February Mayor’s Message
Lyle Holmgren

On January 5, 1856, an act was passed by the Utah State Legislature and approved by Governor Brigham Young, creating eight new counties in Utah, including Box Elder County. By 1860, small settlements began to spring up in the new county—Bear River City, Deweyville, Collinston, and Plymouth, to name a few. By the turn of the century, most of the eastern part of the county had been at least partially settled, but a location in the center of the valley remained untouched by settlers. This area, later known as Tremonton and once referred to as Sagebrush Flats, was described by early settlers as a vast expanse of sagebrush that stretched as far as the eye could see.

The fertile soil and ample irrigation water set this area apart for early settlers; what set Tremonton apart was the diversity and vision of those early residents.  People from various cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds united to build this small town, enriching a vibrant and growing community. Learning about their achievements is inspiring, as they established the foundation for the community we now cherish. Today, just like in the past, our citizens offer unique perspectives, beliefs, and expectations regarding what our community should look like, which services are most vital, how we grow, and how we envision its future. My question is, how can we harness this vision more productively?

Today, Tremonton is a vibrant and growing community. Like many of you, I cherish our hometown and recognize that we still have much to achieve—upholding our neighborly, welcoming, and down-to-earth values while being intentional about our future plans. Building on the legacy of those who came before us, we are creating a city that will preserve what we love about our community for generations to come. However, we need to be willing to communicate.

Communication is vital for our community. It nurtures trust and promotes inclusivity. Establishing that trust will, in turn, motivate citizens to become more engaged and involved.

During city council meetings, citizens often voice their concerns during the public comment period.  After sharing their public comments, many feel unheard or believe the council and mayor do not care. The public comment period is not designed for dialogue; instead, it allows the mayor, council, and staff to gather input from the community. It serves as a one-way communication channel for the council.

These public comments offer feedback that the council will consider when making decisions. During this period, the mayor, council, or staff do not engage in discussions with the public.

To address residents’ concerns about feeling unheard, I suggest they meet with our staff a few days before council meetings to share their thoughts or questions. These professionals are here to help. If needed, they can add the concern or question to a future council agenda for consideration

Alternatively, if you would like to address the city council during the public comments section of the meeting, staff members will be available afterward to listen to citizens’ concerns in private. This approach helps ensure that community members feel heard and assists us in collaborating to find solutions when possible. Working with city staff or government leaders can highlight important issues and yield significant results.

Consider this story by Peri Kinder of The City Journal about an 11-year-old girl from Clearfield who saw a need in her community and decided to take action.

When Rosili Olson saw the plans for the new playground near her home, she realized that her younger sisters, Airis and Addy, would have difficulty climbing all the ropes. So, she set to work designing a playground that would be easier for them to use. She then asked city officials if they could implement her design instead.

Her mother, Annie Olson, called Eric Howes, the director of community services in Clearfield, to ask if he would meet with Rosili to discuss her playground ideas. Olson simply wanted her daughter to have the opportunity to talk with city leaders, but she could never have anticipated what would happen next.

Howes was impressed with Rosili’s thought process and eager to bring her design to life. He informed her that they had already ordered the playground equipment for the park near her home and planned to add a playground at another park.

“Rosili saw something she didn’t like, so she created those drawings and came to speak to someone about it,” Howes said. “We went through all the details of what would make a great playground for her and her sisters.”

Using her drawings, Howes invited Rosili to participate in the design process for the new park. She learned about compromise, teamwork, and budget management, and the park was completed in less than a year.

Real progress happens through dialogue, compromise, and a willingness to understand each other. We need to look past personal biases to appreciate the contributions of others better. Rosili, her mother, and Clearfield City exemplified how these principles created a successful new playground for their community.

Tremonton is a wonderful community with numerous strengths. However, our greatest strength lies in our ability to come together and communicate when facing challenges. Through this communication, we achieve success.