BROOKINGS – Holly Tilton Byrne has announced her bid to run for the remaining year on the Brookings City Council term she is currently holding.
Tilton Byrne was appointed to the council seat last May, and the remaining year on the term will be filled in the April 10 city/school election. Brookings residents have until March 26 to register to vote, and early voting beings the same day.
Opening on the Brookings City Council this year are the mayor post, with a three-year term, and three council seats, two with three-year terms now held by Patty Bacon and Nick Wendell and a one-year post currently held by Tilton Byrne.
Nominating petitions are due at the City Clerk’s office by 5 p.m. Feb. 23, and so far Corbett and Bacon have turned in petitions to retain their current seats.
“I have been greatly enjoying my time on city council,” Tilton Byrne said.
“I have learned so much during the last several months. It takes a little bit of time to get familiar with the role of being a city council member, and I feel like I am more knowledgeable now about the duties than I was when I first started. I would love the opportunity to continue to serve our community in this role.”
Tilton Byrne currently serves as the city council representative on the Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter board, the Downtown Business District Committee with the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Brookings Regional Humane Society task force.
Prior to being appointed to city council, she served as Brookings Sustainability Council chair. She also works as lead community organizer for Dakota Rural Action, a statewide non-profit organization based in Brookings.
Tilton Byrne says one of her top priorities for council is to create an opportunity for community members to voice their opinions on important decisions and processes.
“For me the most rewarding part of serving on city council has been talking with Brookings residents and getting their feedback about issues on our agendas,” she said. “The people of Brookings have great ideas and aspirations for our community, and I feel it is the job of a council member to listen and help make those ideas become reality.”
She also wants the council to continue to focus on long term planning and sustainability.
“I am excited to dig deeper into the city’s Comprehensive Plan. I think it is important to plan for Brookings’ future in a way that looks at both long-term and immediate impacts while being as complete and sustainable as possible.”
Tilton Byrne has lived in Brookings most of her life, graduating as both a Bobcat and a Jackrabbit. In her downtime she, along with her husband and daughter, enjoys gardening, attending SDSU games, cooking and spending time with family.
More information about Tilton Byrne and her run for city council can be found on her Facebook page “Holly Tilton Byrne for Brookings City Council” at www.facebook.com/HollyForBrookings.
