2023

Orem City Council - Election Info - My choices so far: Muhlestein, Rands, McKell

1. Things I'm looking for in candidates

   1. ++ I like candidates who demonstrate an understanding of the good principles of government

      1. believes as I do that government is generally far outside their proper bounds

      2. limited government

      3. believes it's wrong to promote select businesses with incentives (e.g., tax incentives, grants) - should not be picking winners and losers

      4. I should not be forced to pay for things others' value (e.g., theatre, leagues)

   2. + Candidates should not be afraid to take a position. I find it weak to just talk about things everyone easily agrees with.

   3. + I promote the efforts to weaken the power of Alpine School District over Orem (I like candidates who are pro prop 2)

   4. +++ Quote from neighbor that I agree with: We voted for Rands, McKell, and Muhlstein. This may sound strange but we voted this way because there appears to be two groupings of candidates. The first would like to return to the policies of the previous administration including their views on State St., Alpine School District and how to handle city growth including apartments. We did not agree with them. The second group wants to rethink each of these issues, especially that of growth. As you may know, I opposed the first group as they pushed through such things as the apartments next to UVU. Even though the students want and deserve housing close to campus, the previous admin broke the intent of the law by choosing (without due process)private parties to buy&build on private land and using the UVU foundation as cover giving the developers over $1M of foundation money. 

2. Crystal Muhlestein +

   1. - weak on positions

   2. - Supports SCERA and community activities

   3. +++ (7)

3. Matt McKell ++

   1. - weak on positions

   2. +++ (7)

4. Greg Duerden

   1. + good positions

   2. - against ranked choice voting

   3. +- I like that he is promoting new ideas (e.g., charter city) but I'm not convinced it's a good idea yet

5. Chris Killpack ---

   1. - weak on positions

   2. -- against prop 2

6. Jeff K. Lambson --

   1. +- mix on positions

   2. -- Against prop 2

7. Archie A. Williams III --

   1. -- very weak on positions

8. Spencer Rands +++

   1. + wants proper controls for high density housing

   2. + avoid debt

   3. - seems to like CARE tax

   4. - has family first focus where he should first ask whether government should be involved

   5. +++ (7)

9. Heather M. Fry +

   1. + "prioritizing Orem residents over special-interests, ideologies, and the public/private partnerships who seek the erosion of the God-given rights of citizens and parents"

10. Jenn Gale ---

    1. - weak on positions

    2. -- against prop 2

11. David Edward Garber

    1. ++ Seems to understand and support the principles of good government (e.g., hates subsidies)

    2. - I don't like that he emphasizes his membership in the LDS Church

    3. - He disagrees with zoning entirely where I think it's an important safeguard for my home environment and value

12. Mike Carpenter 

    1. - positions

    2. + no financial backers

13. Wade A. Sewell ++

    1. ++ I like his commitment to correct principles