I have had the great opportunity to live in Springville for most of my life. I attended Springville Schools graduating from SHS in 1970. I served an LDS Mission to London in 1971-1973. I attended BYU and worked for 33 years in Nebo School District as a Teacher, Principal and Superintendent of Schools. I currently work part time in the Educational Leadership Department in The McKay School of Education at BYU.
I am married to Karen Danielson, also of Springville. We have three married children: Curt and Annie Esplin Sorensen, Mike and Andrea Parker Sorensen, and Nancy and Danny Bird. We also have seven grandchildren: Zack, Colin, Helen, Zoe, Asher, Ivie and Wally. My mother Evelyn and Karen’s mother Phyllis are still very much a part of our family. I especially enjoy spending time with my family. In my spare time I work in my yard and garden and probably golf a little too much. And although my kids no longer play little league sports where I loved coaching them, I am now on the grandparent circuit of attending ball games, recitals and dance reviews. I am currently serving in the Provo Utah Married Student 2nd Stake.
I had the great opportunity to serve two terms on the Springville City Council from 1992-1999. It was a tremendous learning opportunity for me to understand the workings of city government and to be involved in a great variety of boards, committees and organizations. I gained a true appreciation and respect for the many employees of our city that work long hours making sure we have the infrastructure, utilities, services and opportunities that contribute to the quality of life we enjoy living in Springville.
I am especially aware of the thousands of countless hours that our citizens volunteer year in and year out in a vast array of programs, events, boards, service clubs and other organizations that truly are the heartbeat of what is right with Springville. It is this spirit of community and volunteerism that persuades me to run for city council. I know from experience that it is a job that requires much time, effort and dedication to be effective.
In downtown Springville at the intersection of Main Street and 200 South there is a wonderful statue by Scott Myers called Sixty Years in the Saddle. It features a rugged cowboy sitting on his horse headed one direction, while he is turned so he can glance back to where he has come from. This symbolic pose sums up how I feel about the opportunity to serve on city council. Just like the cowboy, we need to continually be moving forward. Certainly we all want the future of Springville to be bright and we need to be ready to meet the challenges that lay before us. But at the same time we need to be mindful and respectful of the honorable traditions, values, sacrifices and people that are the history and heritage of this wonderful city that we call home. I invite you to take a closer look at this statue next time you drive down Main Street; hopefully it will add a positive affirmation to your perception of living the good life in Springville.
Sincerely,
Chris Sorensen