by Sara Cameron, Co-Founder of The Vineyard Observer and Vineyard City Councilwoman
I’m Sara Cameron from Vineyard. I believe Vineyard is one of the most beautiful and well-run cities in Utah–though I didn’t start out feeling that way. Two years ago, I campaigned for the city council seat I now hold to “Stop Utah City” and “Stop Smart Cities,” criticizing parking, towing, overspending, and government overreach. I accused the mayor of being a “dictator,” and the council and staff of “forgetting who they work for.”
I was wrong. I was misled, and in turn, I misled others. Today I want to set the record straight. Many of you know me as a small business owner here in Vineyard. Between running my window treatment company and caring for my six kids, my days are packed. I don’t have time to sift through endless accusations and memes on social media. That’s why I’m writing this–to share my experience being influenced by misinformation and lies–in hopes that my story will help others understand the importance of truthful information. My journey into local politics began with naivete. I consider myself a conservative, loving our country and the Constitution, and I despise corruption. I was approached by a political group in town, and drawn in by their stories of implied corruption. Their claims seemed shocking and upsetting, so I decided to run for city council. I admitted I needed guidance, and they were eager to provide it.
I defaulted to trusting people who present information confidently, assuming they’ve done their homework. But once I was on the council, I quickly realized I’d been misled. The stories I’d been told lacked context or were outright false. I saw firsthand how well the city was managing its budget, maximizing grants, and making strategic decisions that would ensure Vineyard’s long term vitality and financial security.
What was most upsetting was that I believed unverified claims. I observed that respectful treatment and transparency were real, contrary to the false accusations of secret meetings and disloyalty, made by that political group I had originally trusted. I also discovered much of their outrage was fueled by ulterior motives, not genuine concern. Almost everything I’d been told by them was half-truths or lies meant to provoke community outrage.
I wanted to fix real problems, not engage in drama. I believe in solutions developed through respectful dialogue and diverse perspectives. But I soon realized the political group I was involved with had an unstable foundation–built on dishonesty. My campaign statements were based on this misinformation, including false claims like “Utah City is planning 0.25 parking spots per apartment” and “the City was refusing to work with the HOAs and private property owners on parking solutions while financially benefiting from aggressive towing and booting.”
In fact, the city’s code actually requires 2.25 parking spots per apartment and mandates that developers prove sufficient parking is built before any occupancy permits are granted.
Regarding towing, I learned that the city does not profit from these actions. It has even passed an ordinance to prevent aggressive towing and booting. The situation I had referenced was actually managed by the residents’ own HOA, which had worked with the city to develop a permit program and then hired its own contractor. The city has been a partner with local HOAs in developing solutions to parking challenges.
I learned how easy it is to be deceived through social media and a political group with a vendetta. This realization made me question: how can busy residents verify online claims? The truth is, most of us don’t have time to fact-check every shocking rumor we hear around town or see on social media. Yet, false information in Vineyard spreads rapidly–hurtful rumors that discredit good people and damage their reputations.
That’s why I’m helping to create The Vineyard Observer–a community source built on verified facts. Here, you’ll find honest, respectful information that separates fact from opinion. We’ll ask the hard questions, check sources, and provide context so residents can make informed decisions. We’ll uncover the truth and dispel myths.
My journey into politics started shaky, but it’s taught me a vital lesson: seek out both sides of every story. Our community deserves trustworthy information, not outrage based on misinformation. I hope The Vineyard Observer will become a foundation of truth–a place where we can all stand together and appreciate the hard work that makes Vineyard a great place to live.
Ask questions. Learn the truth. Together, we can restore integrity and trust in our city.
Regards,
Sara
