Mayor & Council Message
Census Thanks
Election Day
Life Jacket Drive
Welcome to the New Geneva Park
Recreation Updates
North Lakeshore Area Study
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Founders' Circle
Resident Resources
Everyday Strong
CDBG Commission
Orem Business Alliance
Property All-Star Program
The City of Orem is Hiring
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"Back to the Future"
If we were to go back in time, 102 years ago, we would find a world gripped in a
terrible pandemic, called the Spanish Flu. This disease was a respiratory virus,
much like COVID19.
The Spanish Flu attacked the lungs. In response the body put its immune system
in to high gear and tried to kill off the virus. Unfortunately the lungs became the battleground and were destroyed in the process.
The United States with a population of 105 million people at that time lost over 675,000 people who died from the virus. Today, the US with a population of 330 million people has lost over 200,000 people who have died. The sayings at that time were "Obey the laws and wear the gauze, Protect you jaws from the septic paws". They put in mask mandate laws enforced by fines and jail time.
The virus started in the spring of 1918 and had its deadliest 2nd wave occur in September-October 1918 with over 165,000 Americans who died in October alone. A third wave hit in December 1918. And then it subsided by May of the following year, 1919.
I worked as a Park Ranger at the Grand Canyon one summer. I remember the signs that read to not get too close to the edge of the rocks. That summer a woman sat down on a short wall of loose rocks on a trail, and when a rock moved on her, she slipped backwards and fell 200 feet to her death. This past year a tourist jumped over a safety railing to get a better picture of the canyon and slipped and fell 300 feet to his death.
We have the history. We have the warning signs. We have been told what to do to lower the rates of infection of COVID19. Now it is up to us to heed the warnings and to wear our masks, to wash our hands, and to social distance.
Let us stay away from the area of danger as it were and by our actions protect ourselves and protect the safety of our neighbors. Let us help each other protect our health by our actions. Do not get too close to the edge, follow the warning signs.
Mayor Brunst
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Message from Councilmember Jeff Lambson |
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Crisis Generates Opportunity
Well, hasn’t this been an “interesting” year? Because of Covid-19, natural disasters and many other challenges, the year 2020 will be a year never to be forgotten. Our lives at home, work, church, school, sports, entertainment and in every other way have been effected.
In the midst of unprecedented challenges, there are also powerful lessons that can be learned in the depths of our trials. We have been forced to slow down. There is a realization or remembering of what is really important and what matters most in life. In the middle of all of the craziness, this opportunity for refocusing, can be a blessing.
I was speaking with a friend and work associate from China the other day. We were talking about the challenges that have come to so many because of these crises. He said something I found very interesting… He said “Crisis generates opportunity.” He then shared with me that in Chinese the character for crisis is the combination of two other characters… Dangerous and Opportunity.
I like this way of looking at any crisis in life. Although it can be dangerous, challenging and upsetting, it can also be an opportunity for us to become even better and stronger than we were before. It depends on what we choose to focus on. Of course, we have to pay attention to the problems that we are wading through. But, if that is all we see, we may miss a wonderful opportunity, a fortuitous blessing, for a change, an opening, an education. This requires us to be looking for those opportunities, even in the midst of our challenges. Albert Einstein once said, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
Gratitude is the lubricant of life. As we take time to acknowledge what we already have, it is easier to focus on the possibility of expanding in those areas, or perhaps other areas we may have never considered before. There is power in setting goals, writing them down, making a plan, visualizing and reviewing them as part of our daily preparation. This helps us look for opportunities in the middle of our difficulties.
Make no mistake about it. Whatever your personal crisis may be… “This too shall pass.” There are better days ahead! By gratefully focusing on blessings we enjoy, we are more likely to see new opportunities as we strive to improve who we are, by setting goals for improvement. We will be prepared to come out of this crisis, more precisely focused, even in the midst of a crisis, on the OPPORTUNITIES that lie before us.
Jeff Lambson
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Thanks for Taking the Census! |
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The City of Orem would like to thank everyone who participated in taking the Census this year. Your efforts help make Orem count! |
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2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
The upcoming general election will be administered unlike any other in Utah County history.
What voters need to know:
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Ballots will be mailed the week of October 12, we anticipate ballots being delivered in mailboxes as soon as Tuesday, October 13. If a voter does not have a ballot by October 16, they should contact our office at 801-851-8128.
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Information relating to dropbox locations, ballot pick-up locations, early voting, who/what is on the ballot, etc can all be found on our website at UtahCounty.Vote
- Our office is encouraging voters to return their voted ballot at any of the secured drop boxes located throughout the county. There are two of these drop boxes at the City Center campus. One on the south side and one on the north side that can be accessed via the library drop-off drive-thru.
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The deadline to postmark your ballot is November 2, the day before Election Day. If a voter returns their ballot at a post office, they need to confirm that their ballot will be postmarked before Election Day.
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Early Voting is available on October 28 - 30, and November 2, at the Elections Office.
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Ballot pick-up locations will be available on Election Day. Locations will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Election Day and Utah laws permitting same-day registration via provisional ballots will be in effect on Election Day.
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Our office provides voters with disabilities accessible options to cast their ballot. A voter with a disability can contact our office at Elections@UtahCounty.Gov or call our office at 801-851-8128 for more information.
Additional Information:
- Our office has taken additional steps to improve transparency, security, and efficiencies in elections administration. Candidates, legal observers, media, and members of the general public are welcome to observe the elections process. If you are interested in observing, please contact our office at 801-851-8128.
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In an effort to reduce costs, our office is recruiting volunteers to assist with the election. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer may contact PollWorkers@UtahCounty.Gov.
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The Utah Lake Commission is excited to announce a life jacket drive to gather life jackets and monetary donations to support a partnership with the families of Priscilla Bienkowski and Sophia Hernandez. Sophia and Priscilla tragically lost their lives this summer while recreating at Utah Lake. The program will provide life jackets at public access points around Utah Lake. Visit Utah Lake Commission for more information.
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Welcome to the New Geneva Park! |
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Moving back to the orange phase of COVID-19 response operations has impacted many of our recreational activities and programs. Updated rules and regulations have been posted online. Learn more at orem.org/covid19.
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North Lakeshore Area Study |
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This regional transportation study started in 2019, was paused due to Covid-19, and is now resuming. The study focus’ along the north shore of Utah Lake to develop a future transportation system that supports the values of the region while addressing growth demands in this pivotal transportation hub connecting Utah, Cedar, and Salt Lake valleys.
Based on feedback from the public, community leaders, and businesses in the area last winter, the study team has defined guiding principles and goals for the region as well as needs and issues to be addressed to define transportation solutions that best fit the area.
We are seeking feedback on the information gathered so far as well as more specific information regarding ideas and possible solutions to move forward. The online comment period will be in place through October 18 at mountainland.org/nlstudy.com.
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The Utah Housing Assistance Program can help renters who are unable to pay their rent and utilities due to COVID-19. Visit https://rentrelief.utah.gov/ for more information.
In addition, the CDC issued a federal moratorium for all renters at risk of being evicted to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Visit their website for more information.
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Learn how to build resilient kids online at a one hour webinar! More information available here, and link to register below.
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We've got 3 openings on our CDBG Commission. This is a very impactful committee to serve on because this group helps decide how our federal community development block grant funds are spent. |
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Do you run a business in Orem? Are you tuned in to what's happening with the Orem Business Alliance? The OBA currently holds webinars and regularly sends out informative emails about funding sources, trainings, and other important information to help Orem Businesses. Check out this month's webinar titled "Understanding Current Funding Assistance Programs." Also, sign up here to receive emails and get the inside scoop!
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Property All-Star Program |
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Congratulations to the Moore and Peirce families for being awarded this month's Property All-Star Program winners. They have both done a wonderful job updating their homes and properties.
The Property All-Star award program was developed to show appreciation and recognition for homeowners and landlords who have worked hard to improve their once-blighted properties and have brought them up to a community standard or beyond. More information can be found here. Nominate someone today!
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The City of Orem is Hiring |
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We are hiring for multiple full-time and part-time positions. To view a list of available job openings and to submit an application, follow the link below. |
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Know somebody with a great yard? Nominate them for one of our beautification awards. Just click here.
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