Your Opinion: Support based on children's future

Dear Editor:

I grew up and took a lot of pride in my hometown, St. Louis. When Marc and I decided to get married, he asked if I would move to Jefferson City. I was already frankly horrified by a small town and then my Dad proclaimed that, "all Jefferson City has is cows." I gave in but cried the entire drive from St. Louis to Jefferson City. Marc and I had an understanding that after two years, if I didn't like Jefferson City, we would move back to St. Louis. It only took six months and I realized what an amazing place Jefferson City is to work and live.

We built our first home and were blessed with two amazing boys that are the absolute loves of our life. From the days that they started to talk, Marc and I would ask what they wanted to be when they grew up. Our oldest would always say, "I want to move to St. Louis." Our youngest tells us about career options, but none of them are available here in Jefferson City. This broke Marc and my hearts. So when Marc contemplated running for presiding commissioner we decided that Marc had to do it, to make things better in Jefferson City - for our boys.

Our boys are now 11 and 14 and they still say they want to move to St. Louis when they grow up. The only way that our children will want to stay in Jefferson City is if we make Jefferson City better. We have the opportunity to do that by voting yes on Feb. 7 for Transformation.

There's not a single person that wants to pay higher sales taxes, just to pay higher taxes. Everyone was invited to participate and 400-plus community volunteers created a plan that is critical to Jefferson City's future. We are making an investment in our hometown and I trust our volunteer's expertise.

Please take some time to research Transformation, the sales tax that will sunset in 10 years, the board of governance, and the progress we will make in a very short period of time. You can start at jeffersoncitytransformation.com and talk with your friends. Each of us can make a difference on Feb. 7 for the future of Jefferson City and most importantly, for our children.

Please join me in voting yes for Transformation Feb. 7.