Mayor’s Message
June, 2023

Several years ago, the 4-H program in Utah had an educational series titled “Character Counts”.  The program focused on teaching young people about Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Using these pillars of character, they could make a difference in their homes, at school, and in their community.

Recently, I had the opportunity of attending some of our elementary schools’ awards programs where students were recognized for exceptional accomplishments during the school year, and for demonstrating many of those Character Counts traits.  As I listened to the students who were called up to receive their awards, I was pleased how their classmates and the parents in attendance celebrated these students’ accomplishments with cheers and clapping.  They seemed truly delighted for their friends.  I was reminded of the phrase in the book of Matthew, “For out of the heart the mouth speaks.”

After the assembly, I reflected over the course of the year and a half I have served as your mayor of the many times youth make positive differences to our community.  Of course, the list is a just a sample of the many good things youth are accomplishing.

In January, the Tremonton City Council began recognizing at our meetings students during from McKinley, North Park, and Alice C Harris Schools for demonstrating good citizenship.  Each of these students were nominated by their teachers for being respectful to their classmates and teachers, for demonstrating responsibility, and finding ways they could make their school a little safer for everyone.  In all, more than sixty students were recognized.

In March, the Tremonton City Youth Council had the opportunity to attend Youth City Council leadership training at Utah State University.  They participated with YCC’s from all over the state and represented our city well.  They reported on the many service projects they had been involved with, and how they gained leadership experiences.  One of their favorite service projects was hanging Christmas lights on the trees along Main Street and in Midland Square.  The lights helped make downtown a little more festive during the holiday season.

Their leaders, Caroline Bourgess and Allison Christensen are enthusiastic and committed to these youth, helping them learn important leadership skills.

Landon Dennis is a 7th grader at Alice C. Harris Intermediate school and the son of Penni and David Dennis of Tremonton. Landon regularly rides his bicycle to school. Last fall, he got tired of coming home from school with a flat tire and then fixing it only to have another flat tire and then another.

Landon decided to take matters into his own hands. He reached out to the city’s public works department to explain his problem. Then he reached out to me. Landon described that the problem was that there was puncturevine, or goat head weeds growing along the sidewalk just west of North Park, a route that not just he, but many students would take to and from school. Landon then said, “My family and I are willing to pull out the weeds.” Which they did.

Earlier this month, young people from our community participated in the annual Law Enforcement Special Olympics torch run at Bear Field.  The event features youth with special needs and attending is a highpoint of mine.  I am impressed with their love for each other and how they are creating a world of inclusion and community, where every person is accepted and welcomed regardless of ability or disability.

A few days ago, boys and girls helped plant flowers at the library.  They learned about plants and how to care for them.  These youth were excited to help.  They contributed their time and effort to make the library a little more beautiful for all of us.

And Wednesday night, over 300 Bear River High seniors fulfilled all their requirements for graduation and are now at the beginning of an incredible journey. Co-Valedictorian, Zerin Campbell said it best when he reminded the seniors that “They each have a voice”.  They have the capacity to bring about a positive change not just for them but for all of us.

You’ll hear it all—today’s kids are lazy, they’re selfish, they’re disconnected from reality, they just don’t care, and so on.  This is not what I see.  I see a generation who want to make a positive difference to the world around them, who care about their community, and who will someday raise their families, become teachers, farmers, business and community leaders.  They are the generation with the most at stake when talking about the future of our community, country, and world.  They deserve our support.

Many thanks to their parents, teachers, and leaders for their enthusiasm, leadership, and commitment to our youth. Great job!  Today’s youth are the key to making a better future for all of us.