We don't have to do it all

I've always wished that our local elected officials would lean on me more. As a nonprofit leader who can speak on behalf of folks who are not often heard - in my case, survivors of domestic and sexual violence - I would have been privileged to represent their perspectives in city discussions and decisions. And I know there are numerous passionate, dedicated, knowledgeable experts in our community who can help us be more inclusive, thoughtful, and efficient with our resources.

Engaging with community partners can allow the city government to approach divisive and contentious issues more proactively to avoid conflict. I think we've all learned some important lessons around communication and collaboration between local governments and community partners over the last few years. City government does not have to act in a silo or solve problems independently - we can address divisions together.

Budget cuts are coming, and it's going to take collaboration with nonprofits, churches, businesses, and other service providers to maintain the services we need to make Salida the best it can be. I would love to see us explore how we can engage our community beyond the city government in public private partnerships to identify more efficient ways to use our limited resources.

One of my key priorities will be building relationships with these partners and proactively seeking their input and feedback. It will take some work! But I believe the potential for creative, innovative, and efficient solutions is worth the time, and that robust representation will bring a healthier, safer, and more sustainable Salida.