October 2026 | Vol. 36 Iss. 10
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Murray
Designing headstones
Finding life, laughter and stories among the stones Page 7
Tax rate increases Increase will fund fire, police needs
Page 16
From crossing guard to police chief: Craig Burnett retires after 44 years of protecting Murray By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com After a lifetime spent in the city he grew up in, Burnett reflects on police dogs, Olympic duty, changing times and the people who made Murray home.
C
raig Burnett has discovered one fairly reliable way to measure a 44-year career in law enforcement. Fences. “One day you are 22 years old graduating from POST, jumping over fences and chasing ‘bad guys,’” Burnett wrote when announcing his retirement. “Next thing you know is the uniforms don’t fit like they used to and you would probably break something if you jumped over a fence.” On Oct. 16, Burnett will retire as Murray’s police chief, ending a law enforcement career that began in 1982 and a relationship with the Murray Police Department that goes back even further, to when he was a 16-yearold cadet. It is difficult, in fact, to separate Burnett’s story from Murray’s. He was born and raised here. He attended Arlington Elementary, graduated from Murray High in 1978 and remembers a Murray with fewer subdivisions and considerably more open ground. Arlington Elementary eventually became Murray City Hall. So Burnett, through one of those strange little turns life sometimes takes, eventually found himself working in the same building where he had once gone to grade school. “I ended up spending a good chunk of my career working inside my old grade school,” he said. His introduction to policing came almost as naturally.
Murray Police Chief Craig Burnett retires in October. (Photo courtesy of Murray City)
An uncle was a Salt Lake City police officer who parked his motorcycle in Burnett’s grandfather’s garage. Young Burnett and his cousins would wander out just to admire it. Then there was Burnett’s stint as an elementary school crossing guard, which brought him into contact with Murray’s safety officers and Chief Cal Gillan. Years later, Gillan hired him. “Funny how those things circle back,” Burnett said. The circle really began closing in 1976, when 16-year-old Burnett joined the Murray
Craig Burnett in his early days as part of the K-9 patrol. (Photo courtesy of Murray City)
Police cadet program. Cadets conducted vacation checks, directed parades, attended crime-prevention meetings and helped with Fourth of July Fun Days. But teenage Burnett had a favorite assignment. The canine officers let cadets put on padded bite suits, hide and wait for police dogs to find them. “As a teenager, that was about as exciting as it got,” he recalled. Burnett didn’t immediately become a Murray officer. He started professionally with Midvale City in 1982 before joining Murray
in May 1985. Then came almost every kind of police work imaginable. He spent four years in patrol, much of it as a canine officer. He became a detective and investigated burglaries, robberies, assaults, homicides and deaths. During a series of bank robberies, he worked alongside the FBI. He became a patrol sergeant, supervised community services, motorcycle officers and school resource officers, and attended the FBI Continued on page 8
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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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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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Beyond Drusilla: Juliet Landau brings storytelling, healing and Hollywood experience to Murray Juliet Landau visits Murray to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award while sharing her filmmaking experience through workshops and an acclaimed independent film. By Shaun Delliskave s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
W
hen audiences gather in Murray this fall for the Zepstone International Film and Music Festival, many will recognize Juliet Landau as Drusilla, the hauntingly unforgettable vampire from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Others will know her from decades of work alongside acclaimed filmmakers such as Tim Burton and Guillermo del Toro. But when Landau arrives in Utah, she hopes festival-goers discover something beyond the iconic roles that made her famous. The actress, writer, producer and director will receive the festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award while also leading workshops and screening her award-winning independent feature “A Place Among the Dead.” An experience she expects will spark conversations that continue long after the credits roll. For Landau, storytelling has evolved far beyond entertainment. “My husband and I both were raised by parents who suffered from narcissistic personality disorder,” she said. “We wanted to make a film we hadn’t seen before, one that dealt with the repercussions of growing up under the sway of narcissism and psychological abuse....Our mission was to make an entertaining film, and give voice to what has affected many, to shed light, to use our experiences as a device to provoke a broad conversation.” That mission became “A Place Among the Dead,” an elevated psychological horror film that examines the lasting effects of narcissistic abuse. Rather than simply producing another genre movie, Landau and her husband, filmmaker Deverill Weekes, deliberately designed screenings to include lengthy discussions with audiences and experts in psychology, trauma recovery and domestic violence. The response surprised even them. “We only submitted to 22 festivals and not only got into every one, but won 37 major awards,” Landau said. “Our talk-backs with each audience lasted hours every time. It seemed we struck an artery, not just a nerve.” She describes audiences finding unexpected common ground as they discussed toxic relationships, abusive family dynamics and manipulative personalities. “There would come a point in each discussion where someone would say, ‘It’s like we are describing the exact same person because these traits are precisely the same,’” she said. Perhaps even more meaningful were the lasting relationships formed through the film’s
Page 6 | October 2026
Juliet Landau visits Murray to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award while sharing her filmmaking experience through workshops and an acclaimed independent film. growing community of supporters. feeling like they have the weight of the world on (Courtesy Zepstone International Film and “There is a huge group of audience mem- their shoulders,” she said. “Everyone can learn Music Festival)
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star Juliet Landau brings award-winning filmmaking, workshops and a Lifetime Achievement celebration to the Zepstone International Film and Music Festival. (Courtesy Zepstone International Film and Music Festival)
bers, who named themselves the ‘A Place Among the Dead-Heads,’” Landau said. “We witnessed them changing their lives for the better; moving out from toxic parents or partners, getting into therapy, getting jobs, getting promotions, meeting healthy partners. So many people have expressed that the movie has changed their lives.” She hopes Murray audiences will become part of that continuing conversation. “We will be screening ‘A Place Among the Dead’ at Zep Fest and we can’t wait for the conversation.” While the festival will honor her with a Lifetime Achievement Award, Landau laughs at the implication that her career is somehow winding down. “I am deeply honored by Zepstone’s award,” she said. “It’s a celebration of the work I’ve accomplished so far and of all that will come next.” That “next” remains remarkably busy. Beyond acting, Landau continues writing, directing and producing original projects while exploring a remarkable range of characters. “I’ve played a Viennese movie star, an English missionary, a Russian mobster, a Bronx shut-in, a Polish sorceress, a Southern lawyer, a Cajun junkie, a Cockney vampire, among other things,” she said. Of course, for millions of fans, she will always be remembered as Drusilla. Why has that character endured for nearly three decades? “I think ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ continues to resonate because everyone can relate [to]
to be a warrior.” As for Drusilla herself, Landau believes audiences continue to embrace the character because she refuses to fit neatly into the role of villain. “She’s not a two-dimensional villain,” Landau said. “She’s suffered a lot of trauma. She moves to the beat of her own drum and she is capable of deep love and affection.” That affection from fans continues today through Landau’s award-winning “Re-Vamped with Juliet Landau” podcast, which has surpassed 385,000 downloads while revisiting the beloved television series with behind-the-scenes stories and new creative content. Long before Hollywood, however, Landau trained as a professional ballerina, an experience she says still shapes every performance. “I am infinitely fascinated by body language,” she said. “It often tells us so much more than words.” She approaches every role by discovering how a character physically occupies space. “Take Drusilla, she wafts and floats, is quite languid, whereas Rita, the character I played on ‘Bosch’ and ‘Bosch: Legacy,’ flits,” she explained. “I love investigating a character physically as well as verbally.” Her experiences working with acclaimed directors also transformed her own approach behind the camera. “I’ve learned from the best, people like Tim Burton and Guillermo del Toro,” Landau said. “A set is a collaborative enterprise. You want everyone to be passionate, in their creative zone, and inspired to bring their A-game.”
Those insights are precisely what festival attendees can expect during her workshops, where emerging filmmakers, actors and writers will have the opportunity to hear directly from someone who has successfully navigated nearly every aspect of the entertainment industry. Her advice to aspiring artists is surprisingly straightforward. “Create. Create. Create.” Unlike when she began her career, today’s technology has dramatically lowered the barriers to filmmaking. “If you’re a writer, write. If you’re an artist draw, paint, sculpt. If you’re an actor create your own thing and join every project you can,” she said. “Find and build a community of likeminded people. ZepFest is a perfect place to do just that.” She also encourages creatives not to let perfection become the enemy of progress. “Don’t try to be perfect,” she said. “Try your best, but perfectionism can halt productivity.” For Murray, Landau’s appearance represents more than an opportunity to meet a Hollywood actress. Festival attendees will gain access to decades of filmmaking experience while participating in conversations that extend well beyond cinema. When asked what she hopes people remember after meeting her, Landau’s answer reflected the collaborative spirit that has defined both her career and her upcoming visit to Utah. “I love connecting with other creatives and festival goers,” she said. “I hope they feel that way too.” l
Murray City Journal
Headstone creation has transitioned from hand sandblasting to a computer-automated sandblasting system.
Headstones can go beyond a slab into other forms such as arches and even statues. (Photos courtesy of Utah Headstone Design)
Murray 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
F
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, including traditional upright headstones, flat markers, benches, bronze markers and highly customized designs.
MurrayJournal.com
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. Careerwise, 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.” 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.”
Adding color to headstones is a recent offering in the headstone business. (Photo courtesy of Utah Headstone Design)
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 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
October 2026 | Page 7
continued from front page National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. As lieutenant, he oversaw patrol, community services and investigations. During the 2002 Winter Olympics, Burnett served as venue commander for the women’s hockey practice facility at the Salt Lake County Ice Center. After the Games, he became assistant chief. In 2014, the kid who once wore a crossing-guard uniform became Murray’s police chief. He insists that wasn’t some childhood master plan. “No, I never imagined I would become Murray’s police chief,” Burnett said. “It never crossed my mind.” He actually started at the University of Utah studying pre-law and contemplated becoming an attorney before deciding to give police work a try. Becoming chief brought something Burnett hadn’t anticipated: pressure. “I can’t let people down,” he said. For Burnett, that meant making sure officers were fairly compensated and supported while ensuring residents felt heard. “There’s also a real pride in it, too,” he said. “These are the people I know. Many of them I grew up with. This is who I am, not just what I do.” Forty-four years of police work also means carrying memories most people would rather forget. Burnett remembers responding as a detective to an accident in which a young child was gravely injured and could not be saved. He remembers notifying families that someone they loved had died, sometimes when Burnett personally knew those involved. But other memories provide a counterweight. Each Christmas, Murray police and firefighters participate in Operation Santa, working with Murray Rotary to take children and families shopping. “Getting to be part of that,
Murray Police Chief Craig Burnett (top row, second from left) started as a cadet at age 16. (Photo courtesy of Murray City)
year after year, is a real privilege,” he said. Technology has transformed policing during Burnett’s career. Computers now sit in patrol cars, giving officers information they once had to request over the radio. Murray has transformed, too. Annexation brought more land, subdivisions and residents. Yet Burnett believes the most important part of policing hasn’t changed. “What makes a good officer hasn’t changed at all,” he said. “You have to understand that everyone you deal with has a story.” That philosophy may explain what Burnett considers his greatest accomplishment. It isn’t becoming chief. It’s other officers. “What I’m proudest of is the people,” he said, particularly hiring good officers and watching them develop into leaders. He is also proud of Murray’s new police headquarters.
The old department occupied the former Arlington Elementary, the school Burnett once attended. By the end, officers worked in cramped conditions in a building with serious structural concerns. And rain presented its own challenge. “We had buckets on our desks when it rained because the roof leaked,” Burnett said. Burnett helped design a headquarters with modern interview rooms, locker rooms, showers and enough space to bring the department together. Now another move awaits. Burnett and his wife, Lynette, decided in January that 2026 would be his final year serving the city. He expects retirement to take some getting used to. “I think it’s going to take me about six months just to start unwinding 44 years of this job,” he said. “It’s not something you turn off overnight.” He will miss the people most. But Burnett objects slightly to the suggestion that he is “leaving” Murray. “I don’t love the phrase ‘leaving behind,’” he said. “I’m not leaving Murray behind. I still live here, I still care about this department and this city, and I plan on being a supporter for as long as I’m able.” After 44 years, Burnett has accumulated titles, promotions, investigations, Olympic memories, police dogs, leaking roofs and probably enough stories to fill considerably more than one newspaper. He hopes Murray remembers something simpler. “If people remember one thing about my years of service, I hope it’s that I cared,” Burnett said. “The promotions, the titles, the buildings, it all happened because I care. More than anything, I just hope I leave things a little better than I found them.” Murray has promoted a new chief from within Murray PD’s ranks, as Chase Smith will take over for Burnett. l
★LEADING THE WAY. DELIVERING RESULTS. PUTTING PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST. ★ PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST Protecting Salt Lake County through accountability, prevention, and strong community partnerships.
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Page 8 | October 2026
Murray City Journal
White Elegance provides joy and fashion in elegant white clothing
Seeing the need for women’s temple gowns, two Murray sisters created White Elegance in 1994. By Tom Haraldsen t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com
T
amera Perkins and Anna Barbieri are sisters who saw the need for elegant white clothing for women to wear in LDS temples. Like many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they realized the only place to find that clothing was at the Church Distribution Centers for many decades. So in 1994, they launched White Elegance to help fill that need, hiring six sales representatives, creating four designs, and offering temple dresses, white slippers and a temple bag. Within 18 months, their business had expanded to 36 representatives in 10 states, and adding to its product line several dress designs, skirts and tops. “We started in Tamera’s garage,” Barbieri recalled. “Originally, we sold out dresses through friends’ homes, like Tupperware, but word of mouth helped sales really take off.” Perkins said their mother’s home in Murray “became like a revolving door, we were so busy.” So they opened a store in Murray in 1998, and White Elegance grew to opening two more stores in Layton and Orem.
Anna Barbieri and Tamera Perkins are cofounders of White Elegance, creator of elegant white clothing for women, in particular for use in the LDS temples. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)
It became one of the first boutique clothing stores to expand to doing business online. In 1998 there were only 2 million online stores compared to more than 1.5 billion today. The majority of their sales are now done online. “Originally, we looked around to see
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what dresses women were wearing to church, and said ‘let’s make those in all white, with long sleeves,’” Barbieri said. Perkins added that each dress can be worn outside the temple as well. They have a full-time pattern designer, Lisa Raty, who Perkins said is “key
to our success. We create a lot of our own fabrics and we’re very particular about the designs and the quality, so that women really feel they are getting value at White Elegance and not just fast fashion.” “Dressing women for the temple is especially near to our hearts,” Perkins said. “This is the most special occasion for most LDS women. We’re very careful to take care of our customers to be sure they get the right dress, right size, and that they are told how to wash and care for them. We also sell gowns for people who are looking for a burial gown.” Embarking into White Elegance was a definite change in career direction for both sisters. Barbieri was a pharmaceutical sales representative and Perkins was a resource teacher in local high schools. Both were surprised at how fast their business grew, now reaching a worldwide audience of customers. Orders come in from all corners of the world. In the Philippines, for example, personalized envelopes and hankies are produced by church members to help overcome poverty. White Elegance donates 10% of all envelope and hankie sales to the Philippine Self-reliant Livelihood Projects, a nonprofit organization created by couple missionaries who donate their time to helping citizens develop working skills. Learn more at the company’s website at www.whiteelegance.com. l
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October 2026
FREQUENTLY REQUESTED NUMBERS Attorney .................................. 801-264-2640 Business Licensing .................. 801-270-2425 Cemetery ................................ 801-264-2637 City Council ............................. 801-264-2603 Finance Department ............... 801-264-2513 Passports................................. 801-264-2660 FIRE DEPARTMENT Administrative Office .......... 801-264-2780 Non-Emergency Calls ......... 801-840-4000 General Information................ 801-264-2525 Human Resources.................... 801-264-2656 Library .................................... 801-264-2580 Mayor’s Office.......................... 801-264-2600 Municipal Court....................... 801-284-4280 PARKS AND RECREATION Administrative Office .......... 801-264-2614 Recreation Division ................. 801-264-2614 Museum .................................. 801-264-2589 Murray Outdoor Pool ............... 801-290-4190 Murray Parkway Golf Course.... 801-262-4653 The Park Center ....................... 801-284-4200 Senior Recreation Center ......... 801-264-2635
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Find More to Love About Life After 55 Hello, Murray neighbors! One of my heroes is Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke. He is approaching 101 years old, and this month he shared a video of himself hanging from an inversion table. He is still singing, dancing and exercising with energy and enthusiasm. What is his secret? He credits never giving up, and holding on to “imagination, creativity and joyful curiosity.” We may not all be hanging upside down at 100, but we can follow his example by staying active, curious and connected. This same spirit comes to life every day at the Murray Senior Recreation Center, which celebrates 45 years of bringing people together this year. If you’re 55 or older and haven’t visited yet, consider this my personal invitation: come try a class, enjoy lunch, play a game, or join a trip, and discover how much fun your next chapter can be. Why Murray’s Center Stands Out Murray invites residents starting at age 55, five years earlier than Salt Lake County centers. That’s five extra years to build healthy habits, find your people, and develop friendships that stick. Inside the Murray Senior Recreation Center, you’ll find exercise classes, an exercise room, dancing, health screenings, computer classes, crafts, massage therapy, card games, day trips, and more. But the real magic? It’s the sense of belonging. Research backs this up: older adults who visit senior centers report higher social connection, greater life satisfaction, and better overall well-being.
Brett A. Hales -Mayor
mayor@murray.utah.gov 801-264-2600 10 East 4800 South Murray, Utah 84107
Come for Lunch, Stay for the Friends Chef Omar serves fresh, creative meals Tuesday through Friday (11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.). The cost is just $6 for adults 55+ (no reservation needed) and $8 for all others. Recent menus have included smothered chili verde burritos, Salisbury steaks, char siu pork ribs, salmon Alfredo, tortilla soup, and Greek gyros, alongside hearty sides and fresh fruit. As much as the delicious food draws people in, lunch is really about human connection. It becomes a highlight of the week, a place where you walk in for a meal and soon realize you’ve found your people. You Belong Here Loneliness can affect both our health and happiness. A great senior center changes that. Whether you’re trying something new or rediscovering an old hobby, you’ll find instructors who encourage you, staff who know your name, and people who are genuinely glad you’re there. If you’re 55 or older and haven’t visited yet, consider this your invitation to visit the Murray Senior Center! If it’s been a while, we miss you and would love to welcome you back. Come find new ways to have fun, and, even better, wonderful people to share them with. Get Started Visit the Murray Senior Recreation Center’s programs page at www.murray.utah.gov or call 801-264-2635. I’ll see you at the Murray Senior Recreation Center! —Mayor Brett Hales
POLICE DEPARTMENT Administrative Office .......... 801-264-2673 Animal Control/SL County .. 385-468-7387 Code Enforcement .............. 801-264-2673 Non-Emergency Calls ......... 801-840-4000 POWER DEPARTMENT Administrative Office .......... 801-264-2730 After Hours Emergency....... 801-264-9669 PUBLIC SERVICES Administrative Office .......... 801-270-2440 Building Inspection ............ 801-270-2431 Green Waste Trailers ........... 801-270-2440 Planning and Zoning .......... 801-270-2430 Solid Waste......................... 801-270-2440 Water, Sewer, Streets.......... 801-270-2440 Zoning Enforcement ........... 801-270-2426 UTILITIES After Hours Emergency....... 801-264-9669 Billing Questions ................ 801-264-2626
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FOR MORE INFO VISIT murray.utah.gov/2143/ haunted-tales
MESSAGE FROM THE COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL
New Utah E-Bike Laws for 2026 With the kids back in school and Halloween coming soon, it is very important that we, as Murray citizens, be safe, vigilant, and lawful when sharing our roads and sidewalks. Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, have become increasingly popular throughout Utah. As more people use e-bikes for transportation, recreation and commuting, the Utah Legislature has adopted new laws intended to improve safety and clarify the rules surrounding e-bikes and other electric mobility devices. House Bill 381, Electric Mobility Device Amendments, was passed during the 2026 Utah legislative session and became effective as of May 6, 2026. For Utah residents riding an e-bike in 2026, a few simple steps can help ensure compliance with the new law: Know your e-bike. Determine whether it is Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 and make sure it meets Utah’s definition of an electric-assisted bicycle. Utah has three classes of e-bikes and the new law does not eliminate those three classes. The three classes of e-bikes in Utah are: Class 1: The motor provides assistance only while the rider is pedaling and stops providing assistance at 20 mph. Class 2: The motor can provide assistance through a throttle and is limited to 20 mph. Class 3: The motor provides assistance while pedaling and stops providing assistance at 28 mph. Helmets Now Required for E-Bike Riders Under 21 One of the most significant changes is the new helmet requirement.
Beginning May 6, 2026, all e-bike and e-scooter riders under 21 must wear a helmet. Don’t modify the bike to increase its speed or power. Modifications can cause the vehicle to fall outside the legal definition of an e-bike and can create additional safety concerns. Alcohol and E-Bikes Utah’s 2026 legislation also makes it unlawful to consume alcohol while operating an electric-assisted bicycle. DUI and open-container laws apply to electric-powered devices. Police Can Temporarily Hold an E-Bike From a Minor The new law also gives law enforcement additional authority when minors violate certain electric-mobility laws. If an officer observes a violation involving a minor, the officer may hold the electric vehicle and release it to the minor’s parent or guardian. The provision is intended to provide an additional enforcement tool when young riders are operating electric devices in an unsafe or unlawful manner. Parents should know what their children are riding. Make sure young riders understand the rules, wear appropriate safety equipment and are using an e-bike that is appropriate for their age. E-bikes can provide an affordable, convenient and enjoyable way to travel, but they can also reach speeds significantly greater than traditional bicycles. Understanding the type of e-bike being ridden and following Utah’s updated laws can help riders, drivers and pedestrians share Utah’s roads and pathways safely. For more information, please visit Utah House Bill 381: https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0381.pdf —Diane Turner, District 4
Murray Senior Recreation Center | Serving Adults 55+ 10 E 6150 S, Murray, Utah 84107 801-264-2635 mcreg.com • seniorrec@murray.utah.gov Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Thurs 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. • Closed Sat and Sun
CHEF OMAR LIMON DAILY LUNCH Date: Tuesday through Friday Time: 11:30 a.m. – noon Cost: Cost is $6; prior reg. not required
CLASSES MURRAY POLICE: CRIME PREVENTION Date: Wednesday, Oct. 14 Time: 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Cost: Free; Register now BEHIND THE BOOKS with Karla M. Jay Date: Thursday, Oct. 15 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Cost: Free; Register now TRUST AND ESTATE PLANNING Date: Tuesday, Oct. 20 Time: 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Cost: Free; Register now MURRAY FIRE: FIRE PREVENTION Date: Wednesday, Oct. 21 Time: 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Cost: Free; Register now
GRIEF SUPPORT Date: Friday, Oct. 23 Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Cost: Free; Register now VITAL AGING: WELLNESS TECHNOLOGY Date: Friday, Oct. 23 Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Cost: Free; Register now NAVIGATING ASSISTED LIVING Date: Friday, Oct. 28 Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Cost: Free; Register now SCIENCE: SPACE EXPLORATION Date: Thursday, Nov. 5 Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Cost: Free; Register now
DANCE THURSDAY EVENING SOCIAL DANCE Live Music provided by Tony Summerhays Date: Thursdays Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Cost: $5
DANCE FITNESS CLASSES: NIA (blend of dance, martial arts, mindfulness) Date: Mondays Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Cost: $4 per class or $15 per month
ZUMBA GOLD (designed specifically for seniors) Date: Fridays Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Cost: $4 per class or $10 per month FITNESS: Daily Fitness Classes – check our current newsletter for the schedule and fees
CLUBS BOOK CLUB: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Date: Tuesday, Nov. 3 Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Cost: Free; Register now December Book: The Twelve Topsy-Turvy, Very Messy Days of Christmas by James Patterson and Tad Safran January Book: A Man Named Ove by Fredrik Backman MOVIE MATINEE CLUB Date: Mondays Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Cost: Free
Please check our website for any changes in programs and to view our newsletter which contains detailed information about these programs and more.
City Council District #1 Paul Pickett 801-743-0911
ppickett@murray.utah.gov Council District 2 Pam Cotter 801-541-8364
pcotter@murray.utah.gov Council District 3 Clark Bullen 801-718-2017
cbullen@murray.utah.gov Council District 4 Diane Turner 801-635-6382
diane.turner@murray.utah.gov City Council District #5 Adam Hock 801-557-1346
ahock@murray.utah.gov
Executive Director Jennifer Kennedy Office: 801-264-2622
jkennedy@murray.utah.gov Telephone Agenda Information 801-264-2525
OCTOBER 2026
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Saturdays, Oct 24 - Nov 21 Ages 3-9 | Park Center $40 Residents $50 Non-Residents
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BASKETBALL
Saturday Games Games
November 7 - December 19 6 games + 2 Utah Jazz Tickets, Coed Ages 8-9, 10-11 (+ 1 weeknight practice) $68 Residents | $78 Non-Residents Ages 12-14 (+ 1 weeknight practice) $68 Residents | $78 Non-Residents
Tues Coed Ages 6-7
Friday, October 16
November 10-December 15 Practice on game day $63 Residents | $73 Non-Residents
6:00pm - Costume Contest - Free 6:10pm - Pumpkin Races $2/$3 6:30pm - Pumpkin Plummet - Free Option to purchase Pumpkin Kits
the park center
Wed Coed Hoop Hoops ps Clinic Ages 4-5
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$3 RES / $4 NON-RES
Boys High School
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Tuesday and Thursday 3:45, 4:20, 4:55, and 5:30pm 8 lessons / $40 res & $50 non-res
YYouth Yo outh vvolleyball ollleeeyyybball Fridays, Nov 6 - Dec 18 Ages 9-11 | 5:30-7PM Ages 12-14 | 7:15-8:45PM $40 Residents $50 Non-Res Non-Residents N R siid dents t
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LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS IS COMING TO THE MURRAY THEATER! October 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 | 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Murray Theater | 4961 S. State Street, Murray Tickets: $22 cash Card payments are subject to a processing fee. Murray City Cultural Arts presents Little Shop of Horrors, the deviously delicious sci-fi musical comedy that has entertained audiences for more than 30 years. Follow a timid florist whose mysterious new plant develops an unexpected appetite in this beloved musical featuring music by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. Tickets are available through Showpass, at the Murray Parks & Recreation Office, 296 E. Murray Park Ave., Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., or at the theater box office one hour before each performance. Tickets: Showpass.com/ little-shop-of-horrors-13/ Ticket Fraud Notice: The only official ticket outlets are Murray Parks & Recreation and Showpass. Please be cautious of thirdparty sellers, as tickets purchased through unauthorized sellers may be sold above face value and may not include the same service guarantees.
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: A LIVE MUSICAL RADIO PLAY Adapted by Lance Arthur Smith Original Songs and Arrangements by Jon Lorenz December 11, 12, 14, 17, 18 & 19 | 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Murray Theater | 4961 S. State Street Tickets: $22 When a department store Santa claims he is the real Kris Kringle, his case goes all the way to the Supreme Court. Featuring live Foley effects and a score of holiday carols, this radio play adaptation of Miracle on 34th Street is a heartwarming holiday favorite for the whole family. Family Night Discount: Monday, December 14. Receive 50% off automatically when purchasing four or more tickets. An ASL interpreter will be present for the Monday performance. Tickets are available online through Showpass: www.showpass.com/ miracle-on-34th-street-the-musical/ Tickets are also available at the Murray Parks & Recreation Office, 296 E. Murray Park Ave., Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., or at the theater box office one hour before the performance. A maximum of eight tickets may be purchased per transaction. Ticket Fraud Notice: The only official ticket outlets are Murray Parks & Recreation and Showpass. Please avoid third-party sellers, as tickets may be sold above face value and may not include the same service guarantees.
MURRAY CITY CULTURAL ARTS JURIED ART SHOW Murray City Cultural Arts will host its annual Juried Art Show October 27 through November 11 at the Murray Library, located at 166 E. 5300 S. in Murray. Artists from Murray and surrounding communities are invited to participate. Artwork may be dropped off at the Murray Library on Wednesday, October 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. The exhibition is free and open to the public during regular library hours. For submission guidelines and additional information, visit: https://www. murray.utah.gov/2144/Juried-Art-Show
Murray’s Haunted Woods returns for another round of scares and service
Long-running Halloween tradition returns Oct. 19-21 with scares for all ages while raising money to combat child abuse and domestic violence. By Shaun Delliskave s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
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or three nights in October, the trees of Murray Park will once again fill with ghosts, monsters, Ghostbusters and assorted creatures waiting for unsuspecting visitors. The Exchange Club of Murray’s Haunted Woods returns Oct. 19-21, promising its “biggest, best and most thrilling year yet,” while continuing a community tradition that combines Halloween fun with charitable giving. The outdoor event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. in Murray Park’s north parking lot area, across from the Parks and Recreation Center and next to the Parks and Recreation office. It will take place rain or shine. Families can choose just how much frightening they want. From 5 to 7 p.m., the “Silly Trails” offer trick-or-treating and lighthearted Halloween fun suitable for all ages. At 7 p.m., the “Scary Trails” take over until 9 p.m., when darkness, lights and things lurking among the trees make the experience considerably less silly.
And there is an escape hatch for visitors who discover they have overestimated their courage: Say the secret phrase “GHOULS BE GONE” to signal actors to tone down the scares. Longtime organizer Sheri Van Bibber has previously said her enthusiasm for the event comes from a lifelong love of the holiday. “I think I’ve loved Halloween since I was born,” Van Bibber said. “I used to do this at my house growing up and I was an only child so I had no one to do it with and now I have a whole city to do it with.” That city-sized Halloween celebration has grown to include far more than a walk through the woods. The 2026 edition will again feature roaming “Flash Mobsters” performing surprise dances throughout the evening. The Ghostbusters will return along with their three-story Marshmallow Man for photo opportunities, while the Chick-fil-A Cow and a Chick-fil-A hot air balloon are also scheduled to appear. Visitors can stop at the gazebo to consult a fortune teller, bring trick-or-treat bags for the Silly Trails and finish the night with a Dunford doughnut and hot chocolate. For Van Bibber, however, the volunteers—particularly young people—have always been central to the event.
“The kids have a big voice in what goes on in this,” she said in previous Haunted Woods coverage. Behind the ghosts and jump scares is the reason the Exchange Club continues producing the event. Haunted Woods raises money to support the prevention of child abuse and strengthen community programs. This year, visitors can help another Murray cause as well. Organizers will place an “Empty Coffin” near the ticket booth to collect nonperishable food for the Murray Children’s Food Pantry. Attendees are encouraged to bring a donation and help fill the coffin for local families. The combination of service and scares has helped Haunted Woods endure for more than half a century, with parents now bringing children to an attraction they remember visiting themselves. “This has been a tradition in Utah for 50 years, and guests love that they can share something from their childhood with their own children,” Van Bibber said during the event’s 50th anniversary. “It’s a fabulous, family-friendly event.” And for those wondering whether they are brave enough for this year’s woods, there Ghostbusters helped keep the Murray is always the Silly Trail. Haunted Woods safe last year. (Photo Or remember three important words. courtesy Miss Murray) “GHOULS BE GONE.” l
Feed me, Murray! ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ takes root at Murray Theater A bloodthirsty plant, a live 11-piece orchestra and plenty of musical mayhem take root at the Murray Theater just in time for spooky season. By Shaun Delliskave s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
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urray Theater is about to discover what happens when a seemingly innocent houseplant develops an appetite that MiracleGro won’t satisfy. Murray City Cultural Arts will bring the horror-comedy musical “Little Shop of Horrors” to the Murray Theater Oct. 23-24 and 26-30, combining a volunteer cast, an 11-piece live orchestra, and five increasingly enormous versions of Audrey II, the show’s famously carnivorous plant. For Murray Cultural Arts Artistic Director Candy Tippetts, a veteran of Murray productions who has been directing musical theater for decades, the production also represents something new for the historic theater: its first show featuring an orchestra. “This will be our first show in the Murray Theater with an orchestra,” Tippetts said. “‘Little Shop’ will be a fun and entertaining way to introduce patrons to a production with a live orchestra; one thing that Murray always does at the Amphitheater. And, given that the show runs in October, it is the perfect show for spooky season.” “Little Shop of Horrors” began with
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director Roger Corman’s low-budget 1960 black comedy film about a florist and a bloodthirsty plant. Lyricist and playwright Howard Ashman transformed the premise into a stage musical with composer Alan Menken. The musical premiered in New York in 1982 before moving to the Orpheum Theatre, where it became an Off-Broadway sensation and ran for five years. Ashman and Menken would later become central figures in Disney’s musical renaissance, collaborating on “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast.” But “Little Shop” helped put the songwriting partnership on the theatrical map. The original production won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and Drama Desk honors including Outstanding Musical. At its center is Seymour Krelborn, a timid flower shop employee whose fortunes change after he acquires a peculiar plant he names Audrey II after his coworker and crush, Audrey. The plant brings Seymour attention and opportunity—with the increasingly troublesome requirement that he feed it human blood. In Murray, Asher Head plays Seymour opposite ABC4’s “Good Things Utah” host Deena Manzanares as Audrey. Alan LaFleur portrays flower shop owner Mr. Mushnik, Trevor Snyder plays sadistic dentist Orin Scrivello and Colton Kraus supplies the voice of Audrey II. Rosemary Webster, Rebecca Meats and Mia Crutch play Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon, respectively, with Jaydn Coffin
“Little Shop of Horrors” will play at the Murray Theater in October. (Photo courtesy of Murray City)
serving as Chiffon swing. The real scene-stealer, however, may be chlorophyll-based. “This production has five different Audrey II’s each ranging in various sizes,” Tippetts said. “There are puppeteers cast to operate the puppets. Although the audience won’t see them until the curtain call they are a vital part of the production.” Making a plant convincingly grow from an unusual curiosity into a stage-dominating monster creates both theatrical fun and logistical headaches.
“Herein lays the challenge of the show,” Tippetts said. “There are different sizes of Audrey II as the show progresses. Each has its own demands. One the actor can handle, the others require puppeteers to manipulate and then there is the voice!” Director Nolan Mitchell leads a production team that includes choreographer Jann LeVitre, assistant to the director Sonia Maughan, musical director and orchestra conductor Robert Bedont, costumer Paige Wilson, intimacy coordinator Kris Peterson, stage manager DeeDee Palmer and set designer and builder Dwight Western. The production has been planned since last year, but the cast has only six weeks of rehearsals beginning Sept. 7. Complicating matters, rehearsals initially take place away from the finished set before the company moves into the Murray Theater two weeks before opening. The effort relies heavily on community participation. Tippetts said all actors and musicians are volunteering their time. Those familiar primarily with Frank Oz’s popular 1986 movie adaptation may also encounter a surprise. The stage musical and theatrical film do not resolve Seymour’s predicament in quite the same way. “Unlike the movie, though, the ending is different,” Tippetts said. “So come and enjoy an evening filled with music, a stellar cast and mayhem.” Tickets are available through the Murray Theater box office and Showpass. l
October 2026 | Page 15
Murray raises property tax rate to fund police, fire needs
Murray tax increase will cost average homeowner about $26 more a year. By Shaun Delliskave s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
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urray property owners will see an increase in the city portion of their property tax bills after the Murray City Council unanimously approved a higher tax rate for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The council voted 5-0 on Aug. 11 to adopt the tax levy following a Truth in Taxation public hearing. The increase is expected to generate approximately $714,297 in additional revenue, primarily for police and fire department staffing, compensation and overtime. City officials said the increase represents a 5.66% increase in Murray’s property tax rate, but emphasized that the percentage applies only to the Murray City portion of a resident’s total property tax bill. For residents in the Murray School District, the increase is estimated to raise the total property tax bill by about 0.98%. For residents within the Granite School District portion of Murray, the overall increase is estimated at 0.78%. City officials used an estimated average Murray home value of $614,000 when calculating the impact. For a Murray home valued at $614,000, the increase in the city portion of the property tax bill is estimated at $26.46 per year, or about $2.21 per month. The new revenue will be directed toward public safety. The Police Department plans to hire an additional officer, allowing the department to staff a regional computer forensics position required by the state. Funding will also go toward market adjustments for police salaries and additional overtime for major investigations and incidents. The Fire Department will receive funding for firefighter
Councilmember Clark Bullen raises an issue at the Truth in Taxation public hearing. (Shaun Delliskave/City Journals)
salary market adjustments and increased overtime intended to reduce occasions when fire shifts operate at minimum staffing. Murray did not increase property taxes in 2025. City officials told the council that under Utah’s Truth in Taxation system, rising property values do not automatically produce additional property tax revenue for the city. Without the newly approved increase, Murray’s tax rate would have declined again this year. The hearing drew both support and questions from residents. District 4 resident Crystal Walker, whose husband is a longtime Murray firefighter, supported the increase and pointed to city services residents receive. “For anybody who is worried about this, I would ask them to think what about this city they want to give up,” Walker told the council. District 3 resident Scott Goodman submitted a written statement opposing the need for a property tax increase and suggesting alternatives. Goodman proposed that Murray consider a 0.1% arts and cultural sales tax and questioned
the planned use of impact-fee money for a proposed “ninja course” recreation amenity. “Before raising property taxes on every resident, the city should fully consider this alternative,” Goodman’s statement said. City staff responded that Murray cannot independently impose the proposed arts and cultural tax because Salt Lake County already levies its Zoo, Arts & Parks tax. Murray receives approximately $100,000 annually for cultural arts programming through county ZAP funding, according to the presentation. Staff also said changing the proposed use of impact fees would not reduce the property tax increase because the two funding sources serve separate purposes. Compared with other Salt Lake County cities proposing property tax increases this year, Murray’s 5.66% increase falls toward the lower end. Cottonwood Heights proposed a 42.02% increase, Draper 25.12%, South Salt Lake 12.99% and Salt Lake City 9.16%. Murray’s increase is higher than Taylorsville’s 5.02%, West Valley City’s 4.93% and West Jordan’s 2.21%. The percentages represent increases in each city’s property tax revenue, not increases to a homeowner’s entire property tax bill. Councilmember Clark Bullen acknowledged the difficulty of increasing taxes before voting for the city’s final budget. “I understand that property taxes are hard,” Bullen said. “It’s not easy for the council to pass an increase in property taxes.” Bullen said the council examined potential reductions but concluded the funding was necessary to maintain city operations and retain employees. “If we could have cut more, we would have,” Bullen said. “But this is what it needs to be.” The council subsequently approved Murray’s final 202627 fiscal year budget, including the library fund, by another 5-0 vote. l
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Murray City Journal
Cottonwood High’s football stadium hosted a special first responders versus alumni game Sept. 10. (Photo courtesy of Mike Ward)
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
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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 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
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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
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October 2026 | Page 17
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
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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. Who sets the priorities? 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
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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Page 18 | October 2026
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 in Murray, 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
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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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October 2026 | Page 19
The races you can’t afford to skip: Salt Lake County’s 2026 candidates Three new county council representatives will join next year.
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 By Shaun Delliskave University of Utah Health. s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com Unlike the three district council races, ational and state races may receive most every Salt Lake County voter will have an of the political attention this election opportunity to vote in the at-large A contest. season, but farther down the November ballot Salt Lake County voters will make decisions District 1: Northern Salt Lake County about the people who oversee some of the In County Council District 1, Democratic government functions closest to home. incumbent Jiro Johnson faces Libertarian On Nov. 3, voters will select candidates Casey Poe. No Republican qualified for the for four Salt Lake County Council seats as general-election contest. District 1 covers a well as county auditor, clerk, district attorney portion of northern Salt Lake County and and sheriff. includes communities in and around Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake and West Valley City. County Council at-large A: A countyJohnson, who was appointed, is seeking wide choice another term on the nine-member County The largest field is for County Council Council, where council members approve the at-large A, a seat elected by voters through- county budget, adopt ordinances and make out Salt Lake County rather than from a par- policy decisions affecting county services. ticular council district. Republican Kathleen Anderson, Dem- District 3: Murray, Midvale and central ocrat Zach Robinson, Constitution Party county communities candidate Gregory Beglarian, Forward Party One of the more locally significant candidate Maleah Bliss Caulford and unaffil- council races is District 3, where voters will iated candidate Olghen Ocean Saintelus are choose a successor to Republican Councompeting for the seat. cilmember Aimee Winder Newton. Anderson is a small-business owner Republican Mike Bird faces Demowho has lived in Salt Lake County for more crat Luke Maynes for the open seat. District than three decades. 3 encompasses Murray, Taylorsville and
N
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
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.
County Auditor
For Salt Lake County auditor, voters countywide will choose between two candidates whose professional backgrounds are directly connected to financial oversight. Republican Chris Harding, the incumbent auditor, faces Democrat Ali Cloward. Harding was elected in 2022 and is a certified public accountant, Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Fraud Examiner. The auditor operates independently from other county offices and conducts audits and investigations involving county finances and operations. Cloward is a director at a national consulting firm and a Certified Internal Auditor. She earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Utah and works professionally with organizations on internal controls, risk and accountability.
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.
Page 20 | October 2026
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 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 Corporation. He also served as an Army infantry officer and deployed twice to Iraq.
Sheriff
Democratic Sheriff Rosie Rivera faces Republican Shane Manwaring. Rivera has served as sheriff since 2017. She began her law enforcement career in 1993 and spent more than two decades with the Unified Police Department before becoming sheriff. The office oversees Salt Lake County’s jail system and performs other statutory public-safety responsibilities. Manwaring is a law enforcement officer and military leader with more than two decades of experience. He has served with the Unified Police Department and as a colonel in the Utah Army National Guard, giving voters a contest between two candidates with lengthy careers in public safety.
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
Murray City Journal
Woodstock students put the pedal to the cardboard With a promised third annual Principal McQueen’s Grand Prix as an incentive, Woodstock Elementary students will work to meet goals and standards in academics and attendance this school year. By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
F
or Woodstock Elementary students, the countdown to the end of school already may have started as school begun. It isn’t just about summer vacation. It’s about engines revving, cardboard cruising and the third annual Principal McQueen’s Grand Prix. Four fifth-grade boys — Sila Nuusila, William Belemler, Oliver Pechmann and Jake Hess — were determined to inspire schoolmates to join this year’s cardboard race car parade. Their black cardboard car, complete with a lightning bolt on each side, was a labor of love — and a little bit of fun before they finished elementary school. “Last year, no fifth graders did it, so we decided to do it and have some fun, since this is our last year,” Sila said last May. Jake said the hours spent building their racer could motivate younger students to take a turn in the spring. “We spent a lot of time making it; it can give ideas to others for next year,” he said. William had a name for their ride: “We call it the ‘Big Wham-O.’” Oliver added: “It’s all been fun, but the best thing is riding with these guys.” The boys weren’t alone in getting creative. Fourth-grader Sasha Guifarro decided to build a car simply for the experience. “I wanted to make one because I never had made one before,” she said. “I found a box, spray painted it red and add straps to it so I could be in the parade.” Sasha was excited about the other vehicles rolling onto the school grounds. “I like all the real cars that came to be part of the car show,” she said. Fifth-grader Olivia Miller rode in the parade on Toothless, the dragon from “How to Train Your Dragon.” “My grandma and I made Toothless with paper plates,” she said. “It took us two and a half days to do this because the paper plates took forever to be precise when we layered them. We used paper plates because they look like scales.” Olivia has been creating parade entries for four years, including at Viewmont Elementary, where she attended before Woodstock. Last year, she and her grandmother made a unicorn. “My grandma’s pretty cool; she has her own art room,” she said. This past year’s Grand Prix celebrated more than cardboard engineering. Students met school improvement goals in academics, behavior and attendance, giving Principal Missy McQueen plenty of reasons to wave the
MurrayJournal.com
checkered flag. Woodstock saw a 45% reduction in behavioral incidents, while students continued to outperform district averages on RISE standardized assessments, including a 59.2% proficiency rate in science. Upper elementary students also posted strong growth on winter assessments that measure academic growth and achievement across grades and subjects. After the cardboard parade and schoolwide car show, students headed inside for a drive-in movie featuring short Lightning McQueen cartoons and popcorn to continue to celebrate their success — both at the finish line of the parade and with achieving their goals. The event is both a playful nod to the principal’s name and a celebration of a school community she knows well. “We do this because one, it’s my last name, and two, because I’m part of this Woodstock community. I went here, grown up here. I knew being principal here, I’d have to do something with the last name, it’s become a fun tradition and may end up as a legacy,” McQueen said. “I love how this brings everyone together. These are people who embrace these kids, and it’s nice to see. We need more of that.” Granite Board of Education member Clarke Nelson agreed. “The school — students, teachers, staff — reflects everything Missy puts into it — being excited to learn, and wanting to embrace the community. This event is fun for everyone involved and the work they’ve achieved.” l
Woodstock fourth and fifth graders paraded in front of their school during the third annual Principal McQueen’s Grand Prix. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Woodstock Principal Missy McQueen poses by Lightning McQueen during the Grand Prix and car show. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
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October 2026 | Page 21
Give people grace
S
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
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.
Could your home be exposing your child to lead? Children can look healthy while lead poisoning quietly causes harm. By Shaun Delliskave s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
A
s public health agencies prepare for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week this fall, Salt Lake County health officials are reminding parents that childhood lead exposure can be difficult to detect and may come from more sources than many families realize. National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week will be observed Oct. 25-31 with the 2026 theme “Keep Kids Safe from Lead.” The annual campaign, coordinated nationally by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, emphasizes learning about potential lead hazards, testing children who may have been exposed and identifying lead sources in homes. The issue has particular relevance in Salt Lake County because of the age of some of its housing stock. According to Gabriel Moreno, partnerships manager with the Salt Lake County Health Department, more than 30% of homes in the county were constructed before the federal government banned consumer use of leadbased paint in 1978. “Many parents assume they’d know if their child had been exposed to lead,” Moreno said. “In reality, kids can look healthy, active and happy while lead
Page 22 | October 2026
quietly affects their learning, behavior and development.” That concern is consistent with CDC guidance. Most children with lead in their blood do not show obvious immediate symptoms, and a blood test is the best way to determine whether exposure has occurred. The CDC says no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Even low levels have been associated with developmental delays and difficulties with learning, attention and behavior. Older paint remains a well-known potential source, particularly when it deteriorates into chips or dust. However, exposure can also occur through contaminated soil, some plumbing and water fixtures, certain toys and consumer products, and dust created during renovations. Lead can also enter a home indirectly. People working in occupations involving lead can carry contaminated dust home on clothing, shoes, tools or other items. Moreno said jobs such as construction, auto repair and plumbing may present potential exposure risks. Because symptoms alone are not a reliable indicator, health officials encourage parents who believe their children may be at risk to discuss blood lead testing with a health care provider. “A blood test is the only way to know for sure, and right now, too few children in our community are getting tested,” Moreno said. Medicaid covers blood lead testing for enrolled children, and many private insurance plans also cover testing. Salt Lake County
Homes built before 1978 have a greater exposure to lead poisoning. (Photo courtesy of Virginia Department of Health)
offers free testing to qualifying families. Testing is only part of the county’s prevention effort. When lead is detected in a child’s blood, the Salt Lake County Health Department’s Lead Home Visiting Program can help families identify possible sources and determine ways to reduce further exposure. Qualifying households may also receive assistance through the county’s Lead Safe Housing Program to address lead hazards. The goal, health officials emphasize, is to identify risks before they cause further harm.
Salt Lake County wants families to consider their risk of lead exposure. (Photo courtesy of the CDC)
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week encourages families to learn about lead hazards in their surroundings, consider whether their children should receive a blood lead test and determine whether older homes may contain lead hazards. Salt Lake County residents with questions about testing or lead exposure can call or text the county’s Lead Poisoning Prevention line at 801-382-8877.l
Murray 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
MurrayJournal.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
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