layton to pick up completed stones. Along the way, he taught himself graphic design. “I bought a graphic design program and would design the customers’ headstones for them,” Murphy said. “I would stay up all night learning how to use it. And loved every second.”
Headstone creation has transitioned from hand sandblasting to a computer-automated sandblasting system. (Photo courtesy of Utah Headstone Design)
Eventually, Murphy realized he had stumbled onto a profession combining several things he did well: art, technology and talking with people during difficult moments. “I also realized I had a gift of making people feel comfortable,” Murphy said. “So, with those two skills, designing headstones just fit really well.” Today’s process is more technologically sophisticated than outsiders might expect. Utah Headstone Design has transitioned from hand sandblasting to computer-automated sandblasting, while designers work with families to select granite, lettering, portraits and artwork before engraving and installation. Customers can even begin designing a memorial online. But technology doesn’t solve one recurring design problem: fitting an entire life onto a finite piece of granite. “You really need to guide people,” Murphy said. “Most people have no idea. And you need to be good at fulfilling their wish but condensing it down. People want a lot more art and words than will actually fit.” Those words sometimes provide the biggest surprises. Murphy remembers one epitaph that simply read: “get that weak sauce out of here.” Other stones make him wish he had met the person being memorialized. He remembers one decorated with “a cruise ship, wine glasses
Adding color to headstones is a recent offering in the headstone business. (Photo courtesy of Utah Headstone Design)
and a slot machine.” “I thought, they must have had fun,” Murphy said. Years around cemeteries have also changed his perspective on them. Rather than frightening places, Murphy sees them as repositories of personality, family history and affection. “I love seeing the special things people leave on headstones for their loved ones,” he said, listing coffee cups, candy bars, favorite drinks, small trinkets and painted rocks from grandchildren. “Cemeteries are one of the most peaceful places in the world,” Murphy said. “I like walking through them or lying on the grass.” And when the man who designs everyone else’s final marker eventually needs one of his own? Naturally, Murphy already has ideas. “My own headstone would be wild,” he said. “Just my first name large and diagonal across the front. I would put jokes all around where they can fit.” His full name? “As small as possible on the bottom of the back,” Murphy said. “No artwork. Just words.” After a career spent helping other people get the last word, Murphy apparently intends to have quite a few of his own.l
Holladay City Journal
The Pause Project helps women learn about menopause
Two Utah event planners are turning their own perimenopause struggles into The Pause Project, a oneday conference Oct. 10 to replace “suffering in silence” with expert advice and community. By Rebecca Olds rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
S
arah Kyle and Brooke Tolman have been friends and business partners in the events industry for a long time, so it was natural for them to talk about anything and everything — even the topics the larger community still regards as “taboo.” “I hate to say it, but especially in Utah … we are supposed to have the perfect home … our children are perfect … there’s just this sense of like you can’t show any of your flaws,” Kyle said. Tolman started noticing strange symptoms: brain fog that made it impossible to remember details that once came easily, restless nights where her eyes snapped open around 3 a.m. and refused to shut again — what she and Kyle now jokingly call the “3 a.m. club.” Then came the hot flashes. Worst of all was a growing sense that she simply didn’t feel like herself anymore, and her confidence began to crack.
Talking it through with Kyle, Tolman was stunned to learn she wasn’t crazy — and she wasn’t alone. Perimenopause and menopause affect most women, often starting in their 30s and lasting up to 10-12 years. Yet many say they were never told what to expect. Very little information is passed down within families, and most OB-GYN and primary care training includes only minimal menopause education — lining up with what Tolman and Kyle heard about doctors getting “15-20 minutes of training” on hormones. “For a long time… women were supposed to hold it all together, right?” Tolman said. “The ‘suffering in silence’ is, I think, passed down from generations … you’re a woman, you just have to deal with it.” But Kyle and Tolman decided they weren’t going to “just deal with it.” “You’re just trying to feel normal,” Tolman said. “I think that is the one sign most doctors agree with: you don’t really know what is happening to you, you just know you don’t feel like yourself, and you may not know that any of this other stuff is all related.” On Oct. 10 at The Grand America Hotel, Tolman and Kyle are hosting The Pause Project, a one-day conference designed to give women both information and community around perimenopause and menopause. The event will feature local women physicians
and specialists from major health systems, along with Utah-based companies focused on women’s health, supplements and wellness. “We’re not the experts, so we are leaning on experts,” Kyle said. “We do events, we’re suffering from this and we know a lot of women are. So we want to bring this to the public space.” They hope women will come with friends, adult daughters or sisters, take advantage of group pricing and, most
importantly, bring their questions. Instead of 15 rushed minutes in an exam room, attendees will have a full day to hear from specialists, compare experiences with other women and leave knowing they’re not the only ones awake at 3 a.m. wondering what’s happening to their bodies.l
Brooke Tolman (left) and Sarah Kyle (right) created The Pause Project to help give hope and build a community of support for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. (Photo courtesy Frederick W. Hayes/ Still Photographer)
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The races you can’t afford to skip: Salt Lake County’s 2026 candidates Three new representatives will join the Salt Lake County Council for 2027. By Shaun Delliskave s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
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ational and state races may receive most of the political attention this election season, but farther down the November ballot Salt Lake County voters will make decisions about the people who oversee some of the government functions closest to home. Who watches the county’s money? Who administers its elections? Who prosecutes criminal cases? Who oversees the county jail? And who sits on the council that approves the county budget and makes decisions affecting more than a million residents? On Nov. 3, voters will select candidates for four Salt Lake County Council seats as well as county auditor, clerk, district attorney and sheriff. The ballot includes longtime officeholders, former elected officials, attorneys, accountants, law enforcement officers, businesspeople and political newcomers.
County Council at-large A: A countywide choice
The largest field is for County Council at-large A, a seat elected by voters throughout Salt Lake County rather than from a particular council district. Republican Kathleen Anderson, Democrat Zach Robinson, Constitution Party candidate Gregory Beglarian, Forward Party candidate Maleah Bliss Caulford and unaffiliated candidate Olghen Ocean Saintelus are competing for the seat. Anderson is a small-business owner who has lived in Salt Lake County for more than three decades. Robinson has worked as a firefighter and paramedic and served two terms on the Sandy City Council. He holds a master’s degree in public administration and currently works at University of Utah Health. Unlike the three district council races, every Salt Lake County voter will have an
The county council will see three members stepping down in 2027: Aimee Winder Newton, Laurie Stringham and Sheldon Stewart.
opportunity to vote in the at-large A contest.
District 1: Northern Salt Lake County
In County Council District 1, Democratic incumbent Jiro Johnson faces Libertarian Casey Poe. No Republican qualified for the general-election contest. District 1 covers a portion of northern Salt Lake County and includes communities in and around Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake and West Valley City. Johnson, who was appointed, is seeking another term on the nine-member County Council, where council members approve the county budget, adopt ordinances and make policy decisions affecting county services.
District 3: Murray, Midvale and central county communities
One of the more locally significant council races is District 3, where voters will choose a successor to Republican Councilmember Aimee Winder Newton. Republican Mike Bird faces Democrat Luke Maynes for the open seat. District 3 encompasses Murray, Taylorsville and Midvale, along with portions of West Jordan and West Valley City, putting the contest before voters across a substantial portion of the central county. Maynes works as a systems analyst and project manager for a technology company, experience that includes examining organizational processes and systems. He also serves as vice chair of a community council in Midvale. Bird has been involved in Republican politics and community activities in the district. Because Winder Newton is not seeking another term, District 3 voters are guaranteed to send a new representative to the County Council.
District 5: Southern Salt Lake County
Aimee Winder Newton is stepping down from District 3 after several terms in office. (Photo courtesy West Jordan City)
Page 8 | October 2026
Another open council seat is being contested in the rapidly growing southern portion of the county. Republican Traci Crockett faces Democrat Sara Cimmers for County Council District 5. The district includes Bluffdale and Riverton and portions of Draper, Herriman, South Jordan and West Jordan. Crockett has previously held elected office, serving two terms on the Bluffdale City
Council. She advanced to the November election after narrowly defeating Chris Null in the June Republican primary, 51% to 49%. Cimmers is a community advocate who has been involved with issues affecting families and children. Like District 3, District 5 will have a new representative following the election.
a primary. Gill prevailed in June with approximately 52% of the vote to Robinson’s 48%. Davis is an attorney who worked as a Salt Lake County deputy district attorney from 2017 to 2021, where his work included felony prosecutions and the creation of the office’s cybercrime prosecution unit. Davis currently works as corporate counsel and director of cybersecurity for Woodbury County Auditor Corporation. He also served as an Army infanFor Salt Lake County auditor, voters try officer and deployed twice to Iraq. countywide will choose between two candidates whose professional backgrounds are Sheriff directly connected to financial oversight. Democratic Sheriff Rosie Rivera faces Republican Chris Harding, the incumbent Republican Shane Manwaring. auditor, faces Democrat Ali Cloward. Rivera has served as sheriff since 2017. Harding was elected in 2022 and is a certi- She began her law enforcement career in 1993 fied public accountant, Certified Internal Audi- and spent more than two decades with the tor and Certified Fraud Examiner. The auditor Unified Police Department before becoming operates independently from other county sheriff. The office oversees Salt Lake County’s offices and conducts audits and investigations jail system and performs other statutory pubinvolving county finances and operations. lic-safety responsibilities. Cloward is a director at a national consultManwaring is a law enforcement officer ing firm and a Certified Internal Auditor. She and military leader with more than two decades earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees of experience. He has served with the Unified in accounting from the University of Utah and Police Department and as a colonel in the Utah works professionally with organizations on Army National Guard, giving voters a contest internal controls, risk and accountability. between two candidates with lengthy careers in public safety.
County Clerk
There is less uncertainty surrounding the race for Salt Lake County clerk, an office elected countywide. Democratic incumbent Lannie Chapman is seeking another term without a Republican challenger.
District Attorney
One of the county’s most closely watched contests could be the race for Salt Lake County district attorney, another office decided by voters throughout the county. Democratic incumbent Sim Gill faces Republican Kent Davis. Gill has occupied the office since 2010 and has worked as a prosecutor for more than three decades. Before reaching the general election, however, he faced a challenge from within his own party. Assistant Utah Attorney General Shawn Robinson defeated Gill at the Democratic convention, but the nomination proceeded to
Important ballot information
The county races will share the Nov. 3 ballot with a number of federal and state contests. Voters can see exactly which candidates and issues will appear on their individual ballot through Utah’s official voter information website, Vote.Utah.gov. The site allows voters to look up their sample ballot, check or update their voter registration, find voting locations and review other election information. Voters can also obtain election information through the Salt Lake County Clerk’s Elections Division at www.saltlakecounty.gov/clerk/elections/. Vote-by-mail will remain available for the 2026 general election. One important change is that mailed ballots must be received by the county clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day, rather than simply postmarked by the deadline. Utah’s general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. l
Holladay City Journal
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Holladay City Journal
OCTOBER 2026
COUNCIL CORNER How Holladay Builds Belonging: Better Together: How Community Engagement Holladay’s city events and spaces Nurtures Our Minds and Neighborhoods One of the best parts of living in Holladay is our sense of community. We care about our neighbors, take pride in our schools and local organizations, and are proud to call Holladay home. Whether civic participation is the “chicken” or the “egg,” Holladay is undoubtedly home to caring, involved residents. Beyond bringing us together, active community engagement serves as a foundational pillar for individual mental health and broader societal resilience. The Benefits of Connection: Human beings are wired for connection. Decades of research show that meaningful social interaction reduces stress, alleviates anxiety and depression, and strengthens overall well-being. Participating in local gatherings fosters a sense of belonging that validates our experiences and keeps us invested in a shared environment. Conversely, chronic loneliness and social isolation carry severe health risks, increasing the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, cognitive decline, and premature mortality. The need for connection is especially clear in our own backyard: public health data shows that nearly 43% of Utah residents report feeling lonely at least some of the time, and 9.4% experience severe social isolation. Given these facts, it is important to understand that social connection acts as a critical protective factor against depression, substance abuse, and chronic stress, and mental health challenges. On a broader scale, engagement acts as the connective tissue of a healthy society, fostering civic trust, lower crime rates, and stronger emergency resilience. Utah leads the nation in civic participation, ranking No. 1 for formal volunteering at 46.6%. Federal data also ranks the Salt Lake metro area among the top nationwide for volunteerism, with roughly 45% of residents regularly contributing their time.
actively bring residents together, making community engagement accessible to everyone: • Festivals & Cultural Gatherings: Signature events like Summer Concerts, our community theater productions like last summer’s Fiddler on the Roof, and the Blue Moon Festival celebrate local arts and shared cultural experiences. • Educational Workshops: Programs like Tree Talks at the Holladay Library and the Historical Commission lecture series offer avenues to learn, contribute, and share common interests. • Family & Neighbor Celebrations: The Fourth of July celebration and the annual Holla-ween event at City Hall Park help create family memories and build connections with neighbors. • Civic Programs: Initiatives like the Happy Healthy Holladay Coalition and citysponsored Household Hazardous Waste drop-off days provide opportunities to improve our local environment and public health. • Accessible Public Spaces: Places like City Hall Park (with its history walk), Knudsen Park, the Village Plaza, and the upcoming Spring Lane Park offer welcoming spaces for everyday connection – and watch for additional gathering and meeting places at the renovated City Hall. Taking the First Step: Prioritizing community engagement is one of the most effective ways to nurture your health while investing in our collective future. Holladay offers multiple ways for residents to get involved and engage with neighbors and community members. Whether you attend a concert, join a workshop, volunteer on a city committee, or strike up a conversation at a park, every small step strengthens our community. —Matt Durham, Council Member District 2
City Hall Retrofit Update City Hall construction has made plenty of progress! The seismic retrofit and remodel project is well underway and on track for completion this time next year. Following a request for proposals process, the contract was awarded to Zwick Construction, and construction began in earnest in April of this year. The project began with our successful move to a temporary location 3.3 miles away in Millcreek. Millcreek’s former City Hall proved to be an ideal setting and the most cost-effective option for Holladay’s city offices. We opened our doors on April 15 and have worked tirelessly to make this geographic transition as seamless as possible for our residents. Work on our home building has included selective wall demolition, excavation and shoring, landscape
footing installation, and foundation installation and waterproofing. The project has closely followed its original schedule with minimal variance, and we anticipate completion in September 2027. Construction will continue with minimal disruption to residents. The playground at City Hall Park remains open, as do the baseball diamonds, skatepark, and gazebo area. With new seismic wall installation underway, current work and next steps include continued wall demolition, fire suppression system work, and interior design planning. Capital projects can take a village to complete, and we’ve been fortunate in ours! We extend our sincere thanks to Senator John Curtis and Representative Mike Kennedy for their assistance in securing substantial grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A special shoutout is also due to our Assistant City Manager, Holly Smith, for her tireless efforts to secure this funding. We thank you for your patience as you visit our temporary City Hall and Justice Court location in Millcreek (3330 S 1300 E). Our hours (M - F, 8am - 5pm) and phone number (801-272-9450) remain the same. UPD’s Holladay Precinct remains at 4570 S 2300 E.
OCTOBER 2026
CITY INFORMATION
Utah Community Clean Energy Program Launching Soon! By Drew Quinn, Holladay City Council District 4, and Holly Smith, Assistant City Manager The City of Holladay is a long-standing member of Utah Renewable Communities: a group of 16 local communities across Utah that are working with Rocky Mountain Power to launch the Community Clean Energy Program. The Program will give Utahns in participating communities the power to choose affordable, net-100% renewable electricity, supporting healthier families, communities, and the environment. Early next year, Rocky Mountain Power customers in Holladay will be automatically enrolled in the Program with the option to opt out. Participating households will pay an extra $4 on their monthly Rocky Mountain Power bill. Businesses and other nonresidential customers will pay a monthly charge of $0.00609 per kWh (plus a low-income surcharge of $0.12 per month). The fees will support the development of new clean energy projects by the Community Renewable Communities group, including wind, solar, and geothermal facilities. These projects will be connected to the Rocky Mountain Power grid and built in areas appropriate for energy infrastructure. Rocky Mountain Power will start sending notices to customers in November, 60 days before the program starts in early 2027. After receiving the first notice, customers will have six months to exit the program with no fee. After that, households and small non-residential customers can exit at any time by paying
a one-time termination fee of $30 to exit. Medium-to-large nonresidential customers will pay a termination fee based on their level of service. Households with limited incomes may be eligible to receive financial assistance. If you’re enrolled in Rocky Mountain Power’s Home Electric Lifeline Program (HELP), you can participate for free. The best way to enroll in the HELP program is to apply for the Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) program, which offers additional assistance benefits. Through HEAT, you will automatically receive the benefits of both offerings. Learn More about the Program and Assistance Options at utahrenewablecommunities.org.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS: Paul Fotheringham, Mayor pfotheringham@holladayut.gov 801-424-3058 David Sundwall, District 1 dsundwall@holladayut.gov 801-633-5753 Matt Durham, District 2 mdurham@holladayut.gov 801-999-0781 Natalie Bradley, District 3 nbradley@holladayut.gov 801-243-1139 Drew Quinn, District 4 dquinn@holladayut.gov 801-860-6130 Emily Gray, District 5 egray@holladayut.gov 801-755-3477 Gina Chamness, City Manager gchamness@holladayut.gov
PUBLIC MEETINGS: City Council – first and third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. Planning Commission – first and third Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m.
CITY OFFICES: Mon-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. • 801-272-9450 Temporary City Hall: 3330 S 1300 E Millcreek UT 84106 Community Development Justice Court Code Enforcement
801-527-3890 801-273-9731 801-527-3890
NUMBERS TO KNOW: Emergency UPD Dispatch (Police) UFA Dispatch (Fire) Animal Control Garbage/Sanitation Holladay Library Holladay Lions Club Mt. Olympus Sr. Center Holladay Post Office Cottonwood Post Office Holliday Water
911 801-840-4000 801-840-4000 385-468-7387 385-468-6325 801-944-7627 385-468-1700 385-468-3130 801-278-9942 801-453-1991 801-277-2893
Leaf Bag Drop-off Program
GENERAL ELECTION Tuesday, November 3, 2026 All eligible, active, registered voters will be mailed a ballot on October 13th and are encouraged to vote and return it promptly. Ballots need to be received by the clerk’s office by 8 pm on Election Day. Election Day voting will be held at the Holladay Library – 2150 E Murray Holladay Rd. P l e a s e v i s i t w w w. saltlakecounty.gov/clerk/ elections/ for more election information You can also drop your ballot off in the ballot box located at the northwest corner of City Hall. Due to construction, you will need to enter at the far north driveway
Fall is approaching, and leaves will begin changing colors and falling soon! But don’t worry about them piling up — your team at Wasatch Front Waste & Recycling District is ready to help with the cleanup. Beginning in 2026, Wasatch Front Waste & Recycling District (WFWRD) will NO longer supply leaf bags as part of the leaf collection program. You can use standard lawn and leaf bags. Every autumn, we set up convenient leaf bag drop-off locations so you can clear your leaves without overloading your curbside waste containers. When your bags are full, bring them to one of our leaf bag drop-off sites. We’ll have these sites available for leaf bag drop-off from October 15 through November 30 at the Cottonwood Complex- 4400 S 1300 E. • You may set full bags on the ground near the WFWRD containers. • Please do not dump garbage, yard waste, or other items at the leaf bag collection sites. • Reminder: Leaves are not accepted in blue recycling cans. • This program is funded through residential user fees and is intended for District residential customers only! • Leaf Bags No Longer Supplied.
LIBRARY HAPPENINGS Holladay Halloween Bash
Thursday, October 8th 4pm to 6pm Get your spook on! Join us for a hoppin’ Halloween Party with spooky games, creepy crafts, tasty treats, and a costume parade for all ages.
Happy Birthday, Pooh Bear!
Wednesday, October 14th 2pm to 6pm Drop-in and celebrate 100 years of Winnie the Pooh with fun crafts and activities.
Knudsen Park has a beautiful new sign! We are incredibly grateful to the Knudsen Family for the generous donation that made this possible. The park is a beloved amenity that highlights Holladay’s abundant natural beauty. We are excited for this new addition to be enjoyed by the community for years to come. Go check it out!
Parents have a voice in how School LAND Trust dollars help students
School community councils help determine how funding can address each school’s needs. By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
A
t one Utah school, the priority might be reading intervention. At another, it could be additional classroom support. A third school might decide educational software is what students need most. In Utah, parents have a voice and a vote through school community councils. For the 2026-27 school year, $134 million in School LAND (Learning and Nurturing Development) Trust funds will be distributed to Utah district and charter schools, benefiting more than 658,000 students at more than 1,000 schools. School allocations are largely based on enrollment. For parents who want a greater voice in their children’s education, serving on a school community council can be one of the most direct ways to make a difference, said Jessie Stuart, assistant director of the School & Institutional Trust Beneficiaries’ Advocacy Office. “I feel like the trust lands story is one of the coolest stories out there,” she said. “These lands are put in trust to generate revenue for public schools.” Utah’s trust lands were established when the state entered the Union. Revenue
is generated from trust lands through activities such as oil and gas, mining, solar power, real estate development and other uses. The money is invested, with earnings distributed to beneficiaries. “The beneficiaries of these trust lands are the K through 12 school kids who these teachers are teaching every single day,” Stuart said. When funding is distributed to schools, parent involvement in the local decision-making becomes critical, Stuart said. At Draper Elementary, Principal Scott Jameson starts by explaining the LAND Trust program to council members — parents, employees in addition to himself. “We start with data, identify our highest needs, then we develop goals and come up with an action plan,” he said. “We can put that money toward meeting our highest needs.” Draper’s 2026-27 plan includes goals to increase mathematics and literacy proficiency by 1% to 3%. “The greatest power of this whole thing,” he said, “is all that money is based on what the school needs.” Principal Suzie Williams, of Columbia Elementary in West Jordan, said LAND Trust dollars often support paraprofessionals who provide interventions and classroom assistance. “We typically use it for support staff so we can provide intervention and individualized
instruction for students with instructional aides and classroom aides,” she said. “We can provide rotation teachers to give our teachers planning and collaboration time.” Principal Justin Pitcher, of Cottonwood High School, said last year’s council determined the $265,000 LAND Trust dollars would support instructional coaching, assessment coordination, additional teacher periods and educational software. “We need parents to be involved in our school community councils, so we can appropriate the funding in ways that will benefit our students with the parent input,” Pitcher said. Parents bring a perspective educators may not always have. “Parents themselves give input and insight to a school which we don’t always see,” Jameson said. “Educators are experts in instruction. They’re experts in working with large groups of kids, but parents help us to hone down to individuals.” Pitcher said SCCs bring together those perspectives. “The power of a council allows us to be able to work through really hard decisions, and come to a consensus,” Pitcher said. That parent voice has a long history in Utah. Utah PTA members began advocating for reform of the trust-land system in the 1980s. “Today, those efforts bring millions of
dollars every year to Utah’s schoolchildren,” Utah PTA President Julie Cluff said. “What’s even better is that it’s not just today’s kids who benefit, it’s tomorrow’s kids too.” That’s an important lesson: the LAND Trust fund isn’t simply money to spend. “They are an investment in students and school community councils that give families a voice in determining how that investment can have the greatest local impact,” said Williams, who served on a LAND Trust committee for three years. “Parents do not need to be education experts. They simply need to know their community, care about students and be willing to participate.” l Local School LAND Trust distribution 2026-27 Canyons District $6,039,052 Davis District $12,599,737 Granite District $10,227,609 Jordan District $10,473,694 Murray District $1,269,968 Salt Lake District $3,505,362 All Charter Schools $17,295,728 Source: School Children’s Trust Office, Utah State Board of Education. As required by law, estimates are based on October 2025 enrollment data.
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801-618-4649 October 2026 | Page 15
By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Holladay City Hall reconstruction on track
R
enovations on Holladay City Hall at 4580 S. 2300 East started earlier this spring and Holladay Assistant City Engineer Joe Bolton said the work is staying close to the expected schedule, as well as coming in under budget. “We are well into the demolition of the existing structure and should be done with interior demolition [soon],” he said. “Then we’ll be able to start construction of the seismic structure of the building.” Along with vestibule steel work and framing, concrete work and interior structural foundation and walls, the project will upgrade the auditorium area. “Phase 3 upgrades would be the assistive listening system, theatrical lighting and control, a green room audio monitor, which would be in the room adjacent to this stage and a permanent projector for the space,” Bolton said. Other upgrades to the building include security camera installation and improved audio-visual components in the council, court and conference room. Currently, all city business (except the Holladay Unified Police Department) is being conducted at the old Millcreek City Hall building located at 3330 S. 1300 East. City Hall Interior demolition is almost complete as Holladay renovations are expected to be completed by City Hall undergoes a seismic upgrade. (Photo courtesy of Holladay) September 2027. l
Exterior footings and foundation work continues at Holladay City Hall, with the renovation project expected to be completed in September 2027. (Photo courtesy of Holladay)
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Holladay City Journal
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October 2026 | Page 17
Cottonwood High refreshes campus, sets ambitious academic goals
Fifty-six-year-old school is starting the year with a new look and a renewed focus on its ABCs — academics, belonging and community. By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
W
alking through Cottonwood High School this fall, students will notice more than fresh tile and updated graphics. New branding, identifiable wall wraps, digital displays and renovated spaces are part of a broader effort to strengthen school pride while supporting student achievement. Principal Justin Pitcher said the improvements are designed to modernize the 56-yearold campus while preserving the school’s history and identity. Cottonwood has removed unused lockers, upgraded lighting and completed more than 750 maintenance work orders while also undergoing a flooring replacement the past three years. “Old flooring was removed, which included asbestos abatement, and new tile flooring was installed,” Justin Naegle, Granite School District’s architecture, engineering & construction director, said about the Granite Board of Education-approved renovation. “The total cost of this project, including
Banners are a new addition throughout Cottonwood High. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
design, abatement, procurement of new tiles, and installation, was a little over $1.3 million.” New graphics, displays and trophy cases designed to improve campus navigation and celebrate student achievement were added. The school’s song now is clearly displayed in the commons. The rebranding also revived the Cottonwood leaf logo, inspired by a plaque donated by the Class of 1971. The leaf now represents academic spaces while the Colt logo represents
athletics and activities. Nine new digital displays, expected to be installed early this school year, will highlight student accomplishments, classes and events. “It’s like a daily yearbook update,” he said. Additionally, the former diving pool was converted into a dry-deck fitness area. Pitcher said gymnasium renovations are planned as funding becomes available. Teachers say the changes are transforming the learning environment.
“This is my 19th year and it looks better than it’s ever been since I’ve been here,” social studies teacher Janae Hirschi said. Social studies teacher Brett Merkley appreciated the attention given to small improvements, such as an unused ethernet cable box in his classroom. “It was cool to have someone come in with a fresh set of eyes and notice ways to improve our school,” he said. While small renovations are easy, Pitcher said the school’s primary focus remains student achievement. Cottonwood aims to improve literacy, math and science performance by 6% on statewide assessments, roughly double the growth goal many schools set, he said. “I want to be audacious in my goal setting with my teachers,” Pitcher said. The effort is centered on the school’s “ABCs” — academics and literacy, belonging and caring and community. Literacy instruction, intervention time and stronger student connections form the foundation of the initiative. Theater teacher Adam Wilkins believes the campus improvements reinforce what has always made Cottonwood great. “I love this school and I’m thrilled we’re making Cottonwood beautiful,” he said. “We’re making the community realize just how wonderful the school is.”l
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Page 18 | October 2026
Holladay City Journal
First responders 9/11 football game is a cause close to Cottonwood coach Mike Ward’s heart
The first game versus Cottonwood High alumni took place Sept. 10 at the CHS stadium. By Brian Shaw b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
I
n some years, the solemn day of September 11 falls earlier in the week. This year, however, it happened to fall closer to the end of the week. And so, it got new Cottonwood head football coach Mike Ward to engage in some deep thinking. “When I looked at our schedule and realized our game fell right around 9/11, I thought, why not use a football game as a way to honor that day and the first responders who continue to serve our community every day?” Ward said. “So the idea was to have a first responders versus Cottonwood alumni game and bring our community together through football while showing our appreciation for the men and women who run toward the things most people run away from.” On Sept. 10, one day before the Colts took to the field for a home game against crosstown rival Murray, a group of special and important emergency personnel
Cottonwood High’s football stadium hosted a special first responders versus alumni game Sept. 10. (Photo courtesy of Mike Ward)
suited up in Cottonwood’s football stadium to compete in a fun, competitive game. In turn, the community took a few moments to remember and recognize those that put all of us first. “September 11th was a tragic day that our country will never forget, and
communities all over the country find different ways to honor the lives that were lost and the people who stepped up that day,” Ward said. Himself the product of a military family, Cottonwood’s first-year head coach said he grew up in the New York/Connecticut
area an hour from where the towers fell at the World Trade Center and has always had a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by the people placing their lives on the line to protect and help others. Inviting local emergency personnel from police, fire and EMS is just a way to give back and thank them for their service, according to Cottonwood’s football coach. His staff and players were also participants at the game, providing the kinds of support services they’d probably been taking for granted at their own varsity and JV games, day in and day out. In many ways, the game was a success, resulting in some big plays on the field, some hearty laughter on and off the gridiron, and some fun that was had by all at Cottonwood High’s football stadium. For Ward, this was also the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. “I’ve always wanted to create something like this as a tradition for the community I became a head coach in, and now I can make it happen,” he said. “Hopefully, this is something we can continue every year and grow into a tradition that our players, alumni, first responders and entire community can be proud of.” l
What Should You Look for in a Dog Daycare? EDUCATION MATTERS
When choosing a dog daycare, it’s important to look for more than just a place for your pup to play. You want an environment that prioritizes education, safety, socialization, and exercise. When many people think about dog daycare, they picture dogs simply running around and playing all day. While play is certainly part of the experience, quality daycare environments should also provide opportunities for dogs to learn healthy social skills and positive play behaviors.
The goal of daycare should not simply be exhaustion, it should be balanced socialization, education, exercise, safety, and fun.
Just like people, dogs communicate through body language. In a structured daycare environment, dogs should be encouraged when displaying polite, healthy play behaviors and gently redirected when interactions become too rough, overstimulating, or impolite. Over time, this helps dogs build better social confidence and safer play habits with other dogs.
A good daycare environment also allows dogs the freedom to simply “be dogs.” Barking, playing, wrestling appropriately, exploring, and interacting with their BFFFs (Best Furry Friends Forever) are all natural and important parts of healthy socialization. Dogs thrive when they have safe opportunities to interact, burn energy, and engage their minds in positive ways. In addition to social play, many daycare environments incorporate enrichment activities throughout the day. These may include
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scent-based activities, simple problem-solving exercises, bubbles, splash pads, agility items, or other experiences designed to provide mental stimulation and variety. However, it is equally important that dogs are not constantly overstimulated. Dogs also benefit from time to use their own imagination, create their own games, and naturally interact with their environment and friends.
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October 2026 | Page 19
LDS Earth Stewardship hosts Great Salt Lake photographer
Chris Carlson’s images highlight the lake’s diversity and beauty. By Peri Kinder peri.k@thecityjournals.com
C
hris Carlson has a deep connection to the Great Salt Lake. Not only is he a descendant of the Garr family, who settled Antelope Island, but he’s dedicated himself to photographing the lake’s ever-changing landscape. News about the Great Salt Lake’s demise is everywhere, from the Wall Street Journal to the New York Times. According to Grow the Flow Utah, the statistics are dire. The lake is eight feet below the minimum healthy level, 56% of the lakebed is exposed and it’s not quite 31% full. Carlson has a different story to tell about the lake. He addressed the Northern Wasatch chapter of the LDS Earth Stewardship during an event in August at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center in Farmington. At the event, Carlson shared images he’s taken of the lake over the years. His message is one of hope, stewardship, conservation and beauty. “Sometimes when you’re out there, and you have your camera, Heavenly Father just serves you the image,” he said. “If you want to love the Great Salt Lake, go out and spend time with it, because it’s remarkable.”
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Carlson published a book of photos highlighting the lake’s stunning scenery and interconnectedness. “Preserving Greatness” includes more than 200 pictures, documenting the natural wonder found in and around the Great Salt Lake. The photos came about as his father was dying from Alzheimer’s. Carlson spent hours on Antelope Island, searching for solace and peace during that difficult time. He noticed how quickly the lake was disappearing, much like his father. “Just like my dad’s memories and his mind were leaving, the memory of this place is going to leave if someone doesn’t capture it,” he said. “So that turned from a meditative, therapeutic exercise into an obsession. I spent a lot of time there in the early mornings.” Carlson grew to love the Great Salt Lake, from the migratory birds to the bison. He explored all areas of the lake, documenting its beauty, its loss and its capacity for wonder. He’d always considered himself a landscape photographer, but after witnessing the wildlife on the lake, he became an expert in capturing the perfect animal image. His connection to the animals that live there became a gift. “What I’ve learned, and this is the spiritual part for me, is that eye connection is everything,” he said. “I don’t know what heaven’s like, but I know it’s not going to be heaven if we don’t have animals there.” Carlson hopes that using creativity to address environmental issues will get more people earnestly engaged in saving the lake. He recently organized a Great Salt Lake
Chris Carlson’s image of Stansbury Bay on the Great Salt Lake is one of hundreds of images he took for his book, “Preserving Greatness.” (Photo courtesy of Chris Carlson)
fashion show, featuring couture designed by local college students studying fashion. The goal is to raise $300,000 that will go directly to conservation efforts. He encourages residents to go out on the Great Salt Lake, get to know its landscapes, its birds, its animals and its tenuous plight. Carlson wants people to visit Antelope Island to see the bison and antelope, walk along the south shore at the Great Salt Lake State Park and take time to visit the Spiral Jetty artwork. “There are young people in Utah who are paying attention, who are turning their love for this place, and grief about what’s happening, into something tangible,” Carlson said. “I encourage you, however you can, to
use your voice to try to make people aware of it. Write your legislators in the House and in the Senate, and try to find ways to conserve your personal water use.” The Northern Wasatch chapter of LDS Earth Stewardship is a nonprofit focused on stewardship, environmental education and inspirational collaborations. “We gather people who care for creation,” said Sara Johnson, the chapter’s chairperson. “It’s for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but we invite all to come.” For information about membership and future events, visit ldsesnorthernwasatch. substack.com. l
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The City Journals, a conglomerate of community newspapers, has been bringing your hyperlocal news directly to your mailbox (for free!). That means we are sitting through city council meetings, following school boards and local elections, and covering high school sports, neighborhood issues, new businesses and the people doing interesting things down the street. Hi, I’m Cassie. You’ve likely seen my byline before, or at least flipped through something I’ve reported on. I’m an individual part of the bigger team of writers here who has been bringing you the local news you love. I started at the City Journals in 2015 and, even though an 11-year career may seem like a good chunk of time, it’s nothing in comparison to the rest of our editorial team. Our Salt Lake County Editor, Travis Barton, has been with us for just as long; our Davis editor to the north, Becky Ginos, has been monitoring the pulse of Davis County since the pandemic; and our humorist extraordinaire, Peri Kinder, has been bringing the laughter for decades. For more than 35 years, the City Journals have delivered community newspapers free to readers. Today, our 38 reporters produce roughly 190 to 220 original local stories each month across 15 communities in Salt Lake and Davis counties, each are embedded within the communities we serve. Oh! My colleagues would be upset with me if I didn’t mention the majority of us are award-winning journalists. “It’s amazing how you can turn some handwritten notes into a full, beautiful story,” said our account executive Marc Davis. It’s not unusual for a City Journals reporter to be the only journalist in the room at a local government meeting. That kind of reporting isn’t glamorous, but we think it matters. We want to keep doing that—and do more of it. Like local news organizations everywhere, we’re figuring out how to sustain and expand our reporting as the way people get their news changes. We want to publish more frequently online, spend more time on stories that deserve deeper reporting and continue putting reporters in the rooms where decisions about your community are being made. That takes time and resources. We’re asking readers who find value in the City Journals to consider supporting our work. If one reader in each household contributed even $2 to $5 per month ($24 to $60 per year), it would give us more resources to put directly into local journalism. There’s no paywall attached to this request. We’ll keep delivering the City Journals and reporting the news of our communities. We’re simply asking those who are able—and who believe local reporting is worth having—to help us do more of it. Your support won’t go unnoticed. Because we’re reporters, we think you should know what happens next. As this effort grows, we’ll report back to you about what reader support has allowed us to accomplish. To support your City Journal, visit donate.thecityjournals.com or scan the QR Code on this page. We welcome your direct communication. Please keep talking to us. Tell us what we’re missing. Ask us questions. The relationship between our reporters and the communities they cover is what makes this kind of journalism possible. From the entire City Journals team – With dedication to informing and, most certainly, celebrating our communities, Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com
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eptember 11th marks 15 years since my 57-year-old mom passed away in a car accident. It was the first time I’d ever lost someone that close to me so suddenly, and it was jarring. In the days that followed, I thought often about how precious life is— and how quickly it can change. My parents were driving down to St. George for a water conference that my dad needed to attend. As they traveled on I-15 near Leeds, a terrible storm came upon them. Their car slid off the road and rolled several times. My mom was killed instantly. My dad survived with only a few bumps and bruises, but his heart was broken by the loss. My brother, Mike, and I drove to St. George and reached my dad at the hospital around 4 a.m. Later, after trying to sleep for a few hours, I awoke hoping it had all been a nightmare. Instead, I faced the bitter reality that my mom was gone. We had a funeral to plan and a long road ahead as we helped my dad begin to recover. The first time I went to the grocery store after the funeral, everything felt strangely
Give people grace Aimee Winder Newton
Salt Lake County Councilmember District 3
normal. People wandered the aisles, chatted with one another and went about their errands. Meanwhile, my life had changed. My grief was heavy. I felt broken and numb, still trying to understand how my mom could be here one day and gone the next. I probably looked fine—just like any other shopper. But I was not fine. I share this with you because there are thousands of Utahns going about their lives with heavy hearts. Just because we can’t see their injuries, trauma or sorrow, doesn’t mean it’s not there. Sometimes when we are dealing with heavy burdens, we may not be
our best selves. Do you ever see people who seem agitated or just generally grouchy? We never really know what they are going through or the struggles that have been heaped upon them. Recently, I learned of a family grieving the death by suicide of a 14-year-old girl. Her loved ones are devastated and searching for answers. Others in our community are coping with life-threatening illnesses or a new cancer diagnosis. Some are experiencing addiction, mental illness, housing insecurity, domestic violence or abuse. Many are caring for an aging parent, worried about a child, struggling financially or simply trying to make it through another day. It is so important for us to give people grace. I am reminded of a quote often attributed to author Ian Maclaren: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” We rarely know the whole story of the person in front of us — the coworker who snapped at us, the driver who cut us off, the neighbor who hasn’t returned a wave in weeks. Behind an ordinary Tuesday there
might be a diagnosis just received, a marriage falling apart, or a grief that has no expiration date. Fifteen years later, I still miss my mom every day. That loss taught me that kindness costs us nothing, and we never know when it might be exactly what someone needs to keep going. A text to a friend who has gone quiet. A phone call to check on a friend. Patience with the cashier who seems short-tempered, or the driver going too slow. None of us can fix another person’s grief or struggle. But we can meet a stranger’s rough edges with curiosity instead of judgment, and a friend’s silence with a check-in instead of assumption. That is the kind of community I hope we keep building here in Salt Lake County. If you are carrying something heavy right now, please know you are not alone, and there is no shame in asking for help. And if you’re not sure who around you might be struggling, consider assuming that someone is, and treat them accordingly. It is a small shift that can make a real difference.
TriPointe Homes’ innovative housing concepts further transform Holladay Hills What on earth is going on in Holladay? Tri Pointe Homes, the builder contracted for the mixed-use developments’ residential sector, plans to introduce a wide variety of housing options. By Megan Bartholomew megan.b@thecityjournals.com
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or years, one of Holladay’s most visible properties has represented uncertainty. The 57-acre former Cottonwood Mall site sat vacant through land-use disputes, rotating ownership and community speculation—and disagreement—about what could eventually take its place. Recently, Woodbury Corporation gained approval from the city to break ground on a mixed-use retail and residential hub, now known as Holladay Hills. Holladay Hills is already underway, with various retail and the Grandeur apartments and condos and Aspire townhomes currently offering units. Those complexes are all part of a larger residential plan conceptualized by Tri Pointe Homes, which aims to produce a true mixed-use community center, encouraging a variety of economic demographic move-ins. So what’s next? Tri Pointe’s next big move all started with just six large lots. “The city and developers challenged us to prove that we could do something really special, before investing with us all-in,” said Bryon Prince, vice president of Land Acquisition & Development at Tri Pointe. “We wanted to show we were willing to commit significant capital to this concept, as well as take this opportunity to showcase our brand with something really unique.” The Pavilions at Holladay Hills features
Page 22 | October 2026
The model home at TriPoint Homes’ Pavilions at Holladay Hills debuted at this year’s SL Parade of Homes, and features interior design by Queer Eye’s Bobby Berk, all centered around the builders’ novel LivingWell concept. (Courtesy Ikon Media)
six exclusive, upscale luxury homes built with TriPointe’s wellness-focused LivingWell concept and featuring Cotswold-inspired interiors by design expert, Emmy-winning TV host and author Bobby Berk of Queer Eye fame. Bassenian Lagoni Architects and PKJ Landscape Design also collaborated on the homes. “I define wellness at home as a space that enhances your life instead of causes chaos,” said Berk, “If your home isn’t fully charging you, it’s draining you.” This philosophy is a key tenet of LivingWell concept, where flow, efficiency and connection to nature are all front-of-mind. According to Tri Pointe leadership, these floorplans streamline ways homeowners live, gather and work within their homes. These six floorplans range from 6,811-8,010-squarefeet, and each is oriented to maximize views
of Mount Olympus. Following Pavilions, Tri Pointe plans to break ground on the Crestview neighborhood, a series of roughly 150 townhomes and single-family units set to sell from upper $300,000-1.5 million. Prince says that while the more exclusive Pavilions lots will be sequestered from the development’s retail side, the Crestview neighborhood planning will prioritize walkability to maximize residents’ access to the retail amenities, including Kiln Co-Working, Lifetime Fitness, Trader Joes, Milkshake Factory and the much-anticipated Magnolia Bakery. “Beyond what we are building, it’s all retail and commercial properties,” said Prince. “It’s a true mixed-use master plan.” Woodbury Development’s vision currently in execution actually follows the
previously entitled site development master plan that Holladay city approved back in 2008. “There have only been some very minor requests to land use changes, such as signage and parking shifts, but otherwise we are following the basic 2008 entitled rights,” said Holladay Mayor Paul Fotheringham. For the last 15 years, the Cottonwood Mall property has been fraught with a measure of controversy, shifting developers and ownership amid clashes with residents that escalated to the state supreme court. According to city officials, a subsequent development proposal included changes to the 2008 land use parameters that would increase height and alter the residential mix of the master plan. That proposal passed among city council shareholders, but was quickly met with objection and referendum from Holladay citizens, overturning the plan’s approval, causing the developer to walk away from the project and ultimately setting off a decadelong stalemate. “Fortunately, Woodbury Corporation stepped in and agreed to return to the original approved plan,” said Mayor Fotheringham. “I couldn’t be happier about it. It’s going along swimmingly and it is going to be a great addition to our community.” Woodbury’s plan includes a cap of 614 residential units, and limits to height to preserve Holladay’s mountain views. Beyond the mixed-use retail and new neighborhoods, Fotheringham says the city also plans significant improvements to Highland drive in the next couple of years, to create additional pedestrian and bicycle user access to the new regional hub. l
Holladay City Journal
W
hat if your worst day became your villain origin story? The day you lost your temper at Walmart. The day you kicked the office water cooler. The day you screamed at your partner in the grocery store and became a viral sensation for all the wrong reasons. What if your greatest shame or embarrassment became your legacy: forever. I’m afraid we’ve judged Disney villains too harshly. What if they were normal people having a tough day? What if their bad decisions defined them for generations? Take Ursula the Sea Witch. She ran a powerful, women-owned business, granting people their heart’s desire. What did she get? Impaled on the bow of a ship and labeled as a fast-talking, predatory loan officer for eternity. Were her tactics questionable? Of course. But she was also an octopus. What about Snow White’s Evil Queen? She bought into the idea that youth is everything and had a questionable relationship with mirrors, but one poison-laced apple and suddenly she’s a witch. Maleficent’s curse on Sleeping Beauty was an overreaction to not being invited to a baby blessing. Cinderella’s stepmother just wanted Cinderella to do some damn chores. Does that make her evil? Cinderella could have at least unloaded the dishwasher instead of dressing up her mice. Maybe these villains were all having a
HolladayJournal.com
Welcome to the Dark Side Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. But understanding why someone acted badly isn’t the same as excusing that behavior. We’ve all been there. We’ve said things we’ve regretted. We’ve hurt people’s feelings. We’ve done stupid things. Hopefully you didn’t try to skin 101 Dalmatians, but really, who hasn’t wanted a coat as soft as a pile of puppies? Who hasn’t gone all Queen of Hearts and yelled, “Off with his head!” during a stressful work meeting? No one? Just me? Was Beauty’s Gaston intentionally terrible? Maybe his father never taught him to respect women and never scolded him for putting his disgusting feet on the table. His public humiliation seemed to push him into “Kill the Beast” mode, but that’s no excuse for his villainous behavior. The way we treat each other matters. How often have we made someone the villain? The driver who honks immediately after the light turns green was obviously raised
by feral wolves. The woman having a meltdown at Starbucks becomes a “Karen” and is publicly shamed on TikTok. The neighbor who disagrees with you politically becomes your nemesis. And now our bad days can be recorded, posted, commented on by strangers and picked apart by internet trolls before we even figure out what happened. Life feels so prickly. We’re walking around like a cactus, trying not to stab someone in the thigh. I don’t think anyone wakes up and thinks, “I’m going to be an incredible jerk today.” Well, except some politicians. Who hasn’t felt rage, hopelessness or fear? Humans act irrationally. Sometimes we’re exhausted, sometimes we’re at wit’s end or sometimes we just can’t hear our co-worker chew his sandwich for one more minute. We are so quick to judge, so fast to condemn. Trolling has become a favorite pastime for many people, and I don’t mean the ones who live under bridges. I’ve often fallen into the role of villain. I’ve posted rage-bait; I’ve gauged a person’s character by the color of their hat or by the number of American flags stuck to their Ford F-150. We need to remember that everyone is carrying a heavy load, even the people we want to push off the castle. I know I’ve been the villain in someone’s story. Haven’t we all?
Peri Kinder is an award-winning columnist and journalist who has written for The City Journals since 2004. She also hosts the Life & Laughter podcast. Peri can be reached at peri.k@thecityjournals.com.
October 2026 | Page 23