Improving Community Engagement

When I was in college, I decided to take a job at Oklahoma State as an apartment assistant where we served international students and their families. One of the things that I quickly realized after making connections with my fellow residents was that they lacked an understanding of some of the basic rules and principles that we generally take for granted. A great example of this was that particular international students lacked an understanding of how our police department worked. This was a major oversight. We assumed that if they are studying in the US, they must already understand the ways that our policing systems are different from their home country. This had to be addressed. So, we decided to create a small program that would go over key cultural differences and customs when a student arrived for orientation. We never would have caught this oversight without taking the time to organize and talk with other students. 

This is just a small example of some of the missteps that can happen when there is no room or consistent venue to give people access to their representatives. I feel that our current political system doesn’t give room for the average person to have a voice, especially over major corporate interests. There is too much ghosting or dictation based on the whispers of the elite and well-connected. We have seen the direct benefits when we come together and support policies that lift people up. I will be a councilor who provides a consistent space for your voice and I’ll work hard to rebuild the trust that our city has lost with the people it serves.

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I'm dedicated to increasing community engagement and participation in local government by:

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• Hosting Regular Town Hall Meetings: Holding regular meetings to foster open communication and address community concerns.

• Seeking Collaborative Solutions: Working together with residents to develop solutions that benefit the entire community.