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How would Susan engage citizens in more active participation in our community and our government? As vice-chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, I’m a founding member of this organization that funds, inspires, recruits, supports and trains more women to take an active role in their government. The grassroots growth of the DWC is a result of concerned citizens sounding the alarm, organizing and opening doors for others. I’m very proud of the DWC and I do believe we are slowly but surely making a difference in the political landscape. It was a true highlight this year to be a part of a conference call with Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, as we gathered in Memorial Hall with a group of energized young women from the I.U. Women’s Student Association. If we want our political wishes to be granted, we must do more than wish. We must organize and actively work for candidates who best represent our interests, and we must nurture viable, dynamic, progressive candidates for the future. Many existing organizations also open opportunities to our citizens. As a graduate of the Bloomington Citizen’s Academy, I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to become informed about the inner-workings of city government. Better informed citizens make better educated voters and community activists. I applaud the Bloomington Housing and Neighborhood Development department for sponsoring this valuable citizen awareness program. I volunteer with a number of nonprofit agencies in the community and encourage all Bloomington citizens to find a cause they are passionate about and go to work. By volunteering a couple of hours a week, by making financial contributions, or by becoming an active member of a board or a committee, each one of us can make a big difference in the quality of someone’s life. My favorite volunteer project is my work with the theater group through New Leaf New Life. If Monroe County inmates get no opportunities to learn life skills, if they have no outlet for personal expression, receive no help for their addictions, have no second chance, no hope…it is almost assured that they will return to the jail. Jail overcrowding and recidivism is a huge problem in our community, and my few hours each week in the Monroe County Jail makes a direct, hands-on difference. It is my pleasure to be a small part of the solution, and I encourage my fellow citizens to share their talents and do the same. I support community initiatives that create fewer inmates, not bigger jails. I encourage all citizens to vote, get involved in a campaign to elect good representatives, and to make public comment at City Council meetings to make their opinions known. Democracy is not a spectator sport, and I hope more Bloomington citizens get out of the bleachers and into the game! We all win with greater participation.
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PAID FOR BY SANDBERG FOR CITY COUNCIL, CHARLOTTE ZIETLOW, TREASURER |