Mayors of Utah Valley: Together, we can all build a better Vineyard

Courtesy Vineyard City
Vineyard Mayor Julie FullmerRonald Reagan once said, “The best view of big government is in the rearview mirror.” Here in Vineyard, we believe in small government, strong communities and personal responsibility. Leadership empowers individuals, families and businesses to take charge of their future.
This year, I am launching 150 Days of Service — an initiative to build and empower the community. When I was first running for mayor, I launched an initiative called Citizen’s Champion Change. Together, we built incredible things and shaped a vibrant community. Today, as neighbors, we can strengthen our city through 150 days of hands-on service: cleaning up parks, mentoring youth, supporting small businesses, assisting seniors, proving that the best solutions come from our individual desire to show up.
Our country was founded on the idea that government works best when citizens are involved. With the legislative session underway, now is the time to make your voice heard. The policies debated in Salt Lake City affect our economy, roads, schools and freedoms. You don’t need to be an elected official to make a difference — you just need to show up.
- Stay informed. The legislative session moves quickly. Read bills, follow updates and stay engaged with city and state policy.
- Attend meetings. Join us at the Vineyard City Council, the Utah Legislature or your local school board. Your voice matters.
- Speak up. Contact your representatives, write letters and send in ideas.
- Focus on results, not rhetoric. It’s easier to throw stones than to roll up your sleeves and get to work. But true, meaningful results come from informed understanding, solutions and collaboration. Leadership is about results, not rhetoric. We are building for today and future generations.
In Vineyard, we recently had the groundbreaking of our new firehouse — ensuring our response times and service continue to preserve the incredible quality of life we’ve established in the city. We’ve announced big plans for our Vineyard business and downtown developments. We have welcomed Huntsman Cancer Institute and other significant economic opportunities — so businesses thrive and families prosper. In the city’s upcoming State of the City in February, I will discuss what we’ve accomplished and where we are heading.
Last year, we ran an initiative called Discover Your Home, where residents were given multiple avenues to interact with the city and each other to help build the community they want to see and explore what makes Vineyard such an incredible place. This endeavor helped provide ways to keep people informed, share information in real time, strengthen transparency and build political efficacy. The government that governs best is the one closest to the people. That means strong families, empowered local leaders and citizens who step up. It means leading through action and service.
Vineyard is proof that when people take ownership of their community, incredible things happen. This week, I had the opportunity to appoint a former youth mayor as our new youth council advisor for the Vineyard Youth Council. Watching young leaders return to serve the next generation is powerful — our history is being written by those who helped build it.
This year, I am grateful for the ability to serve such a vibrant community. I love living in a community where my neighbors continue to show up, speak out and serve each other. Leadership is service. It’s about personal responsibility, championing change and building together. Let’s continue to show up, be informed, speak out and serve our neighbors for a strong, free and thriving community. Your city, your voice, your future.