Thanksgiving and holidays are a special time of year, when we reflect on all our blessings: our family, our friends, and this extraordinary community we share. But Thanksgiving isn’t just about giving thanks, it’s about giving back – to the least, the littlest, and the last among us.
This holiday season, I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity of a lifetime, to represent the only community I’ve ever called home, and to attempt to be worthy of a place with such enormous human talent and natural treasures.
This first year on the County Council has allowed me to truly appreciate all our community has to offer: the creativity, the ingenuity, the empathy in service to one another.
Just recently, I attended the dedication of Potomac Community Resources’ James M. Sullivan Memorial House, a beautiful group home adjacent to Our Lady of Mercy providing inclusivity, dignity, and respect in a gorgeous new home where any of us would love to live.
I’ve made multiple visits this year to Glenstone Museum, a world-class modern art venue and natural and architectural marvel. Few if any places on earth have a gem like Glenstone in the heart of their community, and fewer still can appreciate it for free, including a partnership with the county for direct bus access.
The trails along the Canal are my personal happy place. So it’s been a particular pleasure this year to support the C&O Canal Trust in its work preserving and upgrading our irreplaceable recreational and historic asset. We were happy to support the successful effort for a $1.02 million state grant to continue repairs of the towpath.
I grew up right across the street from Potomac Community Center, and was there often to play basketball and baseball and attend Club Friday. It’s the place where I joined my mom to vote every election as a child, where we kicked off my campaign for County Council, and where my parents and I cast our ballots together with my name on it last year. That’s why it was such a personal thrill to join community leaders and some of my childhood coaches and mentors to celebrate the PCC’s 30th Anniversary last month.
These are just a few examples of why I am so grateful for our amazing community and the humbling honor to represent you on the County Council. I’m working hard to fulfill the faith you’ve placed in me, and continue to feel blessed for every moment. Thank you for the privilege and honor to serve, and best wishes to you and yours for a reflective, relaxing, fulfilling holiday season.