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Mayor the third generation to run Mendon By
Hilary Ingoldsby MENDON -- Mayor Sydney Larson is somewhat of a Renaissance man in his small town. Larson was born and raised in Mendon. He started out at the University of Utah but then came back and got a degree in accounting at Utah State in 1967. After marrying, he worked for a number of years as a government auditor. He and his wife lived in Boise, Idaho, and Centerville before returning home to Mendon. When he came back, Larson built and ran the Valley View Nursing Home with his mother for 12 years. He now works at Brave USA, a sporting bag company, as well as tending to his mayoral duties. The decision to run for city office was not a hard one for Larson, whose father and grandfather both served as mayor in Mendon. "We're old Mendon stock. I felt a little bit like it was my civic duty to run for office," Larson said. Aside from his rich heritage in the valley, Larson also had a number of projects he wanted to see completed and saw city office as a way to accomplish them. Some projects completed under Larson include a youth council, Historical and Preservation Society, cemetery improvements and a new fire station. "It's been very positive. We've done some good things," Larson said. One main goal of Larson's yet to be carried out is the construction of a civic center where town activities can take place. "We don't have a place right now that's big enough for receptions, reunions, cultural activities, talent shows or community meetings," Larson said. Larson still hopes to see a civic center built if he is re-elected this November and attributes much of his success thus far to members of what he calls the "best City Council ever." Like many in the community, Larson enjoys the country feeling in Mendon and he and his wife, Valerie, who have seven children, try to preserve that feeling. "I think people live here for the country atmosphere and country feeling. We try to maintain that. We plant trees in new subdivisions and have an active environmental group. It's also a little slower lifestyle," Larson said. Valerie heads up the Historical and Preservation Society and leads its effort to restore old log cabins and stone buildings in the area. Mendon also boasts of its community involvement. Home to the "oldest continuous celebration in the state," residents in Mendon have been celebrating May Day for 137 years and counting. Larson is proud of his hometown traditions. "We really try to push community activities," Larson said, "It's just really neat to be in a town with a lot of community involvement and support."
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