Is there something wrong with Orem? Is the widespread grumbling I hear justified? As I evaluate the four main subjects frequently proffered as examples of Orem's inferiority, I find some justification but for different reasons than those given by detractors.
Form of government: The council-manager form of government is not inferior to any other form. However, this form absolutely mandates that council members actively seek problems and their solutions. If the council is not actively pursuing, defining and monitoring, then the professional staff has to assume the role originally meant for the council. Thus the city manager and staff are frequently and falsely accused of usurping power.Voluntarism: Orem does a poor job of utilizing citizen volunteers. Although many good people do many good things, the utilization is mainly for city established committees/boards. This is restricted to a limited number of people with almost no interchange with other volunteer organizations. Orem badly needs a cohesive citywide volunteer organization.
Representation: The "grumblers" talk about Orem being too far to the political right, too anti-business, to pro-business, etc. These excesses are self-correcting with each election. However, since Orem still has citywide elections for each council seat, council members frequently are uninformed or lack a sensitivity to neighborhood problems. Too many Orem citizens have no direct representatives to approach. This plus the escalating cost of running citywide campaigns are two potent reasons for adopting a district representation plan.
No class: Sorry, this is a classless attitude in itself. However, by either direct statement or by implication, this hurts Orem because it amplifies in many minds that Orem is second-class and thus undeserving of better things.
What is wrong with Orem? Just some things that are correctable. Yes, this is a first-class city.
George M. Bailey
Orem