Family City USA

In my estimation, Orem has always been Family City USA, but that was not always its official identity. As a city council, we made “Family City, USA” Orem’s official identity. For me, it is not just words, it is a guiding principle I use to make all decisions about Orem issues. When faced with an important decision, I ask myself “will this action create an environment where Orem families can thrive?” If it does, then I support it.

What are the list of Accomplishments, from most to least important?

Protecting Neighborhoods

One of the first things I accomplished as a new City Councilmember was to reverse some of the worst parts of the State Street Master Plan. One such part was to allow high-density developments to be place directly next to existing neighborhoods with single-family homes. Another part allowed for the building of 10,00 new high density apartments along State Street.

Preserving Historic Sites

During my first term as City Councilwoman for Orem, a research group determined that two precious babies of Pioneers had been buried in unmarked graves on property in north Orem, near my home. I immediately became very interested in preserving this sacred site. I am currently working the researchers and with our Orem City staff to preserve this historical site with a proper memorial. This is not one of my official duties as a Councilwoman, it is just a cause that is near and dear to my heart. I am also working on creating a Mothers and children memorial in Orem for all those who have lost beloved family members.

Supporting Orem’s Fire and Police

I am proud to be a committed and proven supporter of Orem’s Police and Fire departments. Our Police, Fire, and First Responders provide vital services to Orem’s citezens. They deserve our support and our respect. I have and will continue to be a strong advocate for them on the Orem City Council.

Increased Transparency

We have brought increased transparency and access to city processes and meetings, including improved online tools and resources, and better communication between residents and City Hall. I invite you to see the improvements made on the Transparency Portal on the Orem City website.

Launching Community Improvement Initiatives

Orem City partnered with myHometown and I was asked to serve as the City Council liason. myHometown is a non-denominational effort that improves neighborhoods through education and service. I helped launch the myHometown initiative in Orem’s Geneva Heights neighborhood. It was so successful that we will soon be launching a second initiative in the Scera Park neighborhood. I am proud to have lead out on this important initiative to strengthen Orem’s neighborhoods.

myHometown video -

A New City Hall

One of my first actions as a new City Councilwoman was to vote for the construction of a new City Hall. The existing city hall was aging and badly in need of repair. It was also seismcally unsafe, and in the event of a natural disaster, it likely would have failed to provide a We were were able to build the beautiful new building with no addition bond and no new taxes. The most important feature of the new City Hall is the new Emergency Operations Center, which will serve Orem’s residents in the case of a catastrophic emergency.

Increased Services Without Increased Taxes

As a city council, we took action to increase City Services, such as securing $3.3 million in grants to fund parks, grants for solar power on Orem’s new City Hall, etc., all without issuing new bonds or increasing taxes. We also implemented measures to cut waste and spending.

In God We Trust

I voted in favor of adopting “In God We Trust” as the official motto of Orem, because that is what I truly believe. Some have criticized me for my vote, saying it is divisive, but I firmly believe that it if it is good enough for the United States of America, it is good enough for the City of Orem.

Business: video 4:30

2.5 million unique visitors, 488 new businesses, ~7,000 active businesses, one of the best places to start a business, UVU #1 nation graduates opening a local business, cheesecake factory, SFC Energy AG, Just Ingredients, Orem Farmers Market 5,500 visitors per week, Orem Business Alliance,

Future:
Streamline business license application process, expanding Orem Business Alliance network, Improving Orem Business Resource Center,

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• Protecting neighborhoods from overdevelopment, including stopping plans for 10,000 new apartments along State Street
  

• Bringing transparency and access to city processes and meetings, including improved online tools and better communication between residents and City Hall
  

• Launching community-building initiatives like “My Hometown,” aimed at revitalizing neighborhoods through service, beautification, and connection
  

• Preserving historic sites, including the land where two pioneer infants were buried, which will now be memorialized
  

• Supporting Orem’s premier fire department, including the development of a new training facility to ensure elite emergency response
  

• Improving public safety by implementing safe crossings, bike lanes, and sidewalks for schools, including Bonneville, Windsor, and Northridge Elementary, and 400 West near 1600 North
  

• Delivering results without raising taxes—including securing $3.3 million in grants to fund parks, solar for Orem’s new City Hall, etc., all without bonds or tax hikes
  

• Restructuring city administration to create a new Department of Strategy & Innovation, saving taxpayers $1.1 million while increasing efficiency
  

• Establishing meaningful civic symbols, like Orem’s “In God We Trust” motto, Constitution Month, and serving on the design committee for Utah County’s first Gold Star Families Monument