Connections --> Relationships --> Transformation

It’s already July, and I'm gearing up to be on the ballot in just a few months. I hope to serve another term on Iowa City’s city council.

The best thing about campaigning is meeting and listening to so many people.

At the weekly farmers market, most folks bring up topics that hit closest to home: deer management, City Park pool’s future, road conditions, and policing. There’s also been plenty of talk about wildfires, food prices, mental health crises, and fascism here and abroad. 

A lot has changed since my first campaign in 2019, and I’m so grateful to help lead some of the shifts we’re making to ensure Iowa City’s resilience. We are working hard to best handle the rapidly changing environmental and social climate.

If you're feeling powerless in this moment, here’s an important truth I’ve learned as a public servant: every person has so much more power than they realize. 

A single conversation can plant the seeds of transformation. We can create meaningful connections through a simple pause during a busy day to check in, ask for feedback, or acknowledge someone who’s struggling. Our acts of connection make change. We build relationships. We learn about what we share and where we differ, and build capacity to embrace and celebrate both.

I'm very excited about recent work in making connections and building relationships that has created a community-wide focus on strengthening neighbors and neighborhoods.

At the City, we are hiring our first full-time neighborhood outreach coordinator. A new nonprofit called Resilient Sustainable Future for Iowa City is investing in neighborhood activities. The James Theater has started a twice-monthly Community Assembly. Local summer festivals are well underway. Better Together 2030 is keeping us on track with a vision for our shared future.

Among local governments and nonprofits, I am seeing more collaboration than ever before. New and seasoned leaders are putting their egos aside, finding common ground, and sharing power. We are discussing safety in terms of overall health and well-being. At the same time, we are cultivating community opportunities for growth, connection, and joy.

Will you come with me?