Dan Snarr
Encyclopedia
Daniel C. "Dan" Snarr is a four-time elected mayor of Murray, Utah
. Snarr was first elected in 1997 and was re-elected for a fourth consecutive term that began in January 2010. As a full-time mayor in a Mayor / Council form of government, Murray City employs 396 full- and part-time employees and 487 seasonal employees. Mayor Snarr oversees a budget of $83 million.
Snarr, who was raised in the Millcreek
area, moved to Murray with his family in 1978 and decided to run for mayor in the mid-'90s. His relatives have lived in Murray for generations. Mayor Snarr attended the University of Utah
and earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communications. He also served a two-year mission in Scotland for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Mayor Snarr also served as a demolition expert in the Special Forces of the Utah National Guard
Green Berets Unit.
Prior to serving as Mayor, he was a co-owner of Snarr Brothers Landscaping, a property maintenance business in Utah. Maintaining his Murray roots, Snarr Brothers is housed in a historic house, which the Mayor restored.
Mayor Snarr is married to April Thompson Snarr. He has five children and three grandchildren. He is the father of actor Trevor Snarr.
Snarr said he decided to seek public office because he wanted to continue the work of former Mayor Lynn Pett. During Snarr’s tenure in office, Murray saw the clean up of the smelter site that is now the home of the Intermountain Medical Center
; the property cleanup to establish the 32 acres (129,499.5 m²) Willow Pond Park; and the revitalization of the city's gateway at 5300 South Street
and State Street. (The area used to bring in less than $200,000 in sales-tax revenue; now it generates some $2 million.). Murray also became involved in the Utah Telecommunication Open Infrastructure Agency
(UTOPIA) community FTTH program.
Snarr has much well known personal flair, such as driving a Harley Davidson motorcycle while wearing leather garb. Perhaps his most famous trademark is his handlebar mustache which reached a total length of one-foot. His mustache received national attention when Murray hosted a hometown segment of the show American Idol
. Snarr was seen onstage with contest David Archuleta
, and generated banter from host Ryan Seacrest concerning the mustache’s length. This national recognition caused the mayor to receive mention from the American Mustache Institute
and Esquire
magazine.
. Snarr, who has sported the waxed mustache for three years, put the decision to a vote of Murray residents, and says: "People are voting 'shave.' It's a way to get back at an elected official." A local Costco
warehouse store says residents have been voting since May 1. The paper ballots will be counted May 16. But when the American Mustache Institute took notice of his plans, called on Snarr to "keep a stiff upper lip in the face of opposition." The American Mustache Institute demanded Snarr "recant" his shaving pledge and find another way to support the Children's Miracle Network. "This could include shaving your head, your back or committing to not clipping your toenails for up to eight months," the group's leaders wrote to the mayor. Aaron Perlut, chairman of the American Mustache Institute, said that Snarr "should face down his opposition—mainly women—and keep his mustache." Snarr said he had never heard of the American Mustache Institute and isn't certain how to respond to the letter. "It's like politics—whatever you do, you're damned," he said.
However, the appeals American Mustache Institute were in vain. With a vote of 966 to 1,254, more people voted for shaving the mustache than to save it. Residents had to pay $1 for each vote, and some contributed extra. That means Snarr raised at least $2,220 for the Children's Miracle Network. Snarr's wife, April, did the honors, leaving him with a short mustache after a clipping ceremony at a local Costco, on May 16. Following the events, the American Mustache Institute posted a tongue-in-cheek
eulogy for the mayor's mustache on its website.
Murray, Utah
Murray is a city situated on the Wasatch Front in the core of Salt Lake Valley in the U.S. state of Utah. Named for territorial governor Eli Murray, it is the state's fourteenth largest city. According to the 2010 census, Murray has approximately 46,746 residents.Murray is close to Salt Lake City,...
. Snarr was first elected in 1997 and was re-elected for a fourth consecutive term that began in January 2010. As a full-time mayor in a Mayor / Council form of government, Murray City employs 396 full- and part-time employees and 487 seasonal employees. Mayor Snarr oversees a budget of $83 million.
Snarr, who was raised in the Millcreek
Millcreek, Utah
Millcreek is a census-designated place and township in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. In the 2000 census, this area was divided among four CDPs, the westernmost of which was designated Millcreek CDP. The population of this CDP was 30,377 at the 2000 census...
area, moved to Murray with his family in 1978 and decided to run for mayor in the mid-'90s. His relatives have lived in Murray for generations. Mayor Snarr attended the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
and earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communications. He also served a two-year mission in Scotland for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Mayor Snarr also served as a demolition expert in the Special Forces of the Utah National Guard
Utah Army National Guard
The Utah National Guard comprises both Army and Air National Guard components. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions...
Green Berets Unit.
Prior to serving as Mayor, he was a co-owner of Snarr Brothers Landscaping, a property maintenance business in Utah. Maintaining his Murray roots, Snarr Brothers is housed in a historic house, which the Mayor restored.
Mayor Snarr is married to April Thompson Snarr. He has five children and three grandchildren. He is the father of actor Trevor Snarr.
Snarr said he decided to seek public office because he wanted to continue the work of former Mayor Lynn Pett. During Snarr’s tenure in office, Murray saw the clean up of the smelter site that is now the home of the Intermountain Medical Center
Intermountain Medical Center
Intermountain Medical Center is the largest hospital in the Intermountain West and the new flagship of Intermountain Healthcare. Located in Murray, Utah on a site at the center of the Salt Lake Valley, Intermountain Medical Center serves as a major adult referral center for six surrounding states...
; the property cleanup to establish the 32 acres (129,499.5 m²) Willow Pond Park; and the revitalization of the city's gateway at 5300 South Street
Utah State Route 173
State Route 173 is a major east–west thoroughfare completely within Salt Lake County in northern Utah. From its western terminus at SR-111 it passes through the growing west side of Salt Lake County, eventually reaching US-89 in Murray....
and State Street. (The area used to bring in less than $200,000 in sales-tax revenue; now it generates some $2 million.). Murray also became involved in the Utah Telecommunication Open Infrastructure Agency
Utah Telecommunication Open Infrastructure Agency
The Utah Telecommunication Open Infrastructure Agency is a consortium of 16 Utah cities engaged in deploying and operating a fiber to the premises network to every business and household within its footprint...
(UTOPIA) community FTTH program.
Snarr has much well known personal flair, such as driving a Harley Davidson motorcycle while wearing leather garb. Perhaps his most famous trademark is his handlebar mustache which reached a total length of one-foot. His mustache received national attention when Murray hosted a hometown segment of the show American Idol
American Idol (season 7)
The seventh season of American Idol, the annual reality show and singing competition, began on January 15, 2008 and concluded on May 21, 2008. Ryan Seacrest continued to host the show with Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson returning as judges...
. Snarr was seen onstage with contest David Archuleta
David Archuleta
David Archuleta, is a former United States Air Force Airman of Okinawan stationary troops and is currently an American male kickboxer.-Biography:...
, and generated banter from host Ryan Seacrest concerning the mustache’s length. This national recognition caused the mayor to receive mention from the American Mustache Institute
American Mustache Institute
The American Mustache Institute is an advocacy organization and registered 501 not-for-profit based in St. Louis, Missouri. When founded in 1965, by Dr. SCHNURRBART SNOR, AMI was the only organization in the world working towards facial hair advocacy...
and Esquire
Esquire (magazine)
Esquire is a men's magazine, published in the U.S. by the Hearst Corporation. Founded in 1932, it flourished during the Great Depression under the guidance of founder and editor Arnold Gingrich.-History:...
magazine.
Shave of mustache for charity
In May 2009, Snarr entered in a shave-or save battle. He set to shave his nearly foot-long handlebar mustache for charity, supporting the Children's Miracle NetworkChildren's Miracle Network
The Children's Miracle Network Hospitals is an international non-profit organization that raises funds for children's hospitals, medical research and community awareness of children's health issues. The organization, founded in 1982 by the Osmond family and John Schneider, is headquartered in...
. Snarr, who has sported the waxed mustache for three years, put the decision to a vote of Murray residents, and says: "People are voting 'shave.' It's a way to get back at an elected official." A local Costco
Costco
Costco Wholesale Corporation is the largest membership warehouse club chain in the United States. it is the third largest retailer in the United States, where it originated, and the ninth largest in the world...
warehouse store says residents have been voting since May 1. The paper ballots will be counted May 16. But when the American Mustache Institute took notice of his plans, called on Snarr to "keep a stiff upper lip in the face of opposition." The American Mustache Institute demanded Snarr "recant" his shaving pledge and find another way to support the Children's Miracle Network. "This could include shaving your head, your back or committing to not clipping your toenails for up to eight months," the group's leaders wrote to the mayor. Aaron Perlut, chairman of the American Mustache Institute, said that Snarr "should face down his opposition—mainly women—and keep his mustache." Snarr said he had never heard of the American Mustache Institute and isn't certain how to respond to the letter. "It's like politics—whatever you do, you're damned," he said.
However, the appeals American Mustache Institute were in vain. With a vote of 966 to 1,254, more people voted for shaving the mustache than to save it. Residents had to pay $1 for each vote, and some contributed extra. That means Snarr raised at least $2,220 for the Children's Miracle Network. Snarr's wife, April, did the honors, leaving him with a short mustache after a clipping ceremony at a local Costco, on May 16. Following the events, the American Mustache Institute posted a tongue-in-cheek
Tongue-in-cheek
Tongue-in-cheek is a phrase used as a figure of speech to imply that a statement or other production is humorously intended and it should not be taken at face value. The facial expression typically indicates that one is joking or making a mental effort. In the past, it may also have indicated...
eulogy for the mayor's mustache on its website.