After 12 years of city council service, Orem’s hometown boy moving on – Daily Herald

Courtesy Orem City

If Orem needed another mascot, then outgoing Councilman Brent Sumner should be on the short list of choices.

Sumner, 73, has been an Orem boy from his earliest baby days and grew up learning about Orem through his father, Harold Jack Sumner, who owned the Orem-Geneva Times newspaper.

Sumner attended Hillcrest Elementary School, Lincoln Junior High and graduated from Orem High, where he played football, in 1967.

While Sumner was busy with all of his senior year activities, there was a young lady in her sophomore year he would meet later. Her name was Becky and Brent thought the last name Sumner would go well with it.

Before the wedding bells, Sumner went into the Army at the height of the Vietnam War. He finished up basic training and then went to Snow College for a year. He transferred to Brigham Young University and studied in communications with an emphasis in advertising. He graduated in 1976 and went to work for his dad at the paper.

In 1970, he was just out of basic training for the National Guard and his father invited him to come to a meeting with a Mr. Woodbury and DeLynn Heaps.

They were talking about a grandiose mall, Sumner said. In 1972, the mall opened. It was amazing Orem could have a shopping center like this.

Working at the newspaper I was involved with promotions and activities at the mall, he added. On the council, I approved the expansion of the mall. My finger has been in it since its conception.

Sumner believes the mall is a bright spot in the community and approved the tax breaks because they were based on performance.

By the early 1980s, Sumner has taken over the paper and in 2000 sold it to the Daily Herald. After that, he went to Utah Valley University and served as newspaper adviser for 11 years.

It was former Orem Mayor Jerry Washburn and former Gov. Gary Herbert, Sumners next door neighbor, who encouraged him to run for a council seat.

I thought maybe I could do some good, Sumner said of running for office. And according to most who are asked about Sumner, he has done just that.

Council Member Sumner was a thoughtful representative of the people. He carefully reviewed and considered city issues from all perspectives and voted to always do what he thought best for the community, said Jamie Davidson, city manager. His 12 years of service on the city council will also be remembered for his advocacy of small, local businesses and for his efforts to improve recreational offerings in the community, including the Orem Family Fitness Center.

Brent has been a steady and reasonable voice on the council for a long time. I have relied on him for a lot of institutional knowledge about Orem, said Tom Macdonald, a fellow council member. His experience as a long-time newspaper man and a lifelong Orem resident has been such an asset to all of us. I have the highest regard for him and Becky and the service they have both rendered to all of us. I will miss Brents humor, wisdom and steady approach to difficult situations. I am honored to call him my friend.

Sumner has served 12 years on the city council and opted not to run for reelection this year. During that time, he has seen a great change in the city.

I loved serving on the Orem City Council with Brent. I valued his history with Orem, his preparedness, his journalism experience and pleasant demeanor, said former Councilwoman Karen McCandless. We didnt always agree on issues, but I felt listened to and that he thoughtfully considered my position.

When I was dealing with my husbands sudden illness and subsequent death, Brent and his wife, Becky, were some of the first to offer comfort and support. I will never forget that, McCandless added.

There were many items over the years that Sumner tackled with associates like McCandless, not only University Place, but also UTOPIA fiber network, the new library hall and the new family fitness center. Its a real jewel in the city, Sumner said of the center.

Sumner said the past two years have been a strange time with COVID-19, but he and the council got business done. However, with the remote streaming of council meetings, he said he missed the personal connection with residents.

One of his more melancholy moments on the council was the death of former City Manager Jim Reams in September 2010.

Mayor Washburn interviewed every department head to see who could take over (Reams job) temporarily, Sumner said. Bruce Chestnut stood out and served for one year until Jamie Davidson was hired.

One year later, after fighting with cancer, Washburn died while serving as mayor.

It was a shock to the city, Sumner said. We had to select a new mayor and that is when we appointed Jim Evans for Washburns last two years.

There have been many ups and downs for Sumner while he has been on the council, he said, none more so than the current concern over the State Street Master Plan.

Everybody had good intentions on that, but there are a few things we need to tweak on that, Sumner said. I dont think well blow up the whole master plan. We need some housing on State Street.

Sumner said he isnt happy with the legislative overreach that is happening with housing and noted that if the city doesnt provide more housing in Orem, the Legislature will mandate it, and that could mean expansion anywhere including in family neighborhoods.

After so many years of dealing with city issues, talking with residents, answering emails and watching Orem grow into the 21st century, leaving the council will be a big change, Sumner said. But he is also sure that he will always be paying it forward and helping Orem fulfill its potential as a center of activity in Utah County.

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After 12 years of city council service, Orem's hometown boy moving on - Daily Herald