Eureka City Council - Ward 1
1. What is your primary reason for running for this position?
My primary reason for running is my two young children. I have a two year old and a one year old who I have chosen to raise in my hometown of Eureka. The decisions being made now will directly affect my children, and others like me, who have decided to come back home and raise their children. It is vital that we have a say in the shaping of our future and the longevity of this community.
2. What is your vision for your city/board of education and how would you help achieve it?
My vision is to try and get those on the board currently to see with a fresh set of eyes. To look through the scope of us, the young families and members of this community, and to help us set up a path of longevity for this town we have CHOSEN to live in.
3. What three issues do you consider to be your “top priorities?”
1) Budget Reform – We need to cut wasteful spending. I have begun going through previous year’s income and expense reports for different departments as well as previous budget and audit reports. This has already helped me see discrepancies that I believe we can correct.
2) Infrastructure – Once the budget is evaluated, hopefully, we will be able to better allocate where funding is needed the most.
3) Community – We need a sense of community back. We need a community that feels they can speak to their council without defensiveness or speak up and not be retaliated against. We need people who are going to listen to understand, not listen to reply.
4. What background do you have that will help you in this role, if elected?
I have received my bachelor’s degree in accounting, have seven years of experience in accounting, and am currently working on being able to sit for my CPA. This experience includes budgeting, reading and creating financial statements, audit reports and audit work, payroll, tax preparation for individuals, businesses, and nonprofits, and much more. With my focus primarily on the budget, I believe I will be able to help mitigate expenses where needed and cut unnecessary spending where necessary, helping to ensure we get the best value for our hard earned tax dollars.
5. How do you feel the current board/council is doing in their service?
As I have told the council countless times, they have done a lot of positive things for this community. I have let them know I am thankful for their service in a thankless job, that I know people aren’t busting down the doors to fill these positions. With the longevity of some of those on the board, I feel we have hit a wall of complacency and burn out. We need new, young blood on the board. We need fresh minds and ideas.
6. Please list personal information or other information you feel is important.
Growing up, I was taught the importance of community, taking care of our neighbors, helping without being asked, and overall taking initiative when things needed to get done. Throughout my life here I have volunteered through church services, our local elections, the health departments flu clinics, and other various fundraising efforts for those going through unimaginable hardships and tragedies. I have also spent many years on various boards and volunteer organizations to help better our community. My husband and I both live and work in Eureka where we also are raising our two sons Theo and Nolan. I am running for the City Council for the future of not only my children, but other people’s children. I want my sons to have a place to call home. The only way we can ensure this happens is if we focus on infrastructure and building up local business. I can’t make any fancy promises. But I will guarantee that every decision I make will be based on every citizen in the community, not just the needs of a few. That we are protecting our most vulnerable and lifting up our families.
