Advocacy and Process: My Time on Planning and Parks & Rec

When I lost the 2020 city council election to Matt, I still wanted to serve. I applied for the Planning Commission and Parks and Rec Commission, and the city council appointed me to both.

Parks and Rec was straightforward. I used my turf grass background to improve how we maintain our parks. That felt impactful.

Planning Commission revealed something about how I think government should work. The commission's role is to enforce code. My instinct was to advocate for the residents who came before us. I personally met with most people seeking variances, understood their actual circumstances, and argued for them in meetings. I won most of those cases because I believed the residents, not the rulebook.

That difference, representing people versus representing the city, matters. It's what separated my approach from how the commission was supposed to function.

Then my father was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He died within two months. I learned afterward that my mother had been dealing with dementia in secret. Her care became my responsibility. Thirteen months ago, we lost her.

Because of that, I stepped down from both commissions. My family needed me.

I miss public service. Real public service means representing your constituents, understanding their circumstances and advocating for them, not hiding behind rules. Right now, residents are being ignored while someone prioritizes climbing a political ladder. 

It's time for a change. Walker Forward.