Humm continues to climb the ladder

Ottawa University student Sara Humm was sworn in as mayor pro-tem for the city of Ottawa on April 15.

"It's a huge honor to be mayor pro-tem," Sara Humm, communications major, said. "If you would have told me 3 or 4 years ago that I would be mayor pro-tem at age 20, I wouldn't believe it."

After being elected to the city commission only three days after turning 18, Sara Humm reached the next stage in her political career.

Deb Henningsen, who encouraged Humm to run for city commission two years ago and was mayor and mayor pro-tem twice herself, thinks that Humm will do great in the position.

"As a mayor pro-tem you need to go out into the community and she is very well connected to a lot of people here at Ottawa," Henningsen, who served with Humm on the commission in 2007-08, said.

While sophomore Humm says the mayor pro-tem is more of a ceremonial position, she enjoys her new role.

"I have had more people contact me or stop me in the grocery store to express their concern about a certain issue or tell me what they think about issues," Humm said.

Many of her friends and family ask her if that doesn't bother her but she says she is always open for discussions, new ideas and hearing concerns.

The mayor pro-tem is responsible for filling in, whenever the mayor is not available. The responsibilities therefore can be to run meetings, ribbon cuttings or similar events. But Humm thinks that is not enough, she would like to see more involvement in the community for her position and the position of the mayor.

"People in the community like to see all the commissioners at community events and such but they especially like to see the Mayor and Pro Tem out and about," Humm added. "I think I am somebody that people can relate to because I am just a regular person. I am just a student like many other people and I work a part time job building trophies; I think people can relate to that."

Blaine Finch, 2000 history and political science graduate from Ottawa University, has also been on the city commission in Ottawa as a student and was mayor pro-tem from 1997-1998 and mayor from 1998-1999. He says it was a great experience for him to be able to see first hand how democracy works, especially in a small town.

"I think her strongest attribute is her perspective," Blaine said. "She has the perspective of a young adult and can look ahead 50-60 years."

Finch sees Humm helping out the community a lot, having that youthful perspective that many older members on the commission might not have.

While budget is an issue for the commission in today's economy, Humm has her focus on improving streets and sidewalks in Ottawa.

"We are also working on economic development and have a few projects in the works that will benefit our city," Humm said of the ambitious plans that the commission was tackling.

Excited and motivated, Humm is looking into the future.

"As the traditional system works, next year I will move up to the position of mayor," she said. "I have some ideas to have the mayor become even more involved in the community."