What does a county councilwoman do with her time?
I want to make sure you know what I’m working on as YOUR elected official. While there isn’t really a typical week for me — there IS a typical rhythm to every week — and it is fast!
Keep in mind that I still work nearly full time (32 hours a week), at the University of Utah in Facilities Management.
Here’s what I did last week:
Monday
- Went to work and then spoke to young leaders from around the state at the Emerging Leaders Institute Summit.
- Met with a community member looking to get more involved in county politics
- Attended the celebration for our new Salt Lake City Mayor, Erin Mendenhall, where I gathered signatures for the citizen’s tax referendum.
Tuesday: Council Day!
- Met with fellow elected Democrats for a strategy breakfast.
- Headed to the county building on State Strett to turn in two completed tax referendum packets to our County Clerk!
- My friend and tailor, Raheem, recently told me he’s not registered to vote – so I picked up a mail in registration form for him. He is an Iraqi-American who has seen first-hand the results of protracted war — and he’s very motivated to vote in 2020.
- At the county building, I got to congratulate the sweetest couple who were about to get married–Jordan and Fabio! They knew who I was because they’ve seen me DJ for Pride Festival.
- County Council meeting brought the first presentation on the revised application for the development of Olympia Hills.
- I followed up on efforts to find funding for syringe exchange programs in the community and started setting meetings for the new year.
Wednesday
- After work, I headed to KCPW to record the podcast Both Sides of the Aisle. At the end of last year, I was invited to co-host the program with Natalie Gochnour and Senator Dan McCay.
- When I wrapped taping, I dropped by the Senate Democrats fundraiser to show my support and ended up staying to talk with a couple of great potential candidates putting themselves out there. I made it home in time to read Des some bedtime books.
Thursday
- 7:30am board meeting for Salt Lake County Health Department’s Environmental Quality Advisory Commission, then to work at the U
- Thursday evenings can be a little slower, but not this night. I took Des with me to the Mother of the Year banquet. I had the honor of recognizing Kelly Ballard, Salt Lake County Mother of the Year. Many of the mothers who spoke were very frank about the challenges of motherhood and many of the difficulties their own children have faced. Kelly lives by a simple philosophy that resonated with me – people and building community are much more important than material things. Des and I made it a whole hour before I let him watch a movie on my phone! He is only four years old.
Friday
- It was a busy day at the U so I missed the ground breaking for the new convention center coming to downtown Salt Lake City, but I did get the chance at the end of the day to check in with a few people gearing up to run for office in 2020. It’s going to be a great year for Utah Democrats and those of you who live in the 2nd Congressional District, stay tuned — there are good things on the horizon.
- I managed to sit down and share a meal with Des and Nick on Friday night and it was a glorious little family date night.
Weekend
- This weekend, I collected signatures for the referendum on tax reform and recharged a little with friends.
Your support over the last two years means the world to me. As we head into 2020, a new aspect of my week will be fundraising phone calls. If you have supported me in the past, please start making a monthly contribution today. Your willingness to donate in response to this email means more time in the community and more chances I can get to read books to Des at night.
Thank you and let’s win together in 2020!