October 2023

Mayor's Message: October 2023

This month's message from Mayor Young is part two of a three-part series on Orem's core community values of God, Family, and Country. This message focuses on the core community value of God and making the national motto "In God We Trust" a more prominently displayed part of our local civic life.

Watch the Message

You can read the full message here.

City Council Message

from Councilmember Dave Spencer

Skip McWhorter | 1960 - 2023

A few weeks ago a dear friend of mine, Skip McWhorter, passed away

suddenly on September 22, 2023 and his passing has left me with a very

heavy heart. Skip was a great man and many within our community had the

opportunity to be touched by his influence and contagious smile.


I met Skip through Orem Youth Baseball and I will be ever grateful for the time I was able to spend with him. It was an honor to know him and to be called his friend. Skip was serving our community as the Chair of the Orem Recreation Commission where he had served for over six years.


The following is an excerpt from his obituary:


Skip was an accomplished individual, personally, and professionally, and his

work ethic was unmatched. His professional accolades were many but only a

small part of his vibrant life. Skip was passionate about athletics and the

outdoors, whether it was baseball, coaching, biking, skiing, boating, horses,

hunting or simply spending quality time with his family. He has coached

thousands of young people across several sports, was a dedicated leader of

the Orem Youth Baseball Program, and coached his children in every sport

imaginable. A defining part of Skip’s impact was his kindness to countless

individuals, leaving a lasting impact on those he encountered. Skip’s influence

was especially felt by the youth and young adults. His mentorship and love will

be remembered by so many who benefited from his guidance and support.

Skip's presence illuminated the lives of all who knew him. His warmth, humor,

and unwavering faith were a source of inspiration to many. He leaves a legacy

of love, strength, and resilience that will continue to guide and inspire future

generations. Skip had an uncanny yet genuine ability to make everyone he

met feel like the most important person in the world.



Skip will truly be missed and I can only hope that we can all follow in his

example of being kind, genuine, sincere, and respectful to others.


-Councilman Dave Spencer

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UPCOMING CITY EVENTS

Imagine Orem Workshop: Oct 12th 6-8 pm | Orem Senior Friendship Center

Eclipse Magic Show: Oct 14th, 10 am | Orem City Center Park

Truck-or-Treat: Oct. 21st, 11 am-3 pm | University Place

Orem Farmers Market: Every Wednesday in City Center Park from 5-9 pm

Orem Reads


Orem Reads is a citywide book club for ages 18 and older. This year the book is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Orem Reads events include the Utah State Poetry's book concert for the winner of the Utah Poet of the Year Award, Grassroots Shakespeare's Hamlet, a craft night, Frankenstein movie night, and potluck-style Frankenstein book discussions. Also, don't miss our Eclipse Magic Show at City Center Park on October 14 at 10 AM with Jason Fun Magic, space-themed activities, an eclipse countdown, and free donuts for the first 300 people!

Find All Orem Reads Events Here

Quiet hour will be for children with disabilities that would prefer a quieter, calmer environment. The general public is welcome to attend following quiet hour.

Meet Hoku! The Newest Member of Orem PD

Say hello to the newest member of the Orem Police Department. This is Hoku and she has joined the force as a therapy dog. She is a fox red Labrador and an absolute angel.


Generally you think of police dogs as big German shepherd types that sniff for drugs and take down bad guys. Well Hoku won't be doing any of that. She is specially trained in empathy techniques that help victims in stressful situations.


For example, if a victim of abuse has to recount horrible trauma in court, Hoku will cuddle up and use her training to keep the individual calm and collected. Her name means star in Hawaiian and it was chosen because she will be a guiding star to people in real trouble.


Hoku was made possible by incredibly generous donors to help with the important work of healing.

Orem Gives You More


Here are the City of Orem, we are obsessed with giving you MORE value for your tax dollars. One way we do that is through grants. Grant money helps fund projects such as park improvements, firefighters, police officers, water improvements, recreation amenities, ADA doors and so much more.


This year alone, the city has received 35 grants with an application success rate of 89.74%. The 35 grants total more than $28 million to go towards the city. Grants come from places like the federal government, the State of Utah and the private sector. The city is always on the look out for more grant opportunities to keep giving you MORE in Orem!

Business Highlights


These awesome Orem small businesses were recently featured on the city's Instagram and Facebook pages. Watch out for more features to come!


Affordable Senior Housing


Aging with dignity and independence is a right that every senior deserves. The Affordable Senior Housing Overlay Zone allows affordable units allowing better access to units for all seniors in Orem. Let's empower our seniors to live their best lives in Orem! Learn more about the Affordable Senior Housing Zone here: 

Visit Orem's Website

Recycling Plastic Film Pilot

Until November 15th, recycle your stretchy plastics! In a new pilot program Orem has been selected to test if film plastics can be mixed into the recycling stream. Waste Management has a new technology to collect these materials, bale them and sell to a manufacture.


Once the pilot has ended, if this process has been effective, Orem can partner with Waste Management to adjust our guidelines for what is acceptable to recycle curbside. 

New Campaign Reporting Rules


The Mayor and City Council recently voted 7-0 on an ordinance update for campaign finance reporting rules that will provide citizens with a more comprehensive and transparent view. This ordinance is above and beyond what the state requires which aligns with the council's vision for more transparent local elections.


This change will require elected officials to file an annual campaign finance statement each year they are in office. Failure to do so risks a weekly fine of $250.


Additionally, there is a one-time 'catch up' report due for those currently in office to disclose all campaign contributions and expenditures covering the time from their last campaign statement to September 30th, 2023.

ELECTION RESULTS

Congratulation to the Candidates that will be moving onto the City of Orem 2023 General Election for City Council:


  • Crystal Muhlestein
  • Matt McKell
  • Chris Killpack
  • Jeff K. Lambson
  • Spencer Rands
  • Jenn Gale


Thank you to all the candidates that participated in the City of Orem 2023 Primary Election. We appreciate your willingness to be involved and serve your community.


General Election Information:


● Watch for your ballots in the mail the week of October 31st

● General Election will be conducted with the Vote-by-Mail system.

● General Election Date – November 21, 2023

City Election Site

Explore & Evaluate the Possibilities for Orem Station!

Last summer residents imagined what Orem Station’s FrontRunner Station could become by 2050. Now it’s your opportunity to explore and provide feedback on alternative future scenarios inspired by public brainstorming. Let us know which options make the most sense as our city continues to grow and change. This is your city and your visioning process. Plan now to attend!

All are welcome. Come at 6:00 pm to sign-in. A presentation and real-time phone survey will begin at 6:15. Poster session to follow. Share a fun, interactive evening with your neighbors evaluating and identifying a preferred path forward. This is the second in a series of public gatherings to explore options for a key gateway into our city. Your feedback at this workshop will inform the vision for the station area.

The Imagine Orem Station process is a once in-a-generation opportunity. Let’s identify the kind of place we would like to create and how to realize our common goals!

Find Out More

Gold Star Families Project

Orem is building Utah County's first Gold Star Families monument and you can be part of this historic effort to honor the families in our community who have lost a loved one in the service of our country. The monument will be located between the new Orem City Center and Library Hall. You can learn more about this project and make a tax-deductible donation at orem.org/star.