As part of Orem's Big Read, I have begun reading My Antonia by Willa Cather. I am embarrassed to admit this is the first Willa Cather book I have read.
I am used to reading books rather quickly, but this one is a slower read for me and that is OK. I feel like it is literary double super duper chocolate cake. Cather's descriptions of the landscape and people are so good that it takes time for me to read and digest it all. Like cake, it is rich and I can only read 15-20 pages at a time before my brain says "Let's take a break so I can digest what was just read." My brain is happy and full, and as with chocolate cake, it will be ready for more in a little while.
Thankfully, calories aren't involved :)
Friday, September 28, 2007
The Orem Arts Council website
Do you want to know what arts events are happening in Orem? Go to http://arts.orem.org
Thanks to our new Orem Arts Council and the City's webmaster for creating the site!
Thanks to our new Orem Arts Council and the City's webmaster for creating the site!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Recommended reading
I just finished Presidential Courage by Michael Beschloss and really enjoyed it. Mr. Beschloss takes the reader chronologically through nine US presidential administrations and relates how each of the nine presidents faced the quandry of doing what was politically expedient or what each felt was truly right. I learned so much.
A favorite quote from the book by Teddy Roosevelt: "It is a good and necessary thing to be intelligent. It is a better thing to be straight and decent and fearless".
A quote by George Washington just before he passed away: "Don't be afraid."
A lot of the information is taken from diaries and secret recordings made by past presidents. It made me sad to think how our litigious society prevents many leaders from writing in diaries. I don't even like to think about how much our society loses when its leaders don't record their innermost thoughts as they confront difficult issues. I thought about how much I would not have learned if these presidents didn't keep diaries.
Here is a link to Amazon where it is described.
Presidential Courage Link
It is also at the Orem Library, call # 973.099 B4637
A favorite quote from the book by Teddy Roosevelt: "It is a good and necessary thing to be intelligent. It is a better thing to be straight and decent and fearless".
A quote by George Washington just before he passed away: "Don't be afraid."
A lot of the information is taken from diaries and secret recordings made by past presidents. It made me sad to think how our litigious society prevents many leaders from writing in diaries. I don't even like to think about how much our society loses when its leaders don't record their innermost thoughts as they confront difficult issues. I thought about how much I would not have learned if these presidents didn't keep diaries.
Here is a link to Amazon where it is described.
Presidential Courage Link
It is also at the Orem Library, call # 973.099 B4637
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Traffic Signal Bids
I get asked about which intersections are going to get signals. I saw the bid advertisement on the Orem.org website where it lists the intersections up for signals:
SITE OF WORK: The site of the WORK are at the following locations: Geneva Rd and University Parkway, 800 North 980 West, 400 South 1200 West, 800 South 400 West, 800 South Main, 400 North 400 West, 1000 South 800 East.
Traffic signals generally cost $200,000-$300,000 per intersection, depending on property costs.
SITE OF WORK: The site of the WORK are at the following locations: Geneva Rd and University Parkway, 800 North 980 West, 400 South 1200 West, 800 South 400 West, 800 South Main, 400 North 400 West, 1000 South 800 East.
Traffic signals generally cost $200,000-$300,000 per intersection, depending on property costs.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Responses to your questions and comments, Part 1
As a councilmember, I get all sorts of questions and comments. I thought I would share my answers to some of the questions/comments I have received.
No, I am not a member of the Eagle Forum nor have I ever been a member.
No, I am not a Democrat.
Yes, I am somewhere in between.
Yes, I am a triathlete. However, I didn't do any this year, but plan on a fun season next summer.
Yes, I love serving as a councilmember. It is a privilege and a humbling experience.
No, I am not publicly endorsing any city council candidates.
No, I do not have any political signs in my yard for this campaign.
I have yet to form an opinion on the voucher issue. I am still learning about it and am not planning on endorsing one side or the other.
Yes, I did vote last August to put the school district split question to Orem's residents. If you want to know why I did, please visit http://www.orem.org/ and look at the August 22, 2006 City Council minutes.
No, I am not "anti-public school". My kids attend public school, I attended public schools and I come from a public school teacher family.
No, I am not a member of the Eagle Forum nor have I ever been a member.
No, I am not a Democrat.
Yes, I am somewhere in between.
Yes, I am a triathlete. However, I didn't do any this year, but plan on a fun season next summer.
Yes, I love serving as a councilmember. It is a privilege and a humbling experience.
No, I am not publicly endorsing any city council candidates.
No, I do not have any political signs in my yard for this campaign.
I have yet to form an opinion on the voucher issue. I am still learning about it and am not planning on endorsing one side or the other.
Yes, I did vote last August to put the school district split question to Orem's residents. If you want to know why I did, please visit http://www.orem.org/ and look at the August 22, 2006 City Council minutes.
No, I am not "anti-public school". My kids attend public school, I attended public schools and I come from a public school teacher family.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The Big Read is almost here!
Orem is participating in the Big Read. It is a program where the community reads the same book and we get get to discuss it, meet about and participate in related activities. The event kicks off a week from tonight with a visit from Sunil Iyengar. I have my copy of My Antonia and am ready to go!
Click here for a calendar of events.
Click here for a calendar of events.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Betty Perry
I have received a flood of new emails regarding Ms. Perry's case. Some emailers have demanded I use my elected office to stop the prosecutor from proceeding with the case.
Two things:
1. I am not responding to the emails or phone calls because I will not comment on an ongoing legal action. Those with questions/comments may contact the Orem City Attorney's office at 801-229-7097.
2. I think it absolutely inappropriate for an elected official to influence or interfere with a prosecutor's work.
Two things:
1. I am not responding to the emails or phone calls because I will not comment on an ongoing legal action. Those with questions/comments may contact the Orem City Attorney's office at 801-229-7097.
2. I think it absolutely inappropriate for an elected official to influence or interfere with a prosecutor's work.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Mothers in Politics
Today's Deseret News has an article about women/moms in politics. I never read Mayor Anderson's op-ed piece about Ms. Wilson, but today's article brought back memories of experiences and thoughts I had while running for office.
I was appointed to the Orem City Council in 2001 when my children were 4 and 10 years old. Since then, I have successfully run two times. My youngest doesn't really remember what it was like "pre-City Council", but my oldest does.
During my campaign, I remember a resident asking me how I felt "leaving your adorable children at home" and running for office. I told the resident that my family fully supported my bid and I would not run without their support. I also told the resident that the leader of my church has encouraged members to participate in the community, including running for office. I explained my church leader didn't say "men only", but left gender out of the equation.
Do I feel my family has suffered because I have served as an elected official? No. There have been hectic times where dinner was take-out, a birthday celebration was extended a day (much to the delight of the birthday celebrant), parts of vacations were spent electronically participating in city council meetings, or Mom was a stress puppy about something she couldn't discuss (closed door meeting items), but I hope they have learned a lot by my participation. On a lighter note, my youngest learned that one doesn't eat Cheetos while stapling rubber bands onto campaign literature. My kids roll their eyes when Mom or Dad say "Look! Remember campaigning in this neighborhood?"
I want my children to know while being a councilcmember has had its hard times, I have loved serving. I want them to understand they can make a difference in their community. I want them to see their mother have courage to do something she feels is right, though politically unpopular. I want them to see that I care about them enough to be on the occassional firing line to make the community we live in a better place. I want to teach them by example. I believe my reasons aren't reserved for only women to think about.
Do I think about gender (or ethnicity, or hair color, or height) when I support candidates? No. It honestly doesn't cross my mind. It doesn't matter how God made them, I want them to be people of integrity, have common sense, have a passion to serve and will play well with others.
Addtionally for me, the keys were to realize to every thing there is a season, make sure one has complete family support and have your favorite take-out restaurants on speed dial.
I was appointed to the Orem City Council in 2001 when my children were 4 and 10 years old. Since then, I have successfully run two times. My youngest doesn't really remember what it was like "pre-City Council", but my oldest does.
During my campaign, I remember a resident asking me how I felt "leaving your adorable children at home" and running for office. I told the resident that my family fully supported my bid and I would not run without their support. I also told the resident that the leader of my church has encouraged members to participate in the community, including running for office. I explained my church leader didn't say "men only", but left gender out of the equation.
Do I feel my family has suffered because I have served as an elected official? No. There have been hectic times where dinner was take-out, a birthday celebration was extended a day (much to the delight of the birthday celebrant), parts of vacations were spent electronically participating in city council meetings, or Mom was a stress puppy about something she couldn't discuss (closed door meeting items), but I hope they have learned a lot by my participation. On a lighter note, my youngest learned that one doesn't eat Cheetos while stapling rubber bands onto campaign literature. My kids roll their eyes when Mom or Dad say "Look! Remember campaigning in this neighborhood?"
I want my children to know while being a councilcmember has had its hard times, I have loved serving. I want them to understand they can make a difference in their community. I want them to see their mother have courage to do something she feels is right, though politically unpopular. I want them to see that I care about them enough to be on the occassional firing line to make the community we live in a better place. I want to teach them by example. I believe my reasons aren't reserved for only women to think about.
Do I think about gender (or ethnicity, or hair color, or height) when I support candidates? No. It honestly doesn't cross my mind. It doesn't matter how God made them, I want them to be people of integrity, have common sense, have a passion to serve and will play well with others.
Addtionally for me, the keys were to realize to every thing there is a season, make sure one has complete family support and have your favorite take-out restaurants on speed dial.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Primary Election
Twelve people ran for the three open seats on the City Council. Six were elminated and six moved on. I congratuate all who ran. To paraphrase one candidate, "I didn't realize how much work it takes to run." Ain't that the truth!
Some may call me sick, but overall, I really enjoyed running for office. I liked visiting with residents and walking through Orem's neighborhoods. There are so many good people in Orem. Now I didn't like asking people for money, removing signs in rainstorms, and dealing with the untrue and unkind rumors that inevitably crop up. Even with some negatives, I certainly don't regret running for office. It is a privilege to serve.
Some may call me sick, but overall, I really enjoyed running for office. I liked visiting with residents and walking through Orem's neighborhoods. There are so many good people in Orem. Now I didn't like asking people for money, removing signs in rainstorms, and dealing with the untrue and unkind rumors that inevitably crop up. Even with some negatives, I certainly don't regret running for office. It is a privilege to serve.
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