Shawna Meyer, (Liz Macias, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — Shawna Meyer is one of the eight candidates who is running for a seat on the Kearney city council this election season.
Meyer said she founded and helps to run the Nest: Space, a hybrid, community focused office space for freelancers, entrepreneurs, etc. and is located in downtown Kearney.
She also operates 24 Hour Tees, located on 3rd Ave. and operates Shawna Meyer Design and is a lead interior designer and project manager.
Meyer said she is a mother and has two young daughters. She said when she was practicing for the interview, her five-year-old wanted her mom to make sure she told everyone they have a dog and three cats too.
Meyer said she is married to her high school sweetheart, Chase Meyer, for 21 years and has resided in Kearney since 1989, moving to the community when she six-years-old.
“Kearney is where my heart is,” Meyer said.
When asked about her motivation to run for a seat on the city council, Meyer said she loves to listen and talk with people and likes to solve problems as a business leader or as a mother by talking through an issue.
Meyer feels her ability to listen and empathize with people would be a strength she could bring to the council.
As a business leader, she said she knows what it means to handle risk management, how to work with finances, how to foster growth. Meyer said Kearney has had great leaders and if she was elected, she would be standing on the shoulders of those who led before her.
“They have opened the door for opportunities for those like myself,” she said.
Meyer is also motivated to show what it means to be a leader to her daughters. As a woman running, if elected, she would be the second woman in 25 years to sit on the city council.
She said its important to have a voice who could represent the women of the community.
When asked about the importance of serving in a public role, Meyer said it is important to show residents that it’s worth being a leader and that it is important to help Kearney continue to grow and expand.
“I think it’s a pivotal time to be a leader in Kearney,” Meyer said.
Asked what changes she would like to see and help foster in Kearney, she said Kearney will benefit from people who are willing to get out and help in the community and helping to enable entrepreneurs in the community.
Meyer also noted she has traveled internationally and is eager to bring ideas from her travels to Kearney.
When asked why Kearney residents should vote for her, Meyer said she is very rooted in Kearney and brings to the table the fact that she is a woman, that she is focused on listening to people and willing to communicate genuinely with people.
In conclusion, Meyer said local elections may not grab the headlines from national election stories, but local officials can impact daily life far more often.
“I really want you all to make the best choice and to make it count, the election is not about me being a city councilwoman, its about choosing the best three people that you believe will continue to help honor Kearney with heart,” Meyer said, “Its about making Kearney the best place we can all call home.”
Editor’s Note: Jason Peck appeared on 1340 KGFW and this article was written using information provided during that interview. The full interview can be found here.
