Other Topics
Non-Partisan Race
While I have a history of active involvement in the Republican party, including precinct leadership positions, I made the decision not to seek the endorsement of the Utah County Republican Party or any political party in this nonpartisan race.
Why? Because local leadership should be about service — not sides.
As mayor, my focus will be on the day-to-day needs of our city: making our neighborhoods safer, ensuring reliable infrastructure, fostering responsible growth, and actively championing our families and local businesses. I will be an uncompromising steward of taxpayer dollars, ensuring every Orem resident’s money is spent wisely, efficiently, and transparently for the betterment of our entire community. These aren’t partisan issues — they’re Orem issues.
I’ve worked with people across the political spectrum to get things done—from food drives to parks and recreation—and I’ll continue to do that as your mayor. I’m running to represent every resident, not just one party’s platform. I want every resident to feel like their voice can be heard in Orem City, no matter their background or party affiliation.
Let’s keep our city focused on solutions, not political parties. That’s what Orem deserves!
UTOPIA
Fiber is something I care a lot about because it’s made a big difference for families and businesses here in Orem. Back in the early 2000s, the big internet companies told us fiber wasn’t the future. They said copper, satellite, and cell networks would be “good enough.” But me and other city council members felt fiber was the future, and if we didn’t step up, Orem would get left behind. So in 2004, the Orem City Council unanimously voted to join Utopia and teamed up with other cities to build a network ourselves. Sort of like cities building an airport and leasing space to airlines. At first, it was rough. The federal government rescinded promised funding, not enough people signed up, and Orem and other cities had to help cover some of the early bond payments (UTOPIA Legacy bonds).
Things changed when the Utah Infrastructure Agency (UIA) was created. Instead of trying to build everywhere at once, UIA focused on neighborhoods that really wanted fiber. That worked. Today, subscriber revenues cover the costs, the system is profitable, and it’s still growing.
Here’s the part that matters most for taxpayers: Orem isn’t paying for UIA’s bonds anymore—subscribers are. Additionally, UTOPIA and UIA are even covering about 30% of the UTOPIA Legacy bonds, which helps keep Orem’s yearly pledge on those bonds steady. As more people sign up, the covered percentage will grow. And once the UIA bonds are paid off, the money that’s been going toward debt will start flowing back to the UTOPIA Legacy bond cities, including Orem. The plan is to repay every dollar Orem has ever put in, with interest.
So yes, it was bumpy at first, but today Orem has world-class internet, our investment is working, and in the end we’ll be made whole financially. Even UTOPIA’s critics acknowledge its popularity and the good it is doing in Orem. We couldn’t have done it alone because it would have been too expensive, and state law doesn’t allow cities to build and run their own networks. But by teaming up, we’ve made sure Orem families and businesses aren’t left behind.
2012 Tax Vote
The Great Recession took its toll on cities around the country. Many cities had to make the difficult decision to either raise taxes or severely cut crucial services. In August 2012, the Orem City Council (including myself) voted to raise taxes about $4.25 a month to continue to provide the essential services residents expected from the city.
Midtown Village/Midtown360
In January 2003, the Orem City Council (including myself) followed existing future planning recommendations and approved the PD23 zone to allow for the building of Midtown Village. My decision was based on providing a housing type not available at the time in Orem and to preserve single family neighborhoods (January 7, 2003 City Council minutes). What happened after the zoning approval is out of the city council’s control, as it is the developer’s responsibility to see the project through. To reiterate what I have said in other settings, I do not support the now-repealed State Street Master Plan and I do not support filling Orem with additional high density housing.
Non-Profit Operation
Covid took its toll on our society, non-profits included. Fortunately, our generous community gave the agency I ran money to help those less fortunate. The numbers shown on the tax forms indicate surplus money being spent to help those less fortunate. There was never any debt.
Transit
Orem’s traffic is congested. I do not support bringing dedicated bus rapid transit lanes to State Street. It would only increase the congestion we have right now. I also don’t support it because I don’t support the high density housing on State Street that may need to be in place to make it viable. Transit is an option some Orem residents rely on and I generally support it. I particularly support the Utah Transit Authority’s efforts to increase the efficiency of Route 850, the one that goes down State Street. I have a strong relationship with UTA administration and will work to increase transit efficiency without BRT/UVX.
Money from 501(c)4 organization (what is being referred to as “Dark Money")
I have not received any money from a 501(c)4, and I commit to not accept any money from a 501(c)4.