On Wednesday, March 4th, Avoca was proudly represented at Iowa League of Cities' Local Leaders Day at the State Capitol in Des Moines. City Administrator Shawnna Silvius, Mayor Tom Bruck, and Councilwoman Deb Calhoon traveled to the Capitol to take part in the event alongside community leaders from across the state.
Local Leaders Day is an annual event and provides an opportunity for our local officials to connect directly with state legislators and discuss the issues that impact communities.
“Attending Local Leaders Day ensures Avoca has a seat at the table when decisions are being discussed that impact our residents, businesses, and future community and economic growth. It’s an important opportunity to listen, learn, and make sure the needs of smaller communities are part of the conversation,” said Shawnna.
Events like this help strengthen the connection between local and state government. By attending, Avoca’s leadership was able to share perspectives from our community, learn about statewide initiatives, and advocate for the needs and priorities of our residents. We are fortunate to have organizations such as the Iowa League of Cities available to provide events such as Local Leaders Day to help us stay informed, connected, and inspired.
“Participating in Local Leaders Day was both valuable and eye-opening,” said Councilwoman and Mayor Pro-Temp Deb Calhoon. “The economic impact panel with community leaders highlighted that while many communities share similar challenges, each approaches solutions in different, and effective, ways. I appreciated learning more about the legislation being discussed and how certain bills could either benefit or create challenges for communities like ours. It also reinforced that simply being present matters. By being there, we help bring the voice and perspective of our community into state-level conversations. One of the most effective ways to engage with legislators is to first understand what they know about an issue and then share our local perspective to help inform their decisions.”
Continuing education and engagement are important parts of effective local leadership. In addition to Local Leaders Day, members of Avoca’s team will also attend upcoming conferences and training opportunities throughout the year, allowing them to bring new perspectives, knowledge, and ideas back to benefit our community.
We appreciate the dedication of our local leaders who take time to represent Avoca and work toward a strong future for our community.
