I am a 37 years old wife and mother of two beautiful boys, a tiny dog named Dipper, and mischievously sweet cat named Mable. My family is my world, my priority, and the inspiration behind everything I do. I believe that I absolutely won the lottery by being born into a family residing in East Lyme, Connecticut. Throughout my 37 years, I’ve left home from time to time, but never for long. East Lyme is more than just where I grew up, went to school, fell in love, got married, bought a home and raised our children. It is a scrapbook of my milestones in life, including the good, the bad, the lessons, the mistakes, the growth. Many neighborhoods in town hold memories I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. The beaches were backdrops to so many scenes and adventures in both childhood and adulthood. I’ve played soccer and softball on every field from “Vet’s Park” to “Bridebrook”; I survived the old school playground at McCook’s Park (and I have the scars to prove it!). Our two sons are currently in the public school system here, as I was just yesterday. They walk the same halls I walked, run the same fields I ran, and encounter some of the same teachers who taught me. These are those small-town blessings that I am extremely grateful for, and that people all over the world strive to have. 

In 2010, I attended one of the first classes to become a certified recovery coach in the state of Connecticut. I was 22 years old and had been working in local drug and alcohol treatment centers and homeless shelters in an attempt to help individuals who were struggling, and often dying. Over the next 14 years, I worked hard with our politicians, police departments, and nonprofit agencies to try and put a dent in the overwhelming problem of drugs and alcohol in our state and throughout the country. I used much time and effort to build relationships with local police departments and begin recovery coach ride-alongs and overdose follow ups which proved to be extremely beneficial and life-saving. These efforts received national attention due to the far-reaching impact and our state politicians’ interest in utilizing and expanding these types of programs. After many years in this career, filled with deep and devastating losses as well as the occasional miraculous win, I chose to leave the work last year. The lessons I learned while working in nonprofits, around addiction and mental health, as well as being heavily involved with the court and probation systems, was truly eye opening. I learned early on that our system is flawed. I complained about it, vented about it with my husband and my peers, but that accomplished nothing. I now know that what does accomplish something, is getting involved. 

My desire to run to be on the Board of Assessment Appeals comes from a deeper desire to learn, help, fix and maintain the issues close to home. Building relationships with others who decided, “you know what? I think I’ll get involved,” is what I’m looking for. Keeping East Lyme prosperous and beautiful for generations to come, is what I’m looking for. I don’t care one bit about party affiliation. I care that our town provides my children and yours the same scrapbook of memories that it gave me. Thank you all so much for giving me an opportunity to help make that happen.