Larry Anhder: 'He's the heartbeat' of Nibley

LARRY ANHDER: Utah's state government implemented plans he wrote for his master's thesis. / Photo by Ranae Bangerter

By Ranae Bangerter

April 1, 2006 | NIBLEY -- Friendly to others, positive about the city, and enjoying his position as city manager, Larry Anhder sees his position as a preparation for what is to come.

Anhder, who looks young for 58, grew up in Hyrum just south of where he now serves as the Nibley City Manager.  But before he even began helping Nibley, he had gained professional training and experience with the city and county.

Raised in northern Hyrum, Anhder attended Utah State University and received a degree in political science and business.  While there he was involved in the Army Reserve Officer's Training Corps, and served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Argentina from 1967-69.

In 1969 Anhder married a "Hyrum girl" and is now a proud grandfather of 10 with two more on the way.

In 1974, Anhder received a master's in public administration emphasizing city management and public finance from Brigham Young University. To receive additional training in the army, he also served as an administrative support in the Adjutant General Corps the same year.

"I wrote my master's thesis on lease-purchase financing and it was implemented by the state of Utah," Anhder said. "The first one that used it was the Logan City Service Center and now a third of Utah uses it."

Anhder, who has lived in Nibley since 1986, has owned his own business, Logan Ice, for 20 years. He also served on the Cache County Council for 12 years, first as a member and later as a chairman.

In 1997 he began to work full time with Logan and was mentored about city administrative duties by former mayors Desmond Anderson and Wally Nickel.

"Des Anderson was a visionary man," Anhder said.  Anhder added that Anderson worked towards the golf course, hydro plant and Willow Park. Nickel also taught Anhder to be open and honest with others.

Anhder's real vision for Nibley though, came from former Nibley mayor Lynn Walker. 

"We cannot be the same as we used to be, and growth was going to happen," Walker told Anhder about the growth coming to the city. 

"[Growth] is a reality, let's be prepared for it," said Anhder. Anhder doesn't want to be seen as a person who is pro-growth but as one who is prepared for it.

 "The dynamics and the challenge of a very fast growing city," Anhder said is his favorite part of his job.

He said the biggest difference from working with Logan is the size of the organization. "Management, planning, compliance with all of the state laws, and getting water in the pipes and grass on the parks," said Anhder about his position.

Those who work with him say that he is overqualified.

"Larry is a gem and the city is lucky to have him," said Cynthia Fredrickson, city secretary.  "He always does what he thinks is in the best interest of the city," she added.

When a pressing issue is brought up in a council meeting that could change the appearance of the city, the council often consults Larry for his opinion.

Mayor Gerald Knight said Anhder is an expert because he works full time and oversees all of the employees, finances and recorder issues. "He acts as a liaison between us and staff," said Knight. "He is the heartbeat."

Knight, who has been mayor since January, said Anhder has been tremendously good to work with and very respectful and informative. "He understands his position and the role he plays," Knight said.

Anhder said many people hate their jobs and employers but he thinks of how lucky he has been, to have very good people to work for.

"I enjoy working for Nibley city and the challenges that are here and the things we have been able to accomplish," Anhder said.

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