Makanda Township: COMMUNITY FORWARD

     A commitment to public service emerged early in my adult life.   In my twenties and thirties, I gave time to various local political and societal issues in my community such as women’s health issues, and adult literacy.  Additionally, I developed an administrative skill set as a healthcare specialist for families through a Head Start program in Southern Illinois.  Later, I completed a bachelors and masters degree in English education at SIU-Carbondale.  For 22 years, I taught in the public school system starting in Harrisburg for two years and finishing my career  at Carbondale Community High School. Part of my duties at CCHS included a 7 year stint as the English Department chairperson.  To be effective in these public service professions requires an ability to work diligently and with dedication to the community you serve. In these arenas, I worked closely with parents, children, staff, faculty, and administration. Many of these people were integral in helping me develop the skill set needed to serve my community successfully then and hopefully in the future as a Makanda Township Trustee.

      Once retired, volunteer public service opportunities at a local level became a focus for me. You cannot get more local than being involved with your Township and how it serves the community. While attending the monthly townships meetings, I watched with admiration the trustees grapple with the needs and concerns of our community. At these meetings, the community at large was present in good numbers.  The public comment periods could be contentious. It was clear to me that our trustees worked tirelessly to create a dialogue between themselves and the public—not an easy task when emotions are running high. Witnessing the trustees navigate the public comments during these meetings was an education in how local governmental bodies should work—one that I would be honored to join.

Electing me for a  Makanda Trustee position would help me accomplish the following goals:

1. Acquiring Public Library Access for residents without it, due to living outside a public library service area. “Approximately one million people in Illinois do not have access to public library services, because they are not taxed for library service by a local governing agency." From https://railslibraries.org/unserved.

2. Encouraging young adults involvement with Makanda Township through an educational initiative about the services Illinois Townships provide.  


Questions about when and where you can vote for the upcoming local election? Visit https://illinoisvoterguide.org/

Early voting starts:  Feb. 20, 2025
Election Day at your precinct is:  April 1st, 2025