In subsequent meetings and on social media, I continued to speak my opposition to the advancing plans. As I did so, others who agreed with me reached out and proposed forming a legitimate group to oppose this city council initiative. We needed something that could legally collect donations, spread information, and mobilize residents. This was the beginning of the Orem community group known as Stronger Together and its associated political issues committee (PIC) and political action committee (PAC).

Since those early days in 2022, I’ve had the privilege of being part of a true grassroots movement that brings people together. I’ve seen the very best of Orem as teachers show up to protest, volunteers take tens of thousands of flyers to homes, residents host cottage meetings, and people donate to a cause they believe in. I’ve seen people who never paid attention to local city elections now turn out to vote, taking their neighbors with them. I’ve seen bridges built and people come together despite differences in political party, religion, age, how recently they moved to Orem, or what they think of hot-button issues.

From the beginning, I have seen nonpartisanship, teamwork, generosity, and all the best characteristics that make Orem a city people love.

People flocked to Stronger Together and this was the beginning of what we see today: neighbors coming together on common ground, sharing information and stories, with a deep commitment to high standards of civil dialogue.

That’s apparently threatening to some people.

As an introvert, I’ve always preferred to stay in the background; as a community builder, I’ve had to step outside of myself and speak up on important issues that matter to me and others. Because of that, I’ve been the target of smear campaigns, including texts, mailers, social media, and websites-all dedicated to mocking or “exposing” me as something dangerous or “not one of us”.

To be clear, I’m not even running for office, and never have done so.

Are these attacks done by candidates who disagree with me? Their campaign managers? Their supporters and their supporters’ PACs? It’s hard to say. But I do know that the attacks specifically tell people not to vote for people I support, as if my endorsement is poison. I do know that the mayor and incumbents running for Orem city council have had ample time to denounce attacks on a private citizen and call for better campaigning, and they have not.

I believe in free speech, as guaranteed by the First Amendment. I believe in citizens actively taking part in their government. I believe in speaking up and championing civil discourse. Over the past four years, I have given more public comments in city meetings, and too often, I have been treated rudely or dismissively by my elected officials, sometimes in person, sometimes in emails or on social media. Too often, I have seen the mayor and some city council members mock, criticize, or cast suspicion on the community group I co-founded. They actively, publicly deride this group of their own constituents just because we collectively disagree with their actions. Is this the kind of city we want to live in? Is that the leadership we want?

This isn’t actually about me or my feelings. It’s not even about Stronger Together. My message is this: We deserve better. We deserve leaders who respect their constituents and see disagreements as an opportunity to listen, grow, and maybe even change minds. If I am mocked today, every resident should also wonder if they will be targeted if they are too vocal or too active in the community.

If we stay true to past turnouts, only about 30% of Orem’s registered voters will vote in this election. Make sure you’re voting. I hope you will join me in voting for people I truly believe represent the best of us, people who call for civility and collaboration: Karen McCandless for mayor, and Quinn Mecham, Doyle Mortimer, and Angela Moulton for city council.

Cissy Rasmussen is a longtime Orem resident who loves serving in her children’s schools, reading good books, walking through neighborhoods, and empowering others to speak up and make a difference. She loves voting.