Article Contributed on: 7/16/2008 12:08:19 PM
Holly Gorman is running for House District 45 and answered a questionnaire for YourHub.com. To read all of the candidate questionnaires,
click here.
Holly Gorman
Age: According to my teenage daughter, I'm old, 41.
My Family: Mark, my hero and my husband, and I have three beautiful daughters,
Jordan, 16,
Amaris, 10, and
Sabriya, 6. In order to balance out the estrogen/testosterone inequity we have a male dog named
Jack.
Education: University of Colorado-Center for New Directions, Completing Thesis for a Masters in Politics and Public Policy. Arizona State University, Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies with Minors in Sociology and Family Studies.
What I do: In addition to being a leader among my little ladies and a wife to my husband. I am also a Restorative Justice Coordinator for Denver Public Schools, as well as, the Head Track Coach and a part-time League Supervisor for the Town of Castle Rock. Previously, in the Education Arena, I served as a Middle and High School Teacher and Coach, a Youth Transition Coordinator, and an Intervention and Dropout Prevention Specialist. I started out my career in the Justice Arena where I served as a Probation Officer/School Resource Officer, and then later as a Judicial Educator. I also volunteer for several non-profit organizations and play on my church softball team in my sparetime.
My Favorite Place in Town to Hang Out: In the Town of Castle Rock, I enjoy time spent with my girls and children within the community as I work with the Town's Athletic Programs. My family and I like to hike the Rock, as we can all make it up and back, even if Mark has to carry one of the girls on his shoulders. As for the rest of my district, I really find both Daniel's Gate near Castle Pines and Sky High Ranch (Girl Scout Camp) near Woodland Park extremely beautiful and quite serene.
What I Like Most About Living Here: I like the small town feel of our community!
My Interests and Hobbies: Spending time with my family and close friends, healthy living, getting my butt kicked in spin (cycling) class, hiking and biking, lifelong learning to include reading books...some of my faves:
Blink and
The Tipping Point both by
Malcolm Gladwell, and
From Good to Great by
Jim Collins.
My Favorite Thing to Cook: Baking my Signature Banana Bread...it's awesome, just ask my family and friends.
People Who Inspired Me: Many have inspired me throughout my life. However, right now I am truly inspired by my dad and his will to live and conquer a diagnosis of terminal liver cancer. And with this, I am inspired and supported by my personal relationship with God and my friends and family. I have found it sometimes difficult to be self-less. When I am thinking only of me... and how I feel at the thought of losing my dad I have to stop and remind myself that at age 60, I can only imagine how my dad must feel at the thought of losing his life. You may be asking, "Why is she running for a public office when her dad has cancer?" He wouldn't have it any other way.
How I Have Contributed to the Community: I help whenever and wherever I can. I serve on the Douglas/Elbert Task Force (Advisory Board Member), Colorado Juvenile Council (Central-at-Large), Colorado Prevention Partners (Chair), Young Offender Mentoring Program (Mentor), Metro Denver Gang Coalition (Member), and the National/Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children (Member).
The Biggest Issues Facing State House District 45 Now: Aside from those we are all talking about, I believe one of our biggest issues is getting past the party label to vote for who will do the best job, Consistently! You see, "It's about People and Principles NOT Party Politics," it is about you and me working together so our voices are being heard and responded too. I am committed to see this through...I am someone who can and will commit to the term limit of eight years. True change takes time and in the past couple of terms we have not had consistency in House District 45. True change also occurs when people are working together. I am tired of government doing the same things over and over again expecting different results...aren't you? What will you do about it on November 4th?
Why I am Running: Call me crazy? No, honestly, first, I am running for Jordan, Amaris, and Sabriya. It is imperative that we consider where our children will be in the future and how we can work together to create and compel elected officials to consider long-term solutions and not short-term fixes. And second, I found myself expressing concern to an elected official and then I thought to myself, why am I complaining? I can make a difference, I have been educating young people for years on duty and civic responsibility, I needed to step up or shut up.
For more information about me, you can check out my Web site at
www.hollygorman.com or feel free to send me an e-mail at holly@hollygorman.com.