We have lived in the City of Plantation since 1992....just as the Plantation Police Department was being dissolved. Billy and I attended the one public meeting on this issue and that was our introduction to small city government. What an eye-opener! This process piqued my interest in becoming an elected official.

Billy and I "grew up" in the Original Highlands as the area entered into a period of change. We know firsthand the positive impact that strong families and socio-economic diversity can have toward the revitalization of neighborhoods. I encourage each resident, non-resident property owner, and business owner in Plantation to find ways to actively cause a renaissance of our City. The results can be astounding!

I proudly tout my public school experiences at Bloom Elementary, Highland Jr. High, and Atherton High School. It was within these nurturing and progressive halls that I was provided many wonderful opportunities to begin understanding the qualities and responsibilities of leadership. It is imperative that we find ways to offer similar opportunities to our children and youth. As community leaders, parents, and neighbors we must be proactive in finding ways to set positive models of leading with honor and following with dignity.

I was the middle child and only girl in my family of origin. My brothers and I gave each other many opportunities to practice our negotiating skills and to embrace the value of compromise. For some reason, I seem to appreciate these skills a little more now! I embrace my humility as a virtue, not a weakness, and, therefore, I will always celebrate the process of working respectfully from different perspectives to find the best solution.

Our dad proudly served in the Marines and, in my eyes, was always the exemplary patriot. He instilled in us that our freedoms are privileges that come with a huge debt . I am repaying my "freedom debt" as a former Court Appointed Special Advocate ("CASA"), a retired Little League coach, manager, umpire, and tournament director, a past Junior Achievement volunteer, a member of the Board of Directors for River City Housing, an as-needed volunteer youth program coordinator and Sunday School teacher at Faith Community Church - United Church of Christ, and as a volunteer with Eastern Area Community Ministries.

Our Mom never accepted excuses for our actions, behaviors, or choices. She set a high standard early in our lives that we should never say, "I can't". We were always encouraged to try our best. "Because they did it" was never an acceptable reason for anything. Mom let us know that we created our own opportunities or consequences. For these reasons, I strive to meet the higher level of accountability that is expected of me as an elected official.

Billy and I were given a huge opportunity to learn about family economics and personal asset building when we became homeowners early in our married lives. The financial responsibilities of homeownership required that we be a two-income family and we met the challenges of parenting just like families in our neighborhood today - with commitment, hard work, humor, and a lot of love. Our son, Michael, and daughter, Melissa, were "latch-key kids" who learned self-reliance and dependability as a result. Today, Michael and Melissa are loving parents, responsible employees, and good citizens.

We have 3 wonderful grandsons, Gage, Ethan, and Carter. The relationship with a grandchild cannot be explained; it must be experienced!

I suppose that Popeye said it best: "I am what I am and that's all that I am....". Thank you for the opportunity to be your mayor! I hope that I am making you proud to live in the City of Plantation.