Unnamed candidate for Orem City Council outlines priorities on housing, schools and fiscal responsibility

An unnamed candidate for Orem City Council described a lifetime of ties to Orem and outlined priorities including citizen engagement, fiscal responsibility, balancing housing and open space, and work to support the city’s tax base for a new school district.

The candidate said they were raised on a dairy farm and moved to Orem after graduating from Brigham Young University. "I was raised on a dairy farm, so I was raised with traditional values. I learned how to work hard," the candidate said. The speaker said they and their wife, Kitty, have lived in Orem for 46 years and raised seven children there.

Why it matters: the candidate tied personal experience and prior public service to city priorities, including a forthcoming change in school governance. "We're rapidly moving forward to be part of a new school district, and Orem will need to do all that we can as an influencer here to help see that our tax base will be sufficient to provide adequate funding for great education without creating an unbearable tax burden on our citizens," the candidate said.

The candidate cited prior public and civic roles to support their qualifications. They said they served in the Utah State Legislature, worked as a vice president of a local company, and served on the boards of Utah Valley University, the Provo Orem Chamber of Commerce, and the Utah Manufacturers Board. The candidate also said they currently serve as an assistant funeral director in Orem and described themselves as "semi retired," saying that status gives them time to serve on the council.

On housing and land use, the candidate said Orem must balance private property rights, community planning and housing demand. "There's also a lot of talk about open space and development. We will never be able to build enough homes for everyone who wants to live here, so it is critical that we find balance between housing needs, private property rights, and proper community planning," they said. The candidate emphasized involving citizens on committees and action groups and said they would spend time learning city operations from employees.

The candidate framed civility as a priority in public life, saying political discourse has become divisive and that "mutual respect and thoughtfulness of others' opinions will be a top priority for me." The remarks concluded with a direct request: "I can contribute and lead well on the Orem City Council, and that's why I ask for your vote."