This is an entry for Citizen report. A friend wanted me to tell her who, of the city council, I was voting for. Instead, I sent her thee notes I’ve taken. I did tell her who I liked. I thought the notes below would be of interest to other voters who may not have time to listen to the videos. Any misinformation is the fault of the notetaker.
Matt Mckell:
About myself: CPA, own company, certified appraiser, coached tennis and mountain biking teams.
not have a big list against Orem.
Goals: Keep Orem a family city, keep neighborhoods safe; keep crime down; and keep parks clean. stand out as a family city.
Orem strengths: Listen to citizen concerns and listen to first responders.
The biggest issue is that growth needs to be dealt with responsibly.
Decide on what type of growth. high-density or family neighborhoods, or have a mix. Need a mix. No high density along State Street is good for small businesses.
Manage growth and emphasis on small businesses.
Closing remarks: We should stop complaining and get involved. As a CPA i have a good understanding of reports and money. With my experience, I can look at finances and reports from a different perspective.
Debate: I lived in Orem for 35 years. Is a CAP and then started a business. Orem is my and my children’s lives. Orem has won a lot of awards. Good government is limited government, sticking to what government is assigned only.
Spencer Rands: came from Nevada. mission in Spanish and still use it. batachlers at the University of Utah. He started Arms Institute for Gun Training. liked how politicians listen to citizens. started Popa Murphy Pizza franchises. Some cities were easy to work in, and others were not. Want to have a business-friendly environment? Success in running a business and handling finances can help with a council. ARMs institute business has expanded to other states. On the last Fair Tax Commission, the best group advocated for a public safety commission to make sure we are treating our first responders correctly.
Goals for Orem: prioritize our first responders and maintain a family-friendly How will a decision affect Orem’s family? Make sure the city is physically responsible.
Orem’s strength: city employees
The biggest issue is massive growth. Utah County is seeing tons of growth. traffic, planning, and development? need to make a responsible decision.
Closing: not tied to any groups or special interest groups. run for citizens of Orem. I am accessible to citizens via text, and website after the campaign. We need to understand issues from all sides.
Debate: We are invested for Orem to stay family friends. served on the Orem Care Commission. Support first responders that they have what they need. promoted care committee, endorsed by Orem police. My background in business, restaurants, and education. People are concerned by growth. To grow we need to make sure we do not allow poorly planned high density to encroach on our neighborhoods. finding solutions will be put before winning debates.
Crystal Muhlestein: bachelor’s degree, involved with PTA and ECC at school. Being a mother gives me great experience for the city council. Keep Orem as a family city use
Orem strengths because we are a big city. We have great businesses, parks, and recreation. Likes how citizens help each other. Orem is a big city but has a small-town feel.
Orem issues: water usage and supporting businesses need to be taken care of. protecting our neighborhoods so we can continue being family city USA.
Closing remarks: We have a lot of great things in the community that serve families. That is what makes Orem unique and special. want to help continue to grow in the best way it can to serve its people.
Debate: Orem is the best place to raise a family. Orem’s family friend will not stay that way unless we work on it. we need to care for our first respondents. keep Orem affordable for all residents. The American dream is not to rent but to own and care for your own home. Orem is a destination, not a thoroughfare. We talked to residents about their biggest concerns about high density and how it affects our neighborhoods and traffic. We need to serve citizens, not special interests. we need to support our small businesses.
Heather M Fry. moved to Orem in 2007. I’m a good candidate; I’ve seen a lot of growth. Some is concerning, and some are positive. Attending a lot of council meetings. Others asked her to run for councilwoman.
Goals: Priority to strengthen communities, provide families with opportunities to connect, and use Orem resources. Support our service responders and provide learning opportunities.
Orem strengths: I wanted to understand the why behind changes in Orem. desire for transparency. feels the current administration has done fantastic work, to be invested as being open. be open to all citizens, not just those who are unelected bureaucrats who want to enhance their agenda. When I don’t understand something, I seek out what means. Concerned in perceptions. we can disagree, and we can’t use fear to cloud the issue.
Closing remarks: has had many opportunities to serve. I learned how to prioritize. There is not always a solution, but there are tradeoffs. seek a compromise. Recognize how valuable freedom and respect is. For too long, we have been sacrificing our youth for our adult hubris. We need to reinitiate values in our youth for success.
Debate: She used to be in the background, a footsoldier. Seen growth, and people feel the city council does not care what the citizens have to say. who is receiving the benefits of Orem’s growth. I’m tenacious in studying the issues and tender on how much I love people. Bring my decades of volunteer experience to the position.
Greg Duerden: I have been in the military, led creative teams as a newspaperman. I’ve probably attended more council meetings than others. I know the state and federal constitutions. The first is to protect the rights.
Goals: Address growth. Have 97K I’m an advocate for a city charter. Twilla is the only other city has a charter. I agree with the current goal of safe neighborhoods. Dependable infrastructure, a skilled and talented workforce, a thriving business environment, a community, and an effective government We need to be a balanced community. The 4th most populated and the 6th highest density in the state. We don’t need more apartments. We need a better balance between residency and high density. We need to balance small and large. We need industrial businesses and open space. We will be a transparent government.
Strengths: We have a good history. The needs and potential citizens We are family city USA. Orem is not more, more, more but better, better, better. We’ve lost too many fields. We need to keep the agricultural places as green spaces.
Biggest issues: Growth will always be an issue. The hottest new issue is the 15 min walking community. No guarantee you can find a job in 15 min . Our innovation will make it successful. Criminals live in the city. We need to be more resolute to be more aware and safe. Applaud police and public works. 400 staff, will not take advantage of competitors’ youth and inexperience. .
Debate: Be Doers of the world. Want to replace the mayor and be a grumpy old man? Apartment development No. is the 6th largest city but has the 4th highest density.
We have a limited amount of land—12k acres. Apartment buildings have lower property values, more noise, more crime, and more blowing garbage.
Jenn Gale: sales, marking, research Directed two non-profit organizations and was the coach of Orem swim fee. And Mt. bike. Getting a master’s degree in administration
Goals: Build relationships of trust with partners, employees, and citizens. Collaborate to make things happen. Listen to what residents want.
Orem’s strengths are the people in the city. Volunteers in the city We need to build a community.
Orem’s biggest challenge: a lot of contention. Fix by working together.
Close: When we work together, we are more likely to have success.
Debate: Managed two youth non-profits. coach swim and mt bike teams. getting a master’s in public administration. Be done in two months. Indivisible means not divided. I am a community builder. a. build relationships of trust. b. Great solutions come when we collaborate. c. Constructive dialog works when we listen.
Kris Killpack: Orem is our destination. Have a business on State Street.
Goals: Create a relationship of trust, promote public dialog; respond to issues. support employees. Build community service.
Orem strengths: It’s service; citizens are good, kind, and service-centered.
Biggest issues: want an Orem to be more cooperative through collaborative efforts.
Close: look forward to helping Orem.
Debate: Orem is not a stop on a journey for me. It is my destination. engineer and mba degree. focus on creating relationships of trust. managing city growth through responsible planning. use physical principles for Orem. Support city employees and local businesses. Build our community’s future through service. I support ideas, not people. support care act. Support first responders with an increased salary. Support a moratorium on a master plan. supported not splitting the Alpine School District.
David Edward: I’ve grown up appreciating the founders and the wonderful political system that wants to preserve America. I got fed up with Bush. Became active in politics. Time to make a difference from the inside.
Goals: Defend the rights of the people. People are best when they are free. Maintain rights to properly and children. People are concerned about the property’s high density. I would like to have less zoning restrictions. Want less regulation?
The biggest problem is Where we have a heavy-handed, top-down government that controls our lives.; People work best when they are free. Issues of zoning and splitting the Alpine district Less licensing and less regulations.
Strength: the character of the people are open and friendly.
Close: Make sure people’s rights are being defended.
Close: Lover of liberty wants other people to enjoy it too. I want to be a voice of conscience on the city council.
Debate: passion for religion and politics Moral principles mean we each have rights over our kids and defend ourselves. The government is useful in defending rights. passion to limit the size of government. I want the police to be as effective as possible. Should police should stay local not federal. Is against zoning the city for public transit and high density. Like single homes better.
Jeff Lambson: always active to the community to the city. Baseball/basketball coach. Boy Scout leader, and Boy Scout leader As a current council member, he is part of the commission advisory board, utopia, , care commission, and the Utah Valley University communication board. Served on Utah parks and summer fest etc.
Goals: concerned about things in other communities. Have Orem represent you. Good listener. If someone disagrees, we can still have civil dialog. Cooperative effort to find solutions.
Biggest strengths are the amazing city and the men and women staff. World-class library and first responders. Remain committed to supporting employees to providing resources for them. Citizen of Orem. We enjoy diversity.
Challenge: Growth did vote for the moratorium of pausing high-density housing. Part of the congestion.
Close: I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the council. Orem’s best days are ahead.
Debate: Run for reelection and am a proud lifelong resident. prior to the city council. server in city councils. significant roles in charity organizations. President and ceo of a local business. He voted for the moratorium to stop high density. As a council member, I have always listened to you. We need to have slow, thoughtful growth. support responders. will work with others to help Orem. firefighters support him.
Mike Carpenter: raised in Orem. Been involved in several county campaigns. Help with legleastive commit. City planning and front-runner stationary plan
Goals: Maintaining the integrity of our neighborhoods
Goals: maintain the integrity of our neighborhoods. Manage growth and redevelopment. Keep up the quality of public works. Build up the emergency response.
Strengths: recreation, schools, public school. Want to expand parks and recreation? While keeping costs down.
Issues: Where do we grow and redevelop? Don’t lose what makes Orem what it is. Managed development and be thoughtful of our existing community.
Closing: Orem is a great place to live. Want to keep it that way. Do your vetting and vote for the right candidate.
Debate: I give my oath to focus on the well-being of our citizens. I stand behind first responders and give them support and resources to serve us. Make sure there is proper infrastructure exists for new projects. be physically responsible. On the planning commission, I learned about zoning> enable me to better serve you. Front frontrunner has an understanding of what challenges Orem is facing. Find more options for walking and hiking trails. see about more parks in our remaining spaces. Want more access to arts? Does oppose BRT bus transit and high density. We are 95% built out. I plan to be your representative and not your politician. I’m not backed by any special group.
Archie A. Williams III did not participate in the video interviews.
Wade A. Sewell did not participate in the video interviews.
