Happy Labor Day everyone! It’s the ‘official’ kick off to campaign season - buckle up & get ready for knocks at your door, cards on your doorknobs & lots of ads! Thought I’d share a bit with you about the Monmouth City Council today, for those who may not know. Our Council is comprised of a Mayor & 6 Councilors - all elected by YOU - & all volunteers. They meet on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month, 6:30 pm, City Hall. The public is welcome to come and, currently, are given

Get ‘em while they’re hot! 👍🏻✅😄

Coming soon to a door near you! 👍🏻

Listening to the news tonight & disturbed by something I hear from both parties…dismay when one of ‘their’ people vote with ‘the other side.’ I wonder when this started, but think it could’ve been near the beginning of where we are today. We can’t be unwilling to collaborate for the best outcome. It’s not about politicians. It’s about those they serve. “Public servants.” It’s one of the reasons I’m running for office. Yep, it happens at every level of govt - voting as a pack.

Good rainy morning! For those of us in the NW, it’s like seeing an old friend when we hear the raindrops on the roof! And, funny enough, it’s time to hit the streets - knocking on your doors, having a short chat & sharing info about me - to earn your vote November 3. (Ballots drop mid-October - please go ahead & vote early!) Last night was Monmouth City Council meeting night. I know everyone doesn’t have a couple of hours two Tuesdays a month to go - but I urge you to find th

It’s almost September… where did summer go?! 🌺🍁🍂 Labor Day is next week - which means, this year, that Election Day is about 60 days away! Get those eyes & ears open for all that’s coming your way - there are great opportunities here locally to influence some positive change - every single vote matters. So do some pre-election prep… check your voter registration - make sure you’re registered to vote - and pay attention to what candidates are, or aren’t, saying. Voters have

Potential for a lengthy post, hang with me 😊. I took a drive this morning to Scio/Jefferson to check out a small shop I’d heard about. First of all - love driving thru Ankeny, it’s been awhile. Secondly, I was inspired by what I saw at my destination - American flags, farmland & people who are bold in their beliefs, kind and smiling. I was refreshed. I’m a country girl at heart - was raised in a small southern town that currently has a population of about 800. I spent some t

Signs can go up on September 3rd! ✅ Please let me know & I’d be honored to deliver one of mine to you! (And pick up later.) It’s an exciting time, Monmouth! We have several new candidates running against incumbents - that’s a good thing! 👍🏻👍🏻 (Independence too!)

A quiet Saturday night in Monmouth, after a week of big events. I’m beyond honored & humbled to be running for Mayor of Monmouth. I’m new to politics, this isn’t something I’d imagined I’d be doing. But I’m thrilled about it & believe it’s the right thing to be doing at just this time. I’m a Christian. Please don’t let that scare or worry you. It’s a good thing. Among other things, it means I have no misconceptions that I’m the most important person in the world. It means I k

All dressed up (in Oregon standards 😊) for a big meeting this morning! Each day brings a unique experience that fuels my fire to be Your Mayor of Our Small Town. Time’s up for incumbents who have forgotten why they were elected - to serve the public. Personal agendas & legacy concerns have taken priority over common sense for our residents. Make sure you’re registered to vote & plan now to cast your vote in just a few weeks - for Belinda Strouth, Monmouth Mayor!

Spent a fun morning at the Polk County Fairgrounds - an event hosted by Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center and Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce “Good Morning Polk County.” Breakfast, lots of new people to meet, friends, & interesting speakers. Friendly tip… if you’re 4’11-1/4” & a bit fluffy, may not be a great idea to stand beside a very tall gentleman! 😂 (who happens to be running for Mayor of Dallas!) The big mayor & the little mayor… 😊 But this i

Even if you don’t live in Monmouth city limits - if you own a business in town, shop in town, etc etc - what happens in City Hall affects you! Great example - the recent UGB Land Swap issue. The folks in that area can’t vote in City elections, but the Land Swap measure affects them every day. They count on in-town voters & their assistance to help them in their endeavor. And we count on their support as well. We’re connected & care about the same things. Help us help you! Sup

Good morning everybody! I ask for your grace for the next 79 days as this campaign will be forefront in my mind. As I’ve said before, I have no idea why, but the Lord has put me on this path & I want to work as hard as I can to fulfill His calling. I tear up when I think about Him using me for His purpose - me?! But we know how He uses unworthy people. I think something I’m supposed to learn in this is to ask for help. I’m not good at that, it’s very uncomfortable. Help comes

Another big day in the life of Mayoral Candidate Belinda! I am so very thankful to God for these opportunities, the strength - mental & physical - to be doing what is set before me. I was invited to speak at the Polk County Republican picnic today - my first ‘real’ speaking engagement as a candidate. They also asked me to do the opening prayer. I don’t mind admitting I was a bit nervous - but hey, I’m new at this & that’s ok. Not going to pretend I’m something I’m not. (Unusu

What a great day in the wonderful small town of Monmouth, Oregon! Lots of excitement this morning as we welcomed a new restaurant to downtown - Qdoba! Owned by the same family who owns Neighborhood Market, long time residents of Monmouth. 😊 Folks started lining up hours early to welcome them (& get a free burrito card!) 🌯🌮🍪 Nats Oven Love was there with big, beautiful, homemade cookies. What a perfect day! A dear friend & I had a delicious lunch and watched a young man ea

I attended the Independence City Council meeting Tuesday evening. Our sister city is having significant budget issues - so much so, they’re having to seriously consider closing the Independence Public Library, parks & Museum. The Tuesday meeting was the first of two required-by-law public hearings the town must have in the process of closing a library. The room was packed & overflowing. All were in agreement that they don’t want the library to close, but disagree about the wa

Making the decision to run for public office is no small thing & doing so now gives me new appreciation for those who do. For me, the catalyst for running was realizing our city government isn’t working as it should for the PEOPLE in our small town. Sadly, it’s been happening for too long. The gradual changes in town that aren’t representative of the majority of our citizens…A lack of transparency which leads to a lack of trust…which leads to discouragement & a feeling of ‘my

We've got some work to do! Let's go!

My posts so far have been to ‘introduce’ myself to those who may not know me at all. Now that everything is absolutely official, I’m going to ask you even more to share this page - it’s a must that we get the word out to any & all. I need your support. Monmouth needs a change to what has become the status quo. My opponent has the benefit of name recognition big time. She’s running for the 5th time to be the Mayor of Monmouth - sometimes unopposed. Unacceptable. It’s time to m

Spent the day at the Polk County Fair! Love fairs, critters & farm kids!! Seeing the hard work these kiddos put into their animals gives me great hope for the future of our country. The livestock auction was fascinating - the bids absolutely amazing! 🐑🐄🐓🐐🐖 Met some really great people - a beautiful day 😊👍🏻☀️!