August 13, 2026

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 way to accomplish that.

I see hope there. All of those folks in agreement - there seems to always be a common thread. We just need to put our collective heads together to find the best solution. When the government listens to, works with the people - good things can happen. That doesn’t mean everyone ends up happy with the results, but everyone will feel a part of the outcome, not that something was done in the dark.

When governments speak with disrespect to the people who elected them and ignore their comments & pleas, division occurs. Silencing or ignoring dissent is not an answer.

When elected to be the Mayor of Monmouth, this is my first priority - engage the people who cast their votes, even if they didn’t vote for me. Because I know we still have enough in common to work together for the betterment of our town.