Why are you running for office?

I'm running again for Red Wing City Council because I believe in the power of collective resources to serve the common good.Good government should be transparent, thoughtful, and accountable to the people it serves. I am committed to listening carefully to diverse perspectives, asking hard questions, and making decisions based on what will best serve our entire community. Red Wing is strongest when we work together, respect one another, and invest in the things that help all residents thrive. I will continue to bring an independent voice, a collaborative spirit, and a deep commitment to public service as we address the opportunities and challenges facing our city.

What experiences have prepared you to serve effectively in this role?

My life has been centered on public service. As an educator, I spent my career teaching and supporting people of all ages, from littles to elders. Through my ordained diaconal ministry, I have accompanied people through times of joy, struggle, and change while working to strengthen our community. These experiences taught me the importance of listening, collaboration, and serving the common good. Public service has always been at the heart of my work, so serving in elected office was a natural extension of that calling. City Council allows me to continue serving the people of Red Wing and helping to positively shape our community.

What are your top three priorities if elected?

1) Listen, Represent, and Genuinely Serve Our Community

2) Responsible Stewardship and Transparent Decision-Making

3) Respect Our Charter, Strategic Plan & Responsibilities

How do plan to address your top priorities?

1) I believe my first responsibility as a council member is to listen. Residents regularly reach out when they support or oppose a proposal that affects their lives, neighborhoods, businesses, or quality of life. My role is to listen carefully and consider all perspectives before making a decision. I make it a point to be accessible to everyone. Good representation begins with listening, and I believe every resident deserves to have their voice heard in the decisions that shape our community.

2) I will continue to approach each issue with an open mind, consider the facts and potential impacts, and be a responsible steward of public resources being mindful of long-term infrastructure, streets, utilities, and other capital needs. I believe in transparency and open communication, particularly while making disciplined budget decisions.

3) I believe honest leadership also means understanding and respecting the framework within which the City Council operates. I will keep the City Charter and our current Strategic Plan in mind when considering issues and setting priorities. At the same time, I believe we need to remain responsive as circumstances change. My goal is to balance the direction we've established with what I'm hearing from residents today,

What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing the people you hope to represent?

Balancing individual concerns with what is best for the entire community. People often have very different perspectives and priorities. I believe one of the greatest challenges for a council member is balancing the concerns and needs of individual residents with what is ultimately best for the community as a whole.

Public service requires collaboration. How would you work with individuals who hold different viewpoints?

Authentic leadership and effective collaboration isn't about having all the answers or making everyone happy. It's about asking questions then actually listening to understand, being thoughtful and transparent, and staying open minded in order to best serve the greater good of our community.

How will you communicate with and remain accessible to your constituents?

My role is to listen carefully and consider all perspectives before making any decision. I make it a point to be accessible to everyone in Red Wing, not just "my ward". If someone wants to meet in person, I make time. If they send an email, I read it and reply. If they prefer a phone call, I will talk with them. Specifically in my ward, however, I offer my time to provide updates in town hall forums when asked.

At the end of your term, what accomplishments would define success?

At the end of my term, I would consider it a success if residents felt that they had a council member who truly listened to them, represented them fairly, and took their concerns seriously. I truly hope residents will say I was accessible, honest, willing to listen—even when we disagreed—and that I approached every decision with the best interests of Red Wing at heart.

I would also want to look back and know that I helped make competently thoughtful decisions that moved Red Wing forward while keeping the greater good of the community in mind.

For me, success isn't about how many accomplishments have my name attached to them. It's about whether I made a positive contribution to our community and left Red Wing stronger than I found it.

Tell voters something about yourself outside of politics.

I love a good adventure. A long time ago, in a land far, far away (about 20 miles from here) - before eBikes, cell phones, and microwaves - I grew up. On one particular afternoon, I was feeling particularly wealthy with the 85 cents I had saved up. Since I was trusted to be home alone for an afternoon at the ripe age of 11, surely I felt I could be trusted with a short excursion. I decided to hop on to my trusted banana seat bicycle and made off for the big city with a Dairy Queen 4 whole miles away. Away I went, wind flying through my hair and excitement in my belly! Imagine my delight when I finally made it there and learned that I could actually afford a peanut buster parfait instead of the intended buster bar! Taking my sweet time, I eventually finished this enormous treat and decided I should probably head for home. It might have been a little later than it should have been; it might have been getting a little darker than I realized while I was enjoying my delicacy. I started back on my bike. I’m also a lot more tired than I had planned. I'm feeling a little worried about it getting dark and a lot afraid of the trouble awaiting because it is later than I realized. It was about then on this back country road I see THE Volare wagon approaching. My mother pulled across right in front of me and jumped out with her arms flailing. She was crying with joy and ... rage. To be fair, she did let me explain my fantastic adventure and proudly show her the change from my journey to the Dairy Queen before she lectured me - all the way home. I still love a good adventure like scuba diving and zip lining.