Park City Councilmember Lynn Ware Peek’s term in office ended Jan. 1, just two years after it began.
Lynn Ware Peek was appointed to the city council in January 2018 to fill the vacancy left by Park City Mayor Andy Beerman. The city council chose Peek from a group of 15 applicants.
Peek chose not to run for a full term in the 2019 municipal elections. She says she would have had to recuse herself from all the upcoming council votes on the arts and culture district, as she owns property there. Peek also wanted to stay on as a host and producer for her two shows at KPCW, and a station policy prevents elected officials from hosting programs. Even though she says it took her two years to find her voice as a councilmember, Peek says she doesn’t regret not seeking a full four-year term.
“That was my decision, and I’d make it again,” Peek said.
Before taking a seat on council, Peek worked as the Park City beat reporter for KPCW, then as the community engagement liaison for Park City Municipal. As a Spanish speaker, Peek often acted as a liaison for Park City’s Latino community on the city council. Going forward, she recommends councilmembers learn as much as they can about diverse groups in the community.
“So often, we don't know how to handle another group, or reach out to another group, or build bridges to another group, because we just don't know what makes them tick," Peek said. "So I think that's a job of all of us in the community.”
With many ongoing projects and priorities at the city, Peek points to one council goal she hopes to still be involved in.
“With our affordable housing critical priority, I think we still have to get a lot more creative about how we're going to meet our goal of 800 units," Peek said. "So I think, even as a community member, I'll still try to throw my ideas in there about making it easier for people to have affordable accessory dwelling units.”
Peek says one of the most difficult aspects of being on council was growing a thick skin, knowing her decisions as a councilmember wouldn’t please everyone. The most satisfying part, she says, was connecting with the community and representing their perspectives on council to come up with creative solutions.
“Being a part of the community, feeling like you make a difference every day in how the community is going forward moving forward,” Peek said.
Peek will continue to host her KPCW programs, The Mountain Life and Cool Science Radio. She’s says she’ll also find ways to continue to be involved in the community, including serving on the boards of Recycle Utah and Communities That Care.
