After election cycles, we oftentimes hear the phrase: "If you didn't vote, you can’t complain!” After this last presidential election, a good friend of mine and I were talking about this subject, and he said something that really resonated with me. He said, "Real change starts with principled people running for office."

I believe that statement is true, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I couldn't sit idly by any longer and be a government critic. I realized that I wanted to be part of the "real change" that my friend and I had discussed.

Real change starts in our communities, which is why I am running for Alderman of Ward 5. In addition to having the zeal for public service, I believe I can bring valuable skills to the table for the City of Clinton that will yield results. As