PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST

Hi! I’m Lisa. I love the city of Idaho Falls and have been honored to serve on the city council for the last several months. In my brief time on the council I have had the opportunity to serve on the Power board. This has been an incredible learning experience and am energized by the many opportunities that are available for our corner of Idaho. I believe in citizen driven policy and robust community engagement. I am committed to transparent budgets that are a balance between growth, public service, parks and recreation, and public works. I am interested in a fiscally responsible budget that meets the needs of the city and allows for positive growth.

The challenges facing our city in the next several years will require a city government that is willing to listen to citizens. I support Imagine IF because this program is designed to increase public engagement in the government process. My time in community service has taught me that listening to the public is critical but perhaps what is most empowering is educating the public about how and when to engage in government for the greatest impact. As our city grows, people fear losing the connectedness associated with small communities. The city uses many formats to communicate with residents, however, sometimes residents feel unconnected with city-level decisions. I believe it is important for the City Council and Mayor to adopt through City Code a public engagement plicy that facilitates communication and collaboration with residents. With a city-wide policy for public engagement, current and future city advisory committees could be given more opportunities to consult, involve and collaborate in the decision making process.

Through my experience on the local PTO, School Board and City Council, I have learned that it is essential to treat everyone with kindness and dignity. Most of the issues and conflicts that drive people to act unkind and mean-spirited eventually lose all importance. There are no differences of opinion, politics, or policy worthy of being hateful, retaliatory, or unkind. I believe in the golden rule. Idaho Falls residents can be assured that I will always listen and treat everyone with consideration and respect.