They claim to stand for “unity” and “civility,” but their actions tell a different story. Behind the scenes, Stronger Together leaders appear to have recruited candidates with promises of running their campaigns, crafting talking points, collecting donations, and coordinating signs and volunteers–all in ways most Orem voters never see. It’s a well-oiled political machine built on secrecy, control, and influence.

And the end goal is clear: a 7-0 city council majority that would give Stronger Together total control of Orem’s future.

The Division They Brought

Orem used to have differences of opinion–like any healthy democracy–but it wasn’t bitter or personal. That changed when Stronger Together entered the picture.

Over the last four years, they’ve weaponized social media, sent out false narratives, and vilified council members who disagreed with them. The Stronger Together council members Jenn Gale, Chris Killpack, Jeff Lambson and Tom Macdonald pushed through unpopular decisions, such as the Wilkerson Farm rezoning–even as residents packed city meetings, emailed council members, and pleaded for their voices to be heard.

This isn’t “civility.” It’s control.

The Candidates They Backed

Stronger Together hand-picked this year’s slate: Karen McCandless for mayor, and Quinn Mecham, Angela Moulten, and Doyle Mortimer for city council. Each raises serious questions about transparency, loyalty, and independence.

Karen McCandless: Higher Taxes, Risky Projects, Financial Mismanagement

Karen McCandless has a long record of failed leadership that Orem taxpayers cannot afford.

• She initially supported a 50% tax increase in 2012, one of the largest property tax increases in at least 50 years, which would have further burdened families instead of managing resources wisely.
• She strongly supported UTOPIA, a public-private project that lost 75% of its value early on and has already cost Orem families nearly $48 million net.
• She backed the Midtown Village high-density development–a project that went bankrupt, sat vacant for years as a blight on State Street, and only much later became a functioning apartment rental complex.
• More recently, as CEO of Community Action Services, it appears that she oversaw significant losses in just two years.

Whether at City Hall or in her nonprofit, McCandless has shown the same troubling pattern: higher taxes, risky projects, financial mismanagement, and a lack of accountability.

Quinn Mecham: “Good Governance” or Political Favoritism?

Quinn Mecham presents himself as an expert in “good governance,” but his record suggests otherwise.

• Developer Ties: During his previous campaign, Quinn signed a formal agreement with Woodbury Corporation, the developer of University Place. The ‘sign agreement’ gave him access to prime campaign sign locations on their property. In exchange, it stated: “Candidate acknowledges, supports, and agrees with the development propositions set forth above in the Recitals and agrees to support the continued development of University Place in accordance therewith.” If elected, the agreement states he would have to support future actions of Woodbury. He’d be compromised on every vote involving Woodbury, creating an obvious conflict of interest.
• BYU Policy Violations: Quinn is campaigning using his BYU professor title extensively–despite strict University rules prohibiting political use of his BYU title/association and school resources. He even emailed students seeking campaign volunteers. One student admitted he didn’t know Quinn’s positions; he just wanted to stay on good terms with his professor.
• Political Favors: When his 6-year city committee appointment expired, Stronger Together ally, Councilwoman Jenn Gale, didn’t follow historical practices and pushed to keep him in place, rejecting a highly qualified applicant in the process, thereby meeting the definition of cronyism. Quinn had no problem with that and accepted another 3-year term so it would be on his candidate resume.
• Shady Alliances: Quinn’s endorsements read like a Stronger Together directory: Jenn Gale, Tom MacDonald, Margaret Black, Karen McCandless, Sam Lentz, and more. It’s no surprise the liberal Stronger Together PAC appears to be coordinating his campaign.

Angela Moulten: Hiding True Positions from Voters

Angela Moulten calls herself a Republican, but her actions tell a different story.

• PAC Loyalty Over Principles: Angela initially applied for the Republican Party’s endorsement–until Stronger Together PAC opposed it. She quickly withdrew her application to align with the PAC that’s spearheading her campaign. Faced with a choice between Republican voters and Stronger Together, she sided with the political PAC. Politics as usual.
• Wilkerson Farm Rezoning: Angela wasn’t even at the meeting where residents overwhelmingly opposed the rezoning–but later admitted she would have voted the same as the four Stronger Together councilmembers who ignored public input and voted for the rezoning. (Stronger Together council members: Jenn Gale, Chris Killpack, Jeff Lambson, and Tom Macdonald)

Angela talks about “listening” to residents but repeatedly aligns with the group silencing them.

Doyle Mortimer: A Candidate by Default

Doyle Mortimer didn’t even want to run for city council–until Stronger Together needed him.

• Didn’t Want to Run: Doyle originally wanted to run for mayor, but stepped aside when Stronger Together chose Karen McCandless. He only decided to run for council after others declined. Even he admits he’d need to “spend time learning the issues” if elected.
• Minimal Engagement: In four years, Doyle has attended only one city council meeting–the Wilkerson Farm rezoning, where he spoke in favor of the developer and the rezoning, despite overwhelming opposition from residents. Will Doyle listen to residents? It doesn’t appear so.
• Questionable Campaigning: Multiple residents report Doyle campaigned at funerals, approaching people in line to pay respects, and criticizing city leaders. That’s not leadership; that’s desperation.

Orem needs councilmembers ready to serve on day one–not candidates chosen by political insiders.

Why This Matters

Stronger Together already has a 4-3 majority. Now they want all 7 seats–and with them, total control over zoning, development, budgeting, and the future of Orem.

When one group hand-picks candidates, funds their campaigns, writes their talking points, and demands loyalty, voters lose their voice. That’s not democracy. That’s an agenda.

The Choice for Orem

Orem deserves independent leaders who listen to residents–not political insiders. We deserve transparency, accountability, and candidates who answer to families and taxpayers, not to PACs or backroom promises.

As you vote, ask yourself:

Who’s really working for you?

And who’s working for the political machine that wants to control Orem’s future?

The future of Family City, USA is on the line. Choose leaders who put Orem families first.

Retired Col. Curtis A. Wood is a concerned Orem resident.