New, returning Orem City Council members sworn into office
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- Orem City Council members Jenn Gale, Chris Killpack and Jeff Lambson pose for a picture with Miss Orem Royalty after a swearing-in ceremony at Orem Library Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.
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- Jeff Lambson is sworn in as a new Orem City Council member at Orem Library Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.
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- Chris Killpack is sworn in as a new Orem City Council member at Orem Library Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.
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- Jenn Gale is sworn in as a new Orem City Council member at Orem Library Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.
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- Th audience watches a swearing-in ceremony for incoming Orem City Council members at Orem Library Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.
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- Orem Mayor David Young speaks at a swearing-in ceremony for incoming City Council members at Orem Library Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.
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- Chris Killpack speaks at a swearing-in ceremony for incoming Orem City Council members at Orem Library Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.
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- Jenn Gale speaks at a swearing-in ceremony for incoming Orem City Council members at Orem Library Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.
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- Jeff Lambson speaks at a swearing-in ceremony for incoming Orem City Council members at Orem Library Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.
Jenn Gale, Jeff Lambson and Chris Killpack were sworn in as members of the Orem City Council on Wednesday evening. The ceremony began the first four-year terms of office for Gale and Killpack and the second term in office for Lambson.
Orem Mayor Dave Young began the ceremony with a short speech, noting the importance of citizens’ right to vote and thanking the city’s public servants.
“Our mission as a city council is to create an environment where families can thrive. I know that each of our newly elected council members is deeply committed to that vision,” he said as he welcomed the incoming officials.
After being sworn in, each council member gave a brief speech.
Lambson expressed his gratitude for Orem’s first responders, those who supported his campaign and, most importantly, he said, his wife and family. He also thanked all the other candidates for City Council, both in the primary and general election, adding it takes a lot of courage to run for office.
Lambson shared a story of observing stained glass artwork in the Orem Utah Temple. The intricate details of the glass reminded him of Orem coming together to create a “beautiful community.”
“We come together with different sizes, shapes, colors, beliefs, hopes, dreams, visions,” Lambson said. “And yet, when we all come together, with all those shapes and pieces, we come to form a beautiful community that you and I like to call Orem.”
During her speech, Gale provided insight into why she chose to run for City Council, sharing a journal entry from early February in which she said it wasn’t a “convenient” time to run as she was pursuing her master’s degree and raising her children.
She then showed a slideshow with pictures of her family members, including her grandfather who fought in World War II, while detailing ways they served their communities or stood up for their principles.
“Why I ultimately decided to run was because it’s not about convenience,” she said. “These people, my ancestors, they did not do those things for convenience. They did them because they believed in something greater than themselves.”
Killpack expressed his appreciation for the council members before him, saying, “We just stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before.”
“I’m grateful for the privilege I have now to serve the residents and citizens of Orem in a way that will lift and continue to strengthen what we already have here and continue to build on the strengths that we all enjoy,” he said.
Killpack and Gale will replace former council members Terry Peterson, who served for four years, and Debby Lauret, who served for eight years.
The first City Council meeting for the year, and for Killpack and Gale, will be next Tuesday.
