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Theme

Civic Engagement

Explore all episodes, stories, people, and quotes related to civic engagement.

Episodes (3)

Stories (7)

Preserving Lehi’s Story: Heather Newall & the Historical Marker Pins
Story
From Episode
3:21 – 4:16

The Accidental Activist: Protecting the General Plan

Heather describes her entry into local government not as a political ambition, but as a reaction to a development project in her backyard. By studying city code and catching errors that violated the General Plan, she successfully delayed a development for over a year. This experience taught her that one resident's diligent research could hold developers accountable and ensure that city promises are kept, leading her to seek a formal role where she could help others navigate similar challenges.

Life Lesson

Diligence and a willingness to study the 'fine print' of governance can protect a community's character.

Community Significance

It reinforces the idea that the General Plan is a contract between the city and its residents that must be honored.

Civic Engagement
Accountability
Urban Development

From Episode

Preserving Lehi’s Story: Heather Newall & the Historical Marker Pins

with Heather Newall

Lehi Link: Connecting a Community with Steven Mack Boyack
Story
From Episode
02:51 – 04:34

The Digital Fence Post: The Founding of Lehi Link

Upon moving back to Lehi from California, Steven Boyack found that the community lacked a central, reliable way to share information. Local news was sparse, and the 'default' method for announcements was physical banners on fences. Recognizing the potential of social media as a community tool, Steven and his wife launched the 'Lehi Link' Facebook group. Originally setting a 'stretch goal' of 500 members, the platform blossomed alongside Lehi's rapid growth, eventually reaching nearly 19,000 residents, transforming the way the city communicates internally.

Life Lesson

If you identify a gap in your community's foundation, you have the agency to build the bridge that fills it.

Community Significance

It created a 'Town Marketplace' where ideas, tickets, and assistance are exchanged daily, reinforcing the social fabric of Lehi.

Community Building
Digital Evolution
Civic Engagement

From Episode

Lehi Link: Connecting a Community with Steven Mack Boyack

with Steven Mack Boyack

Quotes (8)

Preserving Lehi’s Story: Heather Newall & the Historical Marker Pins
Wisdom
"I think often times with a lot of people there's a single issue, something comes up in your backyard and so I ended up getting involved and going to meetings and talking about you know this issue and learning a lot."

Heather Newall

3:30

Why It Matters

It illustrates how personal proximity to a problem is often the catalyst for broader civic engagement.

Community Relevance

Normalizes the process of a citizen becoming an active participant in local government.

Brent Everett on Environmental Cleanup, Civic Duty, and Teaching
Wisdom
"My father voted for the other person because he was worried that if my mom won, then she would have less time for him."

Brent Everett

28:02

Why It Matters

A humorous but poignant story that humanizes historical figures and illustrates the literal power of a single vote.

Community Relevance

Adds a layer of warmth and human fallibility to the archive, showing the personal side of political involvement.

Community Connections

Stories, people, and ideas that connect across the archive — ranked by shared themes, guests, places, and topics.