Wednesday May 11 2022 Update

Julie and I had an interesting experience last evening.  We were invited to attend a dinner to thank the many people and organizations who support the United Way.  We were able to sit with our good friend Devin Baer and his wife - Devin is a "Googler" who was part of the transition to Google Fiber in Provo.  It was fun to catch up on Google Fiber across the country, as well as to talk about things happening in Provo like the new terminal building and the MyHometown initiative.  

The dinner was at the home of Stephen and Jeri Covey, and I had the chance to sit down for a few minutes with Stephen and talk about the City's experience with the Speed of Trust focus we had a few years ago.  I shared several stories about how our employees embraced the concepts in the Speed of Trust and how it has changed so much of how I do what I do.  I talked about our experience with the Provo River Delta Restoration Project and how the Speed of Trust principles changed our relationship with the various stakeholders in the project and how extending Smart Trust allowed us to come to a mutually beneficial resolution.  I thought those of you who were here when we embraced the Speed of Trust might have appreciated that conversation.  

UPCOMING CITY EVENTS

Orem Jive Spring Concert I May 13 - May 14

Provo Recreation Center Legacy Week 5K | May 14

Learn It: Bicycle Maintenance and Repair Basics | May 18
How to Write Like Jane Austen | May 18

Thousand Trees Initiative Kick-off | May 21

Steel Magnolias | through May 28
Utah COPA Pops Concert | May 23

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• Protests continue in light of the leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court on abortion rights.  The US Senate took steps to provide stronger security for the SCOTUS justices.  
• The first Red Flag warning of 2022 has been issued due to extreme wildfire danger in southern Utah.  
• The Congressional Medal of Honor will be bestowed on Benjamin Berell Ferencz, an Army veteran who served as chief U.S. prosecutor at the Nuremberg war crimes trials following World War II.

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

YOUR VOICE

One of the ideas that came through the earlier survey was the desire to make the update more interactive.  So, today we are asking you to check out this section (on the right -->) where we will include polls and questions for you, as well as a form where you can highlight a coworker or tell us about what you do for the city! This can range from new babies or weddings to just wanting to give a shout-out to a fellow employee. Fill out the questions on the left, then upload pictures for us to share using the link below!  We will post your responses in upcoming editions of the update.

UPLOAD PICTURES HERE!

EMPLOYEE / DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHT

The Mayor recently received an email from a visitor to Provo who had a great experience with our fire and police department teams (as well as with Utah Valley Hospital staff).  I thought I would share his email with you.  In so many ways, this is what it means to be part of Team Provo, and to go the extra mile for our customers and residents.

On Feb 12, 2021 my wife and I pulled into an RV campground after a long drive with the intention of leaving in the morning. Unfortunately I had a heart attack that derailed some of those plans.  Fortunately we were in Provo, UT. As a retired anesthetist I am very aware of how medical care works.  From the moment my wife called 911 to the successful cardiac stent placement everything went like clockwork.   I’m certain there are very few places I could have been where the outcome would’ve been better.

The ambulance was at our camper in 4 minutes! The EMTs were professional, competent, efficient, and friendly.  They did everything quickly and well. Had me in the ambulance and properly treated  in record time. Just what any person in a medical emergency would want. Once at Intermountain Hospital the care was phenomenal.

Here, however, is a central part of our care that we wish to thank you for.  Once my ambulance left my wife was left at a campground we’d been at for an hour, in the dark.  The pickup was still attached to the camper.  The firemen called the police and the two of them unhitched our pickup and the fire truck led Kim to the hospital!! What this meant to my wife in this very stressful evening is immeasurable. When we tell this story to friends and relatives they are amazed.  You should be aware of what a fantastic Emergency Medical service and personnel you have in Provo.

FUN STUFF

So, this is a bit out of the ordinary, but I love this story.  I have loved baseball as long as I can remember (attending an Oakland A's game in their heyday was as good as it got growing up),  When I was in Ogden, the City built the downtown ballpark for the Ogden Raptors, and I thought the owners had nailed the concept of baseball as entertainment.  But this minor league team in Georgia has taken it to an entirely new level.  And best of all, there is an amazing backstory!  Maybe I will share that inspiring story in a future update.

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I hope you have a great day.  Let us know how we are doing with the Daily Update by sharing a comment!  

Wayne