Local Leadership ~ Common Ground

Hello! I am Kathleen Martell and I am running for Wheat Ridge City Council, District 1. As a 25 year resident and volunteer I am excited to step into this opportunity.

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I am running for City Council because I love Wheat Ridge. I promote our businesses and organizations, advocate for residents, show up for creative and agriculture endeavors, and work to retain our unique culture. I believe that the hyper local level is where we must focus to make a true impact. This is where we see our leaders in our community, we know each other, and that connectivity builds trust and safety as we make hard decisions in tough times.

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Many of the things I love about Wheat Ridge today are the results of the work that I’ve done as an active and engaged volunteer, in partnership with other volunteers and community leaders.

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In Wheaties Academy, I learned how inspiration and tools can turn community ideas into action from the ground up. As a member of the first cohort, we used art to create safe pathways and hosted a pop-up block party to learn about community needs. As a mentor and advisor to subsequent cohorts, I guided community members as they developed creative solutions for community projects. Wheaties Academy created a pipeline of engaged residents who know how our city works and how to build community. It was also a precursor to Wheat Ridge 101 and Wheat Ridge 102. 

As co-chair of the Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy (NRS) Committee I worked to move differing opinions from equally passionate residents forward. From the NRS, we learned the importance of neighborhoods retaining their unique identities and needs, while drawing business and growth to our corridors. This led the city to create the Let's Talk program which focused on hyper-local neighborhood engagement. 

As a current member of the City Plan Steering Committee, I know collaboration is vital to the future of Wheat Ridge. I am eager to be a part of council as Wheat Ridge prepares to implement this plan.

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As the Wheat Ridge Cultural Commission Chair, I led the commission through a reevaluation of purpose and priorities. Under my leadership the commission created our 3 Pillars, offering a structure and focus from which to promote arts and culture in Wheat Ridge. I also served on the Wheat Ridge Creates leadership team as we folded this group into the Cultural Commission, streamlining support for the creative community and removing duplicity. 

My time is also spent growing gardens at home and at our Happiness Gardens community garden where I also lead regenerative agriculture workshops. I am an artist, welder, instructor, and Metal Shop Captain at the Clear Creek Makerspace.

Most importantly, Wheat Ridge is where Nat, Felix, and I call home and find happiness, joy, and community.

I look forward to connecting with you, to hear why YOU love Wheat Ridge, to learn about your concerns, and to earn your trust and support. Please reach out, join an upcoming meet and greets, or let's meet over coffee or a beer. 

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People say "Life is Sweet in Wheat Ridge." and I agree!