Join us for a Veterans Day Tribute 🇺🇸

As we approach Veterans Day, a day of deep reflection and gratitude, I invite you to join us in honoring the brave men and women who have sacrificed for our country. Our Veterans Day Tribute will take place on Wednesday, November 8, at 10:00 AM in the Timpview High School Thunderdome.

We will commence with an introduction by Event Chair, Sadey Gerber, leading us into a poignant Presentation of Flags by THS Color Guard & Cheer. The Timpview Madrigals Choir will then grace us with the National Anthem, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance with Miss Provo, Mollie Eaton, and Grace Ehinger of the Freedom Festival.

I will have the honor of welcoming you all, expressing Provo City's profound appreciation for our Veterans. Following this, the THS Student Body President, Eliza Doxey, will explain the significance of the Armed Forces Medley, which will be performed by the exceptional Timpview Band.

The program will also feature two spotlights: one on Technical Sergeant Mark Moore, presented by William Weidner, and another on Chaplain Colonel Wayne E. Kuehne, presented by his daughter and our own teacher, Denise Abbott.

Amidst these tributes, we will be treated to a musical performance by the Timpview Band and a dance by the Timpview Ballroom performers.

I am also thrilled to announce that Judge Lynn Davis, a Utah State Court Judge, will be our Keynote Speaker, offering his insights and experiences in service to our nation.

The event will conclude with closing remarks from Sadey Gerber, followed by a postlude by the Timpview Band. I warmly invite our Veterans and their families to join us for a free luncheon afterwards—a small token of our immense gratitude.

Let us come together as a community to celebrate our heroes, whose unwavering courage and sacrifice have safeguarded our freedoms. Your presence is a valuable part of this tribute. I look forward to standing with you in solidarity and respect.

Participate in Provo's General Election!

The moment to make your voice heard is approaching — our city's General Election on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. I'm thrilled to announce that ballots have bee sent out to all registered voters in Provo. This is your opportunity to participate actively in shaping the future of our beloved city.

Keep a close eye on your mailboxes for your official election ballot. If by any chance you do not receive your ballot, please get in touch with the Utah County Clerk without delay at 801-851-8128 or elections@utahcounty.gov.

Casting your vote is straightforward: select your candidates and return your ballot by mail. There's no need to wait in line; it's your vote from the comfort of your home, ensuring your voice is heard. To be considered valid, your ballot must be postmarked no later than November 20, 2023.

Ballot Drop Box Locations for Your Convenience:

We understand the importance of accessibility, which is why we've provided ballot drop boxes at several locations around Provo. All drop boxes will be open until 8 PM on Election Day, November 21st.

• Provo City Library at 550 N University Ave (Available 24/7 on the North side by book return)

• Utah County Administration Building at 100 E Center Street (South side next to USPS mailboxes)

• Provo Towne Centre at 1200 Towne Centre Blvd (North side of parking lot)

Remember, as a voter in Utah County, you can return your ballot to any drop box within the county. For a complete list of locations, visit utahcounty.vote.

Important Dates and Registration Details:

If you haven't registered to vote yet or need to update your registration, there's still time. Register in person or online by 5:00 pm on November 13th, 2023. Unsure about your registration status? Verify it at vote.utah.gov. For any registration assistance, contact the Utah County Clerk’s Office.

Early Voting Option:

In office Early Voting will be held from November 13th to November 20th. It will be conducted in the Elections Office in the Utah County Administration building located at 100 E. Center St. Suite 3100, Provo UT 84606, during normal business hours (8am to 5pm).

Election Day Voting:

On General Election Day, a voter service center will be available at the Utah County Health And Justice Building (151 S University Ave, Rm 1600) from 7 am to 8 pm. Should you not receive your mail-in ballot or if you misplace it, you can vote provisionally at the service center. Please bring a current ID or two forms of identification showing your current address.

Meet Your General Election Candidates:

It's important to know who you're voting for. Visit voteprovo.com for comprehensive information on the candidates, council district maps, and further details on vote-by-mail procedures.

This 2023 General Election is a pivotal occasion for our community. Your vote is a powerful statement of your values and vision for Provo. Let's join together to shape our city's path forward. Get ready, Provo—let's vote!

Revitalizing Provo’s Sister-City Bond with Meissen, Germany

I have some heartwarming news to share with all of you. We've rekindled our sister-city relationship with Meissen, Germany, a connection that's deeply rooted in our shared history with Karl G. Maeser, the founding principal of Brigham Young Academy.

This partnership began in the late '90s under Mayor Lewis Billings and has blossomed into a beautiful example of what cities can achieve together. The highlight of our relationship has undoubtedly been the student exchanges—hundreds of young minds from Provo and Meissen have experienced life in each other's homes, a program founded by Dr. Stephen Van Orden that truly opened a window into our respective cultures.

However, the pandemic put a pause on these valuable exchanges. Recognizing the importance of this program, I accepted an invitation to Meissen’s city festival last year, which helped revive this cultural and educational exchange.

We were honored to recently host a delegation from Meissen, including Mayor Olaf Raschke. Highlights of the visit included a tour of City Hall, being publicly recognized during a Tabernacle Choir concert during their Temple Square visit, and a tour of Brigham Young University campus. In addition, the delegation was introduced to two of Provo’s economic successes with a tour of Vanderhall, Utah’s only auto manufacturer and an introduction to our robust startup culture with a visit to Kiln.

Our guests from Germany were particularly impressed with Provo's landscape and the warmth of our community. These exchanges allow us to unite over common ground and appreciate our differences, enriching our city's social and cultural fabric.

I am thrilled to see our sister-city relationship flourish once more, creating lasting impacts on our communities and future generations. As I've always believed, Provo is not just a spectator in the global narrative of human connections—we're active participants, learning and growing through our friendships across borders.

Let's continue to embrace these connections that make our community a vibrant part of the larger world.