Thank you for the opportunity to serve this community

I've relocated to Lakewood and am resigning from the board

I’ve admittedly been putting off writing this because it seems impossible to sum up the last two years of serving Pleasant View. But due to personal circumstances, I have relocated to Lakewood and am therefore no longer eligible to serve on the board.

Wednesday, July 22, 2026 will be my final board meeting.

I started this newsletter and ran for the board because I wanted to help my community. I think I’ve done that. I hope you agree (and it’s okay if you don’t!). I’m leaving Pleasant View in very capable hands, and am proud to have been part of improving financial responsibility, transparency, and management of the district.

I started going to board meetings as a random new neighbor. I had to bribe my then-toddler into sitting through them by promising a look at the fire trucks after word. I had no idea if this was actually possible, but when we walked up to the open fire station bay doors, the firefighters welcomed us with open arms. They made the mistake of telling me to “come back anytime.” As a parent of a very busy toddler boy, I took them up on that offer and stopped by any time the doors were open.

The firefighters treated my son like one of their own - whether he was wearing nail polish and a dress or asking them endless questions about how the ambulance or fire engine worked. They always made him feel special and loved, and even showed up for his birthday with a fire engine of his own (which he still has!).

When I got the idea I might want to go to EMT school, I stopped by on my own for once to ask for guidance. It was totally out of my comfort zone and I was so so nervous. The crew invited me in, sat down with me around the kitchen table, and told me to go for it. I came back for a ridealong and loved it. One of the female firefighters mentioned Pleasant View was starting a volunteer academy soon and that I should apply. I didn’t think it was something I, a late-30s mom who could not do push-ups, could do. She insisted that I could. So I tried.

Fire academy was the hardest thing I’ve ever done - right up there with pregnancy and birth! It changed my life, and I will forever by grateful for the opportunity to serve my community while learning from some of the most kind and dedicated people I have ever met. I also learned a lot about myself and what I was capable of.

From attending board meetings, I knew the community deserved better communication and more insight into what was going on at the district. I knew I wasn’t an expert, but I also knew I could do better for my neighbors. I started this newsletter. And then I ran for the board.

My family and I knocked on about 800 doors during Spring 2025 to spread the word about the election and try to get people to vote for me. I got to meet so many of you, and hear your ideas, concerns, and also learn about you as my neighbors. I will never forget that and always cherish that time.

Being on the board wasn’t easy, and having to leave much earlier than I planned on is difficult too. I feel confident that the district is in good hands, and I’m so grateful to all of you who made sure that happened.

Thank you to all of you who read this newsletter, who come to long and inconvenient meetings, and who answered the door when a random lady rang your doorbell to talk about your community.

Thank you all for caring and for showing up. Even after this long rambling post I don’t think I can properly express how deeply grateful I am, and how important Pleasant View has been to me.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Laura