Courtesy Bunny Schmidt

When it comes to Orem’s Proposition 2, it’s all about messaging. Both those in favor and opposed to the measure are getting the word out through advertising.

On Sept. 30 the three officially registered political issues committees concerning Proposition 2 filed their financial reports with the state.

According to Utah government rules, political issues committees are required to report contributions within 31 days of receiving them. Contributions appear on a temporary received contributions report until such time that a required report is submitted. The contributions then transfer to the submitted report. The temporary received contributions report is subject to change.

Those voting yes on Orem’s Proposition 2 are in favor of the city splitting away from Alpine School District and forming one of its own. Those voting no seek to have Orem students stay with ASD.

The three officially registered PIC groups are:

• Orem Parents for Better Education (in favor of the proposition).
• Orem’s Future (in favor of the proposition).
• StrongerTogether (against the proposition).

Courtesy Bunny Schmidt

Orem Parents for Better Education was established by Todd and Andie Pedersen. They have one reported donor, Alex Dunn, the president of Vivint Smart Homes. Dunn donated $100,000 to the group. The PIC’s expenditures was reported to be $59,236.91, all of which appeared to be for advertising and a survey by Hypotenuse Survey USA of $16,000; a billboard from Reagan Sign Company for $36,552.56; and printing from Sun Print Solutions for $6,684.33.

Dunn appears to have purchased a voter phone list as well, as a number of voters in Orem have received invitations via text message to two separate dinners at his home to learn why voters should support Proposition 2. Text messages have gone to registered Republicans, Democrats and Independents.

Orem’s Future, the other PIC supporting the proposition, received $7,484 in donations from around 22 contributors. Their expenditures as of Sept. 30 was $6,329.87.

The PIC — formed by Paul Crosett, Linda Messmer and Kathy Minster — shows their expenditures were used for seven individual advertising purchases.

Of note on the expenditures is Orem Mayor David Young’s wife, Cathy Young. being paid $648.86 for advertising. It is not known if this is a reimbursement or not as there is no matching donation. Later in September she donated $40 to the group.

The only issues committee against the proposition is StrongerTogether which has more individual donors but smaller per person donations, many under $50.

In total, StrongerTogether has about 103 contributors. The largest financial donor is Karen Ashton who contributed $8,000 to the group. It was Ashton’s $1 million donation that helped to build the new Library Hall auditorium.

Council member Tom Macdonald donated $1,030 while several former council members have donated between $250 and $1,000. For elected officials who have donated to the group include Sam Lentz, Les Campbell, Brent Sumner and former Mayor Jim Evans. Former Mayor Jerry Washburn’s wife, Betty, also donated.

Among some of the other recognizable names include several former members of the Alpine School District Board of Education and local teachers. Keith Wilson, one of the founders of the PIC and husband to ASD board member Ada Wilson, has made a number of small donations. Former ASD Superintendent Steven Baugh also added $500.

Hosts of elected officials and influencers in Orem have made their views known on the potential split, with current and former Utah state senators, state representatives, State School Board president, a university president, former Orem city staff members, educators and administrators on both sides.

The full financial reports can be found at https://disclosures.utah.gov/Search/PublicSearch by scrolling down to political issues committees.

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