Got this email and I know that I’m already voting For Peterson and will consider the other two.
The Case for Change
to
Lambson, Peterson, and Rands
The Orem City Council works very hard to maintain and improve our city, and they accomplish many great things. But as you think back over the past four years, you might find that they also have been lacking.
Have you noticed that they increased taxes, let our first responders and many city workers fall into poor morale, rolled over a bond while linking a new library hall to the rec center renewal, and converted residential neighborhoods into apartment complexes? They developed a new State Street Master Plan with extensive propaganda about the benefits of “mixed use” zones to provide more apartment housing, following recommendations from the state and the Utah League of Cities and Towns, but neglecting to address the impact it will have on traffic or how it will fit in with the changing commercial economy? Have you heard them plan how to fix the increased traffic, renew city management structure, reconstruct the budget, or voice any concerns about UVU growth problems?
A good argument for turnover on City Council is to avoid entrenched interests. There may not be any evidence of misbehavior by City Councilors, but one can’t help but be concerned about the possible lobbying power of big developers who swing whopping big deals like Utopia, the University Place Mall, and the Palos Verdes housing complex. Another is to avoid habituation, tolerance, desensitization, self-satisfaction, and burnout, all of which lead to losing touch with what the citizens want. When this happens, City Council loses track of who they represent.
Even if they give the appearance of economic development for Orem, are they really aiming the City in the direction the citizens want? Might we prefer a future where our neighborhoods are lovely, quiet, pleasant, and residential, rather than the future that makes big money for developers?
And how do we assure that commercial relationships formed by developers with City Council don’t become entrenched and endemic?
By getting new eyes on the issues, new representatives on City Council.
Did you notice that the two incumbents, Lentz and Lauret, teamed up to campaign together this past weekend? They mailed a joint flyer to the Orem residents displaying their mutual support. This is the kind of collusion that concerns us. Lentz and Lauret have almost nothing in common except for a mutual desire to get reelected. Frankly, it brings back nightmares of when the three incumbent councilors and the incumbent mayor campaigned together two years ago, as if the incumbents were all of the same party. Indeed, they are: the party of the citizen-detached developer-entrenched.
We need City Council members that are positive, pro-active with solutions, and engaging with the residents in the community.
Do you want some fresh, neighborhood-friendly ideas, and some gritty city counselors willing to push for wise policies to deal with growth pressures?
Are there any qualified replacements for the incumbents?
YES!!
Consider voting for these three:
1. Jeff Lambson
– an active citizen in the community who listens to the residents.
2. Terry Peterson
– a dynamic life-long resident of Orem who is ready to tackle hard issues.
3. Spencer Rands
– an experienced businessman who digs deep into the issues to come up with solutions.
These three share the same concerns about protecting neighborhoods from high density developers, foolish ventures, mishandling growth pressures, and Orem’s ever-growing traffic issues. They will approach these challenges wisely. They are approachable and will listen to your concerns. Why not vote for folks who will represent Orem citizens?
Experience, family values, listening ears.
Make your vote count.
Vote for change.
