There’s something special about calling a place home — and for me, that place is Republic, Missouri. I care deeply about the direction of our city and the kind of community we’re building together. That’s why I’d love to see our City Council revisit the idea of neighboring — even after the vote two years ago to end those efforts. Not because we’re going backward. But because neighboring moves us forward. Neighboring Aligns with Our Vision If you read through the mission and vision statements of the City of Republic, you’ll find themes like connection, quality of life, safety, and belonging. Neighboring isn’t a side project — it’s the grassroots expression of those values. ( See my recent post on this topic ). A thriving city doesn’t just happen through infrastructure and development. It happens when people know each other. When neighbors wave. When someone notices if your garage door is left open. When kids have trusted adults up and down the street. Policies build cities. Neighb...

In communities across the United States, local governments are increasingly turning to neighborhood or city ambassador programs as a means of deepening civic engagement, promoting social connection, and building trust between residents and city officials.  These ambassador models vary in their approach, but at their heart is a common goal: to empower everyday citizens as liaisons between the city and its neighborhoods.  Three such programs—in North Liberty, Iowa; Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; and Springfield, Missouri—offer valuable insight into the benefits and possibilities of this kind of initiative. North Liberty, Iowa: From Crisis Response to Community Champions North Liberty’s Neighborhood Ambassador Program was born in the summer of 2020 in response to pandemic-related cancellations, including their popular Blues & Barbecue festival. The city issued a call to residents, asking for volunteers to serve as ambassadors for each neighborhood, using existing boundaries establishe...