American Fork is more than just my home — it’s my history, my inspiration, and my family. This city has shaped my life in countless ways and serving as mayor has given me the incredible opportunity to give back to a place that means so much to me.

In my role as mayor, I’ve been lucky enough to meet and work with many people. I have worked with state and federal legislatures, interacted with the governor, and have even been to Washington, D.C., to advocate for our city. While these are all important and notable experiences, my most satisfying and memorable interactions have always been with the residents of American Fork.

I love digging in the soil alongside elementary kids as we plant trees. I look forward to spending time with our seniors and veterans as I deliver meals. It’s so fun to dress up as a pit crew member, or Bandit from “Bluey,” or Danny Zuko from “Grease,” so I can give candy on Main Street to families on Halloween. I also love hanging out with Santa and our residents as we light Christmas trees in our downtown park.

It’s not all fun and games, but it is all important. I have also been in late meetings with city council members seeking solutions to difficult problems. I have had honest and earnest conversations in the grocery store, while my ice cream melts. Being a part of a community isn’t always easy, sometimes it’s messy (like my melted ice cream). However, it is also rewarding and essential.

I’m grateful for the men and women who serve at all levels of government. However, for me, and perhaps for many of you, some of the most meaningful and rewarding work I could ever do is within the borders of my own city. For me, this is figuratively and literally where the rubber hits the road.

I recently got to spend time with a family going through a very difficult time. Their young child really loves firefighters, so we spent some time touring the fire station, meeting the crew, and even going up in the tower truck. What a view! It reminded me that we can have personal impact on others’ lives and experiences for good. To me, community represents shared responsibility, belonging, connection, and the belief that we are strongest when we work together. At its core, a community is defined by the people who call it home.

You don’t have to be the mayor or a city council member to appreciate your city like I appreciate mine.

But the more involved you are, the more you will fall in love with where you live. Take the opportunity to attend the many wonderful events in your city, meet new people, join a committee or board, and seek to understand the issues. For example, around this time of year, every year American Fork hosts a Budget Open House. This is where residents can participate in the city’s budget process by reviewing and commenting on the tentative budget. Virtually every city does this. Reach out to your city and find out when their budget open house is and attend!

There are a lot of good things happening in our communities, and there are chances to be a part of shaping the future of these places we call home while building on the rich heritage already there. I invite you to join in working together to build the community you want to see.