I have lived in Cookeville and District 6 specifically my whole life. I am the extremely proud mother of two of the best daughters a mom could dream of, Jazmyn and Iris both of whom were raised right here in Putnam County. I am a retired educator for the Putnam County School System where I served for 28 years. In that capacity, I tried to help others to the best of my ability. I attended TTU and graduated with a BS Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters and Education Specialist Degrees in Educational Psychology and Counselor Education. But before all that I was a little girl who attended (and loved) Park View Elementary School (go Rockets). It was at PVES that I was taught so many lessons from so many remarkable educators. One overarching theme that I have carried with me from my years at PVES to the present day is the importance of community and helping one another. We had so many assemblies, projects, and programs focusing on citizenship, teamwork, and being a good neighbor. I remember assemblies featuring a group called “Up with People”. They gave lively performances about the importance of community and what it meant to be a good neighbor, a good citizen. I remember seeing and participating in the play “Stone Soup”. The overarching theme being if everyone contributes a little of what they have, we can create something better together. “Together Everyone Achieves More” comes to my mind a great deal. It was there that I was taught that this country was a melting pot where everyone has a place and has a right to “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. I was taught to treat others as you would like to be treated. I interpret that to mean to treat others with dignity and respect, and to honor the humanity in others. Everyone has something to offer and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect no matter their race, religion, creed, or national origin.
Another thing I learned while still very young, both from my parents and teachers, was if you have a question… ask! You are likely not the only one with the question, but someone else may be too nervous to ask, so you may be helping them by asking. I decided to run because I feel like the values that I grew up with seem to be slipping away. Helping your neighbor is being replaced by a lack of empathy and compassion for your fellow man. If I am feeling this way, I think maybe there are others who might be feeling this way too. I want to offer my friends and neighbors in District 6 the option to vote for a candidate who will lead with compassion and empathy, dignity and humanity for all at the forefront of every decision. I want to be the helper and the voice for my neighbors, my district, my county, and beyond.
Live- 1. spend one’s life in a particular way under a particular set of circumstances-to exist 2. Make one’s home in a particular place or with a particular person
Laugh-instinctive expression of lively amusement
Love- 1. An intense feeling of deep affection 2. Great interest in and pleasure in something
I am a word girl. I love words, I love talking, I love reading. As a counselor I kept inspirational quotes and sayings and plaques on the “Word Wall” behind my desk so that students would see them while I was working with them in my office. In my home you’ll find more framed quotes and inspirational plaques and yes, that DOES include the time honored “Live, Laugh, Love” quote in various forms and in various places throughout my home. So when another candidate jokingly suggested that my campaign slogan be Live, Laugh, Love, I did in fact laugh… at first. After all, this is politics! I’m running for County Commission District 6, that’s serious business! And it is. But the serious business of creating policies, managing budgets, discussing infrastructure, and constituent concerns all boils down to creating a county where people can go about their lives in a safe, affordable, welcoming place. One of the definitions of the word live is to “make one’s home in a particular place…” They work, they play, they contribute to this community in their own unique ways. People live here.
Hopefully people laugh here! Laughing is defined as an instinctive expression of lively amusement. At the heart of District 6 you’ll find Cane Creek Park. It is one of my absolute favorite places in town. I go as often as the weather and time allow to walk the well appointed trails and take in the natural beauty. There are always families there as well, enjoying each other, laughing together, playing together. It is good to be joyful. If elected I hope to bring joy and laughter to my tasks as commissioner and to the constituents that I serve. I want to ensure that any budget or policy we pass keeps the well being of people at the forefront.
And finally, love. One definition of love is an intense feeling of deep affection. Another is to show great interest in and pleasure in something. I love my hometown. It was a good place to grow up and to raise my family. But as good as it is I love it enough to say that it could be even better. I want all people of Putnam County to not only love it here, but feel loved and seen in return. We have people here from all walks of life and I want to be the candidate that ensures that each individual feels seen and welcome to live, laugh, and love in this place we call home. If elected to the County Commission, I will keep people at the heart of every decision. I will try my best to do what’s right for District 6 and Putnam County as a whole!
