Why I'm Running
I graduated from Grace College in 2020 with a degree in Communication and a minor in Political Communication. While there, I studied local government under a city councilman who now serves as our mayor. One lesson has stayed with me ever since: the decisions that affect our daily lives most are often made at the local level.
I believe local government plays a vital role in our communities. It is where neighbors help neighbors, where problems can be solved close to home, and where elected officials are most accountable to the people they serve. Government should be practical, responsive, and focused on its core responsibilities.
My decision to run for Wayne Township is also personal.
My grandparents lived in St. Joe County and both worked jobs into their 60s and 70s. When my grandfather became seriously ill and couldn't work, my grandmother found herself struggling to make ends meet on Social Security alone. She turned to her township trustee for help, but instead of receiving support, she was made to feel like a burden. She left feeling embarrassed and unwelcome.
Unfortunately, I have heard too many stories like hers from people right here in Warsaw and Winona Lake.
Township government exists for moments like those. It exists so that no one has to choose between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table. It exists to help people through difficult seasons while treating them with dignity and respect.
My husband and I are homeowners here in Warsaw, where we live with our three dogs and our cat. Although I'm part of a younger generation, I remember vividly the impact the 2008 recession on families like mine. My father worked in the RV industry, and when he was laid-off, I saw firsthand how quickly hard-working people can find themselves struggling through circumstances beyond their control.
That experience taught me something important: needing help is not a personal failure.
I believe in responsible budgeting and maintaining emergency reserves. However, township government exists for a reason. Since we have the resources (currently over 2M dollars) to help people who are struggling today, we should not be so focused on preparing for a possible future crisis that we overlook the very real challenges our neighbors are facing right now.
My grandmother didn't need help from the township someday if the economy got worse. She needed help then. How many people either don't know or don't feel comfortable asking for help when they have no other option? We have over 1,200 households in our community who are living below the poverty line, and only 35 recieved help last year. The purpose of a safety net is to be there when people fall. Responsible planning matters, but so does remembering why those resources exist in the first place.
As your township board member, I will work to ensure our township remains focused on its mission, responsible with taxpayer dollars, and accessible to the people it serves. We all deserve to know what our tax money is doing. I believe government works best when it listens first, treats people with respect, and remembers that every person who walks through the door deserves to be heard.
That's why I'm running for us.