By Jessica Neal – Orem News
What’s something big that you did lately?
“I went to St. George for the Utah League of Cities and Towns Midyear Conference and it was great. It was great to learn more about the different types of legislation that has come through for the cities. It was also really fun to get to know my fellow city council members better. One really fun thing we did was the Family Tree App, you can find relatives near you. Jeff Lambson is my third cousin…It was fun to visit with them and just learn more about affordable housing, managing conflict and talking about a bunch of different topics.”
What was an impactful experience you had this month?
“Councilmember Lambson and I ate lunch with the seniors and got to visit with them and it was really fun. I really liked visiting with them and I’m grateful for our senior center. Our senior center director is retiring at the end of this month, Gena Bertelsen, and she has been amazing, we’re going to miss her…I loved meeting the seniors for lunch…hearing their stories, and learning more about them. They shared with me why they like the senior center so much and that was very impactful for me, I just, I loved it.”
As we enter summer, what are you looking forward to? What should residents add to their calendars?
“Of course Oremfest! Oremfest is going to be so fun. That’s awesome and that’s coming up…There’s so many amazing and fun activities and opportunities to do things with your family and your friends, so yeah that’s probably a big one.”
“May 23rd at 7 p.m. is the Gold Star Memorial dedication where we’ll recognize those who gave their lives for our country. And then on Monday, May 25th, Memorial day at 10 a.m. at the cemetery there is a Memorial Day program, a celebration…Twice a year the American Legion changes the flags that are flying at our veterans memorial. That’s something people should have on their calendars too, that’s always a very powerful event.”
What’s one part of the city that you’d like to highlight this month?
“Our legal department and our community development department have been very busy in April, getting ready with different issues coming down the pike…Our legal department because they’ve been spending a lot of time on short term rentals…Community development has been working on active transportation… I’ve been meeting a lot with them and I’m grateful for all the planning and development side of things and I’m really excited about having a new economic director (Garrett Anderson)…I got to be part of the interview process for that.”
What’s something that’s changing in Orem?
“Something that I’ve noticed, I think partly because of the weather, is that more people are out. I’m seeing a lot more people on bicycles…and that really excites me because I’m a big fan of active transportation and we have some new safety features on some of our roads to help pedestrians and bicyclists. That’s something that’s exciting for me to see and be a part of because I’m an avid cyclist.”
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IYWK4oJb6Oc
What has inspired you this month?
“One thing that has inspired me is how many people we have in the community who volunteer in different capacities, from serving on a board or commission to working in parks, planting flowers. People are just out doing things and serving our community and serving others. As I look at the different boards and commissions and the names come across my desk of people willing to serve their community, I’m very impressed with that and grateful.”