Editor’s Note This is part of a series of Cottonwood City Council candidate essays that will be published prior to the election on Tuesday, Aug. 28.
My name is Jackie Nairn, and I am running for Cottonwood City Council so that I can serve you and your interests.
I have been very active in this community since moving here: Working at Catholic Charities in homeless services, serving on the Library Advisory Board and on the board of directors of the Verde Valley Homeless Coalition.
I have volunteered to pack food for families and have participated in food collection drives. I have a bachelor of social work degree and have been working in various social service agencies for over 20 years with more than half of that time in leadership positions.
When faced with making any decision of importance, I look at all sides of the issue and like to hear from all who will be affected by the decision before making a decision. I enjoy doing research, and this is one method that I use to look at all sides of an issue.
My work at Catholic Charities has been very rewarding for me as my personal mission is to help others to improve their quality of life as much as possible through inspiring them to have hope for their future.
Serving on the Library Advisory Board has allowed me to begin to serve the community as a whole through assisting the library manager to move the library forward.
As president of the Verde Valley Homeless Coalition Board of Directors I have been able to help create a new nonprofit in our community whose mission is to fill in the gaps of service for individuals experiencing homelessness.
It is a pleasure to serve this community, and I look forward to continuing to do so in any way possible.
The City Council is the local governing body that creates city policy through ordinances and resolutions in an effort to create and sustain a thriving and vibrant community for all who live, work and play here.
A City Council member is someone that you have elected to speak on your behalf so it is important that council member’s engage the community to speak their mind on issues facing the city.
I am committed to this community and, once elected, will work very hard for you to continue to move our community through whatever issues come up in the future.
The City Council must curb spending, reduce debt and build an amount in reserves that will allow the city to be sustainable through any future economic downturns that may occur. Spending should be reasonable and responsible, and it is the council’s job to ensure that city staff spend your tax dollars in a reasonable and responsible manner.
The city has been going through the budget process for Fiscal Year 2019 and has had many discussions during their meetings recently regarding the budget.
These discussions have included raising the sales tax rate, where and how much to cut spending, whether or not to include merit, cost-of-living adjustment and longevity raises for staff and many other topics.
In attending these meetings, there has been several citizens who have come and spoken to the council regarding the proposed sales tax increase and how the city should use any surplus from such an increase.
The more citizens that come and speak to the City Council or send their thoughts and comments to city council members via email, the more likely it is that the council will know and understand what the community as a whole would like to see done and what is important to our citizens.
Therefore, council members need to engage the community in the process of government. There are many ways in which a city can engage the public and I would like to see regular town hall meetings held to hear what you think about issues and answer your questions without the formality of a council meeting.
Growth and expansion within the city is happening and the council should ensure that growth does not happen so fast that the city cannot keep up with the infrastructure and water needs of all. I also believe that the city can and should do a better job of transparency with citizens on all issues. You have a right to know the issues your community is facing, as well as, having the right to voice your concerns and opinions on each of these issues. But without transparency, it is very difficult for everyone to know what issues and information about the issues that are being presented to City Council members.
