Article Contributed on: 10/17/2008 3:08:29 PM
Cheryl Palm is running for House District 24 and answered a questionnaire for YourHub.com. To read all of the candidate questionnaires,
click here.
My name: Cheryl Palm
My age: 56
My family: I have 2 grown children, both of whom live in my legislative district. My 3 grand nieces are also an important part of my life. I have one grand dog.
Education: I graduated from the University of Nevada, with a B.A. in History. I also studied theater arts which comes in handy in my chosen career. Continuing study occurred, when I moved back to Colorado, in Colorado History and Historic Preservation.
What I do: I am primarily a Professional Tour Guide. It is my job to get on the bus with visitors and tell them about the area, history, geography, current events, tax structures, education systems, etc., we are traveling through. This means that I constantly study all facets of our state and region. I have also worked retail, hotel, test driven cars, delivered phone books and flowers. Basically, whatever it takes to pay the bills. For the last 9 years, I have been a session employee for the Colorado House of Representatives. I was receptionist of the House, Aide, Intern, and Volunteer Coordinator, Training Coordinator, and assistant to several Representatives during those years.
My favorite local place to hang out: I love the theater and all of the opportunities that the metro area have to offer. The award winning Arvada Center is such an important part of our community.
What I like most about living here: I love the feeling of community that the Lakewood/Wheat Ridge/Arvada/Edgewater area has. It feels like home and has been for the last 32 years
My interests and hobbies: The short version is: sewing, travel, reading, using my chain saw and other power tools, photography, crafting, and my church.
My favorite thing to cook: My superduper special breakfast cookies. It's a secret, don't ask.
People who inspire me (and how): My pastor,
David Langewisch, who walks the talk every day. Former Rep.
Diane Hoppe who I hope I can be like as a Representative. She truly did her homework and represented her constituents better than most Reps. I have observed.
How I have contributed to the community: I am blessed to be able to serve my community every time I take a bus load of visitors out on a tour of any part of Colorado. I relay to them the very special place where we live and why. I have also been a member of the Parish Board of Education for Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and as a member was a part of the accreditation process for Bethlehem Lutheran School with the Lutheran Schools and North Central Accreditation. I have also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. As a volunteer at the Molly Brown House Museum, I was the volunteer coordinator and Education coordinator as well as involved with the restoration of the 2nd floor.
The biggest issues facing us now: The economy. Transportation needs. Higher Education, including vocational. Energy development. Keeping taxes low. Health care.
Why I am running: I believe the sum of my career and past jobs has given me a unique view of Colorado, my district, and the region and how they all work together. I would like to use my legislative experiences and my career in customer service to get things done. I have worked with both sides of the aisle and think that I can be a force to bring a "TOO party" system together.