Each council member leaves behind their own unique legacy and list of accomplishments from their years of public service. Lauret has served on the City Council for eight years and Peterson has served for four.

At Peterson’s farewell party on Dec. 11, it didn’t go unnoticed how many Orem City Fire Department members were in attendance.

“These are the guys that are out there every day,” Peterson said while speaking at his farewell party. “These are the guys out there when it’s really cold and we’re at home, and we turn on the fireplace and watch a movie. They’re out on the streets.”

Peterson said that while campaigning, he reached out to members of the fire department, who told him they were underpaid for their work, something he worked to remedy while on the council. He added there still is more work to be done to take care of first responders and increase wages for them.

Lauret, whose farewell was on Dec. 14, said her main focus while serving as councilwoman was improving the quality of life for Orem residents and economic development in the city.

One highlight for her was working to bring the Christensen Memorial Playground to life, named after Orem fantasy artist James C. Christensen.

“I loved honoring one of our great artists and I felt like it was a wonderful thing,” she said about the playground.

Lauret said she also went to every Orem business ribbon-cutting that she could and ensured to patronize those small businesses.

Peterson also said he is proud of his work on the new Hillcrest Park, which had the first phase open last month.

Hillcrest Park is being built at the location of the old Hillcrest Elementary School, which closed in 2019 when Hillcrest and Scera Park Elementary combined into Centennial Elementary.

Lauret also worked on preserving the old Hillcrest school grounds for the community, fighting to keep the gymnasium, she said, and allow it to continue for community use.

Peterson said one of the things he’s most proud of is stopping the city’s State Street master plan, adding he was concerned about the impact more apartment buildings would have on infrastructure and first responders.

In looking forward to Orem’s future, Lauret said she hopes the city will continue to be a “strong economic development center” and also hopes to see more civility in the city’s future.

“I want people to get along and just know that we have great things and we’re very pro-family here in Orem and I want that pro-family (focus) to come forward,” she said.

Peterson said in the future, he wants to see Orem’s neighborhoods being protected and have Orem continue to be a place for people to build a home.

“My hope for Orem is we keep protecting neighborhoods,” Peterson said. “I want Orem to be a place for people to say someday … I want to come back and buy a home in Orem.”

The two outgoing council members attended their last City Council meeting on Dec. 12, each making final remarks to the public.

“The things that I hope I’m known for,” Lauret said during her final City Council meeting, “is that I cared, that I came prepared and that I empathize, and once again, quality of life and economic development.”

“I just want to say thank you for the opportunity that I’ve had to serve,” Peterson said during the council meeting. “And thank you for listening to me through these years as I ramble on different things, but I’m passionate. I’m passionate about our city. I’m passionate about our children.”

Soon, Lauret said she would begin working with the Mountainland Association of Governments as a program manager in community development. She also plans to continue working on Orem Fest.

Peterson said he will continue to be involved in the Orem community, specifically in “protecting neighborhoods” and Orem schools.

Two new City Council members, Jenn Gale and Chris Killpack, will be sworn in on Jan. 3, joining Jeff Lambson, who retained his seat through a successful reelection campaign.