Mapleton Mayor’s Message

Since the foundation of Mapleton City, a common thread has bound its citizens: the ability to build cohesion and community in the face of change.

When the early settlers arrived in this area 150 years ago, they faced a scarcity of water, conflicts with Native Americans and limited resources. Their survival depended on working together. This interdependence is beautifully reflected in the name they gave this area: Union Bench.

Today, our citizens are facing new challenges as we experience unprecedented growth. While we might not depend on one another to physically survive, our sense of community continues to help our city thrive. Our unity — our need to welcome and support each other — is just as crucial to our success as it was in the early days of Union Bench.

That fact is movingly illustrated in the lives of our citizens. Each year, the Springville-Mapleton Chamber of Commerce honors a citizen who exemplifies the values of our community. This year, we asked you to submit nominations, and we were humbled and overwhelmed by your responses.

We learned of residents volunteering to beautify our city, citizens organizing events where our community could gather, and neighbors serving without thought of recognition. It is difficult to honor only one among the many quiet heroes who fill our city, and we are excited to continue celebrating their contributions during the coming years.

To begin this celebration, we are honored to recognize Peggy Burt as the 2021 Mapleton Citizen of the Year. Peggy has lived and served in our community for more than 53 years. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. Kaylene Zierenberg said, “Peggy has worked tirelessly with the seniors and the seniors gym at the city building for years…. She is one involved and compassionate lady!”

Jane Wilkins added, “She feels a responsibility to care for her neighbors and isn’t afraid to ask others to join her.”

Peggy’s service exemplifies the unity and community our forebears in Union Bench fostered so long ago. She, along with countless others in our city, demonstrate that when we come together to support and care for one another, we build cohesion, resilience and community.

The year 2020 was critical in our efforts to make big decisions for our community that help us plan ahead. May we be as successful in the coming century as our ancestors were in the last one. They built a community that we are proud to emulate today. May we carry forward their values, their sense of community and their love of this land. And may we preserve it for our own children and grandchildren.

Mapleton Mayor Dallas Hakes

Welcome

to Mapleton

EST. 1901