Steve White

For Orem City Council

Orem is a great place to live — but we’re at a crossroads. Traffic is choking our roads, our air quality is declining, and development pressures are threatening the character and safety of our neighborhoods. I’m running for City Council because families need to come first, not developers and more tax revenue.If you’re happy with how things are going, there are other candidates who will keep things on that path. But if you feel, like I do, that Orem deserves better, safer streets, stronger schools, and real, demonstrable respect for our neighborhoods, I’m ready to step up and stand with you. I’m not here to go along quietly; I’m here to speak up and work hard for the people who actually live here.

No to Overdevelopment. Yes to Stability.Orem is growing, but that growth must be responsible. I support an immediate and complete pause on ALL high-density rezoning until we reassess infrastructure, traffic, and livability. We need to take an honest look at Orem's growth strategy. I will oppose any project that exceeds our roads, schools, or utilities, and especially those that make congestion worse.We also need to address the spread of absentee-owned homes and short-term rentals that are hollowing out our neighborhoods, driving up housing costs, and increasing parking and street pressure. I’ll advocate for owner-occupancy protections and a growth strategy that puts residents—not investors—first.

Traffic and Air Quality: Real Solutions, Not Just Talk
Orem’s traffic congestion is no longer just an annoyance—it’s affecting daily life, safety, and our health. I support:• Smart signal timing upgrades, including adaptive “green wave” coordination where it makes sense.
• Encouraging remote work partnerships to reduce rush-hour pressure.
• Delivery incentives that help reduce unnecessary car trips and errand congestion.
• Stronger enforcement of anti-pollution measures, and a gradual shift to cleaner city fleets.We deserve a city where the air is cleaner and our roads don’t feel like headache-inducing obstacle courses.

Defending Our Neighborhoods
Orem’s single-family neighborhoods are worth protecting. I will:• Prioritize family home ownership over investor-driven rentals
• Support limits on short-term rentals and street congestion
• Advocate for zoning that preserves our community’s quiet, safe, family-friendly identityTo further demonstrate my commitment on this, I categorically refuse to accept donations from developers, portfolio landlords, or their lobbyists.

Smart Growth and a Stronger School Future
Orem can grow and improve without losing what makes it special. I support:• Thoughtful infill development that complements our existing neighborhoods, while preserving green spaces
• A balanced housing strategy that prioritizes our values, not tax revenue, respects infrastructure limits and prioritizes traffic flow, safety, and livabilityAs we transition to our new school district, I’ll work to ensure a smooth, stable shift, one that protects students, supports teachers, and maintains high academic standards. But we shouldn't stop at maintaining excellence, let’s aim to make Orem’s schools the best in the state. With the right leadership, we can seize this opportunity to build a school system our kids and community truly deserve.

Transparency and Accountability
Public meetings should stay public. I will never support cutting off livestreams of City Council sessions or limiting public access.I believe in full transparency on votes, zoning decisions, and spending. Orem city needs to have proactive two-way communication with residents, not just during elections.I will stand firm against special interest influence in local government. We deserve an honest, accessible, and accountable government—always.

Vote Your Conscience
I'm not a politician nor showman. I’m a dad. A dog owner. A neighbor who worries, just like you, when traffic gets worse or our kids’ schools are in limbo. I won't owe favors to donors, developers, or portfolio landlords, and I'll stand up against decisions that hurt our neighborhoods and compromise our future.You've seen how Orem is getting. It's harder to drive, it's harder to breathe, it's harder to live. It's time for real change. I’m listening and I’m ready to stand up for the people who live here, not the ones profiting from it. Let's take back control of Orem's future. I'd be honored to earn your vote.