The Power of Showing Up

If there is one thing I have learned since joining the Aberdeen City Council, it is that the small, steady ways people engage with their city can have a real impact. Whether it is submitting a survey, reporting a pothole, or stepping up to speak at a meeting, showing up matters.

And showing up does not have to mean standing in front of a microphone. Here are just a few ways residents are helping shape Aberdeen's future, often behind the scenes:

Surveys

Periodically, the City releases surveys to

gather input on specific issues. Recently, we’ve asked for public feedback on ADA accessibility, homelessness (including a version specifically for business owners), and the new “Welcome to Aberdeen” sign. That feedback is compiled and shared with City Council to help us understand how the public feels.

It is important to note, though, that while survey results help guide decisions, they do not automatically dictate outcomes. As we saw with the sign project, public input was overwhelmingly in one direction, but the final Council vote went another way. That was hard. I was one of the council members who voted in line with the community, and I know how disappointed many people felt afterward. Your voice was heard, even if the outcome did not reflect it. And I think it is important we continue to talk about how we engage the public early and meaningfully, so that feedback is not just collected, but fully considered.

Citizen Action Requests

These are one of the most effective tools we have. When you submit a request, such as for a pothole or drainage issue, it goes directly to the city department that handles it. Your concern gets logged in the city's system and becomes part of the official queue. You can also check back anytime to see the status. I use this tool myself and highly recommend it. You can find that here: https://aberdeenwa.gov/FormCenter/Citizen-Action-Request-4/Citizen-Action-Request-46

Email and Phone Calls

Email gives you space to explain your thoughts thoroughly and becomes part of the public record. I try to respond to all emails within a few days. Phone calls are welcome too, and I return voicemails as quickly as I can. These one-on-one conversations are often where I learn the most. You can find out how to contact your city council members here: https://aberdeenwa.gov/Directory.aspx?DID=28

Attending Council Meetings

Public comment is an important part of every Council meeting. If you have seen me typing while someone is speaking, it is because I am taking notes. I want to be able to reflect on what was said, and I do go back and review those comments later. I know how intimidating it can be to speak in that room. I had to do it when I applied to fill the vacant Council seat. But I promise you, we are listening. We may not be allowed to respond, but we are taking in everything you say. You do not need to be fancy or polished. Just come as you are. That is our motto in Aberdeen, and we mean it in Council chambers too. You can find the meeting schedules and agendas here: https://aberdeenwa.gov/275/City-Council

Committee Meetings and Boards

Finance, Public Works, Public Safety, the Arts Commission, and many other committees, boards, and commissions. All of these meetings are open to the public. You can find more information about them on the city website. But I believe the city can and should do a better job spreading the word about these opportunities. When the public is not involved early, it can feel like decisions come out of nowhere. That leads to frustration and mistrust. We need to do more to invite people in before a vote is on the table. You can find information on boards and commissions here: https://aberdeenwa.gov/213/Boards-Commissions. This doesn't include the Finance, Public Works, or Public Safety committees. The information for those dates and times can be found on the schedule page here: https://aberdeenwa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2434/2025-Meeting-Dates-PDF

How Can We Do Better?

One thing I keep thinking about is how we share information with the community. What are we doing well, and where are we missing the mark? Are you seeing City updates on Facebook, in the newspaper, or hearing about it on the radio? Or are those messages not reaching you at all?

I would really love your input on this. Where would you like to see information about upcoming projects and decisions? What platforms or locations would actually catch your attention? Would it be mailers, signs in public places, or something else entirely? What would make it easier for you to know when something important is coming up and needs public input?

Your ideas can help us improve how we engage and how we serve. Please don’t hesitate to share.

Your Voice, Our Aberdeen

This is what “Your Voice, Our Aberdeen” means to me. In order to represent your voice, I need to hear it. I need to know what matters to you, how you feel, and where you want to see change. I cannot guarantee every decision will go the way you hope. But I can promise that your voice will be heard and considered, and that I will do my best to reflect those concerns in the decisions I make and the conversations I bring to the table.

So keep showing up. Keep emailing, calling, commenting, reporting, and participating in whatever way works for you. It all adds up. It all matters.

Let’s keep moving forward, together.