No.577 Lynn Frank Pett, 2010

File — Box: 65, Folder: 19

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Pett (b. 1940) was born in Payson, Utah. He spent the first ten years of his life in Eureka, Utah, where his family was involved in the mining industry. The family then moved to Murray, Utah. He discusses his family, schooling and growing up years. Pett began working with the Murray Parks and Recreation Department when he was sixteen years old as a part-time, seasonal worker. Eventually he became a full-time employee of the department, and at age twenty-three (1963) was appointed as the Superintendent of the department. He continued in this position until 1988, when he was appointed as Murray City's Assistant Mayor. He was elected Mayor of Murray in 1990, serving two terms until 1998. Pett describes his tenure as park superintdent, including the development of the Ken Price Ballpark. During his time as assistant mayor, He relates what he considers to be his most significant work as assistant mayor: development of the Jordan River Parkway and golf course. Pett's time as mayor was marked by several important projects. He was a leading advocate for the light rail mass transit system planned for the Salt Lake Valley. His close relationship with the EPA was renewed when the old Murray smelter land was slated to become a Super Fund site. He tells about his negotiations with EPA officials, and the landowners of the site, to come to a mutually agreeable solution for a cleanup of the area, thus averting a Super Fund designation. He facilitated the successful acquisition of the property by Intermountain Healthcare, where they constructed a large medical campus. He and his wife, Kathleen, live in Murray. They are the parents of two children. Mayors Oral History Project.

Interviewer: Becky B. Lloyd

Dates

2010

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.