As a newly elected council member experiencing my first few months on Council, I’ve been reflecting with gratitude on our city and want to say thank you to everyone for this experience and the beginning of an amazing opportunity to serve. To the residents of District IV, thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me. Wheat Ridge has a special blend of friendliness and engagement that makes our city feel less like a municipality and more like one big neighborhood. I’m thankful for the opportunity to see this up close on the campaign trail, and now even more in the work I get to do on council.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my first few months was the opportunity to work alongside my colleagues on the council. Political discourse can be fractured these days, but behind the scenes of our council I have found the hard work and respect that I was hoping to see. We disagree on a regular basis—an important part of serving as representatives of a community with diverse interests—and these disagreements are always met with a culture of collaboration and mutual respect. I know we have the prior councils and the work of Mayor Starker to thank for getting us to the current culture we have on the dais, a culture that is highly regarded by others who work in municipal government. Thank you very much; I understand it takes constant effort to improve and maintain, and I will bring that same work and energy to the table every day.
I am committed to doing the work. Part of that work is legislative, but often more important is listening. I recognize that District IV and Wheat Ridge as a whole are communities of diverse backgrounds, differing priorities, and unique perspectives. I don’t want to hear only the voices that agree with me. I want to understand the concerns of those who don’t. True representation requires an open door and an open mind. I am dedicated to being a bridge for those perspectives, ensuring that our decisions in City Hall are informed by the experiences and desires of everyone.
Finally, I want to invite you to join us in this process. Local government is most effective—and most accountable—when the community is actively engaged. Whether it’s a city council meeting, a study session, or sending me an email with your thoughts, your input is always the main ingredient.
Civic engagement is more than just voting each year. It’s about the ongoing conversation we have about our shared future; genuine conversations we have with each other, beyond the boundaries of a keyboard or social media. I look forward to continuing these conversations with you as we head into a busy and productive spring.
