After more than a decade of leadership, Holladay Mayor Rob Dahle is stepping down from his post, a role he’s held since 2014. His decision marks a turning point for the city and opens the door for new leadership, just as he intended.

“It’s time for me to go but now reality is hitting, I’m starting to feel a bit melancholy,” he said. “I’m moving on because we need younger people, we need different ideas, fresh ideas. I don’t believe you should plant yourself and never leave.”

Dahle never expected to have a political career. A graduate of Murray High School and the University of Utah, he served with the U.S. Army for six years before his honorable discharge in 1989. He and his brother, Allan, operated Dahle's Big and Tall retail stores, started by their father, Larry Dahle, in the 1960s. 

After he stepped away from the family business, Dahle was approached by people who encouraged him to run for mayor. Because he wasn’t a member of the predominant religion or political party in the state, Dahle wasn’t sure he was the best fit for the job.

His mind changed when he heard his son, Jordan, give a speech to his senior class at Cottonwood High School, where he repeated Theodore Roosevelt’s quote about the man in the arena. 

“He started the quote and I’m like, so you want me to step into the arena?” he said. “At some point, you’ve got to decide, are you going to be the person that sits and complains about everything and does nothing, or are you going to get in the game and try to do something? So, I went down and put my name in.”

That was 12 years ago and Holladay was in a much different place. When Dahle took over as mayor, the city was broke. He was shocked that there was no money for infrastructure, taxes hadn’t been raised since incorporation, roads weren’t being maintained and there was a bare-bones city staff.

Dahle proposed a tax increase for the city to cover inflationary growth in fire, police, capital investments, infrastructure and city staff. He spent a good amount of time educating residents about the need for the tax increase. 

With the help of Holladay City Manager Gina Chamness, Dahle supported the hiring of experienced and professional staff to prepare the city for present and future growth. 

“Now we’ve got good, competent people in positions that will take Holladay to the next level,” he said. “If we want the city to continue to operate and be healthy, we need to make sure we have proper staff.”

One thing he’ll take away from his role is the opportunity to see the goodness in people. He appreciates the volunteers who organize community events, serve on boards, councils and commissions and who are passionate about making Holladay a great place to live. 

Dahle also sees everyday kindness practiced by residents, people who do small things that others rarely notice.

“If you go look at our arts council and historical commission and our Interfaith Council and our Happy Healthy Holladay coalition; all these people involved in these things give their time to do it because they’re passionate about the community,” he said. “I never saw that before I got into local government.”

Dahle believes local leadership is the way government was envisioned by the Founding Fathers, with everyone doing their part to build community and serve each other. He considers his mayoral role an act of community service and has some advice for the next mayor. 

“People are really important. Make sure the people in the city understand that they’re valued,” he said. “Show up for events when you can, support community councils in the work they do, serve on boards and coalitions…Be a figurehead. Make sure you’re out there and [residents] know who you are and that you’re advocating for their city.”

As Dahle looks ahead to time with his grandkids and some traveling with his wife, Joni, he knows the city he helped strengthen will be in good hands. He’s confident the next generation of Holladay leaders will carry the torch forward.