January 25 2022 Update

It was a delight this morning to meet with 10 new employees who started recently with the City.  From the library to energy to customer service to public works and more, I enjoyed getting to know these awesome new employees.  Welcome to Provo!  

While we have all had the chance to watch the new city hall and public safety building go up, maybe not as many of us have watched the new airport passenger terminal taking shape.  The new terminal will be open this summer, with four passenger gates and many awesome amenities for air travelers in and out of Provo.  But with a new terminal come lots of other challenges like staffing, concession agreements, liability insurance challenges, art and more.  We are in the midst of all of those kinds of decisions right now, which is consuming a lot of our time and attention.  So, stay tuned for some new and interesting city services at the new terminal building.

UPCOMING CITY EVENTS

No-Pressure Book Club I January 25 7:00 pm

Girls Read Book Club: Everything On a Waffle I January 25 7:00 pm

Guys Read Book Club: Icefall I January 27 7:00 pm

Teen Book Club: No Shakespeare I January 27 7:00 pm

Vision Boards I January 29 2:00 pm

Cahill Smith and Quartet Excellence Concert | January 31

A Night of Disney Music with the Utah County Flute Choir I January 31 7:00 pm

The Alibis I February 7:30 pm 

Paint Night I February 1 7:00 pm

Teen Volunteer Board I February 3 6:30 pm

Gallery Talk: Dragonology and Fantasy Origins I February 4 7:00 pm

Morning Star Native American Ensemble I February 7 7:00 pm

Conversaciones I February 8 7:00 pm

The Audacity to Write a Great Story: Tips to Ignite and Sustain Your Writing Practice This Year I February 10 7:00 pm

Valentine's Ball I February 12 6:00 pm

Coppelia by Utah Metropolitan Ballet I March 3 - March 5

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• Utah leaders say growth is good for the state, but 2 in 5 Utahns might disagree.
• HB183 passed the house yesterday 55-16. This dictates that schools who want/need to pivot to online learning need to submit a request in writing to the local school board, which then will need to hold a public meeting. If board members vote to approve the request, they need to then ask permission of the Governor, the president of the Senate, the Speaker of the House and the state superintendent for their permission, which must be unanimous. The legislation does not require a time frame for them to respond. The bill now goes to Governor Cox's desk for his approval. Legislators have already indicated they plan to overturn a veto. 
• If you're looking to get involved in the legislature, there is a free, four hour boot camp that gives information to become an effective citizen advocate. The class is at the Utah State Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• There has been worry and backlash that a bill intended to be about firefighter workers’ compensation can be applied to impose martial law on residents, and in some cases, the unvaccinated.

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

YOUR VOICE

Have any exciting news? Birthdays, babies, weddings, fur-babies, graduations? Share about it in the section on the right --> and upload pics below!

UPLOAD PICTURES HERE!

TUESDAY TIP

3 ways empathy helps you connect with your team 

Empathy and caring are important traits for leaders that don't require pity or getting your own emotions triggered, writes executive coach Betty Johnson. "[I]f you can do what they need, even if it means a small sacrifice of your time or wants, in the end, you'll get what you want, too: their productivity, loyalty, engagement, commitment, and trust," Johnson writes.

FUN STUFF

Time again for a little jazz to brighten your afternoon.  This artist Juna Serita and her band are quickly becoming one of my favorite playlist additions.  Her piece Princess of Funk is a good example of the kind of jazz music I love so much.  Take a listen.

Hope you have a great day.  Thanks again for all you do to make life better in Provo!  

Wayne