The Utah Lake Commission Chairman, Lindon’s Mayor Jim Dain successfully leads the efforts of the Commission in its goals and plans, with Lindon being a big player with Utah Lake. Mayor Dain has been a fan of the Lake first as a resident and then as a mayor. He and his city fully support the Commission’s Master Plan and achieving their priorities.
In his role as Chairman of the Governing Board, he conducts official business and advises the Executive Director. Through his interaction with the committees, and personnel, he appreciates the ongoing efforts of all the people he works with on the Commission including other board members. He complimented the efforts of the sustaining Technical Committee and the leadership of Executive Director, Mr. Reed Price. “They all work hard for the Lake’s causes and do an excellent job, giving so much time,” he said.
He is a great supporter of all efforts that help the Commission achieve the vision of the Utah Lake Master Plan. Some of those projects have been highlighted on our website, including carp removal and phragmites eradication to restore the shoreline and make the lake more accessible. He said, “There is no doubt the lake has been improved with coordination and efforts of the Utah Lake Commission. Visual evidence can be seen immediately with the removal of the phragmites.” The goal is being achieved with sponsors and funding from grants.
Another strategy in the plan is to educate future Utah Lake recreationists. The outreach of the 4th grade curriculum and field trips are creating a new generation who will get to know and love the lake. “One great asset with the curriculum is the students go home and sit around the dinner table talking about school. They educate their parents about the insights and the facts of the Lake from the lessons taught.” Mayor Dain believes one day all families will sit around the table and discuss Utah Lake — an important asset with the students learning of the Lake.
Publicizing the attributes of the Utah Lake is bringing more people to the Lake. National attention was achieved this past year with the National Collegiate FLW fishing tournament at Utah Lake. It showed the cooperation and coordination efforts between state and local entities.
A tactic being utilized for support is to bring families together at Utah Lake. This is done each year through the Utah Lake Festival. In June 2012, almost 3,000 people attended the Festival, which is held in conjunction with free fishing day in the state. People participate in a variety of activities sponsored by the Commission and other partners who have an interest in the Lake and its future. This year, the same number is anticipated at the Utah Lake Festival on June 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
One of the key players on the Commission is Lindon City – even though they have a small shoreline, they still have a big impact. There are five marinas around the Lake and one is in Lindon. All future Lindon projects near the lake will consider the lake and marina when plans are made. “At the present time, there is a park near the marina and the trails end up near the park/marina,” he said.
Lindon has a small population of 10,000 with a sales tax base, and functions on a balanced budget. “In Lindon, you have a piece of it all – heavy and light industry, great residential, growing economy, recreation and a great community. 
The scope of Lindon’s landscape presents the Lake on one end and the foothills on the other end — Just as the city slogan says, ‘A Little Bit of Country,’” he said.
Mayor Dain believes Utah Lake is the “best kept secret” in the state for tourism and recreation. He has always loved the lake, but feels it is underused. He stated, “The lake is a regional resource – as the lake goes, so follows the economy of Utah County for recreation including new hotels and restaurants that impacts the county and broadens the tax base.”
ABOUT UTAH LAKE GOVERNING BOARD CHAIRMAN, LINDON MAYOR JIM DAIN:
Mayor Jim Dain has lived in Lindon for 35 years and spent 12 years serving on the Lindon City Council. Meeting in Junior High School, he married his high school sweetheart, Pam Jacobson, just out of high school. They have five children and 15 grandchildren. He is a licensed architect and he has worked as Director of Building Services at Brigham Young University for 30 years. He likes to work outdoors in his garden, hike the deserts and mountains of Utah, and work on his farm in Sanpete County.