In leiu of knocking on doors and shaking hands, and out of a healthy respect for my constituents, we decided to get a little creative and host a series of Pop-Up Popsicle Parties throughout District 4.
Although my original plan was to allow a socially-distanced opportunity for residents to talk with me, I realized that from neighborhood to neighborhood- this was really about getting neighbors to talk with neighbors.
COVID-19 has isolated us so much. Physically, its the healthy the things to do... but mentally and emotionally- we were created for relationship.
I believe the strength of community is in unity. That doesn't mean we are all alike, but it does mean we respect one another. It's hard to do that without communication and taking the time and effort to listen and learn and share.
All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we're giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That's one of the things that connects us as neighbors-in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver. - Mr. Rogers
I still want to be available to talk and hear your suggestions and concerns. Yet, maybe even more importantly, I want to offer opportunities for us to come together and to talk to one another. Neighbors should know their neighbors. Let's find ways to come together over something as easy and agreeable as ice cream so that we can share ideas and vision and be better prepared to talk when the harder issues come up.
If re-elected, I won't wait another 4 years to hiost similar neighborhood gatherings. I also will continue to encourage each neighborhood to have their own personal facebook group or other means of communicating. From a missing dog to a strange noise, there is strength in sharing information with one another and in those unusual times I may need to communicate directly regarding power outages or other location specific items.
Gather. Communicate. Connect. Smile. These are beginnings of strong and successful neighborhoods!